If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you've probably picked up on the fact that I post a lot about decluttering. It's such a huge issue for so many people and one of the main reasons people feel overwhelmed.
Last week I shared 5 Tips to Help You Declutter When You're Overwhelmed With Stuff and it has been one of my most popular posts.
So today I want to share a few more tips to help you declutter! Specifically, how to declutter closets.
1. Figure out why you want a clutter-free closet
Do you want to save time getting ready in the morning? Do you want to be able to wear more of your clothes? Do you want to be able to get more of your clothes back into your closet instead of being all over your room because there's no space?
Usually we're motivated to declutter because we're frustrated or annoyed with something. What is it that bugs you day after day? Figure out how decluttering can help you fix that annoyance.
Once you determine your main motivation, you will be able to make quicker and easier decisions about your clothing!
2. Take everything out and lay it on your bed
I mean everything! It's important to start with a clean slate with a closet. You've probably got things tucked away in the back of your closet that you've completely forgotten about. Get those out in the open so you can deal with them. Every item in your closet is contributing to that overwhelming or annoying feeling you've been experiencing. You need to see what you've got to be able to really declutter.
3. Ask yourself questions about each item and then make a quick decision about it
I wrote a post about decluttering hanging clothes as part of the 31 Days of Easy Decluttering series, and I included a list of things to think about and questions to ask yourself about your clothes. Rather than repeating all that here, take a minute and click over there for tips to help you decide if you should keep, toss, or donate each item.
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| Decluttering Hanging Clothes |
There's a great video series that's part of the Spring Cleaning Bundle called The Ultimate Guide to Simplify Your Closet. It's designed to help you plan your ideal wardrobe, streamline your closet, and create outfits that fit you and your lifestyle.
Update: That sale is over, but right now you can get The Ultimate Guide To Simplify Your Closet is on sale for 82% off! Click here to get it. (Not an affiliate link... just helping you out!)
4. Organize Your Closet By Grouping Like Items
Once you've decided what you're keeping in your closet, group similar items together, so it's easy to find what you need. This may look different for everyone, but many people group by function. For example, long sleeved shirts, short sleeved shirts, pants, skirts, dresses. Within those categories you can even subdivide by casual or dressy clothing.
Or maybe you group all your dressy clothing on one side of your closet and all of your casual clothing on the other.
Other people like to organize by colour so they can easily put outfits together.
It's all up to you! Think about what would be easiest for you to find what you're looking for, and simplest to maintain.
For more tips on organizing your closet, check out the handouts from the Simplify 101 course called How to Organize Your Closet. It's also part of the Spring Cleaning Bundle! {Did I mention it's only on sale until tomorrow?!}
[Update: That sale is now over, but you can get the How to Organize Your Closet course here (again, not an affiliate link... just helpful info)]
5. Repeat this process 1-2 times per year
I recommend decluttering your closet every spring and fall. As you're switching out your seasonal clothing, think about what you didn't wear that season. Why store that for another year? If you didn't wear it this year, what will be different next year to make you wear it? And think about what you probably won't wear in the coming season. Why take up space in your closet with clothes you know you won't wear (clothes that don't fit, are too worn, or that aren't your style anymore)? Let them go and you'll be able to enjoy the clothes you do have much more!
By decluttering regularly, you won't have as many overwhelming or annoying moments when you open your closet door. Instead you can smile :)
Make sure you grab your Spring Cleaning Bundle while you can! This sale is ending tomorrow and these amazing tools will never be available in a bundle again.
The individual prices of all these kits total over $120, but you can get the bundle for only $20! Even if you're not ready to do any spring cleaning yet, these tools will help you all year and can be used at any time!
[Update: This sale is now over]
How do you organize your closet? How often do you declutter your clothes? What is the most annoying or overwhelming thing about your closet?
Happy organizing!
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