If you can’t get enough of belts and own a lot of them, you are probably experiencing some storage issues. Remember that different types of belts must be stored differently.
Leather belts, for instance, need proper storage areas that are neither dry nor moist in order to preserve the leather material. You also want to use a method that allows you to save on closet space.
Belts that are stored properly last longer and are also easier to pick out compared to ones that are all jumbled together in your drawer. So, when it comes to learning how to store belts the right way, where do you begin?
The Benefits of Storing Your Belts
Belts can be quite expensive, so you can’t just keep them lying around exposed to the elements. Whether it is a formal, casual, or cowboy belt, you want to keep it in great condition for a long time.
There are tons of premium quality belts sold on the market. Now, imagine purchasing these durable belts and storing them correctly; you’d have belts to last a lifetime.
How else does proper belt storage benefit you?
Long-Lasting Belts
It is no secret that taking proper care of your belts helps them last longer. When using proper storage methods, you can help preserve the quality of a premium belt and make it look brand new for a long time.
Handing Down Your Belt
Some belts can have sentimental value. There is something so fulfilling about wearing a fashion accessory that holds true value, not just in quality but also in meaning.
If you’re looking to preserve a belt that a loved one gave you so that you can hand it down to a family member in the future, implement proper storage practices.
Looking Great
Let’s face it: fashion accessories, like belts, are meant to be shown off. Part of good storage is to frequently take your items out of the wardrobe for people to see.
Proper-Fitting Belts
When belts are properly preserved, they will fit you well for a long, long time. Yes, leather belts may stretch out at some point, but by the time that arrives, you will have already enjoyed the accessory for many years.
How to Store Belts the Right Way
You’ve already gathered how important it is to learn how to store belts; now it’s time for you to know how it is done the right way. First things first, you will need either a belt rack or ring and a proper storage area, like a closet or drawer in a room that’s not too dry or too moist.
We’ve got to take extra care of our belts to ensure that they don’t get exposed to the elements; too dry, and the leather is going to start cracking; too moist, and you’ll have your belt’s leather material stretching and looking unappealing.
If you’re working with expensive belts, hanging is always the best solution. If storage space is your biggest concern, rolling your belts up should do the trick. There are literally tons of belt organization ideas to take advantage of, such as pull-out belt racks, drawer dividers, and shallow cubbies.
Hanging Belts
You don’t want to take any chances with your premium belts; you’ll want to purchase a quality belt hook to attach to the back of your bedroom door to ensure that no one ends up rolling these expensive fashion accessories when storing them.
Rolling may work for casual belts that are made of fabric or rubber, but it won’t work for the pricey ones made of leather. You will just be ruining your investment if you did this.
- Hanging a Belt Rack On the Back of Your Door
You could either hang the rack on the back of your bedroom door or closet door, depending on where you think is best. We emphasize these areas because not everyone is able to gain access to them, which is important when you treat your belts like jewelry.
There are usually two types of belt racks: one that has a hook on top and another that has brackets. The first one is typically hung on closet rods, while the other is placed on the inside portion of the closet door.
- Belt Ring Hanger
This is a kind of belt hanger that has several rings attached to it and with a hook that can be used to hang the product in the closet.
The rings have tiny openings meant for you to slide the belt buckles through. In this way, you can properly hang your belts in your closet without issues. A hanger is meant for hanging multiple belts.
- Screw Cup Hooks
You can attach these hooks to a wooden plank to create a belt rack. If purchasing a rack is out of the question, then you can always build your own using a wooden plank and cup hooks.
These hooks work like actual screws, where you simply rotate their pointed ends counter-clockwise to attach them to the plank. You can then proceed to nail or screw the plank into a wall in your bedroom.
- Organizing Your Belts
Now that you know the best ways to store your belts by hanging, start organizing them by color. If you have a ton of belts, you can figure out other ways to classify them, such as by type, price, quality, or the material they’re made of. However you end up organizing your accessories, you’ll now be able to keep better track of them.
Rolling Up Belts
This is a method we don’t usually advise for high-end belts. While these types of belts aren’t flimsy by any means, you don’t want to take any chances when it comes to their preservation.
Luckily, expensive belts aren’t the only kinds of belts you own; you also have the casual ones for everyday use. You can conveniently put away your casual belts by rolling them up and placing them inside a drawer or a section in your closet.
Here’s the right way to do it:
- Look for a Flat Surface to Lay Your Belt On
A table or a flat board will do. Place your belt on the surface with its backside facing you.
