Decluttering your closet is one of the most daunting tasks you can do. It’s also one of the most rewarding. Once you’ve learned how to declutter and organize your closet, you’ll have less stress about figuring out what to wear in the morning and more room for new clothing.
The fact is, when it comes to our closets, we’re a nation of hoarders. According to a survey conducted by the Los Angeles Times, the average American woman owns $550 worth of clothing she doesn’t wear—but still can’t seem to part with. And it’s not just women: A Harris poll found that half of all Americans admitted to owning clothes they haven’t worn in at least a year. And yet, even as our closets continue to overflow with clothes we never or rarely wear, the average American buys nearly 70 new items every year.
So how do you make room for those new purchases and create a closet full of items you love? Here are some tried-and-true tips that can help:
Step 1: Empty your closet
Start by taking everything out of the closet. You may want to do this part in sections, emptying a little at a time. We advise you to sort the clothes into 4 piles:
- Donate
- Sell
- Keep
- Trash
You may also find it helpful to separate your clothes into seasons so you don’t get overwhelmed by having everything out of the closet at once.
Step 2: Clean your closet
Wipe down the shelving and vacuum up any dust bunnies that have collected in the corners. Get rid of any stains, dirt, or dust that has accumulated on your clothes while they were hanging in the closet. If you have been keeping anything in there that doesn’t belong – things like boxes or books – take them out and put them where they belong.
Step 3: Separate clothes by season, color, and style
Hang up all of your clothes by type, such as skirts or button-down shirts, blouses or jackets, etc. You can even choose to organize by color for a more visually appealing look.
Fold sweaters to keep them from stretching out and store them in baskets or bins neatly on a shelf. Stack jeans with one pair folded over the other and place them in another basket or on a shelf.
Use hooks to hang items that could stretch out if folded such as bathing suits or bags that don’t fit on shelves.
If you prefer to dress casually, put all your casual clothes together. If you prefer to dress professionally, keep all your professional attire in one location.
For everything else that does not fit into the above categories, such as yoga pants and pj’s, store them somewhere out of sight, yet so they can still be easily accessible.
Keep the items outside of their original packaging; boxes take up a lot of space. For example, keep your shoes on a shoe rack or on a shelf, not in their original boxes.
If you’re looking for tips to keep your home tidy, check out our amazing guide.
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