Is your closet a messy jumble of clothes, shoes, and random items? It’s easy to feel stressed when you can’t find what you need or forget what you already have. A cluttered closet can turn getting dressed into a daily frustration instead of a quick and easy task.
A well-organized closet is not only lovely to look at but also saves time, reduces stress, and maximizes your wardrobe’s potential. Decluttering can help clear your mind and simplify your daily routine, making your mornings feel less rushed and more productive.
This guide will walk you through simple steps for decluttering, planning storage, and keeping everything neat for the long haul.
Ready to transform your closet into a functional and calming space? Let’s get started!
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Step 1: Preparing for Closet Organization
Getting ready to organize starts with a bit of preparation. Clear the space and note what you need for better storage solutions.
Set a Clear Goal for Your Closet
Decide what you want from your closet. Do you need better storage, faster outfit choices, or more space? Clear goals stop stress. A good plan also prevents wasting money on unneeded items.
Match your closet design to your lifestyle. If you love handbags or knitted clothes, focus on those. If seasonal storage is a priority, include bins and shelf dividers in your plan.
Empty Your Closet Completely
Take everything out of your closet. Pull every item, bag, shoe, and box. Lay them on your bed or floor to see what you have. This gives you a clear view of how much stuff is there.
With the space empty, clean it well. Dust shelves and wipe down surfaces. Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dirt. A fresh closet feels excellent for starting new organization systems!
Clean and Freshen Up the Space
Wipe down every surface inside your closet. A damp cloth removes dust and cobwebs from shelves, drawers, and corners. Use mild soap or a gentle cleaner on hard surfaces for a deeper clean.
Vacuum the floor to pick up dirt or loose debris. If your closet has carpet, consider steam-cleaning it for freshness. To avoid odors, add a natural deodorizer like lavender sachets or baking soda.
Make sure the space smells clean before you move anything back in!
Measure and Assess Your Closet Space
Take a tape measure and check your closet’s height, width, and depth. Write these numbers down. Then, count the shelves, rods, and hooks to see what’s already there.
Think about how much clothing you have in each category—shirts, pants, shoes—and match this with your space. This will help you plan for proper closet storage solutions like bins or dividers later!
Step 2: Decluttering Your Closet
Start clearing your closet by sorting items into piles. This will make the process easier and help you decide what to keep or let go.
The Declutter Process: Keep, Toss, Donate, or Sell
Sort your clothes into four piles: keep, toss, donate, and sell. Use a box or bag for each pile to stay organized. Ask yourself if you wear the item often or if it fits well. If yes, place it in the “keep” pile.
If you have items in good shape but no longer valuable, consider donation centers like Green Drop Charitable Donations or Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. For extra cash, you can also sell lightly used clothes online or at consignment stores.
Toss anything damaged beyond repair—such as stained shirts with holes—and cannot be reused safely.
How to Decide What to Keep
Keep items you’ve worn in the past year. If they haven’t left the hanger, it’s time to let go. Use the “five outfit rule” to pair them with five different outfits. If not, donate or sell them.
Ask yourself if each piece sparks joy, as Marie Kondo suggests. Check for damage or wear—holes and stains often mean it’s time to toss. Prioritize clothes that fit your lifestyle now, not just someday.
Tips for Letting Go of Sentimental Items
Start with the 12-12-12 rule. Choose 12 sentimental items to keep, 12 to donate, and 12 to discard. This helps ease the process without overwhelming you.
Ask yourself if the item brings joy or serves a purpose. If it’s just taking up space, consider donating it. Instead of keeping items physically, take photos of them for memories.
Step 3: Planning Your Closet Layout
Think about how you use your clothes daily—this can shape your closet’s layout. Create a plan that easily matches your needs and lifestyle.
Evaluate Your Storage Needs
Count how many items you have. Measure your closet’s space carefully. Write down the numbers to avoid guessing later.
Think about what storage solutions work best for you. If you need more shelf space, add dividers or bins. If you have too many shoes lying around, add a shoe rack. Use slim hangers to fit more clothes in tight spaces.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Wardrobe Habits
Think about how you dress daily. Do you need work clothes, gym gear, or casual outfits more often? This helps decide what items deserve prime closet space. If you rarely wear evening gowns, store them on higher shelves or in storage bins.
Focus on your routine and preferences. A minimalist wardrobe means keeping fewer items that work together. Do you love bold colors? Group clothing by shades for easy matching. Use the 12-12-12 rule to maintain balance—keep 12 favorites while donating or discarding another 24 pieces combined.
Keep it simple and practical!
Plan Zones for Different Item Categories
Divide your closet into sections based on clothing categories. Keep shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, and accessories in their zones. This method keeps things tidy and easy to find.
Store similar items together for quicker access. Place daily wear at eye level. Use shelves or bins for handbags and seasonal clothes higher up. A simple system like this prevents future closet disorganization!
Step 4: Organizing Your Closet Effectively
Start by giving each item its place. Use tools like dividers, bins, or racks to make everything neat and easy to find.
