Shelf-Help Genius: The Best Hangers
Photo credit: David A. Land
Don't hang tough. Take dry-cleaned garments out of the plastic as soon as you get them home, so the fabric can breathe. Also, remove clothes from flimsy wire hangers, which can leave them misshapen.
If you prefer to hang your trousers full-length and you have the vertical space, use this sturdy clamp hanger. Attach pants at the waistband to avoid creases. A set of six costs $9 at Organize Everything.
Photo credit: David A. Land
If you like to hang up your tank tops and camisoles, choose this notched shirt hanger with a swivel hook. No matter which way you hang your top, a simple twist of the hook leaves everything facing the same direction. Three hangers are $8 from Organized Living.
Never leave knitwear on hangers. Instead, keep sweaters folded on shelves, using clip-on dividers to prevent the stacks from toppling; $7 for a set of two at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Photo credit: David A. Land
If you have a very small closet, optimize the space by doubling up and using a single hanger for two pieces of clothing. Clip-ons hold skirts neatly. This wooden version with metal clips has a thin profile, allowing more hangers to fit on the rod. They're $5 each at the Container Store.
Photo credit: David A. Land
If you want to treat your pantsuits with care, look for a bar-style hanger, ideally one that's at least a half-inch thick and covered with nonslip material. The thickness keeps suit jackets from creasing at the shoulders. A padded hanger, like this canvas-covered one from Hold Everything, fits the bill; four cost $24.
Photo credit: David A. Land
If your scarves are always in a jumble, this hanger will help you organize your choices and see what you have more clearly. You can slide 10 or more scarves into the holes of this wooden model, whose swivel hook lets you hang it inside the closet, on the rod, or on a hook outside. The hanger is $12 from Organize Everything.
From the
Spring 2005 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
