Tips to Declutter Your Closet

Tips to Declutter Your Closet

 

I live in a one bedroom New York apartment so you can imagine that every square footage of space is valuable. But in recent years, my apartment has been filled with clothes and shoes I haven’t worn in years, old toys and stuff I can’t remember why I was saving. I am in decluttering mode starting with my closet. If you can believe this is actually walk in closet that I had built by California Closets designed for maximum storage.

Well, you would never it know it and at this point, not even a toddler could walk into this closet that’s how stuffed it is with stuff. And trying finding something to wear to work. I pretty much wear the same things because I can’t see anything else but those 5 things. Where to start??

Before Decluttering

Here are my 5 Tips to Declutter Your Closet

Take Everything Out of Your Closet

I insist on this step. I have not done this and what happens is that I leave items in the closet and never actually look at. I have left clothes in the back of my closet that I haven’t worn in years. Tear the band aid and do it.

Sort the clothes into three piles

1) Throw out 2) Donate what you don’t need or never wear (use the 1 year rule, if you haven’t worn it in year, it’s gone) And let’s face facts, do not keep items thinking you will lose weight. That is me and 3) keep.

Remove items that truly don’t belong in your closet

If it’s not clothing, shoes, or accessories, take it out and find a proper home. Financial documents, old papers, art work, you get the idea. I would just put them in a bag and plan another day to organize your financial document.

Find appropriate storage items

Do not go the Container Store with the idea of using those items to organize. I have made this mistake in the past.  Wait until you have cleaned out your closet and then assess storage containers you need. I have these clear shoe boxes that still work for me.  Depending on your closet size and needs, a stackable shoe organizer or hanging shoe organizer may work best for you. Another key item in my closet are Joy Mangano velvet hangers. I bought them years ago and they still work because they free up space from the fancy and expensive wood hangers I used to have. Don’t forget to get a dress bag for clothes that you don’t wear often like little black dress or cocktail dresses.  This is something I like to do is separate them out they are just all together.

Don’t Let it Fall by Way Side

Take time each week, maybe 15 -30 minutes to straighten your closet. This way you won’t spending a full day to de-clutter in a few months.

Nothing goes in, unless something goes out

If you insist on buy a new shirt or dress, you need to donate an item. This way you avoid an overstuffed closet.

 

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A clean closet.

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