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Host Help: Easy closet organizing tips

Paid segment sponsored by California Closets.

In today’s “Host Help,” Kendall spoke with Lora Van Balen from California Closets. She gave us a few of her tips for reorganizing your closet, to make it more beautiful, streamlined and functional.

California Closet’s tips:

  1. Take everything out:

• While it might sound overwhelming to clear out your entire closet, this step is a vital part to the organization process.

• Take every — yes, every — item out, including clothing, accessories and shoes.

• This encourages you to be a bit more calculated about what you put back into your closet.

  1. Divide your items into 4 groups:

• Sort through the contents of your closet and create four piles:

  • one for items to give away or consign
  • one maybe pile
  • one for sentimental items you can place in long-term storage
  • one for items that you wear regularly and definitely want to return to the closet.

▪ Hint: As needed, try on your clothes to help you decide where they belong. Anything that doesn’t fit, or you rarely wear, is ready for retirement.

Add garments back in:

1. Once you’ve sorted your clothes, address the garments that are staying in the closet by grouping them into categories.

• Start by putting your shirts together, separated by short sleeve and long.

• Then, divide your pants, dresses, skirts and so on by casual and more formal, long and short. Use this process for each category of clothing.

• Once you have your categories defined, you can put everything back into the closet in sections, leaving a few inches of room between each one.

a. Hint: If you’re feeling extra ambitious, arrange items within the sections by color.

2. Track your “maybes”

• Mark the maybe items that you decide to keep by putting them back with the hanger in the opposite direction.

• If you wear one of those items, turn the hanger back to the correct direction. That way, the next time you organize your closet, you will be very aware of what you did not wear, making it easier to purge.

EXTRA:

Expert’s favorite organizational products:

Streamline velvet hangers

  • thin
  • grabs clothing that might slip
  • same color hangers gives the appearance of larger closet

Acrylic dividers & boxes:

  • acrylic dividers keep items like sweaters and bags upright and neat

- separate items while giving a clear view of what is on shelf

  • boxes or bins are great to store out of season items or items that you want hidden

- labeling boxes or bins makes it easier to find when searching for that item

- can be stored above closet to make room or in storage, out of sight

Drawer Dividers

  • separate smaller items; socks, bras, workout clothes
  • great for accessories like belts, scarves and jewelry

Tune into “Great Day Live” weekdays from 9 to 10 a.m. on WTSP-TV.

Hosts Kendall Kirkham and Java Ingram bring you the latest in what everyone’s talking about, from trending stories, lifestyle and entertainment news, buzz-worthy, pop culture moments, and all things fun and exciting happening around Tampa Bay.

Whether it’s people making a difference, talented artists and musicians, delicious food, fun activities to do and make with the family, lovable animals, entertaining events and big names coming to town, we’ve got you covered. We hope to bring you a wealth of information to live your best life and start your morning right!

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If you have an interesting segment idea, send an email to

About Kendall: 

Kendall Kirkham joined “Great Day Live” in November 2017 from Memphis, Tennessee, where she served as morning co-anchor for WMC Action News 5. Prior to her stint in Memphis, Kendall served as co-host of "Tulsa Live" at KOKI in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kendall also worked at KETK in Tyler, Texas, The Dallas Morning News and started her career as an intern for “The Ellen Show” and E! Entertainment.

Kendall has interviewed countless celebrities and notable figures, from Bob Woodward to Arsenio Hall, John Travolta and Paula Deen. She’s hit 9 Gs with the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds, raised money for various charities in three local “Dancing with the Stars” competitions, and even played a gangster on stage for a traveling Broadway show. Kendall is most proud of her work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She continues to support the hospital in various capacities today.

Kendall is a proud Texas native. She grew up in the Fort Worth area and graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Radio/TV/Film.

Kendall is thrilled to join the “Great Day Live” team and is having a ball highlighting this thriving community. She hopes to bring a smile to viewers at home every single day. In her spare time, Kendall enjoys exploring the countless sights, sounds and eats of Tampa Bay with her husband Jason and son Knox.

About Java: 

Java Ingram is a New Orleans native/Texan and is excited to call Florida home! Prior to joining the “Great Day Live” team, Java served as host of a lifestyle-entertainment show in Birmingham, Alabama. She also woke up dark and early, weekday mornings to help drivers make it to their destinations safely as a traffic anchor.

Java started her on-air broadcast career in the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, Mississippi. In Tupelo, she served as morning news anchor, producer and reporter.

Javanté is an award-winning journalist, having been recognized by the Associated Press for Best Anchor, Best Reporter and Best Franchise Reporting, just to name a few.

When she's not working, Java is very passionate about giving back to the community, having served on the corporate boards for The Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi, The Civic Ballet Company, The Doniphan Dance Project and the Leadership Council for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. She has volunteered also with a number of civic organizations.

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