The Secret to a Beautifully Organized Closet

Here’s a challenge for you: open up your closet and take a good, long look at what you see. Are your clothes easy to find, or are they stored haphazardly wherever they will fit in the space? As I explained in a recent article in REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE, everyone can have a beautifully organized closet. Here are my secrets to conquer the chaos:

1. I edit before I buy new things.

Starting with new containers is the biggest mistake people make when trying to organize their closet. Before you purchase any supplies or buy new clothes, be sure to edit your current wardrobe. Sort the clothes into four piles: keep, donate, toss, and maybe. Be selective. And honest. Donate anything that is not flattering, that you no longer like, or is out of date. Toss anything stained, stretched out, or broken, including old undergarments and socks. Throw away wire hangers, and plastic ones that have lost their shape. Once all your clothes are sorted, revisit the maybe pile.

2. I know how to ask the right questions.

It’s important to arrange your space so that you can get dressed quickly and move on with your morning routine. Be sure to think about your lifestyle and preferences. Ask yourself questions like:

• Am I a shoe girl, a purse girl, or both? 

• Do I prefer to fold my jeans or hang them? 

• What clothing do I wear most often?

Place the most-used items in the most accessible places and the less-used items below or above. Once you have prioritized your wardrobe, group clothes by type (pants, tops, dresses).

3. I love how I look in everything I own. 

I set a very high bar for what I buy. It is not uncommon for me to bring armfuls of clothes into a dressing room and then just buy one thing - or nothing! To make the cut, it has to be super flattering, go with other items I own, and not need to be hand washed. 

4. I own less......but feel like I own more. 

It's the opposite of "my closet is full of clothes but I never have anything to wear." I never get that feeling, despite having a fairly small closet (see picture above) and just a few drawers for folded items. Owning less means that I can remember everything that I own, that I can easily find what I need when I need it, and that I never accidentally re-buy something I already have.

5. I use my closet space as a "boundary."

Of course, I still love shopping and buying things. (Anthropologie is my kryptonite.) But, when the closet starts to feel full or I run out of hangers, I know it is time to edit. Resist the urge to buy another dresser or a freestanding wardrobe. There are only so many opportunities to wear things. New purchases often mean older items will get passed over. If I am continually choosing one thing over another, it is time to donate the item that is no longer part of the rotation. 

6. "Maybe" items go on backwards hangers.

If I am not sure if I still like an item, I hang it with the hook part of the hanger backwards. The next time I am going through my closet, if the item still hasn't been worn, I know it is time to donate it.

7. I keep a donation bag at the bottom of the closet.

As soon as I realize I no longer love something, I put it in the bag. Once the bag is full, its contents get donated. Easy!

With these tips in mind, you can have a beautifully organized closet, too! However, if the prospect of going through this process seems overwhelming, we would love to help you edit your wardrobe and find the right storage solutions for your closet. Get in touch with us to book a session today! And click here to see our list of the Absolute Best Organizing Products for every room in your home.