Out with the Old, In with the New

No matter how clean your home may be, there’s always that one space where things seem to pile up. If the biggest mess at your house is hidden behind a closet door, you’re definitely not alone. But with a new year in full swing, now is the perfect time to clean out your closet and give your wardrobe a fresh start. Whether it’s the master closet or the hall closet, it’s time to face the clutter behind the doors of your home. Here are some tips on the best way to declutter your closet.

Tips to Help you Declutter your Closet

First things first, the best way to clean out the closet is by actually cleaning it out and removing everything that is inside. This will essentially give you a blank slate and will also force you to organize your belongings more effectively. It’s also a great way to get the closet clean before you put everything back inside. While your closet is empty, take the time to get any necessary measurements you may need for closet organization supplies, and make sure to wipe off all the shelves and clean out all the dust that has been piling up in the back corners.

Now that you’re starting from scratch with a clean closet, it’s the perfect opportunity to fix whatever wasn’t helping you to stay organized in the past. Rather than neatly fold and clean out what you’re not wearing, why not take a second to figure out how you want your closet to look and make the layout work for you rather than against you.

Once you’ve devised an organizational layout for your closet, it’s time to purge. This is probably the hardest part, but keep in mind that we really only wear about 20 percent of our closet 80 percent of the time. While you’re decluttering, it helps to make three piles – one pile for the things you want to keep, one for the things you’re going to donate and one “maybe” pile for the items you’re still undecided about.

If you’re having trouble deciding which items won’t make the cut, ask yourself some important question about the item at hand: Does it fit well? Have you worn it in the last 6 months? Does it go with other items in your wardrobe? If you answer no to these questions, it’s time to give this item a new home. Once you’re done sorting, try on all your maybe clothes and make a final decision as to whether they’ll stay or go.

Bonus Tip: If you still can’t decide if you want to keep something, put the items you’re undecided in a box and store that box in another room. If after 6 months you don’t go looking for that box, it’s time to get rid of the contents inside it.

Before you begin putting everything back in, take the time to figure out which closet organizational tools you can utilize to help you keep things organized in the long run. Some people use baskets for loose items such as hats, scarves, and bathing suits while others choose to install drawers. You’ll also want to consider the best way to store your shoes. Either with a rack or by removing them from your closet completely and opting for under the bed storage. For some additional closet organization ideas, click here.

After your closet space is upgraded and operating at maximum efficiency, it’s time to start moving your wardrobe back in. There are many different ways to create symmetry within your wardrobe when re-organizing your items. Some people choose to separate their items by color, other by style and some by both. Whatever method works best for you is key, as long as you know where everything is that’s all that matters.

Finally, after all is said and done, you’ll be left with an organized closet that is much easier to keep organized. Now the last task, keeping it organized! Minimize clutter by keeping things tidy and putting them back where they belong. Remember, it’s always easier to stay organized once you get organized. Good luck!