Decluttering Your Closet: Simple Tips for a More Organized Space

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Is your bedroom closet filled to the brim? Are you running out of closet floor space? Are your closet shelves stacked with stuff? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to start decluttering your closet.

Decluttering your bedroom closet can feel like a massive undertaking, especially if you haven’t decluttered in a long time. It’s also difficult to throw or donate clothes due to emotional attachments, fear of needing items in the future, feeling guilty about the money we spent, and not having a strong sense of style.

For me personally, I always struggled with maintaining a clutter-free closet. I used to have a soft spot for clothes and shoes, often buying items I thought I liked, only to realize later that they didn’t fit or suit my style. Instead of returning them, I let them pile up, adding to the clutter.

Nowadays, I make it a priority to maintain a clutter-free closet that is organized with items I enjoy wearing and using. And let me tell you, it is a great feeling. I actually feel lighter. You, too, can have positive feelings about the state of your closet. With my how-to guide, you will have the tools necessary to create a bedroom closet that is free from clutter and keep it that way.

Be in the Decluttering Mindset

Decluttering your closet is not a small task. Over time, we accumulate so much darn stuff in our closet that even the thought of tackling it can feel overwhelming. That’s why having the right mindset going in is crucial. You need to be mentally prepared to take on the project and, more importantly, to let go of items you no longer need.

In the past, I’ve made the mistake of starting a decluttering session without being in the proper headspace, only to end up keeping most of my stuff and barely making a dent. I was exhausted and extremely unmotivated to take on this project, but pushed myself to do it anyway. That experience taught me that I need to be in the right mindset before starting any decluttering session.

If you have let clutter build up in your closet for years, there should actually be bags of items to part with. If you are feeling over overwhelmed about this project, take a look at my post on how to declutter when overwhelmed. This post should help you breakthrough the feelings of overwhelm.

Avoid diving into this kind of project when you’re tired, stressed, or unmotivated. Instead, wait until you have the energy and drive to create the closet you truly want.

Decluttering System & Supplies

A decluttering system is a more organized approach to clearing out unnecessary items from a space, which aims to simplify and organize by identifying what to discard, donate, sell, or store. Before you begin, gather boxes, garbage bags, permeant markers, tape, and any supplies you’ll need to sort through your items. Set them up in your room and label each container with category names such as trash, donate, or sell.

When I declutter my closet, I use garbage bags to sort items. Typically, I don’t have anything to sell, so I label two garbage bags one for donation and the other trash. I either put the items I am keeping back in my closet or I create a keep pile. I also make sure to bring extra trash bags upstairs, just in case I run out.

It’s important to know where to put your decluttered items as you sort through them. With so many things to go through, donated items could easily get mixed in with trash or trash could end up with items you’re keeping. That’s why having a clear decluttering system in place will be effective in your decluttering process.

Declutter One Section at a Time

Many people recommend removing everything from your closet and then starting the decluttering process. However, I find that taking everything out at once can be very overwhelming, so I declutter my closet in sections, from top to bottom. I start with removing and emptying the bins at the top of my closet. I go through each bin and determine what to keep, throw out, and donate.

Next, I focus on the clothes hanging in my closet. Instead of taking everything out, I go through each item individually and make decisions as I sort through the clothes. I then push the clothes I am keeping to the front of the closet, while removing the clothes that I am donating and putting in the trash. Finally, I take all my shoes from the bottom of the closet and make decisions about those as well. Before putting all the items back in their section, I clean the area very well.

Make a Quick Decision About Each Item

Make a quick decision on whether to keep, trash, or donate your item, and place them in their designated containers. The reason I say quick is that you want to keep the momentum going as you declutter. Spending too much time on a single item or group of items can slow you down and derail your progress. Keeping the pace is especially important during large decluttering projects like organizing tour closet.

Here is how to categorize your items:

1. Keep: Items you love and wear regularly.
2. Donate: Items that are in good condition, don’t suit your style, no longer fit, and someone else could enjoy.
3. Trash: Items that are in poor condition, such as those with stains, tears, or excessive wear.

Trust your first instinct and don’t feel guilty about throwing items in the trash. The faster you make decisions, the more rewarding and efficient the process will be.

Guidelines & Questions to Ask Yourself When Decluttering

Keeping almost everything during the decluttering process completely defeats the purpose. The goal is to create more space and get rid of items that don’t serve you anymore. That’s why following clear guidelines for decluttering your closet can help you make quicker, more confident decisions about what to keep, donate or discard. Guidelines set helpful boundaries and help you get rid of the clutter.

