Drawer or shelf for what
Short answer: Small garments belong in the drawer, and large garments belong on the shelf. The rule is that you should see every garment without moving anything else, because that makes it easy to find what you want and keep order.
The rule behind the split
A garment should be visible without you moving anything else. That is the whole rule, and it decides where things go. What you can stand on its edge goes in the drawer, and what is bulky or heavy goes on the shelf. That makes the wardrobe easy to use every morning.
What belongs in the drawer
Underwear, socks, t-shirts and anything that can stand on its edge side by side belong in the drawer. When garments stand upright instead of in stacks, you see them all at once and take exactly what you want without digging to the bottom. See also the bamboo jogging suit for men.
How to make room in the drawer
Fold garments into small rectangles that can stand next to each other like books on a shelf. Leave a little air between the rows, so your fingers can reach in and lift a piece out. A drawer packed to the brim causes creases and hides what lies at the bottom.
What belongs on the shelf
Sweatshirts, knitted garments and anything that gets stretched by its own weight on a hanger belong on the shelf. Thick garments take more room, so an open shelf suits them better than a narrow drawer. See also the bamboo sweatshirt for women.
Stacks on the shelf
Place garments in neat stacks with the folded edge towards the front, so you can see what is in each stack. Keep the height low so you do not have to lift down a whole stack to reach one garment. Each stack can hold its own kind of garment, so nothing gets mixed up.
What belongs on a hanger
Shirts, dresses and anything that creases easily belong on a hanger. When they hang, the creases can fall out on their own, and the fabric avoids sharp lines from a fold. Choose a hanger with broad shoulders so the garment keeps its shape. See also the bamboo shirt for men and the bamboo dresses.
How tall may a stack be
Three garments per stack at most, otherwise you cannot see the bottom ones. If a stack grows taller, you end up moving everything to reach the bottom, and then the rule of seeing every garment is broken. If you have more garments, start a new stack beside it instead of building upwards.
Do not sort by colour alone
Colours help, but a drawer with only blue garments is not necessarily easy to use. Divide by kind instead, so all t-shirts lie together and all sweatshirts lie together. Inside each kind you can then put the colours in order, so you quickly find what you want to wear.
Seasonal clothes belong elsewhere
Put seasonal clothes away in a box somewhere other than the daily wardrobe. Then the wardrobe does not get stuffed, and you can see what you actually wear. Swap when the season changes, and use the chance to set aside anything you have not worn since last time.
Frequently asked questions
How many stacks fit on a shelf?
Three garments per stack at most, otherwise you cannot see the bottom ones. Several low stacks side by side are better than one tall stack where you must move everything to reach the bottom.
Can you keep everything in drawers?
Yes, if the drawers are deep enough for the garments to stand upright. If they are too shallow, a shelf suits the thick garments better, so they are not squeezed.
What about seasonal clothes?
Put them away in a box somewhere other than the daily wardrobe. Then you have room in the wardrobe for what you wear now, and the clothes lie neatly until next season.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
