Wardrobe Decluttering: Level Up Your Closet With 5 Easy Organizational Systems

Ditch closet chaos with our easy wardrobe decluttering guide! Learn 5 pro tips to organize your closet and keep your wardrobe neat.

But don't worry. We have five straightforward organizational systems to help you regain control of your closet. No more chaotic mornings, no more endless searching. We're going to transform your cluttered closet into an organized, Pinterest-worthy space that perfectly reflects your style. Let's get started!

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Start Here To Kick-Start Your Wardrobe Decluttering

Sometimes, the most challenging part about decluttering clothes is simply starting. The task can seem overwhelming, but with a few easy tricks, you can kick-start your journey to a well-organized wardrobe. Remember that this process doesn't need to happen in one day; tackling one shelf or rack per day can make the task more manageable and more likely you'll get it done.

1) Start With The Low Hanging Fruit- Out with the Old and Damaged

Beginning the decluttering process can be as simple as letting go of any damaged items that don't fit or have fallen out of style. It's okay to be ruthless - if a piece is ripped, stained, or hasn't been worn in years, it's probably time to say goodbye. Naturally, there can be exceptions to this rule, like holding onto your wedding dress, favorite pair of ripped jeans, or your cherished college sweatshirt. Start easy with the things you don't have strong attachments to.

2) Try the Reverse Hanger Trick: A Visual Approach to Decluttering

If you're a visual person, the reverse hanger trick will be your new favorite decluttering hack. We like to use this trick at the start of a new season, like summer or winter, but this trick works any time of year. Start by turning all of your hangers backward. Then, flip the hangers back to their normal position as you wear items and return them to the closet. After a few months, any clothes still hanging in reverse will likely be those you rarely wear and can be considered for donation. This method may even encourage you to wear those often-neglected items more often and make it easier to part with those you consistently overlook.

3) Embrace the Limbo Bin: The Out-of-Sight Out-of-Mind Approach

Try introducing a 'limbo bin' for those pieces you're unsure about. Store these items you're unsure about giving away in a box or hamper tucked under your bed or in a spare closet. After 30 days, if you haven't reached for an item in the bin, you can safely assume it's time to donate it. As a bonus, all your potential donations are already collected in one place, making it easy to drop them off at your local donation center when ready.

4) Make A Deal With Yourself- No More New Hangers

A shortage of hangers can be a telltale sign that it's time for a wardrobe declutter. Instead of rushing out to buy more hangers, make a deal with yourself to declutter clothes. A helpful rule of thumb is the 'one-in-one out' rule. Make a pact with yourself to donate at least one existing item from your closet for every new piece of clothing you buy. This helps manage your wardrobe and encourages a more mindful approach to the clothes you bring into your closet.

5) On the Fence About an Item? Give It The Outfit Test

If you struggle to decide on certain items, consider the 'outfit test’ while getting dressed. If you can't create at least three outfits with a particular piece, you likely need something more versatile. Consider replacing the item with a piece that fits your wardrobe better. In this case, it could be time to let it go. This is one of the reasons we love a capsule wardrobe so much. A capsule wardrobe focuses on owning a set number of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. It's a great way to ensure every item in your closet works hard for you.

Suggested Reading: Simplify Your Home and Clear the Clutter with These 5 Surprising Tips

Closet Organization Strategies for a Streamlined Wardrobe

Organize Your Clothes by Category

Decluttering is just the first step in your closet overhaul. Once you've thinned out your wardrobe, it's time to get organized, and a great place to start is by creating categories such as shoes, shirts, pants, dresses, sweaters, and jeans. If you're short on time, you can tackle one category at a time, making the task more manageable. However, if you've set aside a whole weekend for this project, go all in—empty your closet and sort your clothes into piles by category. This system lets you see what you have and helps you identify what you need. A freshly cleaned and vacuumed closet is the perfect blank canvas for reorganizing.

Uniformity: The Secret to a Flawlessly Organized Closet

Achieving a well-organized closet is all about uniformity. A systematic approach ensures every item has a home, making your wardrobe easier to navigate. Grouping similar items makes efficient use of the available space, reducing clutter and making your closet more visually appealing. Uniform arrangements, like grouping items of the same color, create a sense of calmness, enabling you to see everything at a glance. And when everything has its place, maintaining your tidy closet becomes less of a chore. Using matching hangers in neutral tones and stackable acrylic bins makes your space look tidier and enhances functionality by making it easier to find what you're looking for.

Your Closet, Your Rules: Organize To Meet Your Needs

The key to maintaining an organized closet is to tailor it to your lifestyle. Maybe you prefer sorting clothes by season, activity, or length rather than color. Do what’s right for you. A system that aligns with your habits and preferences is more likely to stick, making your life easier in the long run.

Maintaining Your Newly Organized Closet

Maintaining your streamlined closet doesn't have to be a daunting task. Establishing daily habits, like putting away your shoes and hanging up clean clothes immediately, can make a big difference. Create two hampers—one for dirty laundry and another for clean clothes ready to be hung up. And remember, closet organization isn't a one-time event. Revisit the process every couple of months to keep your wardrobe clutter-free and easy to manage.

Proven Tips and Tricks For Closet Decluttering from Organizational Professionals

Proven Tips and Tricks For Closet Decluttering from Organizational Professionals 

• Use Space-Saving Hangers and Organizers: Slim velvet hangers and multi-item organizers can save you a lot of space in your closet. 

• Store Off-Season Clothes in Bins or Under-Bed Storage: Keep your closet relevant to the season by storing off-season clothes in bins or under-bed storage. 

• Hang Belts and Scarves on Hooks: Use hooks to keep your belts and scarves easily accessible and tangle-free.

• Use Shelf Dividers to Keep Stacks of Clothes Neat: Shelf dividers can help you maintain neat stacks of clothing items. 

• Use Drawer Dividers to Keep Small Items Organized: Drawer dividers are great for organizing small items like socks and underwear.

• Try the File Fold Method: Instead of stacking folded clothing items, file fold them so you can easily identify each item.

• Hang Matching Sets Together: Keep matching sets together so you don't have to hunt for the matching piece.  

• Waterfall Your Hangers if You're Limited on Space: This technique helps optimize the space you have in your closet.

• Use Ziplocks Filled with Crumpled Newspaper to Stuff Purses and Bags for Better Storage: This helps maintain the shape of your bags and purses for easier storage.

• Optimize Shoe Storage Space: Make sure you place shoes in the opposite direction rather than both toes facing forward when placing them on shelves.

• Light it Up: Proper lighting can make your closet feel more spacious and make finding what you're looking for easier.

• Utilize Vertical Space: Install high shelves for storing items you don't frequently use, such as travel bags or hats.

• Invest in a Step Stool: A compact, foldable step stool is useful for accessing high shelves.

• Label your Bins and Drawers: Labelling your storage spaces can help you remember where everything goes.

• Rotate Clothes Seasonally: Keep your closet relevant to the season and freshen up your wardrobe.

• Donate Regularly: Keep your closet clutter-free by donating items you no longer need or wear.

This post was all about wardrobe decluttering.

Remember, the goal is to create a closet that is not only organized but also functional and pleasant to use. Finding what methods work best for you might take some time and experimentation, but the result will be well worth it.

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