Here are a few guidelines I use below:

• Remove items that have been sitting in your closet with tags still on it.
• If you haven’t worn something in over a year, donate or toss it.
• If you have duplicates, choose your favorite and let the extras go.
• Items with stains, rips, or broken parts should be thrown out.
• Don’t keep expensive pieces out of guilt
• Remove anything that doesn’t fit your body or current style.

Asking yourself the right questions can help you determine whether an item is truly worth keeping or should be let go. These questions serve as a helpful guide throughout your decluttering process.

To help you make decisions more easily, ask yourself a few questions as you sort through your closet items:

• Would I buy this again today if I saw it in a store?
• Does this align with my current style?
• Do I feel confident and comfortable when I wear it?
• Have I worn this item this year?
• Will I wear it in the upcoming season?
• Do I use this item regularly?
• Is this something I truly see myself using in the future?
• Am I keeping this item only because it’s expensive?

Try It On

If you are having a hard time determining whether to keep or get rid of an item, and you’re totally on the fence about it, try it on. If it doesn’t make you feel comfortable and confident in the clothing or shoes, it’s a sign to let it go. Don’t keep those uncomfortable high heels that have been in your closet for eight years or that chunky sweater that makes you feel frumpy. Often, putting on the item again is all it takes to get the clarity you need to make the right decision.

Remove Trash and Donations Right Away

Don’t let your decluttered trash and donations linger in your home for a while. If you let it sit, you might be tempted to go through the bags again and start moving items to keep. Once you made your decisions about your items, you shouldn’t really change them. That’s why it’s important to get those bags or boxes out of your house right away. If I am so tired after a decluttering project, I throw my trash in the trash bin but put all my donations in my car so it’s out of my house. That week I take the clothes to the donation bin near my house.

Keep Out of Season Clothes in Storage

Storing out of season clothes is a great way to cut down on clutter and make room for the items you actually wear for the current season. If you don’t have a gigantic closet, this may be the route you want to go. Personally, I do a major closet refresh twice a year, once in the fall and again in the spring. In the fall, I pack away all my spring and summer clothes and hang all my winter clothes. Then, when spring rolls around, I put my winter clothes back in storage from my closet and hang my spring and summer clothes. During my seasonal refresh, I declutter all of my clothes. It’s a simple routine to make your closet more manageable and organized.

Daily or Weekly Maintenance

Once you’ve finished decluttering your closet, the next step is keeping it decluttered. Even the cleanest closet can become messy. Especially if you tend to leave clothes or toss items on the floor. To prevent clutter from building up again, you can either set aside time in your day or time during the week to keep your closet clean. I know it may seem like you don’t have the time to maintain a decluttered closet, but it often just takes 2–5 minutes out of your time in a day to keep your closet in order. Personally, I like to tidy my closet mess as I go. But if I’m short on time, I make it a point to finish the task laster that evening or by the next day, at the latest.

Refrain from Impulse Shopping

Impulse buying is when you buy items quickly without any plan to do so. I’m sure we have all fallen into this habit at some point, myself included! I’ve always had a love for clothes and shoes, often spending lots of money. To prevent clutter from forming in our closets again, we need to break the cycle of impulse buying and be more mindful about our purchases. If you’re looking for rules to prevent you from impulse buying, take a look at this post on the 30/30 rule and this post on the 30-day savings rule. These rules help you refrain from impulse buying.

Other Tips for Decluttering Your Closet

• Stay motivated until the job is done. Don’t quit, you got this!
• Ask a friend or family member who is great at decluttering to come over and help.
• The point of decluttering is to part with items, so make sure you are getting rid of items.
• Take breaks if it’s a large decluttering job, remember to nourish yourself.
• Remember to hydrate! I often forget to do this.
• If you’re not getting rid of anything, it might be time to ask for help.
• Refrain from going on a spending spree right after you decluttered.
• Give yourself grace, if you’re struggling with parting with something.
• If you’re looking for more decluttering tips for your home, don’t miss my post on 15 Clutter Free House Tips.

Conclusion

Decluttering your closet does not have to be an overwhelming task. With the right mindset, a solid decluttering system, and the ability to make quick decisions about your items, you can transform your closet into a functional and organized space. Remember to take it one section at a time, to follow your guidelines, and ask yourself those important questions. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t complete the job in one day, the key is to keep momentum, so get right back to it the next day. A decluttered closet will not only make getting dressed easier, but it will create a sense of peace and clarity to your routine. Have fun decluttering!

Don’t Miss my other Post on Decluttering

• 15 Clutter Free House Tips For Maintaining a Clutter Free Home: This post offers a wealth of tips to help you maintain a clutter-free home.
• How to Break Through the Overwhelm and Start Decluttering: I describe how to break through the clutter overwhelm in this post so you can finally start the decluttering project you’ve been thinking about.