5 Simple Steps to Organization

Invest in closet organizers

Not at all expensive, closet organizers will make your life -- and mornings -- a lot easier. Simply using a garment rod or even a simple hook will create a staging area for outfit coordination or to store empty hangers. A jewelry drawer or box to house and organize your baubles is also a must. Every closet comes with a pole – and we know what to put on those; however, it is the little things that you don’t know where to put.

Arrange by season

Every six months, rearrange your closet so that the current season's items are easily accessible. Keep the items you’re using in view – you can always store off-season clothing under your bed, inside plastic storage containers with lids, in an attic or spare room that you don’t access often.

Take the "Do I Really Love It?" test

Ask yourself this about each item. If you truly did love that black studded clutch or Indian-silk top bought on a vacation, you would have worn it within the last year, right? If you can't remember wearing an item within the last 12 months, resist the temptation to return the item to your closet and instead, donate it.

Let go of clothes not in your size

Whether they were your favorite jeans five years ago when you weighed 15 pounds less, or your best black skirt is two sizes too big, get rid of any clothes that no longer fit. We tend to hold onto a lot things we HOPE to fit into again…as the years go by all it does it cover up what you have.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Clean your closet out every six months following these same steps, and you'll pare your wardrobe down to the items you really wear and love. Here's a clever way to figure out if you've worn something: Return everything to the closet so that it hangs with the hanger's hook facing forward. Once you've worn and item, you can return it to the closet facing inwards. All the hangers left facing outwards at the end of six months are your first candidates for the donation pile.

We're not just closets anymore!

California Closets of Indianapolis offers customer organization for every area of the home - whether you need to tackle your media center, design a home office that makes sense, or create a garage that can keep not only your car, but your lawn and gardening equipment, we are here to help!

Visit us on Facebook where you can watch a quick video!  You can become a fan to receive special Facebook promotions and hear tips on organization.

Start to Finish - One Customer's Testimonial

“We have been living with our new closet for over 2 months now and I want you to know just what a great change it has been in our lives. Having my shoes and clothes so available and easy to find has relieved stress every morning when I get dressed for work. I can find all my clothes and shoes easily and it is so nice to be able to put an outfit together quickly. Also it has made both me and my husband neater people because it is so convenient to hang things up after we wear something. No more using the love seat as a dumping place for worn clothing. We just go to the nice organized closet and hang things up after we wear them. What a concept!



So thanks so much for your wonderful design. Also your installation guys should be complemented for their superior work and professionalism. They actually cleaned up after themselves. And the Starbucks card was a very thoughtful touch.” – S. Burger, Indianapolis, IN

Easy tips to declutter your garage for Spring!

California Closets President Charlie Meyer and Senior Design Consultant Meredith Meyer were recently guests on Indy Style to help with tackling one of our most difficult spaces...the garage!  To view this video; click here.

California Closets has fail proof ways to declutter your garage


California Closets of Indianapolis Design Consultants are trained to provide you with a distinct and unique storage design that embraces your belongings and the way you use your living spaces. A broad array of color and finish options, and accessories, will beautifully integrate your storage solution into your home décor and the life you lead. The combination of design skill and product choice creates a customized solution that responds to your needs and wishes exactly. California Closets enjoys big and small challenges, and look at each as an opportunity to demonstrate our ability to solve your custom organizational needs.

Dress for Success - S.O.S. week!

This is the week to Send One Suit!
Bring your One Suit, One Blouse or donate a monetary contribution to help disadvantaged women obtain proper dress attire as they enter the workforce.

Please remember suits and blouses need to be donated on hangers and be in ready-to-wear condition. This is a fantastic opportunity to support a great cause and make some much needed room in your closets!

If you are not familiar with Dress for Success, please visit their site Dress for Success of Indianapolis to learn more about their organization.


"The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life."

When ladies are referred to Dress for Success Indianapolis for their job interview, they need a suit and blouse that will empower them to stand tall and walk into their interview looking and feeling confident.

