Jewelry Organization: Simple and Easy

Image via BrklynView

We've all been there: you reach into your jewelry box or drawer to retrieve a necklace you haven't worn in a while and what emerges is a clump of intertwined metal chains and precious stones. Even if your jewelry has a dedicated space, in the day-to-day shuffle, it can spill over onto countertops and dressers and entangle itself with other pieces. As always, I'm here to share some tricks of the trade with you as well as some storage tools that are both useful and beautiful. First, here's my step-by-step guide to getting a handle on your jewelry collection:

Take inventory

If you've been following the blog for any amount of time, you might have noticed a common theme. I always, always suggest taking inventory first. No reason to spend precious time organizing items that you won't be keeping. Take the time to survey each piece of jewelry and decide what to keep, sell, and donate. This is also a great time to check for items that might need repairs or cleaning and set those aside to be cared for as needed.

Image via West Elm

Sort + separate

I recommend giving your jewelry a two-phase sort. First, sort into two categories: special occasion and everyday wear. Jewelry you wear frequently needs to be more accessible, whereas the priority for special occasion jewelry is just to keep it safe and clean. Once you have two piles, categorize them by type--earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc.

Choose storage solutions

For most jewelry collections, multiple solutions will be needed. Keep two very important factors in mind: the aesthetic of your home and the size of your collection. If you don't mind a more eclectic look, you can store daily jewelry in small dishes on top of your dresser. If you like a cleaner look, you might want to consider drawer organizers that keep everything out of sight but easily accessible (don't forget to measure your drawer or space before ordering!). If you have the space, there are plenty of gorgeous stand-alone options and hanging options. For a larger collection, you might consider the use of all of these solutions. See my picks for function + aesthetic at the bottom of this post.

Place with care

No matter what storage solutions you decide on, it's very important that each piece of jewelry has its own space and is not piled on others. Rings, of course, offer a little more flexibility in this area. If you run out of space, don't fret! Just consider creating another storage area or paring down your collection further. Giving each item generous space will make your pieces easier to see and access; plus, it will keep them in much better shape!

my top picks for jewelry storage from the container store:

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