Organizing Bags and Pocketbooks

When organizing your bags, first categorize them by color. Color is typically the first criteria when choosing which bag to use, after that you can sort by smaller clutches, pocketbooks that are better suited to daytime use vs. pocketbooks that are more suitable for evening events, and finally your more casual tote bags. Of course, there are lots of organizing tools for handbags.  Given we are not fans of the plastic look, we found the linen bins from The Container Store to be useful for storing smaller clutches.  You can turn them to hide the bags with the taller end facing out and there is a spot for a label, or you can turn the bins so you can visually see the bags.  They look elegant and are functional.  We placed the bins on the floor so the client could easily see some of the smaller clutches.  The bigger bags were placed on the top shelf of the closet and clear shelf dividers were used to separate the bags and keep them from falling down.  It also helps to stuff the less-used bags with either white packing paper or white tissue paper to keep them standing upright.  The only issue then is if you are in a hurry, what to do with the tissue paper!  Another solution is to put the paper inside a plastic shopping bag, tie it and it becomes easier to use when the time comes and makes less of a mess. Finally, we used special tote bag hooks also sold at The Container Store allowing us to hang some of the bigger bags sideways to maximize limited storage space.  The bags hang perpendicular to the hook which is what is needed for bulky totes.  And, as always, when organizing take time to evaluate what you use and what can be donated.  Someone is always on the other end of the donation so create a visual for yourself to make it easier to give an item away!