How to Organize Your Closet

We have all attempted to organize our closet on a whim before realizing it’s way more work than we initially thought. Closet organization requires some planning and strategizing to fit everything in its right place. At U-Haul, we know how valuable extra space is, so we’re here to offer some closet organization tips. Whether you are getting your space organized for moving or just to find some peace of mind, we’re here to help!

Key Takeaways Plan before you refresh: Set aside time, gather supplies, and approach your closet organization with a strategy for lasting results. Maximize your space: Use smart storage solutions like shelf organizers, labeled bins, and vertical storage to make the most of every inch. Stay consistent: Regularly rotate seasonal items and declutter often to maintain a clean, functional, and easy-to-navigate closet.

Preparation

Set aside some uninterrupted time for this task. Many people decide to organize their closet on a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it can be a long, difficult process to start and return to. Once you get started, it’s best to see it through until the end. Save yourself the unnecessary stress and give yourself enough time to sort through things at your own pace.

Before you go yanking everything out of your closet, try to find tools to organize the process. These tools don’t need to be anything fancy, just some items you probably already have around the house.

Materials:

• • Trash bags: These are pretty straightforward; they're a great way to hold large amounts of clothes or trash.
  • Bins or boxes: These help when sorting clothes — after all, keeping separate piles can quickly get messy. Having storage containers around can keep you organized while you sort through your closet.
  • Mirror: If you’re on the fence about a particular article of clothing, having a mirror handy can help you get a better sense of how it fits. A floor-length mirror would be ideal, but even your phone camera could work in a pinch.
  • Tape measure: A crucial tool if you plan to purchase additional storage solutions for your closet. Don’t guess whether something will fit — it’s worth the extra minute to measure the space before you buy..
  • Vacuum Seal Bags: These bags allow seasonal clothing items to take up much less space in your closet and keep them in pristine condition. Learn more about vacuum seal bags and their many benefits!

Now that you’ve set yourself up for success, you can jump into cleaning out your closet.

Refresh and Declutter

1. Empty out your closet: Take out all your clothes, hangers, and other items. Start by removing any large items, such as luggage, before moving on to the smaller items. This gives you a clean slate to work with and makes it easier to take inventory of all your clothes and accessories.
2. Sort everything into categories:  Once you’ve removed your clothes from the closet, group them by type. For example, you would keep all your shirts in one pile and pants in another. Then you can decide what stays or goes. Take inventory of how many of each item you have and see if you have too much of anything. For example, if you have four nearly identical sweaters, you could reasonably downsize them.
3. Assess your clothing: After your initial organization, go through each item individually and evaluate it. Judge each item based on its condition and how it fits you. Also, consider whether it still fits your personal style. If you haven’t worn it in several months, it might be time to say goodbye.
4. Create“donate/sell” and “discard” piles: Based on your assessment, divide your clothes into these piles. Gently worn clothes without tears, stains, or damage can be sold to consignment stores or online. Discard any items that are damaged beyond repair. If you are undecided on certain items, you can also create a “maybe” pile and revisit it later.
5. Find alternative storage solutions: Depending on the space you’re working with, you may need to get creative to fit all your belongings. Utilize empty shelves and other spaces in your room for extra storage. Remember to measure your alternative space before you buy anything!
6. Organize and arrange your remaining items: Now that you’ve maximized your storage space, you can finally put your clothes away. Keep your most used items front and center, where they’re visible and easily accessible. Seasonal clothes and items you don’t wear as often can be tucked away in the back of your closet. From there, you can organize however you see fit. (If you plan to use boxes for organization, use the My Belongings Organizer to keep track of all your seasonal or special-case items easily!)

If you are looking for a functional and aesthetically pleasing closet, consider organizing it by clothing category (pants, shirts, dresses, etc.). From there, you can sort each section by length and color. This will make your closet easy to navigate and pleasant to look at! 

Don’t forget: Cleanliness is just as important as organization. Adding moisture absorbers can prevent mold or mildew in your closet.

Closet Organization Tips

Once you’ve narrowed down what’s staying in your closet, it’s time to find a system that makes sense for your lifestyle. Good organization means making your space work for you, however that looks. A few simple tweaks can make a big difference in how easy it is to find what you need (and keep things that way).

Here are some quick tips to get started:

• Use vertical space: Add a hanging shelf organizer or stackable bins to make use of every inch from floor to ceiling.
• Keep similar items together: Group clothes by category or color to make picking outfits quicker and easier. These stackable shoe box organizers help consolidate your shoes while keeping them in view. 
• Label bins and boxes: Especially for accessories or seasonal clothing, labels help you remember what’s stored where.
• Maximize door space: Over-the-door hooks or shoe organizers are great for belts, scarves, and handbags.
• Leave some breathing room: Don’t pack your closet too tightly — a little space between hangers keeps clothes wrinkle-free and easier to browse.

Once you’ve got a layout that works for you, it’s time to tackle one of the most common questions in closet organization: hang or fold?

You should hang up flowy clothes, business wear, dresses, and linen clothing. Choose whether to hang or fold clothes according to the dimensions of your closet. Thankfully, there are ways to save on space when hanging things up, too.

How to Save Space While Hanging Clothes

• Face all clothing items in the same direction
• Order clothes from short to long
• Fold longer garments over the hanger to avoid dragging
• Keep bulky items on the bottom rack (if you have one)
• Invest in slender, uniform hangers

Maintaining a Clutter-free Closet

The best way to avoid clutter is to do regular check-ups on your closet. If you add a new item to your wardrobe, consider donating an item that you aren’t wearing as much. Having a one-in-one-out system is an easy way to keep your closet in check. As mentioned before, rotating out seasonal items can also help conserve space. Vacuum seal bags are a great way to store bulky seasonal items temporarily

While decluttering your closet can feel intimidating at first, it’s easier than you think. In fact, it can even be fun! If you are feeling overwhelmed, that’s okay. Consider using wardrobe boxes or even a storage unit at your local U-Haul Moving and Storage Center to free up space and keep your home organized. At U-Haul, we’re here to help you make space and live comfortably.