Your closet is the one room guests never see, which is exactly why it looks the way it does right now. Fair enough. The fix takes an afternoon, not a lifestyle overhaul.
Below you’ll find the five steps to organize your closet, plus what to buy before you start, how to squeeze a full wardrobe into a small closet, and how to store the coats you won’t touch until November. Grab a trash bag and a playlist. This applies whether you live in a Phoenix ranch house or a Boston walk-up.
What You Need Before You Start
Nothing kills momentum like a pile of sweaters on the bed and no bins to put them in. Gather these first:
- Three bags or boxes, labeled keep, donate, toss
- Matching hangers (slim velvet ones if the rod is tight)
- A vacuum with a crevice attachment plus a microfiber cloth
- All-purpose cleaner or diluted white vinegar for shelves
- Bins or baskets for shelves, drawer dividers for small items
- A label maker, or masking tape and a marker
- Snacks. Not kidding. Step 2 runs long.
How Do I Organize My Closet?
These are the five steps to organize your closet like an expert:
Step 1: Start with a Clean Slate
The first step to organizing your closet is to start with a clean slate. This means taking everything out of your closet, including clothes, shoes, and accessories. This takes a while, but it’s worth doing right so you can start fresh.
Once everything is out of your closet, take the time to clean the space thoroughly. Dust and vacuum the shelves and floor, and wipe down any surfaces that need it. Your closet should smell like nothing before anything goes back in.
Step 2: Sort and Declutter
Now that your closet is clean, it’s time to sort through everything you took out. The goal is to declutter and get rid of anything that you no longer need or use. Start by sorting everything into piles: keep, donate/sell, and toss.
When sorting through your clothes, ask yourself if you have worn the item in the last year. If not, it’s probably time to get rid of it. You don’t need to thank each sock on the way out, but Marie Kondo had a point. Be honest with yourself about what you really need and use, and don’t be afraid to let go of things that are just taking up space.
Step 3: Organize Your Clothes
Once you have sorted through everything, it’s time to start organizing. The key to an organized closet is to have a system that works for you. There are many ways to organize your clothes, but here are a few ideas:
- Group clothes by category: Sort your clothes into categories, such as shirts, pants, dresses, and so on. This will make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
- Organize by color: Within each category, organize your clothes by color. This will make your closet look more visually appealing and help you find what you need quickly.
- Use organizers: Consider using closet organizers, such as hanging shelves, shoe racks, and drawer dividers. These can help you maximize your space and keep everything neat and tidy.
Step 4: Organize Your Accessories
Accessories can be tricky to organize, but they are an important part of your closet. Here are a few tips to help you keep them organized:
- Hang jewelry: Use a jewelry organizer or hang your necklaces and bracelets on hooks to keep them from getting tangled.
- Use bins or baskets: Use bins or baskets to store scarves, hats, and other accessories. Label them so you can easily find what you need.
- Use drawer dividers: Use drawer dividers to keep your socks, underwear, and other small items organized.
Step 5: Maintain Your Organized Closet
Now that your closet is clean and organized, it’s important to maintain it. Here are a few tips to help you keep your closet looking its best:
- Put it back: Take a few minutes each day to put things back where they belong. This will help you avoid clutter and keep your closet organized.
- Do a seasonal clean-out: Every season, take the time to go through your clothes and get rid of anything you no longer need. This will help you keep your closet from becoming too cluttered.
- Stay organized: Once you have a system that works for you, stick with it. This will help you maintain your organized closet and keep everything in its proper place.
- Use proper storage: Make sure you store your clothes and accessories in the proper way. Hang clothes that need to be hung and fold clothes that need to be folded. This will help keep your clothes looking their best and prevent them from becoming wrinkled.
Folding VS. Hanging: What Goes Where
Hanging everything is not a system. It is a way to stretch out your sweaters and lose your jeans.
Hang
Blazers, dresses, button-down shirts, dress pants, anything that wrinkles if you look at it wrong.
Fold
Sweaters, knits, tees, jeans, athletic gear. Heavy knits on a hanger sag at the shoulders within a month.
Inside drawers, file-fold instead of stacking. Stand each folded item upright so you see every option at once, like flipping through records. Stacks hide the bottom half of your wardrobe and you end up wearing the same four shirts on rotation.
How to Organize a Small Closet
Small closets punish clutter faster, which is oddly motivating. Work vertically and you can fit much more than the builder intended.
- Add a second rod. Hang a tension rod or a hanging rod extender under the top one and you double your space for shirts and folded-over pants.
- Use the door. Over-the-door pockets hold shoes, scarves, belts, and the tote bags you keep meaning to use.
- Divide the shelf. Shelf dividers keep stacks of sweaters from toppling into each other like a slow avalanche.
- Go under the bed. Off-season clothes belong in flat bins under the bed, not in the closet you’re trying to save.
- Swap the hangers. Matching slim hangers alone can free up a third of the rod. Wire hangers from the dry cleaner go in recycling, where they belong.
How to Store Off-Season Clothes
Whatever you put away in April, you’ll pull out in October, so treat it like you want to wear it again.
Wash or dry-clean everything first. Stains you can’t see now set over six months, and anything with food residue on it is an open invitation to moths. Use breathable cotton bins or garment bags for wool, down, and anything with structure. Vacuum-seal bags work for tees and jeans but crush the loft out of a down jacket. Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets, label every bin with what’s inside, and keep them somewhere dry. Attics and garages swing too hot and too damp for anything you care about.
Where Can I Find Reliable House Cleaning?
If you’re tired of spending your weekends tidying up your home, it’s time to call in the professionals. If you’d rather spend your weekend anywhere other than behind a vacuum, MaidThis connects you with screened, vetted cleaners in more than 40 US cities, from Los Angeles to Boston to Miami.
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The pros we connect you with are carefully screened and vetted, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best service possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take the hassle out of your chores and enjoy a clean and tidy home.
