How to declutter and organize a small closet: 10 Tips and tricks for a more organized life
In this blog post i am going to share with you my tips for decluttering and organizing your closet. I just went through this very task this past weekend and this guide is all i have tried tested when it comes to organizing, and keeping my closet looking pretty and being functional 🧡
I just want to start this off by saying, my closet isn’t really that small, but my section is small.
Yes, my husband has way more clothes than i do!
I try to live minimally and just keep a few items that i actually wear. I say this but then recently realized that the amount of clothes i have has actually grown quite a bit. I think as i get older, i am rediscovering what my style is. I am definitely drawn to more items that suit my body, and i feel like an old version of me is quietly fading away. It took me 39 years to understand how to dress for the body shape i have! But that’s ok, i am going to go into my 40’s confident and feeling better than i did in my 20’s.
I also think when became a mom, i kind of lost myself and i just bought clothes that were on clearance instead of actually buying quality and clothes that looked good on the new body i had. Many new and seasoned moms go through this identity shift and i think it is important to acknowledge that they are not alone.
I really think that ‘put together’ look and feeling, comes from buying clothes that actually suit your body and fit you well and it doesn’t come from the label or price tag. My style is evolving and changing, and i am ok with that. It is ok, to try different things as you get older when i comes to style.
So, back to the closet. This is the place where you choose what to wear and see what you have. If it is over stuffed, unorganized, and and makes you feel like you have nothing to wear, you are in the right place.
FACT: I spent years as a Feng Shui consultant and here is what i discovered. Your closet is linked to your identity and how you feel about yourself. What you fill it with can tell so much about you. If you have items of clothing stuffed on shelves and you can’t see what you have, you may miss out on opportunities trying to find you. Having an organized closet with breathing space allows opportunities to find you and give you physical space to let them in.
Why Decluttering Your Closet Is Worth It
Having a decluttered closet can actually affect your mood and how your day goes.
Imaging walking into, or opening the doors to your closet and everything has a place, you know where your pants are and it takes you less than 5 minutes to get ready for your day.
Now, if you have a cluttered and stuffed closet you may find yourself:
Feeling overwhelmed
Starting your day in stress and chaos
Wearing the same clothes repeatedly (and ignoring the stains)
Wasting time searching for something you know is in there
Holding onto clothes from a past era of you
Clearing and organizing your closet is less about the actual closet and more about how you live and feel about who you are now.
Before you begin
Ok, so before you begin it will help to bring up all the things you need to your room. This will just help to feel less overwhelmed and make the process quicker.
Things like:
Garbage bags for donations
Plenty of hangers - I like these ones
Totes if you are putting away seasonal items
Your vacuum to clean the floor in your closet
Cloths and a non toxic cleaner
Step one: Take everything out
For me, this is the worst part but, like everything in life, things look a mess right before they get better. The important thing is not to take everything out and then give up!
This will also allow you to see everything that you have and you may even find things that you thought were gone forever.
While your closet is empty it will also give you a chance to vacuum the floors and wipe down every surface and shelf. Don’t forget to clean the mirror if you have one inside.
Don’t forget to take out purses, hats, and shoes if this is where you keep them.
Step two: Sort everything into categories
Sorting everything into groups makes the putting back process easier.
For example put together piles of:
T-shirts
Sweaters
Jeans
Dresses
Jackets
Workout clothes
Pajamas
Shoes
Handbags
Belts
Scarves
Sorting this way helps you notice duplicates and gives you a chance to see everything and you own.
Three: Ask yourself these questions
When deciding what to keep, think about these questions:
Have i worn this in the last year?
Will i ever wear this again?
Does it suit my current lifestyle?
Does this fit anymore?
Does this hold negative memories?
Four: Create even more piles
These four new piles will be a mix of the piles you already have.
These new piles are:
KEEP: These are the things you definitely know you want to keep. Things you love and fit you well.
DONATE: These are the items you know you want to never see again.
SELL: Items that are still worth money and you can make a little money from.
TOSS: These items are stained, ripped, and beyond repair. The items you wouldn’t want anyone to see you in. Toss them no matter how comfortable they are, remember you closet is linked to your self worth.
