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We can’t all have Cher Horowitz’s closet. Most of us mere mortals have wardrobes that more closely resemble Marie Kondo’s worst nightmare: clothes half-falling off hangers, with occasional escapees littering the ground. Keeping your own space organized can feel like a never-ending chore, but don’t panic. The solution is as simple as a product swap. According to organizing pro Shira Gill, it all comes down to your clothes hangers.
Choose the right ones, and everything will stay right where it’s meant to—no more frantically digging through a pile of blouses to find the one you need. Gill’s tried-and-true favorite? A set of 40 wood hangers from Closet Spice. “They’re well-constructed, feature an inset notch to prevent slipping, and have a trouser bar for pants or suits,” she explains. “They’re also slimmer in profile than the typical wood hanger—so a great space maximizer as well!”
Here, the expert elaborates on her hanger-picking method and shares her other product recommendations, should the above set of 40 not strike your fancy.
On Basing Your Choice on Your Clothes
“For entry and guest closets, I always prefer wood hangers over synthetic materials—they’re sturdy, stylish, and can withstand the weight of a heavy coat without snapping,” says Gill. If pants and suits are your main concern, she thinks specialty hangers are worth the splurge. “If you need hangers with trouser clips or shoulder grips, buy them in the same style and color as the rest of your hangers to ensure a streamlined, cohesive look.”
On Maximizing a Tiny Closet
Those 6,000-plus Amazon reviewers were right: Nonslip velvet hangers are the way to go. “These hangers have a slim, space-saving profile and also prevent blouses and camisoles from slipping off onto the floor,” says Gill.
On When to Hang and When Not to Hang
While your gut reaction may be to hang everything up where you can easily see it, certain items just aren’t made for that—the outline of the wire will crease shoulders and tops. Gill hangs only outerwear, blouses, skirts, trousers, and dresses, choosing to fold more casual pieces, like jeans or sweaters.
If your dresser can’t fit one more turtleneck without bursting, there is a way to hang bulkier clothes properly: “Chunkier sweaters and cardigans can be folded in half and draped over a trouser hanger if you’re short on shelf space,” she points out.
On Her Closet-Organizing Strategy
“Set up your closet like a boutique,” suggests Gill. “Organize in broad categories—blouses, dresses, blazers, etc.—and style by color from lightest to darkest within in each category.” Go the extra step and space hangers evenly on the rod so you can see everything easily, and opt for hangers in white or natural tones for an especially elevated look.
See more ways to keep your home organized: The Humble Hook, 40 Ways 10 Things Pro Organizers Always Buy on Amazon You Don’t Need Acrylic Organizers to Stay Tidy—Consider These Non-Plastic Picks