If you’re like most people, you probably have a closet full of clothes, shoes and other items that you aren’t sure what to do with. Although organizing this space may feel tedious and burdensome, it is generally easier to deal with than years’ worth of clutter. Let’s review some strategies to help you organize your closet and keep it organized for years to come.
What Are You Going to Keep?
The first step in organizing your closet is to develop criteria for what you are going to keep and what can be donated or thrown away. For instance, you might decide to donate or throw away anything that you haven’t seen or used in the last year or more.
In most cases, you aren’t suddenly going to need something that you have gone without for several months or years. You will also likely have little use for items that are stained, ripped or faded due to old age or lack of upkeep. After a while, older clothes, belts or shoes can start to smell bad or become simply too worn out for wear.
You might decide to get rid of anything that doesn’t fit or is unlikely to fit in the near future. For instance, if the shoes that you bought when you were 16 don’t fit now that you’re 25, they are not likely to fit again. This is because your feet are unlikely to suddenly get smaller after going through a growth spurt.
You may also want to get rid of clothes that you wore before undergoing significant weight loss, getting pregnant or going through other events that may permanently alter your body shape or size. In fact, getting rid of items that you wore before undergoing weight loss or other positive changes may motivate you to maintain your current figure.
Finally, you might decide to keep clothes or shoes that are in good condition but can’t be donated. For instance, an old t-shirt might be worth keeping to wear while painting the house or while working in the garden.
To Donate or Throw Away
To begin, you should put anything that you want to keep in its own pile, storage box or other specific location. This allows you to turn your attention to items that remain so that you can decide whether to donate them or throw them in the trash.
Ideally, you’ll donate items that are gently used and free from stains, odors, rips or tears. For instance, you might choose to donate a shirt that you wore once or a dress that you wore a few times for a special occasion. However, you probably won’t want to pass on a sweatshirt with paint stains or holes in the sleeves that you bought 20 years ago.
Finally, you might have trouble donating items that are out of season or out of style completely. For example, a pair of pants that you bought in the 70s might have few takers outside of artists or others who might have a niche interest in that time period.
Anything that is not fit to be worn or used for other purposes should be thrown out. For example, old, decrepit belts with torn holes, brittle fabric that is falling apart, or shoes that have been poorly stored and require resoling will likely not be useful to anyone. Even if there are takers for such items, restoring them will take more time or effort than it’s worth if your goal is to declutter.
Set Your Organizational Goals
Decluttering can feel less overwhelming if you break the task up into smaller pieces. You can sort through clothing one weekend, footwear the next weekend, and accessories the following weekend. You can also start throwing out items that you don’t want for a quick start and visible progress that keeps you motivated throughout the process.
The French have a concept called mise en place, which means everything has its place. When closet space starts to feel limited, organization often depends on having clearly defined storage areas, such as custom shelving and storage, rather than simply trying to fit more items into the same space.
Organizing your closet can be easier than you think when you have the help of trusted professionals. The team at Premiere Closets in Tampa can help organize your home office, garage or other spaces throughout your home to create a healthy and safe place to live. Give us a call today to learn more about services and how we can be of assistance!
