How to Organize Your Closet in 6 Easy Steps

Home design shows may make organizing your clothes, shoes, and accessories seem simple, but creating a clutter-free closet takes time. To design a tidy and functional closet space, you'll need to declutter and clean first, before you can even begin to reorganize. When you're ready to put items away, you'll consider factors like the size of your space, the size of your wardrobe, and the kind of life you lead.

Follow these tips from professional organizer Heather Aiello of The Organized You to learn how to organize your closet just like the experts on TV.

How to Organize Your Closet

Step 1: Empty Your Closet

To begin the process of organizing your closet, remove everything, including your hangers, baskets, bins, and anything else on the floor or shelves. Emptying your closet will help you design an organization system that's tailored to your belongings and space. It will also help you identify items you can sell or donate.

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

Step 2: Clean Every Corner

Once you've cleared the space, it's time to clean. Dust the shelving and hanging rods, then run your vacuum or sweep and mop the floor. To finish, wipe down your shelving, hanging rods, walls, and baseboards with an all-purpose cleaner. Don’t forget to check any baskets or bins that may have collected dirt and dust over time.

Step 3: Declutter and Donate

With your belongings now out of the closet and in plain sight, it's time to arrange everything into two piles: "keep" and "donate/discard."

"Closet organization begins with decluttering," says Aiello. "Letting go of items that no longer serve you creates space for a more streamlined and functional closet."

To make this process easier, follow the KonMari Method of organization by focusing on what you want to keep instead of what you're getting rid of. Ask yourself of each item: "Does this spark joy?" This will help you identify and keep only the items you truly want rather than filling your closet space with things you won't use or enjoy.

Step 4: Sort Items by Category

Now that your closet is clean and only the belongings that "spark joy" remain, you can begin developing your organization system! Separate your items into piles, arranged by category: shoes, outerwear, evening wear, and more. This will help you visualize the space you need for different items. Additionally, as you witness some piles grow larger than others, this process will give you one more opportunity to identify belongings you may wish to discard.

Step 5: Assess Your Storage System

Once you've separated your items into categories, you can then choose the right closet storage solution for you. There are many great options for closet organizers including complete closet system kits. However, most people can install a few budget-friendly closet organizers such as dividers and drawers. The right organizers will depend on your unique closet categories. For instance, you might want a series of hooks for handbag storage or perhaps a new method for organizing your shoe collection.

Step 6: Put Everything Away

How you organize your clothes closet and drawers depends both on the space available and your usage of each category.

"Create a system for organizing your clothes based on frequency of use and seasonality," says Aiello. "Keep everyday essentials within easy reach, while storing off-season or special occasion items in labeled bins or storage boxes."

Thinking about how much space you need for each category will help you identify the best spot to store each item.

Additional Tips to Keep Your Closet Organized Longer

• Invest in better drawers and shelving: Big-box home improvement centers and online home organization sites offer storage solutions that include drawers and shelving units that can fit your closet's available space. Many prefabricated systems are easy to install and come with everything included. Be sure to measure at least three times before purchasing a new system.
  
• Sort by color or length: If you are a visual organizer, consider arranging items of the same color or length, such as dresses and coats, together.
• Revisit how you fold: Use Mari Kondo's "file folding" method to see all your clothes at a glance when you open a drawer.
• Purchase some closet organizers: Use rack tags, shelf dividers, over-the-door organizers, and specialty hangers for items like ties and belts to keep things organized.
• Consider vacuum-seal storage bags: Get vacuum bags for your lesser-used items.
• Label everything: Label drawers and storage boxes and bins to help you locate items quickly.
• Use wall space: Take advantage of wall space for hanging jewelry and accessories.
• Tidy often: Follow the six organization steps above at least twice a year and complete a quick tidying once a month to prevent a cluttered closet.