Step into your room and take a look at your closet. Does the sight of overstuffed shelves, crammed hangers, and heaps of unworn clothes make you want to close the door and pretend it doesn’t exist? You’re not alone.
Many of us (including myself) have a love-hate relationship with our closets – they hold the promise of endless outfit possibilities, yet somehow manage to become a black hole of clutter over time. Ever feel like you have nothing to wear? Same.
Why should you declutter your closet?
A clutter-free and organized closet is within your reach, and it doesn’t require hours of overwhelming work. Below, we’ll walk through the art of decluttering your closet in 10 simple and manageable steps.
From assessing your current wardrobe to making tough decisions about what to keep and what to let go, here’s everything you need to know to curate a closet that reflects your style, suits your current lifestyle, and simplifies your daily routine.
Decluttering your closet can be a liberating and practical way to simplify your life and make getting dressed a breeze. Here are the steps to downsize a closet effectively:
1. Set a goal
Determine why you want to downsize your closet. Whether it’s to embrace minimalism, reduce clutter, or make your wardrobe more manageable, having a clear goal will keep you motivated throughout the process. My personal goal was to reduce clutter and to dress to my current lifestyle which recently changed (I had a baby).
2. Empty Your Closet
Pick a day when you have at least 4-6 hours to spare. Take everything out of your closet and lay it out in a designated area, such as your bed or the floor. This step lets you see the extent of your wardrobe and makes it easier to sort through your items. Don’t forget items in the laundry or anything that’s packed away in storage!
3. Sort Items into Categories
Create categories like “Keep,” “Donate/Sell,” and “Discard.” As you go through each item, decide which ones you want to keep, which you can donate or sell, and which are no longer in usable condition and should be discarded. My number one piece of advice is “If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.”
4. Assess Your Lifestyle
Consider your lifestyle and the activities you engage in regularly. Keep items that align with your daily routines, work requirements, and hobbies. Let go of pieces that no longer fit your lifestyle or are rarely worn. For example, I recently became a mom so you won’t catch me in heels anytime soon unless it’s a special event.
5. Consider Versatility
Prioritize items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. Versatile pieces reduce the need for an extensive wardrobe and make getting dressed more straightforward. Write down any core items missing from your current wardrobe for smarter purchasing habits in the future.
6. Review Seasonal Items
Separate seasonal clothing and assess each season separately. Store out-of-season items in a designated area or under-bed storage containers to free up space in your main closet.
7. Evaluate Fit and Condition
Check the fit and condition of each item. If clothes no longer fit, don’t flatter your body shape or are in poor condition, it’s time to part ways with them. This is a tricky step so be easy on yourself! I’m personally guilty of keeping too-small clothes I won’t be fitting into again.
8. Set Quantity Limits (Optional)
If you’re aiming for a specific capsule wardrobe size, consider setting quantity limits for each category (e.g., tops, bottoms, dresses) to prevent excessive accumulation. This will also help you be more selective of what you keep vs. keeping everything.
9. Organize the Keep Pile
Once you’ve decided on the items you want to keep, organize them back into your closet. You can arrange them by color, season, or type to make it easier to find what you need. I like to pretend I’m in my favourite store, how would they present the clothes? The might fold them a certain way or make sure they’re hung with care.
10. Deal with Discard Pile
Donate or sell the clothes in good condition. Discard items that are no longer usable. Make sure to do this promptly to avoid the discarded pile becoming clutter. Set a time limit or date for when you need to sell the clothes, and if you don’t consider another way to get rid of them like giving them away to friends or donating.
It’s time to bid farewell to clutter, one hanger at a time. Your future self will thank you for the extra breathing room, the improved mornings, and the newfound sense of order that comes with a decluttered closet.
Remember that downsizing a closet can be a gradual process. Be patient with yourself and take the time needed to make thoughtful decisions. The end result will be a more organized and curated wardrobe that truly reflects your style and lifestyle.
