Closets! Aren’t they the perfect hiding spots for your “I’ll sort it later” piles? We all have those days where we’re too rushed or tired to hang things back up.
But as the piles get bigger, finding that cute top becomes like searching for a needle in a haystack.
One day, you’re all about organizing your closet, and the next thing you know, you’re digging through your shoes and scarves every morning.
With a few simple steps, you can turn that pit of chaos into a newly organized closet!
Key Takeaways
- It’s never too late to learn how to organize and make your home more usable and livable!
- Kick off your closet makeover by emptying it and giving everything a good clean. This is your perfect opportunity to sort through everything and decide what to keep, donate, or toss.
- Once you’ve decluttered, sort what’s left into clear categories. Make piles of stuff that should be stored together.
- To make the most of your space, bring in handy organizers like shelf baskets, storage boxes, and space-saving hangers.
- Make it a habit to do quick clean-ups regularly, stick to a ‘one in, one out’ policy to keep clutter away, and adjust your system as your needs change.
How To Organize A Closet
It’s easy to let things pile up when life gets busy, but a cluttered closet can really slow down your morning routine.
Ready to transform that mess into a masterpiece? Let’s dive into the top closet organization ideas I use to get the closet organized!
Take It All Out
The first step to organizing your closet is to empty it. Yes, you heard me—totally empty! It’s time to remove everything from your closet.
Don’t just shuffle things around—remove every last piece of clothing, pair of shoes, and all those accessories you’ve got tucked away.
Why do this? Well, it’s nearly impossible to truly organize when you have too much that doesn’t fit into the space you have.
This is your chance to deep clean your closet space and decide what you actually like and want to keep and what’s wasting space.
Clean Your Closet Top To Bottom
Now that everything is out of your closet, it’s the perfect time for a thorough clean-up.
I start at the top and work my way down. Dust the shelves, wipe down the wall space, and don’t forget to clean those often-neglected corners and baseboards.
Make sure to vacuum drawer space or cabinet as well to get every dust bunny.
If your closet floor is carpeted, give it a good vacuum, or even better, a steam clean if it needs it. For those hardwood or tile floors, a quick sweep and mop will do wonders.
It’s also the perfect time to dust and clean the lighting and fixtures. I also changed my bulbs because it felt way too dark in there.
A brightly lit closet not only makes the space look great but also helps you spot your favorite outfits easily.
Declutter: Keep, Donate, Or Trash/Recycle
It’s time to go through that mountain of stuff you pulled out. Break it down into three simple piles: Keep, Donate, or Trash/Recycle.
Grab some boxes or bags and label them so you know where things will go.
The Keep pile is for the pieces you love, the ones that make you feel awesome and fit just right. If you haven’t reached for it in a year, it’s probably time to rethink its spot in your closet.
Then consider the stuff you don’t want to keep- if someone could use it, it’s time to Donate it!
Think about how happy they could make someone else. It’s a win-win: you clear out space, and someone else gets to enjoy your pre-loved treasures!
Finally, there’s the Trash/Recycle pile. We all have worn-out clothes, like stains on T-shirts or stretched-out bras. If they aren’t in good shape anymore, they have to go to the curb.
Sort What’s Leftover
Congratulations; you’ve made some tough choices when decluttering and are one step closer to organizing your stuff!
If your closet is anything like mine, it probably had a whole lot of stuff in it: shoes, bags, belts, and maybe even some forgotten gifts or gadgets.
Now, you need to group things together to start thinking about where they belong. Line up your shoes, gather your accessories, put electronics together, and keep whatever else you decide to keep.
Decide What Remains IN Your Closet
Next up is figuring out what really needs to stay in your closet.
And I’m not just talking about clothes—let’s think about closet organization for everything: shoes, bags, scarves, maybe even some keepsakes or gadgets you’ve stashed away.
My closet shelves often collect random odds and ends, even dishes, but no more!
Ask yourself, “Do I use this often? Is my closet where I would look for this?” If you shrug or say ‘nope’ to any of these, it might be time to rethink whether it needs to stay in your closet.
Anything that doesn’t find a home in your closet needs to find a new home somewhere else.
Consider New Closet Organizers
When it comes to sprucing up your closet, there are loads of great closet organization ideas out there to help you make the most of every inch and keep things super tidy.
