Now that spring is here and most of us have been stuck at home because of the Covid-19 virus, why not spend a little time addressing your foyer and closet.

These simple tips from the National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan will help your family get and stay organized.

As always, take out everything from the closet, placing all items into their categories, such as —

· Footwear, sorted by season

· Coats, sorted by season

· Gloves, scarves and hats

· Sports stuff

· Umbrellas, purses, and bags

· Pet items

Start with the coats that you wear most for the spring and summer season. Then match up your footwear underneath.

This might be the time to include a shoe organizer to better use the limited space available.

Depending on the size of the front closet, decide how many items should go back in, with a little room to spare for future additions. If you don’t have a lot of long coats, perhaps you could consider turning this closet into a double hung closet?

Making the most of your vertical storage could be a real bonus.

Next, match up gloves, toss out singles and those that have seen better days, and donate others, if you find you have too many. 

Put your gloves, scarves and hats for each family member in a basket, container/bin or over-the-door organizer.  This is a great time to see if your child has outgrown any items.  If closet space is at a real premium, you could choose to move these down to the basement for the warmer weather.  

Place a rubber mat on the closet floor for those wet shoes/boots. You could also place a carpet piece or rubber mat by the door that you use every day as a landing pad.

If you have dogs, start a bag or basket for their winter sweaters and place a handy hook for their leashes and collar in the closet or by the door.

It’s also a great idea to install more wall hooks, especially if you have young children at home. Maybe you can place them at a lower, kid-friendly height. It’s easier for children to place something on a hook than use a hanger.

Lastly, return the items you find that don’t belong in this closet to their rightful homes.

For those items you no longer need or won’t be using, place them in a donation bag to be dropped off at your favorite recycling/reuse place.

Once your closet work is done, you will start each new day in a more relaxed manner. Plus, you’ll be able to have dry feet — and even close your closet door!

Article submitted by Chapter member, Betty Huotari, Logical Placement LLC,

www.LogicalPlacement.com