How to Organize Your Closet

Storage Basics


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January 11th, 2023


When January hits the calendar, people everywhere catch the decluttering bug. There’s something about a new year that brings a desire for order. We want to start off on the right foot, right? With that in mind, we created this simple guide on how to organize your closet.
Your closet is an important area. You use it every day, and it should function well for you. Instead, it’s often a source of frustration. Imagine waking up every day, knowing exactly what you want to put on and where it’s located—and being able to grab it quickly and easily. What a welcome change from opening your closet door to a cluttered space that leaves you feeling overwhelmed.
So, if your closet needs an overhaul, we’ve got you covered! Follow our simple steps below to create a more functional space for your daily life.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Every project requires a few materials in order to run smoothly. Set yourself up for success and remove potential roadblocks by having a few things on hand. This way, once you’re in the mindset and things are flowing, you won’t have to stop and find a box for donations or a tape measure. Just grab it all now and get in the zone! Here are a few items you may need:
  1. Plastic trash bag
  2. Bin or box for donations
  3. Bin or box for items you’re keeping
  4. Bin or box for items to store
  5. Cleaning supplies (vacuum cleaner, dust pan and broom, multi-purpose cleaner and paper towels)
  6. Tape measure
  7. Notebook and pen to jot down measurements
  8. Full-length mirror
  9. Catch-all bin or laundry basket

Step 2: Remove Everything From Your Closet

Yes, everything. This is an important step that you don’t want to do halfway. Make your bed so you have a big, clean space to lay everything out for viewing. You’ll likely find some trash along the way (wrappers, shopping bags, etc.), and just throw those right into the trash bag as you find them. Or, you can use the shopping bags to transport donations!

Step 3: Clean, Clean, Clean

Now that everything is out of your closet, you can clean it easily and well. Dust any shelving or hanging systems. Wipe down the walls. Sweep or vacuum. This is going to give you a nice, clean slate that will make the next few steps much easier.

Step 4: Sort and Declutter

This is where your different bins come into play: catch-all, keep, donate and store.
If something doesn’t belong in your closet, put it in the catch-all bin. A lot of things end up in closets when we are unsure of where to place them. This works in a pinch, but long-term it only creates disorder and a closet that doesn’t fulfill its intended purpose. Your closet isn’t supposed to be a storage room (we can help you with that!). These displaced items need to find a permanent home, but you don’t need to decide where that home is right now; that will only derail you from your current project. Simply place non-closet objects into your catch-all for now. When you finish organizing your closet, come back to this bin.
If you pick something up and you know you love it, keep it! If you’re unsure, ask yourself a few questions. Does it fit? Do I feel confident and comfortable in it? Do I want to put it on? When was the last time I wore this? Does it need repairing, and will I actually fix it? Could someone else enjoy this more than me? If you find yourself trying to justify why you “should” keep something, that’s usually a good sign that you can let it go. Remember, your goal is to create a space that works for your daily life…who you are today and your current lifestyle. Not who you were in college or who you were in your previous profession. When you keep this in mind and make decisions based on it, you’ll have an outcome you love.
Last, there will be items you just can’t let go of, and that’s OK! But we still want to maintain the goal of creating a functional, decluttered space. These are things you may want to consider putting in storage. Perhaps you want to put seasonal clothing away. Or, maybe some of those catch-all items would be better suited in a storage unit. We’d love to help—get in touch with us today and we’ll find the perfect solution for your needs.

Step 5: Measure and Make a Plan

Now that you’ve decluttered and cleaned, it’s time to put your closet back together in a more organized way. If your current closet system works for you, great! If not, you may want to invest in some hanging rods, shelving, over-the-door shoe organizers, matching hangers and maybe even a collapsable stool so that you can capitalize on your vertical space with ease. With your closet bare, now is the perfect time to measure anything you might want to install.

Step 9: Maintenance Mode

Don’t be fooled into thinking that organizing your closet is a one and done deal. People who have organized spaces tend to do maintenance on them every so often. One rule to live by is to reorganize and purge at the change of every season. That way you’ll see what you actually used for a specific season and what you haven’t touched. If you can’t do this every season, perhaps shoot for twice a year…maybe at the new year and in the summer.
Now that you know how to organize your closet, it’s time for you to get started! Go grab your supplies, remove everything from your closet, clean, sort and declutter, measure, make a plan and maintain! This project will pay off daily—enjoy!