Raise your hand if you’ve ever stared at your overflowing closet and thought, “I have nothing to wear!” Yep—we’ve all been there. Putting your perfect look together can be challenging when all you see is clutter. Closet organization is key to maintaining a functional, stylish wardrobe. Today, we’re on a mission to help you organize and declutter your closet so that the outfit inspo will come pouring back in. You can do this.
We’ll offer eight practical closet organization tips to help you maximize space, streamline your wardrobe, and enjoy getting ready for the day again!
1. Assess Your Wardrobe
Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t worn it in over a year, it’s time to say buh-bye. This is where the concept of a capsule wardrobe can come in handy: the essentials. Evaluate your closet and choose which items you need. Assessing your lifestyle and personal style will help you with this step. Are you in an office setting every day? Do you work out regularly? Did you buy that sweater just because an influencer said it was trendy and you don’t actually like it? You get the picture. Decide what’s “you” and decide what’s out during the necessary closet cleanout.
2. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Once you’ve assessed your closet, it’s time to put your Marie Kondo cap on and implement the KonMari method. You're ready to part ways if an item doesn’t spark joy! You can simplify your closet cleanout by sorting clothing into categories (keep, donate, toss). Be ruthless in your decision-making! If you talk yourself into starting a “maybe” pile, you likely don’t need those items.
3. Find Simple Closet Storage Ideas
Now comes the fun part! You should have a blank canvas at this point: clothes in a “donate/toss” pile and clothes in a “keep” pile. Before randomly shoving your keepers back into the closet, think about different closet storage ideas such as bins, baskets, shelves, and hangers to optimize space. Because closet organization is a hot fad right now, you’ll find plenty of cute, affordable storage containers. Whether you’re a wicker gal or prefer clear, plastic bins for functionality, there’s something for everyone. Just measure your closet and choose containers that fit the dimensions.
4. Utilize Drawer Dividers
Along those same lines, consider using drawer dividers! You can keep smaller items like socks, underwear, and accessories organized with the help of drawer dividers. Remember to separate items into designated compartments to prevent clutter and make items easier to find. We’re loving these expandable drawer dividers right now.
5. Maximize Vertical Space
Don’t underestimate the power of a good, over-the-door organizer. And no, they’re not just for dorm rooms! Hanging organizers are perfect for storing shoes, bags, and folded clothing. You can also use hooks for belts or scarves. Vertical space is just as important as horizontal space, so maximize it!
6. Rotate Seasonal Items
Next closet organization tip: Store out-of-season clothing and accessories in bins or garment bags to free up space in your closet. Rotate items seasonally to keep your closet clutter-free and relevant to the current weather. If it’s summer, there’s no need for bulky sweaters and puffers (and vice versa), so put them out of sight. You can store these bins or bags under your bed or in a storage room.
7. Organize by Category and Color
Now that you have your in-season, must-have pieces laid out, you can organize them by category and color. Group similar items together (e.g., tops, bottoms, dresses) to make it easier to find what you need. Arrange your clothing by color within each category for a visually pleasing and organized closet.
When it comes to hanging and folding, assess the fabric:
- Hang silks, linens, and satins—especially your flowy dresses and skirts.
- Hang tailored formal and office wear—think suits and structured jackets.
- Fold cashmere, wool, and knit—hanging will stretch out the necks of your favorite knits.
- Fold everyday cotton T-shirts and denim—these durable, thick fabrics are happiest when folded neatly.
8. Do a Closet Refresh with Called to Surf!
Finally, don’t forget to fill in the missing gaps with Called to Surf! If you’ve assessed your closet and realized your capsule wardrobe is incomplete or you’re low on sweaters after tossing out the raggedy ones, check out one of our locations! We carry trendy, modest pieces that your closet will thank you for. We hope these closet organization ideas will spark some motivation. Happy organizing!