Drop off site is located at our showroom, just east of the Keystone Fashion Mall; next to Bonefish Grill Restaurant:

4507 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250

Monday - Friday 10am-5pm

Saturday 10am-2pm

April 2 - April 13, 2010

Monetary donations in addition to or in place of are always welcome! Many items are still needed and $5 buys three pairs of hosiery - $10 buys a pair of shoes - $15 buys a purse - $50 buys a suit in a size that might not get donated. Donors will receive a signed donation receipt - one copy for them and the other is submitted to Dress for Success. Classic Cleaners is a sponsor of this event and they are giving away coupons for $10 off a $20 or more order of dry cleaning.

7 Tips On How to Get and Stay Organized

What I’ve Learned About Organization

• Organizing a space is not a one-time event. If you think you’re going to organize a closet and it will magically stay organized you’re mistaken.
• It’s amazing what 5 minutes of organizing maintenance can do. Pick up clothes on the floor. Hang up the jackets in the closet, toss the junk mail. Maintenance is key to staying organized.
• Getting organized can be overwhelming. Start small and color in the lines. If you’re going to organize a junk drawer, don’t end up organizing the entire kitchen. Small wins eventually add up to big wins.
• Declutter, declutter, declutter. Half the battle is getting rid of all the stuff you don’t really need.
• Identify the problem before creating the solution. You need to know what’s wrong before you can fix it.
• Make it personal. You probably won’t change your habits too much so make the solution work within how you live.
• Organizing a space does not mean it needs to look like a magazine cover. Organization is about function, not form.
• Think continuous improvements. Your first attempt may not always work. Keep adjusting until you get it right.
Article by Jim Deitzel
Picture is California Closets system in Candlelight

5 Easy Tips to Organize Your Linen Closet

Much like a junk drawer, linen closets tend to be breeding grounds for disorganization. They quickly become cluttered as yet another one-off sheet is purchased from Homegoods and stuffed into the back of the closet, and downright frustrating when you grab the full fitted sheet while rooting around for the king fitted.

Here are five tips to help you quickly organize your linen closet.

1. Purge, Purge, Purge: A theme that repeats through all organization projects, the first thing you have to do is edit your linen collection. I held onto a plaid Ralph Lauren pillow case through 4 moves over 5 years in my early twenties. I thought it was the perfect mixture of "Connecticut Preppy" and "Beach Chic" and represented the kind of décor I'd one day decorate my beach house in...in about 30 year's time if I was lucky and won the lottery. After years of neglect (it never matched any of my other bedding) I finally parted with my favorite pillow case. The moral of the story is: if you haven't used something for 6 months, it's time to sell or donate.

2. Go All White: This one's a no-brainer. Nothing will make your linen closet look more organized than monochromatic sheets, towels, pillow cases and coverlets. If you're afraid this will become a boring décor scheme, think of the fun you'll have choosing colorful and flashy blankets, throw pillows, and shower curtains

3. Label the Shelves: Easier for you and easier for houseguests, labelling the shelving of your linen closets (or the baskets you store you're bedding and towels in) is a quick and easy organizing trick. Get out your label maker or Japanese Masking Tape and label away. Just remember to keep things simple: "full size" is perfect, "full size sheets for pull out couch" is over-wrought and may earn you a reputation as a organization freak.

4. Get the Wrinkles Out: Aside from editing your linen collection down, nothing will make your closet look better than ironing its contents. Sheets will fold more easily and your bed will look more restful with a wrinkle-free dust ruffle. Confession: I never iron. Much to my Mother's horror, I don't even own one. I honestly rather scrub the bathroom than get out an ironing board and plug in an iron. As an alternative, I purchased a clothes steamer and have never looked back. If you're lazy like me, a Jiffy cloethes steamer is worth the money--both for your linens and your clothes, drapes and outerwear.

5. Invest in Bins: Topless bins or baskets will make organizing a breeze and cut down on the need to fold things absolutely perfectly. To buy, fold a towel and measure the width. Purchase bins that will hold your linens as they lie flat folded.

There's really nothing quite like a beautifully made bed or a stack of fresh-from-the-dryer towels. Creating an organized and clutter-free home for your linens is a quick and impactful organizing project.
Provided by: Elizabeth Arkin