When you have trouble seeing, organizing your personal items, such as clothing, undergarments, and jewelry requires patience and special organization techniques. If you've been well-organized prior to your vision loss, you may discover that you won't need to make very many changes at all. Here are some tips that can help you

Check the Lighting

If you have low vision, it's helpful to first check the lighting in your closets and dressing areas:

• Is it bright enough for you?
• Is there enough lighting?
• Is it even, and without deep shadows?
• Does the position of the lighting help or hinder you being able to pick out your clothing independently?
• Try taking the clothes you've selected to the nearest window and see if this helps you to identify or differentiate colors.
• When you want to match colors, hold the clothing side-by-side under bright or natural light.
• Keep a flashlight in your nightstand drawer or near the closet to help you read labels or distinguish colors.

See Home Modifications for additional information on lighting, color, contrast, and room-by-room modifications.

Use Everyday Containers for Organizing and Sorting

Consider using the following everyday household supplies to help you organize your clothing and smaller personal items, such as earrings, rings, watches, and hosiery:

• Shoe boxes
• Ziploc bags
• Ice cube trays
• Egg cartons
• Film canisters
• Fishing tackle boxes
• Multi-drawer hardware storage units
• Baby food jars/glass jars
• Storage boxes/clothing bags
• The "Sock Tuckers" shown here can help you sort your socks and hosiery. You can also use them to keep your socks matched during laundering. They are available from Maxi-Aids. You can also find a variety of organizational products in Sources of Products for Independent Living on this web site. [link opens in new window]

Store Items in Different Shaped/Sized Containers or Drawers

Consider grouping like items together; for example, place different colored underwear in separate drawers or different shaped/sized containers.

You can place gloves and scarves in another box or drawer and separate informal tops from formal tops. You may need to label some of these items, and others you may be able to identify by specific features, such as cut, collars, or buttons.

Choose both the identifying and organizational system that works best for you. If you've been organized in the past, you may only need to make minor changes in your organizational system.

See Labeling and Marking, Household Organization, and Shopping Tips for additional hints to help you organize and identify your clothing and personal items.

Storing Jewelry

Consider using a jewelry box that is divided into smaller areas that will hold individual pieces; i.e., earrings or rings, bracelets/bangles, or necklaces. Try to keep matching items together in the same location. Consider organizing your jewelry by color, style (formal, informal), or material. It can also be helpful if you tactually explore each piece and become familiar with its unique characteristics.

Custom-Designed Storage

There are many companies that specialize in pre-made shelving and closet organizers. They will visit your home, evaluate your storage space, and design shelving, racks, and cabinets for your specific needs and budget. Again, it's important to make sure that the end result is custom-designed to reflect your unique needs.

Additional Resources for Clothing Organization

• If you would like additional instruction in clothing organization, you can contact a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. See Vision Rehabilitation Services on this web site for more information.
• Find Vision Rehabilitation Services
• Sources of Products for Independent Living
• Find Labeling Products