Create a Stunning Color Coordinated Closet in Just 5 Simple Steps
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This blog post is about creating a color coordinated closet you love using a 5-step system.
Want a closet that’s not only beautiful, but also makes it easier to find the clothes you love? A color coordinated closest is not only visually appealing, it also makes getting dressed quicker and easier. Our brains naturally crave order and patterns. This type of organization creates a sense of visual harmony that feels calming and easy to process what you’re seeing.
Professionals organizers swear by the color coordinated closet method because it creates eye-catching, functional spaces that their clients enjoy using. I started color coding my closet a few years ago and it’s totally transformed my routine. It brings me mental clarity every morning and saves me time when putting outfits together.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through a simple 5-step system for color coding your closet that will transform your closet from chaotic to calm. Each step designed to help you create a space that is beautiful, organized, and functional. Not only will this make your routine easier, but it will also help reduce stress when getting dressed.
Step 1: Declutter Your Closet
If it’s been a while since your last close clean out, now is the perfect time to declutter. Especially if your closet is stuffed to the brim.
Go through your wardrobe piece by piece, accessories, and anything stored in bins. If you haven’t worn or used something in months or even years, it’s time to let it go.
Set up three bags labeled, keep, donate, and trash to make the process quick and efficient. The goal is to create a clean and more spacious space before you begin organizing your clothes by color. For more tips, checkout this guide on how to declutter your closet.
Step 2: Best Tools to Help You Organize
Organizing tools help you maintain a color coded closet long term. They make the space more organized, functional, and visually cohesive. Here are some of my favorite must-haves for creating a beautifully color coordinated closet:
- Matching Velvet Hangers: are an absolute must for a color coordinated closet. Say goodbye to those bulky, mismatched plastic hangers. Velvet hangers are slim, space-saving, and create a clean, and uniform look.
- Clear Shelf Dividers: Helps keep folded stacks of clothes on shelves tidy by color.
- Shoe Organizer: Store your shoes by color or category with shoe organizers.
- Rack Organizer: Perfect for closets that lack built-in shoe storage. Helps keep shoes neat, visible, and off the floor.
- Clear Stackable Shoes Boxes: Ideal for maximizing vertical space at the bottom of your closet while keeping your shoes protected.
- Acrylic Shoe Slot Organizers: A stylish and space-saving option for walk-in closets with shelving—perfect for organizing shoes by color or type
- Over the Door Shoe Organizer: Maximizes vertical space and creates more room in your closet.
- Aesthetically Pleasing Storage Bins: Use matching color-coordinated storage bins to store off season clothes, accessories, or smaller items.
- Hanging Closet Door Organizer: Are great for adding vertical space in smaller closets. They are great for storing lighter items like accessories, tops, and leggings.
Step 3: Determine Your Categorization Style
Before you color code, you’ll want to decide how to sort your closet. Categorization is when you sort or group your items based on something they have in common.
Here are three common ways to do it:
- Use Type: group your clothes by category-tops, jackets, pants, heels, and dresses.
- Use Color: Group all your clothes by color.
- Use Type and Color: Categorize your clothes by type and then by color.
In my current closet, I organize everything by color—so all my white sweaters, tanks, and blouses are grouped together. But when I finally have my dream walk-in closet, I’ll definitely take it up a notch and organize by both color and clothing type.
Step 4: Choose One Color Coordinated Closet Strategy Below
Not everyone’s wardrobe is a full-on rainbow, and that’s completely okay! The beauty of creating a color coordinated closet is its flexibility. Here are three easy strategies to make your closet both functional and stunning:
The Classic Rainbow Method
The rainbow method is a super popular method that involves organizing your clothes by the order of the rainbow.
How It Works:
Place your clothes in your closet by the order of the colors of the rainbow : White → Beige → Pink → Red → Orange → Yellow → Green → Blue → Indigo → Purple → Brown → Gray → Black.
Side Note: You don’t have to follow this specific order. Color block in the order you love, it will still look like a rainbow even if you don’t wear 2-3 of these colors.
Best For:
People who wear a wide range of colors or love that bold, rainbow look.
Benefits:
- Visually stunning
- Makes it easy to find exactly what you are looking for
- Perfect if you love that wow factor when you open your closet.
The Favorite Color Method
This method is a simple and effective way to personalize your closet and make it more functional.
How It Works:
Put the colors you wear most often (your faves!) front and center in your closet. The colors you use less frequently can go towards the back or less used part of your closet.
Best For:
Anyone who doesn’t wear every color of the rainbow. Earth-tone lovers, neutral fans, or those with a more personalized color line up.
Benefits:
- Keeps your go-to clothes front in center
- Makes getting dressed faster and easier
- Help highlight the pieces you truly love and wear the most
The Gradient Method
This method is a smooth and calming way to organize your clothes by arranging them from either light to dark or dark to light.
How it Works:
Start by grouping your clothes into basic color categories-like whites, tans, blues, and greens. Then, within each color group, arrange the pieces either from lightest to darkest or darkest to lightest. For Example, here is how to arrange your clothes from light to dark:
- Sky blue→Denim→Navy
- Pale beige→Camel→Chocolate Brown
- Light blush→Medium pink→Deep Rose
Best For:
- Those with a wardrobe made up of similar colors and family tones
- People who prefer a softer, more natural visual flow
- Anyone who wants a calming, cohesive closet aesthetic
Benefits:
- Creates a smooth, elegant look that’s easy on the eyes
- Helps you locate specific shades quickly
- Makes your wardrobe feel more cohesive, even if your style can vary
Step 5: Maintaining Your Beautiful Color Coordinated Closet
Once you finished your color coordinated closet, the key to keeping it looking great is maintaining your new system. Without upkeep, all your hard work could go to waste. Here are some helpful ways to maintain your closet:
- Take a picture once your closet is color coded. This visual reference will help you stick to your color system.
- Put clothes back in their correct spots right after washing them or trying them on.
- Be mindful when adding new clothing or accessories to your closet. Think of where they will fit your color scheme.
- Do monthly closet checks, where you tidy up and make sure everything is in its place.
Additional Tips for a Color Coordinated Closet
HANDLE PATTERNS WITH INTENTION
For patterned pieces, either place them in the section that matches the most dominant color or create a separate category for prints.
Color-Code Your Shoes:
Group your footwear by color to create visual flow from top to bottom.
Organize Accessories by Shade
Apply the same color system to your purses, hats, and other accessories for a cohesive, elevated look.
Fold and Stack by Color
For drawers and shelves, fold clothes and stack them by color.
Conclusion
Color coordinating your closet is completely worth every minute you put into it. When you see your closet transformed into a beautifully organized, eye-catching space, you’ll wonder how you lived without for so long. Pick the method that feels right for you and enjoy all the fun of color coding. If you loved this post, drop a comment below and be sure to check out my other posts on everything organization.
