Organizing Your Clothes: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Tidy Closet

Is your closet a chaotic jumble of clothes, shoes, and accessories? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with organizing our wardrobes, leading to frustration and wasted time searching for that one favorite shirt. The good news is that with a bit of planning and effort, you can transform your closet into a tidy, efficient space. Let’s explore some practical steps to help you organize your clothes and create a system that works for you.

Why Organizing Your Clothes Matters

Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why organizing your clothes is so important:

1. Saves Time: A well-organized closet allows you to quickly find what you need, reducing morning stress.

2. Enhances Creativity: When you can see your entire wardrobe, you’ll discover new outfit combinations you might have overlooked.

3. Reduces Clutter: A tidy space creates a calming environment and can help you feel more in control.

Step 1: Turn on some Music & grab a drink

Step 1: Turn on some Music & grab a drink

• Jock Jams Vol. 1

• V8 Energy (Pomegranate)…just 1 will do the trick or maybe some Prednisone haha! Only kidding on that last part, my SIL is super productive anytime she’s prescribed a steroid.

Step 2: Empty and Clean Your Closet

Start with a clean slate by emptying your closet entirely. (Make sure you have the time and energy to do this…the last thing we need is a 1/2 finished job, and clothes on your bed when you’re tired). I know this seems like a stupid amount of work, but how will you sort through every item, if you don’t remove it all first. After writing/reading my own blog, I got up and did this very step. I’m very tired.

- Remove Everything: Take all your clothes, shoes, and accessories out of the closet. Lay them out on your bed or another flat surface.

- Dust and Vacuum: Take this opportunity to clean your closet space. Dust shelves, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum the floor. I actually moved all of the hanging clothes up a bit, because some shirts were so long they had DUST on the sleeves. What the heck!?!

Step 3: Sort Your Clothes

Now that your closet is empty, it’s time to sort through your clothes. Here’s a straightforward method:

- Categorize: Divide your clothes into categories such as tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and activewear. This will help you see how much you have in each category.

- Quality Check: As you sort, check for items that are showing any signs of wear, holes or stains.

Pictured above (left to right): Keep pants, donate pants…And yes, I organized these hangers - only kept one color.

Step 4: Purge Unwanted Items

With everything sorted, it’s time for a thorough purge. Use these tips to help you decide what to keep:

- The One-Year Rule: If you haven’t worn it in the past year, it’s time to consider letting it go.

• Dust: If the shoulders of that shirt you’ve been holding onto have a light layer of dust, it’s a good sign you should discard.

- Emotional Connection: Keep pieces that bring you joy - like a West Central All-Stars Softball shirt with your maiden name on it - ha! I was far from an All-Star so maybe that’s why I want to keep it…they must have been desperate for a warm body. Allison #3 - this shirt is nearly 30 years old…gross that I’m old enough to have an article of clothing that old! ha!

Hilarious Yet Effective Method to Try: I read recently that purging items, not just clothes, can not only be difficult but also exhausting. This article suggested asking yourself “if a dog pooped on this, would I clean it or throw it away”…I laughed wildly. But honestly it’s a good way to put it. Another suggestion was to ask yourself “if you lost everything, would you buy this item again”…if the answer is no, let it go.

Step 5: Create an Organizational System

With your clothes sorted and purged, it’s time to think about how to organize them effectively. Here are some popular methods:

1. By Category: Group similar items together i.e. tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets. This method makes it easy to find what you need.

2. By Color: Within each category, you can organize items by color. This creates a visually appealing and harmonious look.

3. By Activity: You can also organize by type - work, weekend, gym, bed - Only do this if it truly makes sense.

I have clear tubs (labeled of course) with swimwear, belts/slips, golf course attire - this made sense for my closet. {pictured below}

4. By Season: If you have limited space, consider rotating your wardrobe seasonally. Keep only current-season items accessible, and store off-season clothes in clear bins, so you can see what’s in them.

5. Use Vertical Space: Consider double-hanging rods or tiered hangers to maximize vertical space. You can also install shelves above hanging clothes for additional storage.

The clear totes up top are belts, slips, swimwear & coverups…things you don’t wear every day. The totes down below are leggings/gym shorts/tshirts. 

6. Utilize Storage Bins: Use clear bins for shoes, accessories, or out-of-season clothing. Labeling bins makes it easy to locate items. I just purchased new tape for my label maker and I’m going a bit crazy.

Step 7: Organize Accessories and Shoes

Don’t forget about organizing your accessories and shoes! Here are some tips:

- Accessory Storage: Use drawer organizers or small trays to keep jewelry and smaller items neat. Hooks can be great for scarves and belts.

- Shoe Storage: Consider using clear shoe boxes or a shoe rack. If space is tight, you can store off-season shoes in bins at the top of your closet.

Step 8: Maintain Your Organized Closet

Once your closet is organized, it’s essential to maintain it. Here’s how:

- Regular Check-Ins: Schedule a seasonal review of your closet to reassess what you have and remove items that no longer serve you.

- One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you bring into your closet, consider letting go of an old one. This helps keep clutter at bay.

- Stay Mindful: Be conscious of your buying habits. Choose quality over quantity and focus on versatile pieces that you truly love.

Final Thoughts

Organizing your clothes doesn’t have to be a daunting task…it actually can be quite liberating. With a little time and effort, you can create a functional space that makes getting dressed easier, and can even spark joy by allowing you to focus on pieces you truly love. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to donate or recycle items that could benefit someone else. So, roll up your sleeves, put on some music, and enjoy the process of transforming your closet.

Finished product below…I messed up and forgot the before picture - you’ll have to trust me, it’s more organized. I have a 55gallon trash bag of donate and a kitchen sized bag of rags for the garage. I was shocked that I had that many clothes with stains/holes.