03 Mar Simplify Your Closet by Organizing It
When you organize by category, you can easily grasp WHAT you have and HOW MUCH of it. This makes it easier to declutter and let go.
Having less clothing to keep is freeing! It also helps you make smarter purchases in the future. Maintaining an organized space takes time and discipline.
Tops
If you often find yourself sifting through your closet, searching for that white tee that you swore was there, or spending too much time deciding what to wear (and ultimately, not wearing anything at all), it might be time for a wardrobe reboot. By reducing your clothing collection to a manageable number of pieces, you’ll reduce decision fatigue and cultivate a cohesive style that makes getting dressed easier—and faster—in the morning. Moreover, use “Green” cleaning supplies for eco-friendly cleaning.
While you’re thinning out your wardrobe, resist the urge to buy new clothes to fill the space. Instead, practice the one-in, one-out rule and store out-of-season pieces to keep your closet streamlined.
Once your closet is clear of excess, it’s time to categorize your keepers by garment type. Start by sorting shirts, tanks, and tunics together, then sweaters, dresses, and jackets. Once you have each category organized, arrange each piece by color starting with lightest hues first and then moving toward the darkest, then by style from casual to dressy and sleeveless to long sleeve.
Finally, label your closet-rod sections with repurposed drapery-rod clips ($10, Target) that display handwritten labels, so you can easily see what goes where (and prevents shirts from falling off hangers or sagging). You can also add shelf dividers for additional storage and organizing.
To maintain your streamlined closet, make it a habit to set aside a few hours each season to reassess your wardrobe and do some cleaning, donating or storing out-of-season items. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family: They may have closet-organizing hacks that you didn’t think of!
Bottoms
Organizing by category can be a great alternative to a capsule wardrobe, especially if you have a closet full of pants and skirts. Grouping like items together saves time when it comes to outfit selection, and reduces decision fatigue when you need a quick look-and-feel. When you hang a pair of jeans with matching shirts, tank tops and shorts, you can instantly put together a casual or work look. Having all these pieces together also encourages mix-and-matching, and makes it easier to see how different colors, shapes and textures pair well together.
Using hangers and bins can help with this process, depending on the type of storage spaces you have in your home. For example, a dresser can be a good place for folded pants and skirts, or you could use an open shelf in your closet. Whatever you choose, make sure that each category has a designated area. This will give you a clear picture of what you have in each section, and makes it easy to keep things organized moving forward.
Be ruthless when sorting through your belongings, and banish anything that doesn’t deserve to remain in your closet. Items like wire dry-cleaner hangers, promotional T-shirts and orphan socks are all unwelcome guests in your fresh space. Banishing these unnecessary items will free up valuable hanging and drawer space for your most valuable items. Getting into the habit of regularly going through your closet and sorting through clothes, shoes and accessories helps prevent these unwanted items from accumulating. Donating gently used items is always a good option, while pricey items can often be sold to consignment shops and thrift stores. You can even get extra cash by donating high-quality items to charity online.
Dresses
It’s great when you open your closet in the morning and can grab something that fits, feels good, and looks great – but this is only possible when you have a wardrobe of versatile, quality pieces. One way to do this is by organizing by category – it’s simple, aesthetically pleasing and will make it easier to put outfits together quickly.
There are several different ways to organize your clothes by categories, and it all depends on your personal style and storage needs. Whether your closet is filled with dressers or hanging racks, it’s important to find a system that works for you. To start, round up all your clothing and sort it into piles of keep, consign, donate or trash. This process will give you a better idea of what you actually wear and what you need to add to your closet. Gently used clothes can be donated to local thrift shops, and if you have any pricey or newer items that aren’t your style, you can sell them online or at consignment stores.
Once you’ve sorted through everything, find a space in your closet or dresser for each category of clothing. For example, if you have a dresser filled with casual clothing like t-shirts, tanks and yoga wear, organize these by silhouette like blouses, button-downs or tee shirts; then organize those by color starting from the lightest hues at the top and moving towards darker colors at the bottom. This will make it easy to pick out a quick, comfortable outfit for work or errands.
For other categories, it’s a good idea to store clothes by season. This can help you avoid over-buying certain items if you know the weather will be changing, or it can prevent you from having too much of any one item. It’s also helpful if you want to be able to pull out an outfit in the morning that will match the weather forecast!
Jackets & Coats
Jackets and coats are trans-seasonal clothing items that allow you to express your personality and individual style. They are also a great way to layer and warm up when it’s cold or windy. So they are a good place to start when you’re organizing your closet. Organizing by color isn’t a necessity, but it can help you put together outfits easily and quickly (especially if you’re a visual person). You could also organize by length, moving thinner coats closer to the ground and longer coats higher up on the rack.
If you’re able, consider adding a double hanging rod in your coat closet to make room for both adult- and kids’ jackets. This can free up floor space for shoes and makes it easier for little ones to reach their own jackets without help. Also consider putting in an adjustable lower rack so you can hang shorter jackets on it and still have space towards the top for bigger coats.
It’s also a good idea to set aside an empty bin for out-of-season clothes and accessories like hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, etc. Then they can be stored away until winter or summer rolls around again and you’re ready to wear them again. This will keep your closet from becoming a dumping ground for everything in between seasons.
Organizing your closet by category can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s worth the effort for a clutter-free wardrobe that makes it easier to dress in a way that fits you and your lifestyle. Simplifying your closet is a process, but it’s important to continually work toward a style that aligns with your values and goals. By following these tips, you can create a closet that works for you and stop the cycle of buying clothes you never wear.
Accessories
Organizing your accessories will save you the frustration of losing your favorite earrings or spending too much time finding that strappy sandals. Invest in a shoe organizer or storage bin lids to keep out-of-season items in labeled boxes, freeing up closet space for the latest styles and eliminating the risk of damaged or misplaced items.
If you use a lot of hangers, consider switching to slim or even retractable hangers to save space. It will also help your closet look more polished and organized. For clothes that you want to be displayed, try matching hangers and organizing by color to make your wardrobe more visually appealing.
When you’re done sorting, don’t forget to implement the one-in, one-out rule to avoid unnecessary clutter in your newly-organized closet. This helps you be more intentional when shopping, and ensures any new item brought into your home is something that can be easily incorporated into your current wardrobe. In addition, you can minimize the amount of clothing you buy by implementing a budget for each season, or by focusing on purchasing quality pieces that are timeless and versatile. By making these changes, you will create a more organized and manageable closet that you enjoy spending time in each morning.