If you cannot find the item you want in your bedroom wardrobe, it may be time to organise it.
Decluttering clothes and organising your wardrobe can be a daunting and overwhelming task, and you may have put it off several times already. But now’s the time to do it!
Organising your wardrobe can have numerous benefits.
Firstly, it can save you time by making it easier to find the items you need quickly, without having to sift through the clutter. It can also help you save money, as you may be less likely to buy items you already own or forget about the clothing you already have.
Organising your wardrobe can help reduce stress and anxiety, as a cluttered and chaotic space can contribute to feelings of overwhelm.
Additionally, organising your wardrobe can improve the longevity of your clothing items by reducing the risk of damage or wear and tear.
The trick is to do it slowly and efficiently, one step at a time. Getting it right the first time can help you to keep your wardrobe clutter free, find an item of clothing you want quickly and eventually save you money!
How? I have been guilty of having a cluttered wardrobe and I have lost count of the number of times I’ve bought a clothing item that I already had. I just couldn’t find it…
Free-standing Versus Fitted Wardrobe
But before we discuss organising your wardrobe, consider replacing your free-standing wardrobe with a more permanent one that will give you more storage space.
Considering a bespoke wardrobe might be pricier than the free-standing ones, however, you can find a cheap fitted wardrobe today that will fit your style and bedroom decor.
You will have a storage area that uses your available space efficiently and a design that will give your bedroom a more visually pleasing look. Once you have you have decided on your wardrobes, you can start looking at wardrobe organisation ideas.
Here are 10 tips on how to organise a wardrobe methodically –
- Determine the reason why you are organising a wardrobe.
- Set aside time for decluttering.
- Remove everything from the wardrobe.
- Try everything on and assess if you really need it.
- Create piles for keep, donate/sell or bin.
- Assess how much space you have
- Organise by category
- Invest in storage solutions
- Maintain organisation
- Rotate seasonally and consider a capsule wardrobe
1. Determine the reason why you are organising your wardrobe
Why? Why do you want to organise your wardrobe? There could be many reasons including –
- Simplifying your life by making it easier to find clothes and reducing the time to get dressed in the morning
- Decluttering clothes
- Maximise your wardrobe space
- Creating a capsule wardrobe and going through what you already have
- Preparing your clothes for a new season
- Streamline your style
- Make a bit of money by selling items that you no longer wear or need.
Determining a reason for organising your wardrobe is a good idea because it provides a clear goal and motivation for the organizing process.
Without a reason, the task of organizing can feel overwhelming and aimless, and it can be easy to lose focus or give up altogether.
2. Set aside time for decluttering clothes
Decluttering clothes can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have a lot of items to go through.
By setting aside dedicated time, you can ensure that you have enough time to complete the task, rather than attempting to fit it in around other commitments.
If you attempt to declutter in small chunks of time, you may feel like you’re not making progress and become discouraged.
The best way to set aside time is –
- Plan ahead and set a date/time to organise a wardrobe
- Break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks
- Gather all the items you’ll need before organizing such as bin bags, donation boxes and cleaning supplies.
- Stay focused and remove distractions like your phone or TV
- Take regular breaks for a cup of tea!
- Don’t forget to congratulate yourself on a job well done.
3. Remove everything from the wardrobe
Make sure you make plenty of room in your bedroom and take everything out of the wardrobe. Give it a good clean and organise it ready to start putting things back in.
4. Assess how much space you have
Your wardrobe will potentially have shelves and a hanging rack, is there anywhere you can fit in more storage?
One of the best ways to maximise space in your wardrobe is by using vertical space. This means using hangers to hang items on rods or hooks on the back of your wardrobe door.
You can also use shelf dividers to stack items on shelves vertically. Using a shoe organizer that hangs from the wardrobe rod can also be a great way to store shoes while taking up less space.
Is there room to store clear containers in the bottom of the wardrobe to place smaller items like jewellery or scarves? This space is often underutilised and can become a dumping ground for shoes, bags and other items.
5. Invest in storage solutions
Once you have assessed how much space you have, look at getting storage solutions for your wardrobe.
Simple things like hangers, hooks on the back of the doors a shoe organiser can make all the difference. If you have space, maybe look at getting clear drawers to put under your clothes to store items like T-shirts and shorts.
If you are using storage solutions like clear boxes and drawers and vacuum-packed bags, make sure you label them clearly so you know exactly what’s in them. This will help towards organising your wardrobe so you can find things quickly.
6. Try everything on and assess if you really need it.
Your wardrobe should now be empty, clean and storage maximised, now it’s time to start decluttering clothes and sort out your wardrobe contents.
Trying on clothing items can help you determine whether they fit properly or not. Items that are too tight, too loose, or simply don’t fit well can be uncomfortable to wear and may end up taking up valuable space in your wardrobe.
Trying on clothing items can also help you identify items that are in need of repair or alteration. Items with small holes or missing buttons can often be easily repaired, while items with major damage or wear and tear may be candidates for donation or disposal.
Trying on every item in your wardrobe may sound like a daunting task, but it can actually help eliminate decision fatigue in the long run.
Once you’ve tried on every item and determined which ones to keep, you’ll have a clear idea of what you have in your wardrobe and won’t have to waste time or mental energy deciding what to wear each day.
