A few years ago, my girls took me to a Paint Night for my birthday. The instructor walked us through the steps of painting a winter scene. Each person in the class received the same supplies and instruction, tainted as it was by the instructor's desire to be elsewhere. It was his birthday too. When completed each painting had its own unique style.

Likewise, most homes come standard with a hall closet, but there’s not one “correct” way to supply and organize it. If you have kids at home, it will look different from a retiree’s closet. The size, its contents (skeletons?), and personal preferences all play into what it’s like when completed. These Timely Tips will guide you to achieve your own unique and user-friendly space.

Timely Tips - for an organized hall closet

#1 Create a vision: Your hall closet is there to serve you. Its job is to store the things you need and have them easily accessible. Decide which items you want to store there based on your preference, use, and available space. Many use their hall closets for linens, and that’s totally fine. I choose to store sheets and towels in the rooms and bathrooms where they’re used. My hall closet stores table linens (placemats/napkins), candles, vases, party and paper goods, light bulbs, household and sewing supplies, games, and grandkid supplies. As you create your vision you may choose to relocate items out of and into your closet. Maybe you need a spot for craft items, gift wrap, photos or back-up supplies like Costco paper towels and toilet paper.

#2 Purge and sort: The unfortunate truth is that you can pack way more into a disorganized closet. If your vision includes having easy access, then paring down is essential. Scavenging the back of the closet may bring to light some long-lost artifacts. Clients often say, “I’ll use it now that I know where it is,” but it probably would have been searched for earlier if it was that essential. Keep what fits with your vision, interests, and current lifestyle. As you purge, you’re creating space and making your closet more user-friendly.

#3 Keep like things together: Consider the categories you chose for your closet. A Home Décor category might have vases, frames, candles, seasonal decorations, etc. Household Supplies might have basic in-house tools, picture hanging supplies, felt pads for chairs, adhesives, sliders, etc. Sort the contents of what you’re keeping into categories.

#4 Create homes: Sometimes a home for something is simply a designated place on a shelf, but whenever possible, use labeled containers. Some prefer clear plastic bins that stack. Don't place a lid on containers you frequently access. Open-topped canvas cubes, woven baskets, or plastic baskets give a clean look. Label each bin so that you and others can locate and put things away more easily. If placing linens directly on shelves, use shelf dividers and label the front of the shelves to keep things orderly.

#5 Keep close what you use most: What items or categories do you handle most often? Place those on the shelves that are easiest to reach. Fan out from there based on use. Save the very top, bottom, and corners for items rarely used.

#6 Maintain boundaries: If left unchecked, your linens and things will multiply like rabbits behind closed closet doors. Over time, unsolicited items will appear randomly on your closet shelves. To combat clutter be mindful of returning things to their rightful place and not overstuffing. You’ll know when it gets hard to find what you need and frustrating to access, that it’s time to revisit step two—purge and sort. Don’t forget to remove the skeletons, unless of course, you’re decorating for Halloween!