Here are some of my favorite closet organization ideas –
- Shoe Racks: Shoe racks can be free-standing on the floor, hang over the door, or even fit onto a shelf. They keep shoes visible and accessible while saving floor space.
- Closet Systems: These are customizable solutions. They’re great for a complete closet overhaul and can be set up to fit different closet spaces and needs.
- Shelf Dividers: These stand upright on shelves to prevent piles of clothes, such as shirts and sweaters, from toppling over.
- Storage Bins and Baskets: Perfect for the top shelves of your closet, these can hold items you don’t use often, such as seasonal clothing and accessories.
- Hanging Rods: Additional rods or floating shelves can be installed to double the hanging space for shorter items like shirts and pants.
Reorganize Your Closet
Now comes the fun part—actually organizing your closet! It’s time to put everything back, but in a way that’s neat, reachable, and looks great, too.
Start by putting the things you wear most often in easy-to-reach spots. These should be front and center so you can grab them without a second thought.
Those things you don’t use very often can go up high or towards the back of your closet. It’s all about keeping things handy when you need them but out of the way when you don’t.
Keep It Organized!
Congratulations, you’ve successfully organized your closet! But remember, keeping it organized is important.
Here are some super simple tips to help you keep everything in order in your closet system:
- One In, One Out: This golden rule applies to whatever you buy and need to put away. It’s time to donate an old item and keep making room to avoid clutter.
- Seasonal Swap: Not just your clothes need rotating! Swap out bags, shoes, and accessories seasonally, too. It’s a great way to keep your closet uncongested and your items fresh.
- Daily Quick Fixes: Spend a minute or two each day putting things back in their spot—whether it’s belts, hats, or scarves. A little effort daily keeps the chaos at bay.
- Declutter Regularly: Every few months, give your closet a once-over. Clear out anything that doesn’t fit your life anymore, from outdated bags to unworn shoes.
- Tweak It: As you use your closet, you might find some things aren’t working. Adjust as you go to keep everything easy to find and use.
New Organizers
Maybe you’re looking to tidy up those tumbling stacks of sweaters or find a smart spot for every pair of shoes. Bringing in some new organizers can really help.
These are some of my favorite closet organization ideas.
Shelf Baskets
One of the best closet organization ideas is shelf baskets. These storage solutions are perfect for tucking away linens and toiletries, as well as all those little extras that need a home.
The way I like to use shelf baskets is for grouping smaller items that tend to get lost or clutter up your shelves.
Think socks, scarves, or even those random bits and pieces that don’t have a home.
Storage Boxes
Storage boxes are great storage solutions to use in your closet system, especially if you want lids to keep things from falling out.
Whether it’s off-season clothing, accessories, or just everyday items that need a home on the top shelf, there’s a storage box out there that’s perfect for the job.
You’ve got sturdy plastic crates that are perfect for bulkier items, soft canvas cubes that look great on open shelves, and sleek acrylic boxes that let you see exactly what’s inside.
Grid Cubes
If you’re looking for versatile closet organization ideas, grid cubes may be the answer.
These modular storage shelves can be stacked and arranged in various configurations, making them perfect for any space.
Whether you have a small nook or a large walk-in, you can customize your setup by choosing from 6-cube, 9-cube, or 12-cube options.
Their cool design allows you to see and access your items easily, keeping everything in your storage space from getting tangled or lost.
Wall Hangers
Don’t just think about the floor and shelves of your closet—your walls are prime real estate for creating additional storage!
Wall hangers are one of the best closet organization ideas when you’re looking to squeeze in some extra storage without needing more shelf space.
Try using some stylish hooks to hang frequently used accessories like hats, bags, and scarves. This setup not only boosts your storage capacity but also keeps your items more visible and accessible.
Space Saving Bags
One of my favorite closet organization ideas is space-saving bags, which are perfect if you’re trying to make more room in your closet.
These clever bags let you flatten down clothes, bedding, and seasonal gear into neat, flat stacks.
Just vacuum out the air, and voila! You’ve got way more space to work with.
I use them to store those bulky winter jackets or puffy comforters. They stay clean and protected from dust and moisture.
Over The Door Organizers
Over-the-door organizers are one of the best closet organization ideas!
