One of my friends asked me to help them learn how to organize a dresser with visual impairment after they admitted they had given up on trying to keep clothes organized and just shoved things in drawers, feeling around to locate items and having trouble with fitting everything inside. I’m glad they asked for help, because I had also experienced frustration with trying to organize my dresser in a previous dorm, and we spent an afternoon figuring out the best ways to organize a dresser for vision loss and what strategies worked for them to locate items independently. Here are my tips for organizing dressers with vision loss and how to organize drawers for low vision and blind/nonvisual access.
Are dressers/drawers accessible for visual impairment?
Like most answers to questions about visual impairment accessibility, it depends. Some people living with visual impairment (inclusive of low vision/blind) may have more difficulties with folding items or locating identical items in a drawer, since they can only feel a segment of the item at any given time. Instead, they prefer to hang items in a closet or on a rod, because they can examine the entire garment by touch and can also group items together. Others may prefer to have certain categories of items folded in a drawer such as pajamas or athletic clothes.
I store more casual clothes in a red dresser that provides contrast against the light-colored walls in an area where I can easily access either bright overhead lights or natural lighting easily. Other items are stored in my closet, where I can identify items more easily without having to unfold them to see what they look like.
Related links
Have a high-contrast lining or color
One of my friends had a black dresser with a black drawer lining, as well as a wardrobe consisting of mostly dark colors. The combination of the black lining and dark clothes made it more difficult to locate or identify items in the drawer, and meant that they often had to empty out their drawers to locate things, holding items up one at a time until they found what they were searching for. Adding a high contrast drawer lining in a lighter color made it easier for them to locate items, instead of having all of the colors blend together; we used a shelf lining contact paper for this that could be removed without damaging the drawers.
Another friend had clear drawers for small items in their college dorm, which created a lot of glare from the overhead lights and made it more challenging for them to focus their eyes. In this situation, adding a matte (not shiny) lining helped to minimize glare and make it easier to locate things that they needed.
Related links
Assess how items are folded/stacked
Having multiple folded items stacked on top of each other or folded on top of each other can make the clothing identification process even more difficult. Instead, consider folding or stacking items in a single layer so everything is visible when a person opens the drawer- the KonMari folding method is one example of how this can be done. Alternatively, stack items that are the same color/style together, such as groups of black t-shirts, which can be used interchangeably with each other.
For people that have trouble folding items, I recommend using a folding board or folding assistance tool, which can help with folding items in a consistent shape and size.
Add drawer pulls if needed
The dresser in my college dorm didn’t have any pulls or handles, which made it more challenging to open since I had to pull from the top of the drawer. Adding no-drill cabinet knobs or stick-on drawer pulls can make it easier to open drawers, and they can be attached with an adhesive backing or Command strips to avoid using a drill or making permanent changes to the furniture.
For drawers that already have handles, these can often be removed/replaced with a screwdriver or drill to make them easier to use. A heavy-duty super glue may also be an option, though I recommend talking to a home improvement professional to determine which solution will work best.
Keep portable lighting nearby to identify colors
Lighting can play a role in identifying colors for people with visual impairments, as having bright light can make it easier to see differences between colors. One strategy for organizing a dresser with vision loss is to have a motion sensor light inside the drawer that turns on when it is open, or to have a flashlight or other light source nearby that can be placed over items to aid with identification. Alternatively, consider moving a dresser to an area with adequate overhead and/or natural lighting nearby, though sighted assistants should refrain from moving furniture without input from the person with visual impairment.
Related links
Use organizers to segment items
Instead of having items shifting around inside drawers, use organizers or containers to segment or separate items so that they are easier to locate or identify. This can include using dividers to separate items by category (i.e pajama tops and pajama bottoms), or individual sections for each item/pair of items (like socks or undergarments). Having a specific and consistent location for individual items can go a long way in helping with identification.
Related links
Consider a color reader or other labels
For individuals that need additional assistance with identifying items, there are a few different types of assistive technology that can help with identifying items with visual impairment. These can include:
- Color readers, which can recognize different shades of colors on an item. Color readers may be purchased as a standalone device like the Colorino, or are available as a feature for visual assistance apps like Seeing AI.
- Laundry-safe labeling systems such as WayAround or PenFriend, which use a separate device to scan labels and read information about a given item. Label information can be recorded or customized by the individual user, and are attached to clothing tags either with an adhesive or with a sewing kit
- Using no-rust safety pins to label colors, which can be pinned to a discreet clothing area and can be laundered safely. There are a few different systems for using safety pins, including labeling by color or groups of colors or using multiple pins or textured pins to indicate colors
- Adding textured labels or buttons to clothing tags, such as braille identifiers or labels. Avoid using bump dots or tactile stickers that are not designed for laundry, as these may melt or fall off
Related links
- Getting Dressed With Assistive Technology For Vision Loss
- Organizing and Labeling Clothing When You Are Blind or Have Low Vision – VisionAware
Note where items are located
Creating a list of where items are located that can be accessed either in a paper format or with a digital app is another helpful way to ensure organized dressers or drawers stay organized and that items are placed in a consistent location. Some organization apps like Stylebook and WayAround have sections where users can indicate the location of items, though other strategies can include creating a text document, writing in a note app, or taking a picture of the inside of organized drawers to see how they are arranged. This can also be helpful when traveling or going to stay in a dorm for college or vocational rehabilitation training to ensure all items are packed or organized correctly.
Related links
More tips for organizing dressers and drawers with vision loss
- While some people prefer to store jewelry in drawers, I find it easier to hang items within my line of sight. I share some ideas for organizing jewelry and accessories in Organizing Jewelry With Vision Loss
- Make sure that drawers can close all the way shut, and that they aren’t left open. Drawers that are sticking out can pose an injury risk for someone with visual impairment who may run into them when walking through a space.
- This post was created for a project, which covers topics related to tools and strategies for organizing clothes and dressing aids for vision loss, inclusive of low vision and blind/nonvisual access options. View more posts created for or updated as part of this series by visiting Closet Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
Published January 8, 2024. Updated June 2024