[Home Tips] Clothes pile up in your wardrobe as the seasons change. How can you save space and solve the problem?
👀 Why do Hong Kong people tend to have piles of clothes during the changing seasons?
Hong Kong has distinct seasons (though autumn is so short it feels like a holiday 😅). The styles and thickness of clothing vary greatly between spring and summer, and autumn and winter. For example, winter wears down jackets, coats, and sweaters, while summer wears thin tees, shorts, and skirts. Because Hong Kong apartments are small and wardrobe space is limited, the change of seasons often leads to:
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Heavy clothing takes up a lot of space🧥
Down jackets, coats, and sweaters are still bulky even when folded. -
The reluctance to throw away old clothes , thinking “I might wear them someday”, leads to accumulation of clothes year after year.
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Improper storage method <br>Clothes are folded and stacked randomly, wasting vertical space.
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Lack of classification labels <br>When looking for clothes, you have to rummage through boxes and cabinets, which makes the situation more chaotic.
💡 Editor's Pick: Seasonal Clothing Storage Guide (Applicable to Hong Kong)
1. Let go before putting away
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Method : Check all clothes before changing seasons and divide them into:
- Must-keep : Frequently worn, in good condition
- To be processed : wrong size, damaged, outdated
- Donate/Recycle : No longer needed but still wearable
- Editor’s Tip : There are many charities in Hong Kong that have clothing recycling bins, such as the Red Cross and St. James’ Settlement. These are both space-saving and environmentally friendly 🌱.
2. Vacuum compression bags to store thick clothes
- Suitable for down, sweaters, thick quilts, etc.
- Putting clothes into vacuum bags and using a vacuum cleaner to extract the air can save more than 50% of space.
- Editor's tip : The weather in Hong Kong is humid, so be sure to dry the items thoroughly before storing them, otherwise they will easily become moldy and have an odor.
3. Make use of the storage space under the bed
- Use covered storage boxes or drawer-style storage boxes to keep seasonal clothing under the bed to prevent it from collecting dust.
- Editor’s Tip : Choose transparent boxes for easier viewing and label them (e.g., “winter sweaters,” “down jackets”) to get items out faster.
4. KonMari Method
- Fold the clothes into rectangles and put them upright in the storage box. There is no need to stack them layer by layer, which saves space and makes them clear at a glance.
- Suitable for T-shirts, light jackets, and skirts.
- Editor’s tip : You can use IKEA or MUJI fabric boxes with this method to make things look incredibly neat✨.
5. Multi-layer hangers and hanging bags increase vertical space
- Multi-layer trouser rack/skirt rack : hang 4-5 pairs of trousers or skirts at a time, saving horizontal space.
- Wardrobe hanging bag : hanging shelf, suitable for folded clothes or small bags.
- Editor’s tip : Wardrobes in Hong Kong are generally high enough, so you can make good use of the “upper half” space to store seasonal clothing that you don’t use often.
6. Use the back of the door or wall
- The hooks on the back of the door can be used to hang scarves, hats, and bags to reduce the clutter in the wardrobe.
- Install hanging rods or perforated boards on the wall to store commonly used accessories.
- Editor's tip : Hong Kong buildings are poorly moisture-proof, so it is best to clean clothes hung outside regularly.
7. Essential for moisture and insect prevention
- Use moisture-proof bags, mothballs, or cedarwood strips to protect clothing from moisture, mold, and insects.
- Editor's tip : Mothballs have a strong smell, so it's become popular in Hong Kong to use natural cedar wood or lavender bags as a substitute🌸.
8. Digital Wardrobe (Optional)
- Take photos of each piece of clothing with your phone, create a clothing album, or use a storage app to quickly decide what to put away or keep when the seasons change.
- Editor’s tip : Combined with the KonMari method, you can effectively reduce wardrobe “black holes.”
📊 Editor's recommended storage process (Hong Kong version)
- Letting Go →
- Wash + Dry →
- Classification (season + purpose) →
- Choose suitable storage tools (vacuum bags, storage boxes, hanging bags) →
- Tags + Records →
- Moisture-proof and insect-proof treatment
🚨 Why should we spend time on seasonal storage?
- Free up wardrobe space and reduce clutter🪄
- Extend the life of clothing and avoid moisture, mold and deformation
- Buy less duplicate clothes, save money and protect the environment
- Save time organizing when the seasons change
📌 Editor's Summary
Living space in Hong Kong is limited, but by practicing "decluttering" before the seasons change, and then using methods like vacuum compression bags, under-bed storage, vertical folding, and hanging bags , you can maximize your wardrobe space. 💪 Remember to keep your clothes dry and tidy when the seasons change, so you never have to worry about an overcrowded wardrobe again!
