How Do I... Store Scarves and Other Accessories?
Scarves, jewellery and hair accessories without a proper home are all too easy to lose – here's how to store them right
Georgia Madden
23 June 2018
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, stylist and author Wendy Mak, who is known for her ‘Wear more, spend less’ philosophy, provides some handy tips for keeping smaller items such scarves, jewellery and hair accessories properly stored and under control.
We all know what happens to our accessories when we don’t put them away properly; jewellery gets tangled and damaged, scarves get wrinkled, and hair accessories mysteriously disappear.
Storing accessories correctly not only keeps them in better condition for longer, but makes them easier to view – and you’re far more likely to wear what you can actually see.
Storing accessories correctly not only keeps them in better condition for longer, but makes them easier to view – and you’re far more likely to wear what you can actually see.
How do I store scarves?
There are several clever ways to store scarves. You can buy dedicated scarf hangers for your wardrobe, which work brilliantly for belts too. Or if you have the floor space, consider draping scarves on a ladder propped against the wall (be sure to knot them first so they don’t slip off). If space is tight and you want them out of view, simply install a wooden or metal rod on the wall and drape scarves over it.
Just remember, the key to keeping scarves wrinkle-free is to drape or hang them rather than rolling them up.
There are several clever ways to store scarves. You can buy dedicated scarf hangers for your wardrobe, which work brilliantly for belts too. Or if you have the floor space, consider draping scarves on a ladder propped against the wall (be sure to knot them first so they don’t slip off). If space is tight and you want them out of view, simply install a wooden or metal rod on the wall and drape scarves over it.
Just remember, the key to keeping scarves wrinkle-free is to drape or hang them rather than rolling them up.
What about jewellery and hair accessories?
Jewellery that’s tangled up or hidden in a random box in the back of a drawer will never be worn. Keep your jewellery visible by storing rings in a small box or decorative bowl, and hang necklaces on hooks inside your wardrobe or on the back of your bedroom door. Or have a little fun by hanging necklaces from decorative faux deer antlers attached to the wall.
A cheap and practical way to store earrings is to pop them in ice-cube trays (one pair per compartment) or even in a spray-painted egg carton.
Attach hair clips to a piece of ribbon and put hair ties and bands in a small basket or container so they don’t get lost in your wardrobe or on top of of your dresser.
Jewellery that’s tangled up or hidden in a random box in the back of a drawer will never be worn. Keep your jewellery visible by storing rings in a small box or decorative bowl, and hang necklaces on hooks inside your wardrobe or on the back of your bedroom door. Or have a little fun by hanging necklaces from decorative faux deer antlers attached to the wall.
A cheap and practical way to store earrings is to pop them in ice-cube trays (one pair per compartment) or even in a spray-painted egg carton.
Attach hair clips to a piece of ribbon and put hair ties and bands in a small basket or container so they don’t get lost in your wardrobe or on top of of your dresser.
What’s the best way to store hats?
Casual hats that you wear regularly should be stored on shelves or in cupboard nooks where they’re easy to access, but won’t get crushed or bent out of shape. Special-occasion pieces, such as beaded fascinators, should be stored in boxes to protect them from dust and sun damage.
Casual hats that you wear regularly should be stored on shelves or in cupboard nooks where they’re easy to access, but won’t get crushed or bent out of shape. Special-occasion pieces, such as beaded fascinators, should be stored in boxes to protect them from dust and sun damage.
What’s the one accessory-storage product you swear by?
Clear storage boxes. These cheap and cheerful boxes come in all manner of shapes, sizes and configurations, and can be used to store anything from chunky or fine jewellery to hair accessories.
Clear storage boxes. These cheap and cheerful boxes come in all manner of shapes, sizes and configurations, and can be used to store anything from chunky or fine jewellery to hair accessories.
Any tips for remembering what goes with what?
Take photos of your accessories and save them in an album on your smartphone. Then, when you can’t decide how to accessorise an outfit in the morning, all you need to do is scroll through your photos to get an instant reminder of the pieces you own.
Take photos of your accessories and save them in an album on your smartphone. Then, when you can’t decide how to accessorise an outfit in the morning, all you need to do is scroll through your photos to get an instant reminder of the pieces you own.
Pick up a copy of Wendy Mak’s book The Capsule Wardrobe – 1000 Outfits from 30 Pieces.
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Tell us
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like this story, share it and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Find a home storage designer or professional organiser near you
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I installed two chrome rails in w/in robe - approx 150 cm in length, for my abundant sore of scarves, husband used for ties and filled them both up!
So back to square one and hung them on those hangars for trousers, which have about 6 rails in them. Not satisfactory as couldn't see each scarf! The found the Ikea pull out rails were best, and installed them in the wardrobes in dressing room. But I still wasn't very happy with them as visibility of scarves not very good. I think the long rails would be best, but where to put them is the problem.
Good ideas
Will keep for future reference
I keep all my brooches on a nice piece of nice ribbon. This can be put anywhere but mine is pinned to the wall end of the curtain beside my earrings and mirror. Blends in with the curtain and accessible.