7. Create piles for keep, donate/sell or bin
Creating piles for keep, sell or bin is an important step in the decluttering clothes process. It can help maximise your space and identify which items you truly need and use on a regular basis.
Keep Pile
The keep pile should include items that fit well, are in good condition, and that you wear regularly. Consider factors like style, comfort, and versatility when deciding which items to keep. If you’re unsure about an item, try it on and assess whether it truly fits with your personal style and wardrobe. Do you still need those sentimental items like Schoolhouse Rock t-shirts and ripped jeans you no longer get into?
Donate/Sell
The donate/sell pile should include items that are in good condition but that you no longer wear or need. Consider donating items that are in good condition but that no longer fit or that you haven’t worn in over a year.
If you have high-end or designer items that are in good condition, you may be able to sell them online or at a consignment shop.
Bin Pile
The bin pile should include items that are in poor condition or that are beyond repair. This may include items with holes, stains, or major wear and tear. Be sure to dispose of these items in an eco-friendly way, such as by recycling or repurposing them if possible.
Maybe Pile
If you’re unsure about an item, create a separate “maybe” pile. You can revisit these items later in the decluttering process and make a final decision about whether to keep or discard them and more importantly if you have room for them.
When determining which items belong in each pile, it’s important to be honest with yourself about what you wear and what you don’t. Consider factors like fit, style, and comfort, and don’t hold onto items just because you feel guilty about getting rid of them.
8. Organise by category
Before you start organizing your clothing items by category, take a moment to assess your wardrobe and determine which categories make the most sense for your needs. Common categories include tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and accessories.
Once you’ve determined which categories to use, start sorting your clothing items into piles based on category.
This can help you get a better idea of how much you have and can make it easier to see which categories may need to be further divided. If you have time, you can then divide these categories into colours.
9. Maintain Organisation
Now it is time to put all your items back into your wardrobe. Once you are happy with the organisation and everything fits, make sure you keep your wardrobe organised on an ongoing basis.
- Regularly purge items you no longer need.
- Organize items as you go.
- Use organizers to keep items in place.
- Do laundry regularly.
- Maintain a consistent system.
10. Rotate seasonally and consider a capsule wardrobe
Rotating your wardrobe seasonally is an important aspect of maintaining a functional and organized wardrobe and can help with the decluttering clothes process.
Storing off-season clothing in a separate location, such as under-bed storage or in the attic can help free up space in your wardrobe for the items you need for the current season.
Rotating your wardrobe seasonally can also help keep your wardrobe feeling fresh and new. When you bring out your stored items at the start of a new season, it can feel like you have a whole new wardrobe to work with.
Finally, creating your own capsule wardrobe can be a great way to simplify and organise a wardrobe and make it more streamlined and intentional.
It requires a bit of planning and intentionality, but the end result can create an enjoyable wardrobe that truly reflects your personal style and preferences.
To create a capsule wardrobe, you need to –
- Envision the kind of wardrobe you want to create by considering your style, lifestyle, and what clothes you were constantly.
- Define your colour palette.
- Choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched.
- Stick to a set number of items. A typical capsule wardrobe should consist of around 30 – 40 items.
- Assess what you already have and try to fit this into your capsule wardrobe.
- Mix and match your items and look for ways to dress up or dress down.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your cluttered and disorganized wardrobe, now is the perfect time to act and get started on the process of organizing it like a pro!
Remember, organising your wardrobe can save you time, reduce stress, and help you feel more confident and put together in your daily life.
Utilize effective storage solutions, such as hangers, shelving, and drawers, to make the most of your space, and consider organizing clothing items by category.
Store off-season clothing items in a separate location and maintain them regularly by purging items you no longer need and using organizers to keep items in place.
Don’t wait any longer to start organizing your wardrobe like a pro. Your future self will thank you for the effort and commitment to creating a more functional and enjoyable wardrobe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you arrange a simple wardrobe?
A. The best way to keep your wardrobe simple is to keep items that aren’t frequently used, like swimwear in the winter or formalwear, out of the way on the upper shelves, or invest in vacuum-packed bags and keep them under the bed.
To arrange a simple wardrobe, start by decluttering your clothes and sorting them into categories such as tops, bottoms, and dresses. Then, arrange them by type and use storage solutions such as hangers, shelves, and drawers to keep them neat and tidy.
Q. How do I start to declutter my wardrobe?
A. Just start! Set aside a date when you have time to go through your wardrobe thoroughly.
Be ruthless, if you haven’t worn an item in over 6 months, get rid. If you have an item that no longer fits, but you are saving it because you might one day get back into it (I am totally guilty of this), get rid.
Q. How do I organise a wardrobe without shelves?
A. Use hanging organizers, which are fabric storage units that hang from your closet rod and have several compartments for storing folded clothes or accessories. Consider using over-the-door organizers to store shoes or other accessories.
Another option is to use storage bins or baskets that can be placed on the floor of your wardrobe. These can be used to store folded clothes or accessories, such as scarves or belts.
Q. How do I arrange my wardrobe neatly?
A. Arrange your clothes by colour to make it easier to put together outfits, and consider using labels or dividers to keep everything organized.
Slim hangers can save space and ensure that your clothes hang uniformly, while shelf dividers can separate folded clothes and keep them from toppling over.
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