The closet organizers hang right over your door, offering extra pockets or hooks for storing everything from shoes and accessories to cleaning supplies and snacks.
They’re perfect for making the most of unused space, and because they’re right on the door, everything stays easy to reach.
Space Saving Hangers
Space-saving hangers let you hang multiple items on one hanger. You can fit five shirts or hang pants in the same spot where one used to go—that’s the magic of these hangers!
They’re perfect if you’re short on closet space or have too many clothes.
Plus, they come in cool styles, such as matching hangers, cascading hooks, or tiered arrangements, so you can choose what works best for you.
Shoe Organizers
If you love shoes, a shoe organizer is a must-have for your closet.
I’ve seen ones that are stackable boxes with little doors, which you open and pop your shoes in. I like that idea and used grid cubes to do something similar with my tall boots.
There are also rotating shelves that hold shoes, which are very cool, but they are tall and take up more space.
FAQs
What’s the best order to organize my closets?
Ready to get your closet in tip-top shape? Here’s an easy way to organize your closet in a way that makes sense and maximizes your small closet or walk-in closet:
- Clear Out the Clutter: Kick things off by pulling everything out of your closet.
- Give It a Clean: With your closet empty, it’s the perfect time for a little scrub down. Dust off those shelves, vacuum the floor and wipe down the walls to make the space feel fresh.
- Sort It Out: Group your clothes and accessories by type—think tops with tops, pants with pants, you get the idea.
- Decide What Remains: We all have stuff that was randomly shoved in our closets. Those things need to find new homes; they don’t belong here!
- Pick the Right Storage: Based on what you’ve got, choose how to store everything. Hang up stuff that wrinkles, use bins or drawers for the small things, and maybe shelves for the rest.
- Arrange by Use: Put the stuff you wear all the time front and center. Seasonal or rarely used items can go up high or in the back.
- Use Every Inch: Don’t forget about the top of the closet or the back of the door—great spots for extra shelves or hooks.
- Keep It Up: Spend a few minutes each week giving your closet a quick once-over to keep things looking nice and tidy.
What if my closet has too much stuff?
If your closet feels overloaded, it’s time to declutter and possibly rethink how you’re using the space. Here are some closet organization ideas to use to tackle a closet that has too much stuff:
- Declutter Thoroughly: Start by taking everything out and sorting through each item. Ask yourself when you last used it, if it still fits, and if you still love it.
- Categorize Your Items: Divide everything into piles to keep, donate, sell, or recycle.
- Optimize Your Storage: Storage solutions like closet systems that include multiple types of storage, like drawers, shelves, and hanging rods.
- Use Space Savers: To keep things compact and organized, start using space-saving techniques like nesting bras inside each other, using slim hangers, and adding shelf dividers.
- Use Vertical Space: You can use more than the rod in your closet- consider hooks and shelves for the walls and door hangers to store items.
How can I declutter my stuff?
Some steps I use to start decluttering are:
- Create a Sorting System: Divide items into categories such as “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Trash/Recycle.”
- Ask Tough Questions: For each item, ask yourself:
- Have I used this in the last year?
- Do I have a realistic plan to use this?
- Does this item still bring me joy or serve a purpose?
- Would it be difficult or expensive to replace if I needed it again?
- Be Honest with Yourself: If you haven’t used something in a long time and it doesn’t have sentimental value, it’s probably time to let it go.
- Use the One-Year Rule: A helpful rule of thumb is the one-year rule— if you haven’t used the item in the past year, you likely won’t use it in the next year.
How should I hang clothes in my closet?
First up, sort your clothes into categories like pants, shirts, and dresses. This helps you figure out what needs to be hung up and what’s better off folded.
Hang your longer items, like dresses, at one end to prevent them from dragging, and hang your shirts and other short items at the other end.
Don’t cram in too much; a little space between hangers helps keep everything wrinkle-free. If you run out of room, put up a second rod to double the hanging space.
Final Thoughts
With simple closet organization ideas, your closet can go from cluttered chaos to an organized closet space.
And organized closet means everything is right where you need it in a small closet or a walk-in closet, making your daily routine just a little easier.
Keeping your closet organized is all about creating a system that works for you and sticking to it.
Don’t be afraid to adjust things as you go. What works today might need a tweak tomorrow, and that’s perfectly okay.