Five: Let go of guilt
Ok, so this sounds silly but i did slightly feel guilty when i was getting rid of some of my clothes! A lot of items that i had in my closet were from after i had my children, and i kind of felt sad for that version of me. She was the version that didn’t really know how she wanted to dress and the clothes were a little frumpy to hide her changed body. I had a little cry as i put those items into a garbage bag, but also felt a huge release of energy that i was silently carrying around with me.
The truth is, today i feel like a new woman, with new visions and new confidence and i want my style to reflect that.
For you, this could be:
A dress from a wedding.
Jeans you're hoping to fit into someday.
An expensive sweater you've never worn.
Clothes from a previous stage of life.
Who knew clearing out your closet could be so healing!
Six: Create a capsule mindset
Good style isn’t about having 100’s of items of clothing in your closet. If you can, try and narrow down what you keep by creating a capsule wardrobe of things you can mix and match.
This not only helps to cut time when deciding on what to wear, but it will also create your signature style.
Think:
Neutral basics
Comfortable jeans
Classic jackets
Everyday dresses
Quality knit sweaters
Cute loungewear for home
These can be the basis of your everyday style. I also add a few luxury pieces that i may not wear everyday but i wear when i want to feel dressed up. This also includes a few satin robes, which are my absolute favorite thing!
Seven: Seasonal clothing
If you can, store away clothes for other seasons. This will take up less space.
For example, if you have bulky sweaters and jackets mixed in with your t-shirts and summer dresses, it will make it less likely to see what you have when you are trying to get ready in the summer.
I like to group the seasons together. I will keep my spring and summer clothes together and then my fall and winter pieces together. This just means i am not doing so much extra work, but i get to kind of reassess my clothes at least twice a year.
Eight: Remove what doesn’t belong
For some reason, i had gift bags stored in my closet and i have no idea why! I think when i put them in my closet i was just looking for a place for them. Make sure that only your clothes and accessories are kept in your closet.
We want chic closets, and not randomly hidden objects!
I love this idea for putting outfits together! Image credit
Nine: Choose quality over quantity
Just like the capsule wardrobe idea, having quality pieces will always serve you better than having 30 t shirts. When you are putting items back into your closet, choose the better quality materials and pieces first and then add more after that. This will help you weed out the low quality ‘fluff’ pieces that you don’t really wear, but just exist in your closet. This is must for every small closet!
It helps to think long term when doing this. Think about if the piece will even make it until next year after being washed so many times.
Ten: Celebrate your progress
Even if you only get through one half, celebrate your progress! I can promise you that you will be feeling lighter and more accomplished by the time you are done.
Notice how much easier it is to:
See your clothing.
Choose an outfit.
Find matching pieces.
Keep everything tidy.
And even just walk into your closet and see how much better it all looks!
How to save space in your closet
Make use of every vertical space
Most closets have unused space above the clothing rod. You can either install a few shelves to fold and place things or add stackable storage bins.
Clear bins are perfect to be able to see what you have if it will be higher than your eye line.
Use shelf dividers
If you stack sweaters or jeans on shelves, they can easily topple into a messy pile.
Shelf dividers keep everything neat and upright, making it easier to grab what you need without disturbing the rest.
Use baskets to store accessories
Accessories are often the first things to create clutter.
Store items like scarves, belts, hats, sunglasses, and small handbags in labeled baskets or bins.
Giving every accessory a designated home makes it easier to keep everything tidy.
Make the most of doors
Don't forget about the back of your closet door!
An over-the-door organizer can hold:
Shoes
Jewelry
Hair tools
Cleaning supplies
Small purses
Hats
It's an easy way to create extra storage without taking up any floor space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I declutter my closet?
A full closet declutter two to four times a year—typically at the start of each season—is a great goal. In between, do a quick monthly check to remove anything you no longer wear.
What's the best way to organize a small closet?
Group clothes by category, use slim matching hangers, store off-season items elsewhere, make use of vertical space, and keep accessories in labeled baskets or bins.
How do I make a tiny closet look bigger?
Use matching hangers, avoid overcrowding, keep shelves tidy, use light-colored storage bins, and leave a little empty space instead of filling every inch. A less crowded closet naturally feels larger.
Is it better to fold or hang clothes?
Hang dresses, blouses, jackets, and wrinkle-prone items. Fold sweaters, knitwear, workout clothes, and heavier garments that can stretch on hangers.
With these simple strategies, you can transform even the smallest closet into an organized space that saves time, reduces stress, and makes every morning a little easier.
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