3 Steps to an Organized Closet

(**This post was originally written as a guest post over at The Grits Blog, but I am resharing it here just in case you missed it**)

Today I wanted to share a few tips on organizing your closet.  My big goal for the New Year was to be more organized, so the one place that I knew I wanted to start was in my bedroom closet, because holy cow do I have a lot of stuff in there!  I've got a pretty big shopping problem.  I tend to buy things that are on sale just because it is such a good deal, but that just means I have accumulated A LOT of stuff.  Here are the steps that I took to get an organized closet.

1.  Downsize your wardrobe (everyone's least favorite step!)

//  I find that it's easiest if you take everything out and start separating it into three piles: "Keep", "Donate", and "Toss".

//  When you have your "Keep" pile, make sure you try everything on!  Don't keep items in your closet that don't fit or that don't make you feel good.

Helpful questions to ask yourself when trying on your clothes:

- Does this item still fit my style?

- Is it damaged or stained?

- Have you worn it recently? (In the past year)

- Is it currently in style?  (If that matters to you!)

- Can you use that item in different way to make multiple outfits?

2.  Now let's put everything back in!  (I know, I'm so bossy, right?!)

//  Try keeping similar colors together, it makes finding things easier

//  Store out of season pieces in a bin on the top shelf of you closet or in a suitcase, or if you want/need the extra room send it down to the basement/storage until the season calls for it

//  Utilize space on the inside of closet doors (ex: hang scarves or belts on a tie rack)

//  Buy a shoe rack for the bottom of your closet, it makes it look way neater.

Hanging Tips:

//  For more delicate clothing use a couple pieces of tissue to separate the hanger clips from the clothing so it doesn't leave marks (photo below)

//  To prevent clothing from slipping off of the hanger, wrap a thick rubber band around the edges of the hanger.

//  If you have limited closet space you can use the "soda tab method" to double your space.  (photo below)

What to HANG:  suits, skirts, shirts  (move coats and jackets to a coat rack/closet - they take up too much valuable space!)

What to FOLD:  denim, t-shirts, sleepwear/loungewear, knitwear (if you hang knitwear it can warp the shape over time, and stretch out the shoulders)

3.  Keeping it Organized  (the easiest step!)

//  Take an extra second at the end of the day to put thing back where they belong

//  Go through your wardrobe at the end of each season.  It will keep you aware of the items that you already have (so you don't overshop, like me!) and help you make decisions on what what you still need.

I hope you found my tips helpful!  Do you have any extra tips on organizing your closet for me?