Storage & Organization & Hacks

Great Tips on Decluttering Your Closet

kelleysdiy

It’s winter time and so cold outside. I thought this would be a great time to start decluttering your closet.

We’ve all been there, when closing your closet door becomes an all out war. It’s time to go through your closet, organize and get rid of some things. Sure, the task can be daunting, but breaking it down into smaller steps can lighten the load. Take an afternoon and follow these easy steps to a cleaner closet!

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  • Pull everything out – yes everything. Even the shirt you just wore last week. Part of de cluttering and  cutting down is knowing exactly how much you have to begin with. This will give you a fresh start in your newly organized closet.
  • Assess the setup of the closet for the clothing you own. Does it fit your wardrobe? Do you need more space for hanging clothes, or do you have more casual items that can be folded? Take this empty closet opportunity to address any structural changes you might make, like adding another hanging rod, cubby organizers, or shelving. Then, clean and vacuum the closet.
  • Sort clothing into four piles – keep, try on, give and seasonal. Everything you own should fit into one of these four categories, and breaking the bulk into smaller piles will make the task friendlier. Grabbing a few empty laundry baskets makes this sorting process easy.
  • Keep – Before putting an item back in your closet, ask yourself this: Does this fit? Have I worn it in the last year? Is it still in good, clean condition? Do I feel good wearing it? If the answer is no to any of these questions, consider redirecting it to another pile. Hang or fold any keep clothes and put them back in the closet.
  • Try On – Trying on all undecided clothing at once is much easier than each piece as you sort through it. Keep any clothing that fits and you still enjoy. Put the clothes on a hanger or fold them neatly and put them back in the closet. Anything else should filter down to the Give pile. If necessary, keep a small pile of undecided items and return to them at the very end where you might have an easier time making a decision.
  • Give – Unwanted and unworn clothing clutters up your closet for no reason. Considering donating used clothing or hosting a clothing swap with friends. Remember, just because it’s a great shirt, it doesn’t mean you’re ever going to wear it – but someone else might love to.
  • Seasonal – Clothing specific to one season has no need to be in your closet the rest of the year. Store these items away until the right season in storage bins, under bed boxes, garment racks or spare closets. Make sure when you take your seasonal clothing back out, you remove any past-season clothes from your closet, always keeping some in seasonal storage.
  • Don’t forget to go through your clothing storage outside of the closet – follow the same process with dressers, trunks and coat closets. If dresser drawers have become cluttered, use fabric or spring-action drawer dividers to keep smaller items organized.
  • Use decorative baskets, bins or robe hooks to store items that can be worn again before washing. Keeping these items separate from clothing already organized in your closet will keep the clutter to a minimum, and keep clothes from wrinkling in a pile on the floor.
  • Set a calendar reminder to revisit this process once or twice a year.

Closet rod extender

Add a lower closet rod to gain extra hanging space in your closet

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All you need to gain a lot of hanging space in your closet is two metal closet brackets and a length of closet rod. If your existing closet rod is at least 66 in. from the floor, there’s enough space to add a second rod below it and still hang shirts and slacks. We placed the top of the rod 35 in. from the floor, which allowed just enough room to hang two levels of pants.

Locate studs on the back wall of the closet with a stud finder. Then attach metal brackets to the studs. Use a level to align the brackets along the top. Space the brackets no more than 32 in. apart.

I just moved here a few months ago and had to downsize my closet space. It was a challenge.

I just love those belt rings that hang in the closet. I slipped all my camisoles onto it and saved so much space!

Do you have any great closet organization ideas for decluttering. I would love to hear them!

            

Published by kelleysdiy

I love creating new ideas. And now that I am happily retired, I have lots more time to create them! Whether its crafts for decorating my home, or up cycling items I find at garage sales, thrift stores, and even on the curb, and turning them into something wonderful. The creative juices flowing in my head are almost always in overdrive....so many ideas! I love sharing my new ideas with all of you! So please follow me and let me know how I'm doing! I hope I can inspire you.....and if I do....send me a pic. I would love to see your creation.

75 thoughts on “Great Tips on Decluttering Your Closet”

  1. The best way to declutter a closet is make sure you have a good woman to do it for you, because women love to uncluttered mens wardrobes, then after they have uncluttered everything they will be more than happy to reorganise and iron everything, as women like this type of work. It’s like a hobby I suppose. The only problem is you can never find one as they are all busy.

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      2. It was my choice to live here. I just decided to pack up and go. I hated City life and working 12 hours a day for possessions. Now I don’t care.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. They are great with a big family spirit that England has lost. Maybe because they are poor.

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    1. You just need a cup of coffee some music on that you enjoy, and a chair. Take everything out of your closet and put onto your bed. Sit on the chair sipping your coffee or tea. While looking through the post, decide what you can apply to your closet.

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  9. Pingback: Tips On Decluttering a Closet — kelleysdiy – Bee Organized with Pamela

      1. I will when I organize it again. I have three boxes that I put things that I am not wearing. These are in the closet. When I want something refreshing, I get into the boxes. I don’t have a workable shoe rack. I keep mine under the rocker in my room. I have shelves on the side. On one of these, I have a stack of journals, and on that same shelf, I used to hide change. I don’t hide it anymore. I gave my change purse to the Lord. I believe if we are going to be effective, we must have a hidden place for change that is gathering. I gave a small bag of change to a place the other night. It was time to lighten my pocketbook.

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      2. I do the same Rubie. Whenever I am given change back, I look to see if the Childrens Hospitals have a donation container. They usually do.
        Please ask yourself ‘How big are these boxes and how long has it been since you’ve worn all those clothes?’ ❤️️☺️
        It’s always a blessing to give to your church for the less unfortunate. Or have a yard sale! Oh, I think I will write a post on that! ❤️️☺️

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      3. I never photo my closet. I have all mine in one closet with a side shelf that holds more things. It is easy to organize, but to keep it organized is the culprit. Ah. We go through this life once. Happiness is having an organized place for most things. My closet has to be organized.

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    1. It’s so hard to downsize. Look at the bright side….less cleaning! It takes a bit to get used to, but once you do, I am sure you two will be happy. Have fun cleaning out your closet. Anything you haven’t worn in the past 2 years…donate!

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      1. Exactly. And there are many things! I hate to admit. But those jeans I wore ‘back then’ aren’t going to fit this ‘now’ body! Ever. Why do we do this to ourselves? It’s so self deprecating. Thanks for the luck, I need it! Yay to less cleaning!!!💜

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  16. I had no idea what the answer was to curing lung cancer naturally – but I knew what the answer wasn’t. It wasn’t snake oil, elephant tusks, shark cartilage or any of the million so-called cancer “treatments” you can find online.

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