How to Organize Your Closet

We have all attempted to organize our closet on a whim before realizing that it’s way more work than we originally thought. It requires some planning and strategizing to fit everything in its place. At U-Box by U-Haul, we know how valuable the extra storage space can be, so we came up with some tips to help you get your closet organized (and keep it that way)!

Preparation

Try and set aside some uninterrupted time for this task. Many people decide to organize their closet as a spur of the moment decision, but it can be a long process that’s hard to put down and come back to. Once you get started, you’re going to have to see it through until the end. Save yourself from 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 some tools that can make this process more organized. This doesn’t need to be anything fancy, just some items you probably already have around the house:

Materials:

• Trash bags: This is pretty straightforward; trash bags are a great way to hold large amounts of clothes or (you guessed it) trash.
• Bins or boxes: This helps when it comes to sorting clothes. Trying to keep separate piles can quickly get messy. Having some bins around can keep you organized while you sort through your closet.
• Mirror: If you’re on the fence about a certain article of clothing, having a mirror ready can help you get a better look at how it hangs on you. A floor length mirror would be ideal, but even using your phone camera could work in a pinch.
• Tape measure: This is crucial if you are planning on purchasing additional storage containers for your closet. Don’t guess if something will fit, measure the space before you buy anything.

With all of that out of the way, you can finally jump into cleaning out your closet.

Purge and Declutter

1. Empty out your closet: Take out all of your clothes, hangers, and other items that are sitting in your closet. Start off by removing any large items, like luggage, before moving onto the smaller things. 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: As you remove all of your clothes, group them by type. For example, you would keep all your shirts in one pile and pants in another. From there, you can start deciding what can stay or go. Take inventory of how much 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 there.

3. Assess your clothing: Now that you did your initial organization, you can go through each item individually and evaluate it. Judge each item based on its condition and how it fits you. Also think about whether it still fits your individual style. If you haven’t worn it in over half a year, it might be time to say goodbye.

5. Create keep, donate/sell, and discard piles: Based on your assessment, divide your clothes into separate piles. Gently worn clothes without tears, stains, or damage could potentially be sold to consignment stores or even 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.
6. Find alternative storage solutions: Depending on the space you’re working with; you might need to find creative ways to fit all your belongings. Remember, measure the dimensions of your closet before you buy anything!
7. Organize and arrange your remaining clothes: Now that you figured out some ways to maximize 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 much can be tucked away into the deeper parts of your closet. From there, you can organize in any way you see fit.

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

Should I Hang It or Fold It?

Generally, items like pajamas, t-shirts, and pants can be folded. If you are looking to save space while you are folding clothes, here’s an easy method that can keep your drawers organized and clothes wrinkle-free:

1. Lay the article of clothing on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles
2. Fold vertically, lining up the sleeves or pant legs
3. Next, fold horizontally, lining up the bottom and top edges.
4. For shirts: Fold the sides in toward the center to create a rectangle shape
5. For pants: Fold one side toward the center and then fold the opposite side on top.
6. Stack clothing vertically to save space.

You should hang up flowy clothes, business wear, dresses, and linens. You might be surprised to hear this, but there are actually ways to save on space when hanging things up too.

Maintaining a Clutter-free Closet

The best way to avoid more clutter from piling up is by doing regular check-ups on your closet. If you are adding new items 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.

While decluttering your closet can feel intimidating at first, it’s easier than you think. In fact, it can even be a little fun! If you are feeling a little overwhelmed, that’s okay. At U-Box by U-Haul, we can help you make space and live comfortably.

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