To Declutter your closet restructure the space and freshens your mind. An organized closet can make it easier to find what you need, reduce decision fatigue, and give you a fresh sense of clarity. Tackling a messy, overcrowded closet feel overwhelming. These practical strategies listed by Tugela Wave will help guide you through the decluttering process, leaving you with a closet that’s both functional and inspiring.
How to Declutter Your Closet
1. Set a Goal and Plan
Define your goal for a minimalist wardrobe, better organization, or simply making space. Choose a day or weekend to dedicate to the task.
2. Empty the Closet
Remove everything from your closet, including shelves and drawers. Lay it all out in front of you so you can see what you have, before reorganizing them again.
3. Sort and Categorize
Sort your items into categories such as shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, accessories, etc.
For each category, assess every piece of clothing. Ask yourself:
Do I wear this often?
Does it fit well?
Is it in good condition?
Does it match my current style?
Select what you no longer need or wear. If you haven’t worn an item in the last year, it’s time to part with it.
4. Try the “Four-Box” Method
If you’re struggling to make decisions, try using four boxes:
Keep: Items you love and wear regularly.
Donate: Items in good condition that no longer fit or aren’t worn.
Sell: Items of higher value you can sell (on apps or in a garage sale).
Repair/Alter: Clothes that need fixing or altering.
5. Purge the Excess
Get rid of items in the “donate,” “sell,” and “repair” boxes. Let go of anything that doesn’t serve your lifestyle.
6. Organize What You Keep
Fold, hang, and arrange your clothes by category e.g., pants together, dresses together.
Use drawer dividers, shelf organizers, or clear bins to keep accessories tidy.
Store off-season clothing in bins or vacuum bags to free up space for current-season items.
7. Maintain the System
For every new item you buy, make sure to donate or get rid of one old item.
Every few months, revisit your closet and declutter again as your needs and preferences change.
8. Enjoy Your New, Organized Space
Celebrate your hard work with an organized, stress-free closet that makes getting dressed easier and more enjoyable.
9. Take Visual Motivation
Taking a “before” photo can help you appreciate your progress once the closet is decluttered.
10. Set a Time Limit for Decision-Making
When deciding whether to keep an item, set a timer e.g., 30 seconds per item. This will help you make quick decisions instead of overanalyzing.
11. Use Reverse Hanger Trick
Turn all your hangers backward. After wearing an item, turn the hanger back the normal way. If a hanger stays reversed by the end of the season, it’s a good indicator that you haven’t worn it and can consider parting with it.
12. Consider Color Coordination
As you organize, group clothes by color to create a visually appealing closet. This makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and also helps you assess similar-colored items you don’t need.
13. Repurpose Unused Items
If some items no longer fit your style, try repurposing them. For example, turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags or transform worn jeans into shorts.
14. Make Use of Vertical Space
Use hanging organizers, shelves, or hooks on the back of the door for bags, scarves, or hats. Hanging accessories frees up more space for clothing.
15. Reassess Sentimental Items
Decide if old concert t-shirts of gift items bring you joy or if they’re taking up space. Consider keeping just a few select pieces or creating a memory box instead of keeping everything.
16. Invest in Quality Storage
Invest in clear or labeled storage containers for smaller items. This will help you keep things neat and visible without cluttering the closet. Use slimline hangers. These take up less space than traditional hangers.
17. Consider the 80/20 Rule
We only wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Prioritize your most worn items and donate the rest.
18. Evaluate the Fit and Comfort
Get rid of clothes that fit poorly or are uncomfortable.
19. Divide your clothes into Small Chunks
Divide your closet into smaller sections—like shoes, shirts, or pants—and focus on one category at a time.
20. Set a Clothing Budget or Mindful Shopping
After decluttering, set a clothing budget or limit the number of new items you buy each season. This will help you avoid filling your closet back up with things you don’t need.
21. Consider a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of versatile, high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched easily. This helps reduce clutter by focusing on timeless essentials and eliminating impulse buys.
22. Create a Clothing Inventory
Understand what you own. This will help you avoid buying duplicate items.
23. Rotate Seasonal Clothing
Keep only the current season’s clothing in your closet and store the rest. This makes it easier to access the clothes you actually wear.
24. Use Scented Sachets or Cedar Blocks
Place scented sachets, cedar blocks, or lavender bags in your closet to keep your clothes smelling fresh and ward off moths and odors.
25. Repurpose Clothing for DIY Projects
Turn old clothing into something new. Repurpose them into new projects, like creating a quilt from old shirts or turning jeans into a bag.
26. Add Lighting to Your Closet
This can help you quickly spot what you need and make the process of organizing and decluttering easier.
27. Avoid Emotional Clutter
It’s easy to hang onto clothes that no longer serve you because of emotional reasons, like gifts or expensive purchases. Focus on what makes you feel confident and comfortable, not what you feel obligated to keep.
28. Use Drawer Organizers for Small Items
Invest in drawer organizers or small boxes to store items like jewelry, scarves, or belts. This keeps everything in place and ensures you don’t lose track of smaller accessories.
29. Make Use of Under-Bed Storage
Considerusing under-bed storage bins or drawers for seasonal items, shoes, or things you don’t need every day.
30. Donate Clothes Immediately
Once you’ve decided to part with clothes, bag them up and donate them right away. This prevents procrastination and keeps your closet clear without clutter building up again.