I used to think my closet was just small, but the truth was—I had way too much stuff crammed inside.
Every morning, I’d dig through a tangled mess of clothes, mismatched shoes, and random things that didn’t even belong there, wasting 10-15 minutes just trying to find an outfit. Sound familiar?
An organized closet isn’t just about making it look nice—it saves time, reduces stress, and even prevents unnecessary shopping (I once bought a third black sweater because I didn’t realize I already had two!).
The good news? You don’t need a bigger closet, just a better system.
If you’re tired of the daily struggle, it’s time to clear out the clutter and take control of your space.
I’ll walk you through the exact steps I followed to transform my closet from chaos to calm—and trust me, if I could do it, so can you!
Why Organizing Your Closet Is Important?
I used to waste 10-15 minutes every morning just trying to find something to wear in my messy closet.
Once I organized it, getting dressed became effortless, and I no longer felt stressed digging through piles of clothes.
An organized closet saves money because you actually see what you own, preventing unnecessary purchases—I once bought a black sweater only to find two identical ones buried in my closet.
It also makes laundry easier since clean clothes have a proper place instead of ending up back in the laundry basket.
Clutter doesn’t just stay in the closet—it spills into your room and your mind, making everything feel chaotic.
After I finally decluttered, my space felt lighter, and my mornings became peaceful instead of frustrating.
How To Organize Your Closet?
Here’re the steps you need to follow when organizing your closet.
1. Clear Everything Out
Clearing everything out might seem overwhelming, but trust me, it’s the fastest way to reset your closet. When I first did this, I was shocked at how much I had stuffed in there clothes I hadn’t worn in years, mismatched shoes, and even a jacket from high school!
Taking everything out lets you see exactly what you own and makes sorting through it easier.
I set a timer for 30 minutes and laid everything on my bed, which forced me to finish before bedtime—no excuses to leave a mess overnight!
This step also helps you spot hidden clutter like broken hangers, empty shoeboxes, or clothes shoved in the back. Once I saw the chaos in front of me, I knew it was time for a real change.
2. Declutter and Categorize
Once everything is out, it’s time to declutter and categorize—and this is where the real work begins. I made three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss, and if I hadn’t worn something in 6-12 months, it went straight into the donate pile.
The hardest part? Letting go of clothes I thought I’d wear someday but never did.
Categorizing made a huge difference because I could finally see what I had—jeans in one stack, shirts in another, and shoes lined up instead of being a tangled mess. I also realized I had four nearly identical white t-shirts, proving how easy it is to forget what’s buried in a messy closet.
A key tip: be ruthless, and don’t keep items “just in case.” I held onto a blazer for 3 years thinking I’d wear it, but it never left the hanger.
If something doesn’t fit your lifestyle right now, it’s just taking up space!
3. Measure and Plan
Before putting anything back, I measured my closet to make sure I was using the space efficiently.
I grabbed a tape measure and noted the width, height, and depth of shelves, hanging rods, and any awkward corners—because trust me, nothing’s more frustrating than buying organizers that don’t fit!
Planning the layout helped me figure out what should go where based on how often I use it. Everyday clothes went at eye level, shoes had a dedicated space on the bottom, and seasonal items were stored up high.
This simple change made my closet feel twice as functional without adding any extra storage.
I also identified wasted space—like the 2 feet of empty air under my hanging clothes—so I added a small shelf to maximize storage.
Taking 10 minutes to measure and plan saved me from future headaches and made organizing way easier!
See, 21 Space-Saving Shoe Organization Ideas for Small Closets
4. Organize and Arrange
With a clear plan, it was time to organize and arrange everything in a way that actually made sense. I grouped similar items together—shirts with shirts, jeans with jeans, and shoes lined up neatly—so I could find things in seconds instead of minutes.
The best change? Using uniform hangers, which instantly made my closet look more put together and freed up extra space.
I also took advantage of vertical storage by adding bins for accessories and a hanging organizer for folded clothes. Before, my scarves and belts were always tangled in a drawer, but now they each had a proper spot, saving me 5 minutes every morning.
Keeping frequently worn items at eye level and occasional-use pieces up high made getting dressed effortless.
A simple rule I now follow: one in, one out—if I buy a new piece of clothing, something old has to go.
This keeps my closet from turning into a cluttered mess again, making sure it stays as organized as the day I finished!
Watch, 21 Simple Walk In Closet Organization Ideas You’ll Love
5. Maintain and Optimize
Once my closet was perfectly organized, I knew keeping it that way was just as important. Instead of letting things pile up again, I made a habit of doing a 5-minute tidy-up every Sunday—refolding clothes, rehanging items, and making sure nothing got shoved into random corners.
This small routine kept my closet from slipping back into chaos.
I also did a seasonal check-in every 3 months, pulling out clothes I wasn’t wearing and deciding if they still belonged. Last winter, I realized I had three coats but only wore one, so I donated the extras and freed up valuable space.
Setting reminders on my phone helped me stay on track, so decluttering never felt overwhelming.
To optimize space even more, I adjusted as needed—like adding a second hanging rod when I noticed extra vertical room or swapping out bins that weren’t working.
A well-organized closet isn’t just about the first big clean-out—it’s about small, consistent updates that keep it functional for the long run!
Organizing my closet felt overwhelming at first, but once I did it, I couldn’t believe how much easier my mornings became.
No more digging through piles of clothes or stressing over what to wear—everything finally had a place, and getting dressed took less than 5 minutes.
If your closet still feels like a disaster zone, what’s stopping you from tackling it today? Start with just one step, and before you know it, you’ll have a space that works for you instead of against you!
Watch, How to Organize Your Bedroom in 5 Simple Steps
FAQs
What is the best way to organize a closet?
The best way to organize a closet is to clear everything out, declutter items you don’t use, categorize what’s left, and use smart storage solutions to maximize space.
How do I start organizing my messy closet?
Start by removing everything from your closet so you can see what you have, then sort items into keep, donate, and toss piles before putting them back in an organized way.
How do you organize a small closet with too many clothes?
Use space-saving hangers, add shelves or bins for folded items, and store seasonal clothes in containers to free up room for daily essentials.
How often should you declutter your closet?
Decluttering your closet every 3 to 6 months helps keep it organized and prevents unnecessary clutter from piling up.
What is the fastest way to clean out a closet?
The fastest way to clean out a closet is to set a 30-minute timer, remove everything, quickly sort items into keep, donate, or toss piles, and only put back what you truly need.
