If your closet is filled with unused clothes or cluttered with miscellaneous items, it’s time for a quick refresh.
No matter the size of your closet, it often feels like there’s never enough storage space.
By clearing out these 11 items, such as out-of-season clothing and bulky accessories, you can optimize your closet storage and create more space for the items you wear. Consider storing these items in alternative spaces like the basement or an entryway closet, or consider parting ways with them altogether.
Trust us, you won’t miss them.
Items Need to Be Put Out for Tidy Closet
Taking a few minutes to relocate or discard these items will instantly make your closet feel more spacious and organized.
Reduce the number of hangers in your closet to maximize space.
Keep only the ones you need and consider switching to slimline hangers for a more efficient use of space. When adding a new item, remove one from your closet to maintain a clutter-free environment.
Store out-of-season items outside of your closet to free up space.
Utilize the basement, attic, spare room, or under-bed storage for items like winter boots or summer dresses. Rotate your wardrobe as the seasons change to keep your closet organized and functional.
Get rid of items that don’t align with your style.
Embrace your fashion preferences and eliminate anything that doesn’t reflect your unique brand. Having a distinct style makes getting dressed easier and ensures that everything in your closet complements each other.
Dedicate a separate space for bulky coats and outdoor accessories.
Use a Coat Closet, entryway storage, or an additional closet to house winter coats, umbrellas, hats, and scarves. This prevents these items from cluttering your clothes closet and protects your sleeping space from dirt and debris.
Remove clothing items you haven’t worn in a year.
Whether it’s due to size, condition, or simply not aligned with your current taste, let go of clothes that no longer serve you. If you haven’t worn an item in a year, it’s a good indicator that it’s time to part ways.
Store luggage outside of your closet.
Utilize under-bed storage or spaces like the basement or attic to keep your suitcases. Take advantage of the space inside the luggage by using it to store out-of-season items or extra linens.
Keep outdoor accessories near the door instead of in your closet.
Use a small basket or drawer in the entryway to store hats, scarves, and mittens, making it easy to grab them before heading out.
Avoid storing jewelry in your closet.
Instead, display your necklaces on a jewelry tree and keep rings in a decorative dish on a vanity or dresser. Storing jewelry outside of the closet not only keeps them safer but also ensures easy access to your accessories.
Find alternative storage for your wedding dress.
Given their special requirements and space-consuming nature, it’s best to store wedding dresses elsewhere. Place it in a garment bag and store it in a hall closet or under the bed, protecting it from light and keeping it safe.
Keep pet accessories out of the closet.
Avoid storing animal toys or beds in your closet, especially if you have a walk-in closet. This prevents pet hair, odors, and potential damage to your clothing.
Keep your furry friends out of the closet to maintain a clean and organized space.
Store food gifts outside of your closet.
It’s best to keep food items, such as fancy chocolates, in the kitchen rather than the closet. The scent of food can attract pests like moths and mice, which can cause damage to your wardrobe.
Always store food items in appropriate kitchen storage, even if the packaging seems secure.
Habits for a Clutter-free Closet
If you’re passionate about fashion, the concept of minimalism might seem foreign and unattainable.
However, the two can coexist harmoniously, allowing you to maintain your style without being overwhelmed by an overstuffed closet. Here are five habits to adopt:
Habit 1: Flip hangers
Start by turning all your hangers backward.
Whenever you wear an item, hang it back in the closet with the hanger facing forward. Set a timeline, such as 1-3 months or seasonal, and mark the end date on your calendar.
On that day, remove any items that still have backward-facing hangers and decide whether to keep or donate them. Repeat this process until you’ve gone through all your clothes, ensuring that you only keep the items you genuinely enjoy wearing.
Habit 2: Count your items
Although it may seem unusual, counting your clothes is an effective method to reduce clutter.
Count all your items, including folded and hanging pieces, as well as shoes and jackets. Once you have the total count, set a lower, more reasonable number to minimize down to.
Commit to keeping only that number of items. Start decluttering in one area of your closet at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Work through each area until you reach your desired number. Apply this method in a way that suits your lifestyle and keeps you motivated.
Habit 3: One in – one out
This simple method involves removing an item from your closet every time you purchase something new.
It works best when you remove an item in the same category as the new addition. For example, if you buy a scarf, set aside another scarf for donation or sale.
Implementing this habit prevents unnecessary accumulation and pairs well with Habit 1.
Habit 4: Arrange items by type and color
Organize your clothes by type (sweaters, long sleeves, dresses, etc.) and color. This arrangement allows you to gain a better understanding of your style and preferences.
It also enables you to see all your clothes at a glance, assess your color preferences, identify duplicates, and create visually pleasing arrangements.
Habit 5: Boxing
Putting the clothes you’ve purged into boxes for donation can give you a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
It may even become addictive as you experience the joy of decluttering. Additionally, this process might reveal gaps in your wardrobe, prompting you to go shopping for new items to fill those needs.
By incorporating these five habits into your closet routine, you can achieve a minimalist approach to fashion that aligns with your style, reduces clutter, and fosters a more intentional and enjoyable wardrobe.
*The information is for reference only.
