25 Foolproof Wardrobe Organization Tips for Naturally Untidy People

Ever open your wardrobe and despair at the lack of organization?! Sometimes, you may feel like the doors are holding everything in, and the minute you open them, you’ll be covered in an avalanche of shoes, clothes, and accessories! Wardrobe organization may feel like an insurmountable task if you’re not a particularly organized person. But these tips offer a foolproof method to get things nice and orderly.

Even for the most untidy — and least organized — of us!

How Do I Organize My Wardrobe Step by Step?

The term ‘floordrobe’ and ‘hidying’ might be said in jest, but actually, not being able to locate items — or getting stressed because you can’t find anything to wear (especially when you have a mountain of clothes!) — is tiresome and draining.

Organizing your wardrobe can increase efficiency, reduce stress, and help you utilize your clothing and accessories to their fullest potential.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve an organized and functional wardrobe:

Clear Everything Out

Begin by removing every single item from your wardrobe. Lay things out where you can see them: on your bed, floor, or another flat surface.

Clean

Now that your wardrobe is empty, take the opportunity to dust, vacuum, and wipe down the shelves and hanging rods.

Sort

Categorize your items into types (e.g., trousers, skirts, blouses, t-shirts).

For each category, sort items by color, pattern, or season.

Separate items you haven’t worn in the past year, items that don’t fit, and those that are worn out.

Declutter

Try on any items you’re unsure about. Make three piles and set aside items for donations, selling, or recycling.

Consider the one-year rule: if you haven’t worn it in the past year and it’s not a special occasion item, it’s probably time to let it go. That said, if it’s something you really LOVE, keep hold of it.

Based on what’s left —and the space available— decide on the storage solutions you’ll need. This can include hangers, shoe racks, shelf dividers, storage boxes, and hooks.

Use transparent storage boxes for items like shoes or accessories so you can easily see what’s inside.

Plan Your Storage Solutions

Organize:

• Hang: Hang items that can crease easily, like blouses, dresses, and trousers.
• Fold: Store casual clothes, such as t-shirts and sweaters, in drawers or on shelves.
• Shoes: Store everyday shoes at eye level or below. Then, store less frequently used footwear higher up or in clear bins.
• Accessories: Use drawer dividers, hooks, or clear boxes for jewelry, belts, scarves, and hats.
• Seasonal Rotation: If space is limited, consider rotating your wardrobe seasonally. Store out-of-season items in boxes or under the bed in vacuum pack bags.
• Linens: If you don’t have a dedicated linen closet, use a storage ottoman or bench. A storage ottoman or bench can provide a place to sit and also provide extra storage space for linens, blankets, pillows, or other items.

Maintain

Regularly review your wardrobe (e.g., every season) to ensure it stays organized and to declutter items you no longer wear. Make it a rule that when a new item comes in, an old one should go out. This will ensure your wardrobe won’t get overstuffed and cluttered again.

Create Outfits

Organize some go-to outfits for various occasions (work, college, etc) so you don’t have to think too much on busy mornings.

This will also help you to identify if there are any staple items missing from your collection.

Consider Labeling Your Items

If you have storage boxes or drawers, consider labeling them for clarity. This can be especially useful for seasonal rotations (or if you have a very extensive wardrobe).

Return and Reorganize

As you reintroduce items into your wardrobe, make sure to maintain your organization. Put items back in their designated spots after use.

Remember, the goal is to create a wardrobe that is functional for your lifestyle and that makes you feel good about your choices.

It might take some time initially, but the long-term benefits of an organized wardrobe will be worth the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions on Wardrobe Organization

How Do I Organize My Wardrobe Aesthetically?

How to get the aesthetic bedroom look is a hotly debated topic and aesthetic wardrobe organization goes hand in hand with that.

