Use my closet organizing tips to achieve your dream closet!
Tip 1: Keep Like with Like
Keeping similar things together means you can visually assess what you’ve got. When your sweaters and pants and skirts are all in a jumble on the closet floor, it’s hard to know how many of each thing you have. Separating items by category keeps your wardrobe balanced. It also makes things easier to find. Just like a file folder with subfolders inside, you can create a system in your closet that makes locating items simple. No more digging through piles to find that one sleeveless top you know is somewhere in there. It’s with the other sleeveless tops!
Of course, there are many different ways to categorize items–you don’t have to do it by sleeve length. Use whatever method works best for you. If you’re not sure which to pick, roll a die and pick one at random. Try it out for a few weeks and see how it feels!
You can sort by
- clothing type
- color
- season
- sleeve length
- occasion…
There are tons of options! You can even sort by outfit! If there are pieces you know you always wear together, group them.
Tip 2: Hanging vs. Folding
Are you a hanger, a folder, or a mix of the two? I like a hybrid approach where the type of garment determines my storage method. Blouses and pants that crease and wrinkle are best hung up, while denim and t-shirts are great for compact folding. That’s not to say you can’t hang it all! If you’ve got the room, go for it.
Tip 3: Use Vertical Space
When you can’t go outward, go upward! Vertical space is especially important in closets, where there’s often limited room. Use stackable options when possible, and try space-saving hangers to maximize your closet.
Tip 4: Ease of Maintenance
Make sure that whatever closet organization system you choose is something you can easily maintain. It’s super fun to sort clothes by type, then color within that type, followed by sleeve length…but sometimes you can get TOO detailed with it.
If you need a flow chart to put laundry away, you’ve gone too far.
Tip 5: Accessibility
If you wear it a lot, keep it at eye level and within arm’s reach. Special-occasion items can be stored in less accessible parts of the closet, like in the back or on a high or low shelf or drawer. Make it easy on yourself! If you’re digging through sweaters in summer to find your tees, swap them around.
I hope these closet organizing tips help you, and if you have any questions, ask them in the comments below!
Keeping things at eye level is important for me because I’m short. The higher options are not easily reachable. I have a collapsible stool in my closet so I can reach the high things. Someone needs to invent a stool you can carry with you for reaching high shelves in the grocery store, etc. Oh to be taller!
That would be a nifty invention, Seana!
These are great tips, Katherine. You have made it easy for anyone to go ahead and get their clothes and closet organized. I have my closet organized by color and type of clothing. I like to have somethings folded and on a shelf and other things hanging.
Thank you Diane!
I used to have a closet with a double rod: one in front and one in back. It made it so easy to switch things around with the seasons! I have a smaller closet now, but I also work at home so I don’t need such a large wardrobe.
Yes! Working from home really changed a lot of people’s closets.
Excellent, straightforward tips. I almost have the closet of my dreams; it’s a walk-in, if a bit narrow, but more than enough room for all of my clothing for all seasons at once, and yes, I organize as you describe, By clothing type, then sleeve length, then color. Dresses are long-hanging, but I don’t like to fold my trousers, so I use trouser hangers and hang them from the top bar; it’s only one of two flaws, the other being that the top bar and especially the top shelf are just inconveniently high for my 5’3″ stature. Tippy toes!
Your almost-perfect closet sounds fabulous! Maybe a little collapsible step stool could help with reach : )