July 13, 2024

How to Organize Your Clothes and Closet

Getting dressed in the morning can be a breeze or a terror, and the difference lies in one place: your wardrobe. When your closet and dressers are nice and organized, your entire morning routine can transform. But where do you even start?

Organizing your clothes and closet may seem daunting, but there are several ways to break down the process. Before you know it, you’ll have a functioning wardrobe full of clothes you actually like to wear.

Benefits of an Organized Closet

Organizing your closet can feel like a huge chore, even if you’re living in one of New York City’s coziest apartments. So why should you spend the time decluttering your closet in the first place?

To start, an organized closet makes it easy to see everything you have to wear, so putting outfits together is quicker and easier. When you’re in a hurry to get out the door, you don’t want to spend time searching for your favorite top or wondering where your go-to pair of jeans are. But when there’s a home for everything, you can easily locate each piece and put outfits together in minutes.

When your closet is organized, you can get a better idea of the clothes you own and find any gaps in your wardrobe. You might find that you have far more casual tops than you truly wear, yet you’re missing outerwear that could elevate some of those dressed-down outfits. When you can see your whole wardrobe, you’ll be more able to mix and match pieces and discover which closet essentials you’d like to add to your closet.

Step 1: Empty Out Your Wardrobe

When you open your closet doors and are confronted with countless pieces of clothing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. So, the first step to closet organization should help bring you back to a clean slate.

Take everything out of your closet and drawers. Starting with an empty space makes it easier to organize properly. Vacuum the closet, throw away any broken hangers, and clean out bins before clean clothes go back in them. If you want to go the extra mile, wipe down your baseboards and shelving. You’ll have the added benefit of a fully clean closet instead of just an organized one!

While you’re removing things from your closet, you might run across random items like coins, hair ties, rubber bands, and the like. Put all the trinkets in one place to deal with later. If you put them away as you find them, you could lose focus on your original plan: sorting your closet!

Step 2: Create Piles

At this point, you’ve likely got one giant pile of clothes. Now it’s time to sort through them and make them easier to manage. Designate three piles for your clothes: Keep, Donate, and Discard. If you’re handy with a needle and thread, you might also make a repair pile!

One by one, put each item of clothing into a pile. If you know you wear something regularly and it fits you well, it’s likely an obvious “Keep.” You may have items that don’t fit or simply aren’t your style anymore, but these pieces may still be in good condition. If so, consider passing them on to a friend or donating them to a local consignment shop.

Discard anything stained or ripped beyond repair. If you’re able to repair something with a small tear or tailor something to fit you better, it can go into your “Repair” pile. Just don’t forget to fix the pieces in a timely manner so they can go back in your closet with the rest of your wardrobe.

Inevitably, you’ll have some items that you can’t quite decide on. Seasonal items in particular can be hard to sort through. If there are pieces you aren’t sure about, you can create a “Maybe” pile. Put these items into a small bin and store it away. You’re free to return to the bin if you think of an item later and want to add it to your wardrobe permanently. If you forget about those items after a few months, it’s probably safe to donate or discard them. 

Step 3: Make a Storage System

Now you should have a designated set of clothes you know you’ll be keeping. Since your closet is still empty, you can take the time to create a storage system that works well for you.

Sort through your remaining items and put them into categories such as activewear, shoes, outerwear, and the like. As you’re sorting, you might find that one category is significantly larger than the others, and you may be led to whittle down your collection even further.

Consider the types of clothes you usually wear together and store them near each other if possible. Note which types of clothes will need more space, such as bulky winter coats or other accessories that are vital in New York City winters. If you have some room, you can store seasonal items together, out of the way of the rest of your wardrobe, and put them back in your main closet area when it’s time to wear them again.

If you already have storage bins, closet dividers, or other organizational aids, use them to help you create a functional closet. Keep your most worn items close at hand and find a way to organize smaller items without getting them tangled or mixed up. If you don’t have any organization aids, don’t worry! With fewer clothes to deal with than before, you may not need much help organizing.

It might sound strange, but you’ll want to leave some empty space in your closet if you can. When you fill up the entire space, simply opening your closet can be stressful. Give your clothes a bit of room to breathe! You’ll find it easier to keep your closet organized, and you’ll be less tempted to pack it full of new items.

Caring for Your Clothes

Once your closet is organized to your liking, you’ll want to keep it that way! If you’re in the market for closet accessories or organizing tools, now is the time to invest. Full storage units with drawers and shelving can be handy, but they aren’t necessary if you’re low on space or cash. Simple and inexpensive items like rack tags and over-the-door hangers can work wonders and won’t hurt your wallet much.

Keeping your closet in good shape means you’ll want to care for your clothes well, too. Be sure to fold and hang items properly to help them maintain their shape and quality. If there’s an item with special care instructions (like “dry clean only”), write this information on the item’s tag for easy reference.

In addition to your clothes, you’ll want to care for your accessories. Use bins or a shoe rack to keep your shoes organized. Clear storage helps you see each pair while keeping them safely put away, free from potential damage or dirt. If you have jewelry or handbags, you can install hooks or organizers on your closet walls to keep them orderly. Finally, put your nicer clothes on nice hangers to preserve their integrity and maintain their quality.

Revisit your closet twice per year to see if any items need to be discarded or replaced. You can also re-evaluate your organization system or swap out seasonal items during these check-in periods. At least once per month, take time to tidy your closet, refold or hang items that aren’t neat, and restore the space to its former glory.

Working with White Glove Cleaner

Because you’re looking in your closet every day, it’s essential to keep this space tidy and functional. But keeping up with your entire home or apartment can feel like a monumental task, especially when you’d rather spend your free time enjoying hobbies or bonding with family and friends. White Glove Cleaner can help you maintain your space with one-time or recurring cleaning services.

Our team of background-checked and vetted NYC cleaners is trusted throughout all five boroughs. We can provide a one-time deep cleaning of your space, or you can opt for recurring services on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. In addition to our standard services, we can also help with laundry, organization, or deep-cleaning appliances for a small fee.

White Glove Cleaner is proud to be one of the city’s most trusted cleaning services. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help you keep a clean and inviting space all year long.