Closet Organization for Men

Men and women have different needs when it comes to closet organization and clothing storage.

Functionality of space is crucial, and while both genders may own similar articles of clothing, the likelihood that they store them the same way is low.

A closet system should complement daily lifestyle, and for many men, that means a system that will save a lot of time when getting ready to leave. For best time management (especially in the morning!), items should be stored based on how frequently they are worn. In addition to built in storage, organization by style, color and size plays a big role when designing a highly functional closet.

Men typically wear pants as bottoms, so hanging rack design is simple (as compared to women who wear dresses and skirts of different lengths; requiring multi length spaces). Organize hanging pants in order of light to dark to allow for a quick grab without fumbling to find the right color or pair. Consistency will make selection a breeze.

For men who frequently wear button down shirts, sport coats and suits, adequate hanging space is crucial. These items require conscious care and should be hung straight with adequate space allowance. As a rule, the vertical space should measure at least 42 inches. (Our team of professional organizers is a great resource for questions you may have regarding space requirements!). Using the same color sorting system used for pants further increases the functionality and efficiency. If possible, position pants and tops near one another to eliminate walking from one end of the closet to the other multiple times while choosing an outfit.

Sport jackets, suits and coats should be kept in a hanging area designated for less frequently worn items. This will eliminate daily thumbing through items only needed periodically.

Custom closet design for men should include flat shelving for foldable items, such as sweaters. Heavy sweaters will stretch if placed on a hanger. Shelves are also best for cashmere and other delicate fabrics. Many men also choose to fold jeans and casual shirts.

Create a space for footwear! Placing shoes on shelves that are slightly angled downward makes selecting the right pair quick and simple. Shoes are easier to see when angled than when on flat shelves. For men with lots of pairs of shoes, squeeze more shoes onto a shoe rack by placing shoes in opposite facing directions (toe to heel).

Ties, belts and accessories can become a mess and difficult to find if not organized. Hooks and racks are two ways to visibly store ties and belts. Group similar items together in this space, by color or fabric if possible, to avoid having to dig through belts to find a favorite tie! Drawers or caddies make for great storage of small items, such as cufflinks and buttons. Again, store all of these items in one location to avoid searching in multiple areas, which can be not only time consuming, but frustrating as well.

At the end of the day, dirty clothes need a space. A proper laundry system is another great time saver. At ClosetFactory.com, we found some examples of Integrated laundry hampers that make it easy for busy men (or women!) to sort, remove, wash and put away laundry by using removable bags included in the permanent system.

With a little planning, organizing and a professional installer, every man can have a closet that is functional, practical, and simple to maneuver; made just for him.