Sort Items by Category
Group clothes into categories like tops, pants, dresses, and jackets. Do the same with accessories such as shoes, handbags, or belts. Place similar items together to make everything easy to find.
Separate them further by style or use—like casual versus formal wear. This keeps your closet organized and speeds up getting ready each day!
Use Slim, Uniform Hangers
Use slim, velvet hangers to save space in your closet. Amazon Basics sells a pack of 50 for $23, making them affordable and smart. These hangers are thin yet sturdy, keeping clothes neat without taking up room.
Mawa Euro hangers are another great choice. A set of 10 costs $30 and helps prevent clothes from slipping. Uniform hangers give your closet a clean look while helping you organize better.
Avoid bulky plastic or wooden ones—they waste precious space!
Add Drawer Organizers and Dividers
Place drawer organizers to sort small items like socks, ties, or undergarments. The Container Store Dream Drawer Organizers, which come in a 2-pack for $10 and easily fit different spaces, are a good choice.
Dividers keep everything neat and save you time digging through messy drawers.
Use these tools to separate your clothes by category. This also helps make the best use of space in smaller closets. You’ll find it easier to store accessories like belts or handbags while keeping your closet clutter-free!
Install Shelf Dividers
Divide your shelves for better organization. If your shelves are up to 0.75 inches thick, use Lynk Tall Shelf Dividers. These cost $15 and work well on thinner shelves.
For thicker shelves, go with The Container Store Elfa Décor Shelf Divider, which is $8 each. These fit shelves up to 1.5 inches thick and keep things neat, especially folded clothes or handbag storage!
Use Storage Bins for Seasonal Items
Sort your seasonal items into storage bins to save space. Tuck away winter coats, swimsuits, or holiday decorations when not in use. Clear bins make it easy to see what’s inside without opening them.
Choose durable options like Misslo Jumbo Zip Storage Bags for $24. Stackable bins also work well for tight spaces. Label each bin with the season or contents so you can find things quickly next year.
This simple system keeps clutter out of sight but within reach!
Invest in a Shoe Rack or Organizer
A shoe rack keeps your shoes tidy and easy to find. The Yamazaki Tower Shoe Rack Tall costs $65 and saves space. It’s perfect for small closets.
If you have many pairs, use a shoe organizer. This clears floor space and protects your shoes from damage. Before buying one, make sure the size fits your closet layout!
Step 5: Maximizing Closet Space
Use every inch of space wisely—small changes can make a big difference. Keep reading to discover clever ways to transform your closet!
Utilize Vertical Space
Hang rods at different heights to double your storage. Place shelves closer to the ceiling for items you don’t use every day. Install wall hooks for belts, bags, or scarves. Over-the-door organizers can hold shoes or accessories without taking up extra room.
Keep seasonal clothes in labeled bins on higher shelves. Use multi-tier hangers for more pants or tops in one spot. Stackable storage options, like clear boxes, help maximize upper areas while keeping things easy to find.
Add Hooks for Accessories
Hooks make organizing easy. Attach them to walls, doors, or shelves for extra storage. The Spectrum Duchess Over-the-Door 5-Hook Rack ($28) is ideal for scarves, bags, or belts. It fits over most doors and saves space.
The iDesign Axis 8-Hook Wall-Mounted Rack ($20) is great too. Mount it on a wall to keep necklaces untangled or hats in one spot. These hooks help you find everything quickly while keeping your closet neat!
Use Over-the-Door Organizers
Hang an over-the-door organizer to save space. These are great for shoes, bags, or small accessories. The Yamazaki Home Over-the-Door Hanger costs $22 and works well for everyday items.
Try the Spectrum Duchess Over-the-Door 5-Hook Rack for more hooks at $28.
You can use them on closet doors or bedroom doors. They’re simple to set up and don’t take up floor space. This keeps your area neat while adding extra storage without effort.
Store Items Under Hanging Clothes or on Top Shelves
Use clear bins to store items under hanging clothes. These bins keep things tidy and easy to find. Stackable options work best for saving space. Seasonal clothes or bedding fit well here—use Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags to compress them by 60%.
Place less-used items like holiday decorations or keepsakes on top shelves. For better organization, use Lynk Tall Shelf Dividers—they cost $15 and fit shelves up to 0.75 inches thick.
Label boxes so you can grab what you need quickly without making a mess!
Consider Multi-Tier Hangers
Save space with multi-tier hangers. These hangers let you stack clothes vertically instead of horizontally, helping you fit more items in your closet without taking up extra space.
Try options like Mawa Euro Space-Saving Hangers, which cost $30 for a 10-pack. They hold multiple pieces and keep them wrinkle-free. Perfect for small closets or shared spaces!
Closet Organization Ideas for Different Spaces
Closet organization can vary depending on the space type—learn creative tips to make the most of walk-ins, small areas, or shared spaces!