- Start Rolling Your Belt Up
Begin by rolling the buckle towards the tail end of the belt and continue doing so until it’s rolled up entirely. Take note that the more compact your roll is, the more space you will be able to save.
- Secure Your Rolled Up Belt
Look for a piece of string or rubber band to roll around the belt so that you can secure them properly. If you’re using a string, make sure to tie a knot at the end.
This is the ideal storage method for traveling because you can just place the belts in your bag without them taking up too much space.
- Place Rolled Up Belts in the Drawer
Stacking your rolled-up belts side by side inside a drawer or a section of your closet can conserve space in the best possible way. While you’re at it, organize them by size, color, price, or any category you think makes it easier for you to keep track of them.
- Use Separate Containers
Small boxes, baskets, or containers will do wonders for the organization of your belts.
Other Belt Storage Ideas
Aside from the traditional methods of storing belts, there are also more innovative ones, which not only allow you to store your belts more neatly but also make them more accessible.
Pull-Out Belt Racks
Upgrade on belt storage and organization by going for belt racks that you can conveniently pull out of your closet wall. If you love collecting belts, then you wouldn’t mind spending on this essential piece of furniture that keeps your large collection neat and organized.
These slide-out types are revolutionary and have made today’s fashionistas incredibly happy. You’re already spending this much on storage; you may as well go for the ones made from quality materials, like zinc and anodized aluminum.
You’ll want to stay away from the plastic ones because they’re unlikely to offer proper support to belts with heavier buckles. Don’t risk ruining any part of your collection by choosing substandard products.
You can experience the true storing and organizing potential of these racks if you choose the one that’s made of metal. Some of its advantages include:
- It helps you save space
- Low closet space required to be fully functional
- They can be customized to meet your needs
Drawer Dividers
Drawers are ideal places to store your belts, particularly if you’re not a fan of hanging them. If this is the type of storage you’ve decided on, make sure to do things properly and roll your belts up beforehand. Plus, when you roll your belts, it will protect the material, prevent scratching, and allow you to organize better.
You can take full advantage of either acrylic of wood organizers, which makes organizing belts inside your drawers so easy. What’s so great about these dividers is that they can be easily adjusted to accommodate both the drawer size and rolled up belt widths.
It doesn’t matter what kind or size of belts you own, even if they don’t have the customary buckles, you’ll be able to store them properly using this method. Aside from functionality, this option puts aesthetics as a high priority. Even if your gorgeous-looking belts are hidden inside drawers, eyes will still be drawn to the furniture itself.
Shallow Cubbies
Cubbies are basically extremely shallow shelves that are vertically divided into cubes, hence the term “cubbies”. If you’re looking to enhance your belt collection practices, then this is perhaps one of the best ways to do so. On top of that, this innovative storage idea also gives you the chance to show off your belts even when you aren’t wearing them.
Again, this type of storage option requires your belts to be rolled up properly. You’ll want to do this in a way that puts the belt buckle just in front so that it’s facing the area that can be viewed. This way, you’ll immediately be able to identify the belt you want and keep track of the entire collection, as well.
The thing about shallow cubbies, however, is that you aren’t likely to find ready-made ones being sold on the market. You’ll likely have to work with an experienced professional who is capable of creating one that meets your belt collection and storage needs.
Cubbies should be ideally placed at the end of your closet islands, especially for the larger types of walk-in closets. It shouldn’t be too difficult to fit these cubbies into your island because they usually don’t take up a lot of space.
Metal Belt Hooks
While we’ve already covered the traditional method of belt storage, which is hanging belts on belt hooks, this one offers a more expensive twist. There are belt hooks made from zinc that will add class and quality to your closet.
You can have the zinc plated to match the theme of the rest of your room, as well. This will also boost the durability of the metal hook and make it last longer.
Like your regular belt hooks, it’s important to have more than just the support of your drywall. Mount your metal hooks into studs, a sturdy wooden door, or a piece of wood secured to the studs. This gives your belt hooks strength and stability.
Takeaway
One of the most important parts of owning a belt is to store them properly. Whether it’s a casual belt made of fabric or rubber or a formal belt made of fine leather, you must store and organize it the right way to ensure that it remains functional throughout its lifespan.
Belts are clothing accessories that are essential for fashion and practical function. However, some people look at them beyond their practical purpose of holding up trousers to some kind of precious jewelry that they can collect and match with their expensive outfits. This has led to innovative ideas that have revolutionized the way belt storage is perceived these days.