As much as we all hate to admit it, everyone has that one area of their life (or more than one) that they can’t keep neat and tidy. For a lot of us, one problem area is our jewelry boxes. If you’re desperately wondering how to organize jewelry (and keep it organized), look no further!
Whether you can never find what you’re looking for in there or everything is just one tangled mess, having to face that every day when you’re getting ready just gives you one more unnecessary challenge in a busy day.
If this sounds like you and you’re looking for a solution, keep reading for a foolproof organized jewelry box.
Jewelry Organization Tips
Here are some tips to get you started with organizing your jewelry.
Step 1: Take An Inventory
You can’t organize your collection if you don’t even know what you have, so take care of that first.
Find a nice flat surface big enough to hold all of your items and place them in front of you, separating them so you can see every piece.
If you have any particularly delicate pieces, lay down a fluffy towel or blanket before you start, or put them in their original packaging.
If you have any tangled necklaces, this is a good time to straighten those out. Those kinks can feel impossible to get out, but don’t force them.
Instead, twist the affected link gently between your thumb and forefinger in the natural direction the link is supposed to go. It might take a little more time than you think, but it works.
Any more severe knots can be remedied with some baby oil and a toothpick or sewing needle.
Step 2: Downsize
Once you have everything laid out in front of you, it’s time for the hardest part: deciding what to get rid of. You don’t have to do this step, but it will help with organizing your jewelry (odds are, there are some pieces you haven’t worn in a long time).
If you want to start with the easiest ones first, this is a good time to get rid of anything that doesn’t fit and can’t be resized. After that, it gets a little bit harder.
If you can’t decide whether you need to get rid of something or not, I would put it in a separate category and wait 6 months. If you haven’t worn the item by the time 6 months passes, it’s probably safe to get rid of it.
As a side note, if you find pieces you want to get resized, this is a good time to make those appointments so you don’t forget.
Step 3: Categorize
Call me crazy, but I think this is the fun part. There’s something about color coding and categorizing, so this one is my bread and butter.
I like to categorize my jewelry by type and subcategorize by finish. That way, I can quickly find all of my rings, necklaces or bracelets and coordinate several items at once without worrying about mixing metals.
That’s the system that works well for me, but it’s hardly the only one out there.
If you have a lot of pieces that you wear specifically with each other, it might be easier to keep them together. Or, if you have a lot of special occasion pieces, keeping casual and formal jewelry separated might work better for you.
RELATED: 12 Minimalist Jewelry Brands to Add to Your Collection
Jewelry Storage Solutions
After all your hard work, you’re going to need something that will help you keep up the results. It might seem daunting to get a system ready, but there are some amazing options out there within any budget that can help you keep your jewelry organized. There really is a solution out there for everyone!
To help you stick to it, we will go through some top favorite types of organizers, and why they might (or might not) work for you.
Standing Jewelry Organizers
Standing organizers are one of the more old-fashioned options, but can be great if you have the space.
A mirrored jewelry armoire is a great option that will add a decorative element to your room while also providing plenty of storage space. Many jewelry armoires are lockable too, perfect for your valuables.
The only concern with standing organizers is that they can often be easily knocked over if you go with a lightweight option, so use caution if you have any small children or pets around.
Drawer Organizers
If you’d prefer something that you can fit into your already existing space, you can use some simple drawer organizers. You can even find stackable jewelry display trays that allow you to save space while storing plenty of jewelry.
They can be great options if you have some oddly shaped drawers or pieces in odd numbers since you can customize the compartments. Plus, these are typically pretty affordable.
Wall Mount Organizers
Wall mount organizers are a good option if space is limited, or if you have an easier time finding things when they’re easily visible. You can even use your jewelry as wall decoration if you want.
If you only have a few staple pieces that you use every day, like a small mounted bar or mirror with storage will work just fine. If you have a larger collection, consider a mounted cabinet.
The only downside to wall organizers is you typically have to make holes in your wall, so they’re not very renter-friendly.
Desktop Organizers
These are of course the ones we’re all familiar with, I think everybody reading this probably had a small jewelry box, ring dish, or jewelry stand as a kid.
Most of these are rather small, so they aren’t suitable for large collections, but there is a huge variety to choose from. You might want to go with a classic jewelry box, but you can also be with a minimalist stand organizer, or an artsy abstract one.
This simple and travel-friendly jewelry storage box is compact, but holds a surprising amount of pieces.
You can also combine multiples. For example, you can have a standing organizer for your necklaces, a bracelet holder, a watch box, and an earring stand!
Closet Hanging Organizers
If you don’t have much extra storage space and don’t want to deal with wall-mounted storage, there are plenty of hanging jewelry organizers that can be easily placed in your closet!
These typically offer plenty of storage space, even for larger collections. Plus, they’re typically very affordable.
This dual-sided organizer has a side to hang up your necklaces so they don’t become a jumbled mess. Or, this travel-friendly organizer folds up into a bag so you can bring your collection anywhere!
Bottom Line
We hope you found this helpful and manage to clean up your jewelry. It’s so much easier (and less stressful) getting ready in the morning when everything is neat and easily accessible. Even if the organization system you come up with is a little quirky, it doesn’t matter as long as it works for you. Happy accessorizing!
