How to Organize Your Closet

“Looking for a fun weekend project? Let’s organize the closet!”. One of the most commonly used spaces with a home needs attention! An organized closet not only allows one to breathe a sigh of relief once the project is completed, but we also want it to be aesthetically pleasing to look at so that you can’t take your eyes off the fantastic work of art that you did! I believe an organized closet not only helps you find your items easier, but it helps you “dress for success” with easily accessible items.  In today’s post, we’ll share a few resources, tips, and our favorite products we like to use for closet organizing.

Start small

Organizing doesn’t have to be a huge project every time. Especially when you are about to start your closet organization, which has a lot of categories. To avoid overwhelm (and a big fat mess), start your session in a small, easy category. One drawer, cabinet, or bin at a time.

If your underwear drawer is messy, start there. If your shoe rack is cluttered and overloaded, that might be your spot for the day! Where there is clutter is always a sign that indicates a good start to organizing. Have you noticed that your drawers are so full that you even don’t have space to put your laundry away in the closet? It’s time to deal with it. 

S.P.A.C.E.

We learned with Julie Morgenstern’s S.P.A.C.E. acronym to organize all areas of the home. It works for any space! It’s an effective and efficient method to tackle any project: Sort, Purg, Assign, Contain, and Equalize.

Sorting: When it comes to sorting your belongings, start with macro categories first, so you don’t get stuck in the weeds. Maybe it’s separating skirts from shorts, dresses from shirts. Once you have your macro categories sorted, then you can dive in deeper and store your clothes by types, like shirts, so you’ll have long shirts, t-shirts, tank tops, etc. Get super specific with your categories and group like items together, as well as items often used together.

Purging: it might be the hardest step for some people, but this is the step that will help you accomplish your project, so lean into that! Make it fun! Put some music on and sing along with the process.

Grab some boxes and label them “Donate” “Sell” “Trash/Recycle” and “Storage” so you can sort them quickly and easily.

Ask yourself these questions while purging to make the process of letting go easier:

1.     When was the last time I wore this? If it’s been more than one year and you haven’t missed it, it’s time to let it go.

2.     Will I use this in the next 6 months? If the answer is no, chuck it.

3.     Can this item be easily replaced? (We love the Minimalists 20/20 rule).

4.    Does it spark joy? (Right?  Marie Kondo)

Assigning: This is when you need to think about what you envision when you think about an organized closet—and yours in particular. Think about ways you can make your closet a place you actually want to spend time in, and also a space that is functional for your routine and matches your lifestyle. You want to create a space that blends intention with design so you feel happy and are infused with positive energy when you enter. Here are few tips to revamp that space:

Contain: now it’s time to think about how you want to store your clothes, shoes, and accessories. You need solutions that you will actually be able to maintain day after day. 

• Stock up on containers: Whether you prefer plastic boxes or fabric bins, implementing containers allows you to keep categories separate and provides easy access and easy systems to maintain. Here are my favorite bins for legging and underwear.
• Invest in space-saving hangers: When it comes to hangers, swap all your mismatched wire and plastic hangers for slender velvet ones and perhaps a few wooden hangers for heavier winter coats. This small investment will make a huge impact on the overall look and function of your space.
• Optimize vertical space: If you don’t have a lot of shelf space, consider adding hanging shoe storage or hanging shelves to create some.
• Hanging versus folding: The benefits of hanging versus folding depend on your available drawer or closet space. If you have ample amounts of both, fold your pajamas, workout items, t-shirts, swimsuits, and other less frequently used items. The one item that should always be folded is sweaters. If you don’t have shelf space, you can folding them over a hanger, so they maintain their shape.

Equalize: means continually checking in on your space to make sure that it is functioning as you need it to. Regular tidying up will be the biggest key to success here. 

Pro tip: A designated donate/sell bin right in your closet will help you stay on track when you find an item of clothing no longer works for you.

You did it!! Now you have an organized closet! Take a few days to chill out and enjoy your fresh, decluttered home. You’ve earned it!

We hope this helps if you plan to tackle closet organizing! Need some reinforcements? Let’s chat here!