Whether you are preparing for a move or just want less chaos in your life, organizing your closet can help relieve the stress and anxiety caused by clutter in your home. It also makes it much easier to use your closet without spending forever digging through clothes.
Most people never actually organize, however, because it’s a daunting task. Closets seem to end up attracting everything, from moving boxes you never unpacked to shirts you haven’t worn in years. And the shoes. So many shoes.
If you’re looking for a guide to get you started, the following seven steps can get you through organizing your closet. And it won’t take that long.
How To Organize Your Closet: Key Takeaways
- Empty the closet completely first — seeing the space bare is what makes the rest of the plan obvious.
- Decide what stays before you decide where it goes, and donate or sell whatever you have not worn in years.
- Organize around your habits: what you reach for daily goes within reach, seasonal items go to the back.
- Keeping it organized is a schedule, not a one-time project — and it makes packing far easier when you move.
Take Everything Out
You want to see the space empty, which will help you imagine how it can look when you reorganize it. This is also the point where you find out you have six shirts that are all the same or shoes you haven’t worn since 2013. That’s going to help a lot in Step 3.
Clean the Closet
Take the time to thoroughly clean the closet from top to bottom. It’s probably been a long time since you really cleaned your closet, and it will show. Now’s the time to wipe down shelves, clean off hanging racks and vacuum the floor. You will be amazed at how much dust can gather in such a small space. It’s going to feel a lot better when it’s dust-free.
Get Rid of Unneeded Items
This is when you lighten the closet load. Now is the time to get rid of clothes you haven’t worn in ages or that are duplicates. This doesn’t mean throw it in the garbage! Consider donating it to a friend or to an organization that gives clothes to those in need. Or, if you want to make some extra cash, consider decluttering before you move. This is also the time to get rid of mismatched hangers or old dry cleaning hangers.
Plan Your New Closet
Before putting anything back, take the time to think about where you want to put your clothes. This is the time to come up with a system of organization that suits your habits. What do you need to reach the most? What can you store in the back for winter use? Using labels can help in this process by clearly defining what does where.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Make sure to have space for dresses to hang without puddling on the floor. Find areas where you can fold heavier items, such as sweaters. Make sure to hang the clothes in the same direction, it makes it easier to find clothes and they also hang better. Don’t cram things in so that you can’t reach everything you need.
Swap Shoes Seasonally
Place the shoes you wear during the current season in a place where they are easily accessible, and place shoes worn in other seasons in an area in the back of the closet. Then, rotate them as the seasons change. That way, not all your shoes are piled up all together.
Keep the Closet Organized
Make a schedule to clean the closet regularly. Also, toss old clothes as you add new ones. Try to keep track of what you don’t wear. If you go months without putting something on, it’s time to store it or get rid of it. Find storage areas in places other than your closet to store seasonal clothes, such as under the bed or in a dresser.
Once you have an organized closet and keep it that way, life will become that much less complicated. Also, when it comes time for your move, it will make emptying and packing your closet go faster and zero stress and anxiety because you’ve already made the tough decisions.
How To Organize Your Closet: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to organize a closet?
A standard reach-in closet takes two to three hours if you work through it in one sitting, and a walk-in usually takes half a day. Deciding what to keep is what consumes the time — putting everything back is the fast part.
Should I organize my closet before or after a move?
Before. Sorting first means you pack, transport and unpack fewer items, which saves effort on both ends. Anything you donate before moving day is something you never have to carry.
What is the best way to store out-of-season clothes?
Clean them first, then use breathable bins or garment bags rather than sealed plastic, which traps moisture. Keep them in the back of the closet, under the bed or in a storage unit, and rotate them as the seasons change.