Walk-In Closets
Walk-in closets offer space to showcase your wardrobe. For $150, IKEA’s Boaxel Wardrobe Combination is an affordable closet system that helps organize hanging clothes and folded items neatly.
Spruce up storage with The Container Store’s Elfa Closet, starting at $1,000 for wood options. Add drawer organizers, shelf dividers, or hooks for accessories. Keep shoes tidy with a rack or bins under hanging clothes.
Small Closets
Small closets can feel cramped, but clever tricks can maximize the space. Use vertical storage like the ClosetMaid Stackable Vertical Organizer ($32–$95). Add hooks on doors for belts or bags.
Multi-tier hangers save room by letting you stack pants or scarves.
Store seasonal clothes in bins under hanging items or on top shelves. Slim, matching hangers free up extra inches and make things look tidy. Divide drawers to organize socks and accessories easily.
Every inch counts—plan wisely!
Shared Closets
Shared closets can feel tricky, but with thoughtful planning, they work well. Start by setting clear zones for each person’s items. Use shelf dividers or labeled bins to keep belongings separated and easy to find.
Slim hangers save space while keeping clothes neat. Install hooks for shared accessories like scarves or hats. Use over-the-door organizers for shoes or smaller items to maximize every inch of space available in your closet.
Keep a routine decluttering plan so the shared area stays tidy and functional!
Maintaining an Organized Closet
Keeping your closet neat takes effort, but it’s worth it. Simple habits can make staying organized much easier over time.
Label Storage Bins and Boxes
To stay organized, label bins and boxes. Clear labels help you find things quickly without digging through everything. Mark seasonal items like scarves, sweaters, or holiday decorations.
Labeling reduces clutter and saves time.
Experts like Beth Penn say labeled storage makes a system easy to maintain. Use large letters or color-coded tags for even quicker identification. This keeps your closet neat and boosts your closet maintenance routine!
Create a Seasonal Switch-Out System
Rotate your clothes according to the season. When it’s summer, pack away heavy jackets and sweaters and bring out lighter outfits as the weather gets warmer.
Use clear bins or labeled boxes to store off-season items. Keep them under your bed, on top shelves, or in storage spaces. This helps free up room for what you need now!
Routinely Declutter and Edit
Stay on top of your closet by decluttering it often. Aim to review and edit your wardrobe every three months. This helps keep things organized and prevents clutter from building up over time.
Use the same method as before: keep, toss, donate, or sell items you no longer need.
Check for clothes that no longer fit or match your style. Donate clothes in good condition to help others while freeing space. Regular editing saves time later and keeps everything neat!
Add a “Still Clean” Basket for Worn Clothes
Place a “still clean” basket for clothes you’ve worn but don’t need to wash. Use it for jeans, sweaters, or jackets that aren’t dirty but can’t go back on hangers.
This prevents mixing these with spotless clothes.
Keep the basket in an easy-to-reach spot in your closet. Choose one that matches your storage needs—small rooms might need stackable bins or under-shelf baskets. This system keeps things neat and helps with closet decluttering!
Weekly and Monthly Maintenance Tips
Tidy your closet every week. Re-hang clothes and fold items neatly. Check for damaged or unneeded pieces daily, and remove them right away.
Every month, take a deeper look. Rotate seasonal items if needed. Dust shelves and vacuum the floor to keep things clean and fresh. Use this time to update any wardrobe changes as well.
Additional Closet Organization Hacks
Brighten up your closet space with smart lighting options, making it easier to find items. Personalize the area with creative DIY touches that fit your style.
Lighting Up Your Closet
Add LED strip lights under shelves for a bright and modern look. Motion-sensor lights work great if you need quick access in dark spaces.
Pick fixtures with warm tones to make colors pop while keeping it cozy. Good lighting helps you see your inventory clearly, saving time when getting dressed!
DIY Closet Organization Ideas
Make your shelf dividers with cardboard. Cut them to size, wrap them in contact paper, and slide them onto shelves. Use these to keep sweaters or bags neat.
Turn old jars into storage for belts, scarves, or small accessories. Attach hooks to the lids and screw them under a shelf for quick access. Try pegboards on closet walls—hang hats, jewelry, or ties for instant order!
Incorporating Aesthetic Touches
Add sleek baskets or textured bins to your closet for a polished look. Choose colors that match your style, like neutral tones or soft pastels. Marissa Hagmeyer of NEAT Method suggests keeping the design simple but beautiful to avoid clutter.
Switch standard hangers to wood or velvet ones for a uniform and chic vibe. Use matching labels on storage boxes for clean lines. Good lighting can also make your space inviting—add LED strips or fairy lights.
The Bottom Line
Organizing your closet can be simple and life-changing. Clear goals, decluttering, and smart storage are key steps. These tips save time, cut stress, and make finding items easier.
Start small—choose one section to tackle today. Think about what works best for your needs and lifestyle. Enjoy the calm that a tidy closet brings! Ready to get started? Grab those hangers…and go!