To organize your wardrobe aesthetically, you can follow these tips:

1. Choose a color scheme. This will help to create a cohesive and visually appealing look. You can choose a single color scheme, or you can use a combination of colors that complement each other.
2. Group your clothes by type and/or color. This will make it easier to find the clothes you’re looking for and to create aesthetically pleasing outfits.
3. Use storage solutions that are both functional and stylish. There are so many different types of closet organizers available, such as clear boxes, hanging organizers, and velvet hangers. Choose storage solutions that fit your color scheme and that will help you to organize your clothes in a way that is both functional and stylish.
4. Display your favorite items. If you have clothes or accessories that you particularly love, display them prominently in your wardrobe. This could involve hanging them on a hanger or displaying them on a shelf or shelf divider.
5. Use symmetry to create a visually appealing and balanced look in your wardrobe. For example, you could hang your clothes in pairs or groups of three.
6. Texture can be used to add visual interest to your wardrobe. For example, you could mix and match different fabrics, such as velvet, cotton, and linen.
7. Good lighting can help to make your wardrobe look more inviting and organized.
8. Keep it clean and tidy. A clean and tidy wardrobe will always look more aesthetically pleasing than a cluttered one. Make sure to declutter your wardrobe regularly and to put your clothes away neatly.

By following these tips, you can organize your wardrobe in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

How to Organize a Small Wardrobe?

Small spaces can sometimes feel more overwhelming to organize than larger ones. But with some clever storage solutions and nifty closet organization ideas, you can ensure your small closet space is well-organized and works for you.

Follow these seven steps for maximum organization:

1. Regularly remove anything that doesn’t fit, you don’t wear any longer or is damaged. Freeing up space will make it easier to organize your remaining clothes.
2.  Group your clothes by type and/or color. It will make it easier to find the clothes you’re looking for. Group clothes by tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, underwear, socks, and accessories. Or group clothes by color: all black clothes together, all white clothes together, and so on.
3.  Use purpose-made storage solutions to maximize space. Many different types of storage solutions are available, such as shelf dividers, hanging organizers, and clear storage bins and boxes. Choose solutions that are right for your wardrobe and will help you organize your clothes in an efficient and space-saving way.
4.  Hang up as many clothes as possible, saving space and preventing creases. If you have limited hanging space, use double hangers or hanging organizers to hang up more clothes.
5.  Store out-of-season clothes in vacuum-packed bags or boxes to free up space in your closet. You can store out-of-season clothes on high shelves, under your bed, or in another storage area.
6.  Use the back of your closet door for storage. You can hang a shoe organizer, hooks, or a hanging organizer over your wardrobe door — or even the main door of your bedroom — to store shoes, bags, scarves, or other accessories.
7.  Install a second hanging rod under your wardrobe clothes rail. This is a great way to create additional hanging space for your clothes.

Tips on Closet Organizing with ADHD

Wardrobe organization can be a really difficult task when you have ADHD and may feel doubly overwhelming. We spoke to our friend — ADHD advocate and campaigner— Louise, from the website Pink Pear Bear, about closet organizing with ADHD.

Louise says:

‘My top tip would be to enlist the help of someone close to you, to help you start the process of sorting your clothes into groups to begin with.’

For an ADHD sufferer, it is much easier to focus when the task in hand seems more manageable. If you experience a feeling of overwhelm from the outset you’re less likely to complete the task.

Louise also advises:

‘Ask your helper to take the clothes and accessories you aren’t keeping away with them. To donate or sell on your behalf. If they’re left in the house, car, or garage, they may stay there for a few months before potentially ending up back in your wardrobe!’

She says:

‘Emotional hoarding can be a real issue for us and it can be so hard to get rid of things on our own, which is why a supportive friend or family member can really help.

‘Doubling-up’ — or ‘body doubling‘ — is a well-known ADHD technique where you are much more likely to complete a task if someone else is with you.’

Maintaining Your Organized Wardrobe

One of the best ways to maintain an organized wardrobe is to ensure that your other storage solutions are also just as well-organized and working just as hard for you.

Old habits may start to creep in if your drawers are messy or if you start to buy more items and your wardrobe begins to feel overstuffed.

Follow the step-by-step wardrobe organization tips above to get a head start in sorting out your clothes and accessories, then make sure you’re ruthless with the ‘one in – one out’ method!