Be the Boss of Your Closet
Messy closet
Lately I’ve noticed growing reluctance to put my clean laundry away, and that I’ve had a harder time getting dressed in the morning and packing for trips. I realized that this likely stems from having too many clothes. If you’re feeling the same, it’s time to declutter the closet!
Set Goals for Your Space
Before jumping in and donating all your clothes, it is wise to reflect on your goals for the space.
Consider the following:
What is your main problem with the space? (“All of it” is not descriptive enough!)
Are you struggling to figure out what to wear each morning?
Is laundry day a hassle because of the challenge of putting it all away? Are you stuck looking at clothes that no long fit your body or serve your lifestyle?
Ask yourself what “done” means for this project. Having a vision for the outcome may help you make decisions on what to keep and what to let go.
Clear the Workspace
You need to empty your closet and/or dresser and have a space to do your work. This could be your bed, dining table, or couch. Unloading everything allows you to see all that you have at the same time and to deep clean the space while it’s empty.
Just make sure to take EVERYTHING out. Yes, everything.
Throw away any trash you find right away! You may encounter some easy “let it go” items while you’re emptying, so feel free to drop those right into the appropriate box as you’re emptying your closet and drawers.
Donate box
Categorize and Zone
Get your boxes (or garbage bags or designated areas) ready:
Keep
Donate
Trash (or Textile Recycling)
Relocate
Some people find it helpful to sort clothes before beginning the decluttering process. For instance: shirts, pants, dresses and skirts, workout clothes, pajamas, sweatshirts, lingerie, etc. This can help you see how many of a certain item you have before choosing what to keep or discard.
Make Decisions
There’s no right or wrong about what or how many items you keep. Just because a friend has a capsule wardrobe she loves doesn’t mean you have to!
However, let me remind you of the lovely limitation that is your existing space! You might think you need it all, but remember that you’re more likely to find and use your favorite items if they’re not packed into your closet like sardines.
Giving your items a little space to breathe also makes laundry day much easier. You’ll be less likely to dump your clean clothes on the couch if there’s actually room in the drawers and closet for them. Some people don’t like to hear it, but if you own fewer clothes, it’s much easier to stay on top of laundry.
Questions to Ask
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you make decisions on what to keep and what to let go. Just like the number of items, there isn’t a right or wrong answer, but hopefully some of these questions will help clarify your choices.
When did I last wear this?
Does it fit me? (Clothes that are too small tend to be a source of frustration rather than inspiration.)
Is it comfortable or am I constantly tugging, itching, wiggling, etc.?
Is it ripped, stained, frayed, or worn out?
DO I LIKE IT?
Do I have multiples of this item, and if so, what is a reasonable number to keep? (Maybe keep your top 3 pairs of black leggings and let the rest go?)
Would I buy this item if I saw it at a store today?
Do I have room to keep this item in a place easily accessible?
Is it easy to launder and store?
Visualize
Hanging clothes sorted by color
Before you put anything away, take a moment to visualize how you will use the space. If you already have an arrangement that works, you can return items to their original places. However, this could also be an opportunity to rearrange things for easier mornings or laundry days.
Don’t overthink! There’s no right or wrong here, but there may be a “better.”
For instance, visualize your morning routine. How does that process flow?
How do you assemble outfits? Here are some ideas for organizing clothes:
Length (short-sleeved, long-sleeved, short dresses, maxi dresses, etc.)
Category (tops, sweaters, dresses, pants)
Color (ROYGBIV or grouping light neutrals, dark neutrals, warm colors, and cool colors)
Use (work clothes, casual clothes, workout clothes, dressy clothes)
Imagine having a basket of clean laundry to put away. How should that go?
Do you have more hanging space or drawer space? What type of storage is most accessible? Remember, you’re just looking for what makes the most sense for you!
Pro Tips
Man file folds clothes
Have you heard of file folding? It’s not best for everything but I implore you to give it a try in your drawers. It's great for tee shirts and some types of pants, and can work great for underwear and baby clothes, too.
Hate folding but still need to store stuff in drawers? Certain items like athleisure, underwear and baby clothes are often perfectly happy in a drawer unfolded. You have my permission to do this. (It might not be best for your t-shirts, though. They’ll be hard to find and wrinkly.)
Before you run out and buy containers, consider living with your items in their new home for a few days to make sure it makes sense there. You can use shoe boxes or Amazon boxes or mismatched bins you found while decluttering to hold your items temporarily. While it might not look perfect, it's a budget-friendly way to ensure your setup serves you well before investing in new bins.
I hope this plan and these tips have made it easier for you to be the boss of your closet.
