Organization: Closet space worksheet

Closet space is like cake.  Even if you start with a lot, eventually it will run out and you will need more.  If you're in that state, and you're re-organizing or remodeling (Lucky you!) your closet, here's a chart that will help with planning.

Closet space worksheet -
After taking inventory of your wardrobe, multiply the total with the suggested multiplier to reveal your space requirements.*  Here's the basic equation:

• Quantity x Multiplier (from chart) = Space required

For example, if I have ten short dresses, I would multiply that by 1.5" and then I would know that I need 15" of closet rod to store my dresses nicely (i.e. without wrinkling).

For folded clothes, the multiplier relates to the vertical space.  So if you're contemplating a dresser with drawers that are 4" high, you would not be able to stack bulky sweaters since each sweater requires 2.5" of height.  It would be better to opt for a dresser with 5" drawers.  If you're planning on open shelves, it's recommended to keep the stacks lower than 18" for sweaters and 12" for everything else.

You could also reverse-engineer the whole thing and calculate the capacity of your current closet.  And don't buy more clothes than what can fit, but that's just un-American.

*I can already predict that I'll discover that my closet is way, way too small and I need make my husband move his clothes to the guest bedroom.