How to Organize a Closet: Tips and Tricks for More Organized Space
It’s 6:30 AM, and instead of starting your day smoothly, you’re tearing through piles of clothes trying to find that one sweater or realizing your favorite jeans are nowhere to be found. A disorganized closet doesn’t just slow you down. It also adds stress to an already busy day.
You can clean, organize, and rearrange your space, testing out totes, baskets, and other quick fixes in every configuration you can think of. But even if you know how to organize a closet, it’ll still return to disarray if the storage system itself isn’t right for what you own.
A well-organized closet, on the other hand, can drastically improve your mood, productivity, and how you feel about yourself, your wardrobe, and your home. With the right approach, your closet can go from chaotic to calm, saving you time, protecting your clothing, and even boosting your confidence.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through closet organization tips and show you how Inspired Closets can help you create a space that’s functional, beautiful, and easy to maintain.
Why Does Closet Organization Matter?
For most of us, a messy closet means instant stress. In fact, a Huffington Post survey found that nearly a third of Americans feel weighed down by disorganization at home. This stress can spill over into other areas of your life, like your finances. The good news is that a well-organized closet is a simple way to turn down the stress and turn up the calm. And that’s just the beginning.
Here’s why closet organization really matters.
Reduces Daily Stress and Saves Time
If you’ve ever felt your mood dip just by opening a messy closet, you’re not imagining it. Cluttered spaces make us feel scattered and stressed, while organized ones help us feel calm, focused, and in control. Science backs it up!
- Researchers at the University of Connecticut discovered that clearing away clutter can actually boost happiness, lower anxiety, and improve confidence.
- A Princeton study found that our environment directly affects how well we can complete tasks, and a clutter-free space makes us more productive.
- And when everything has a place, you don’t waste minutes hunting for missing shoes or that go-to blazer. Getting ready becomes quick, simple, and stress-free, and you get more time back in your day.
Protects Your Investment in Clothing
Your closet is like a home for your wardrobe. And like any good home, it should keep your belongings safe and looking their best. A custom floor-to-ceiling system makes use of every inch, so nothing ends up crumpled in a pile on the floor. With the right mix of shelving, drawers, and hanging space, your clothes stay fresh, wrinkle-free, and easy to find.
As tidying expert Marie Kondo points out, clothes that are appropriately stored not only look better but also last longer, helping you preserve your favorites for years to come. Plus, when everything is visible, you’ll stop accidentally buying duplicates (do you really need a fourth black T-shirt?). An organized closet helps you wear and enjoy the pieces you’ve invested in.
Create a Beautiful, Functional Space
A well-organized closet changes how you feel in your space. With a streamlined design, you can instantly cut visual clutter to create a calmer, more inviting atmosphere. And when you step into a closet that looks polished and thoughtfully put together, it sets the tone for your day, giving you a little boost of confidence before you even walk out the door.
Best of all, with professional design, your closet will be tailored to your lifestyle, so it’s easy to keep things organized in the long run.
How Do I Start Organizing My Closet?
Your closet’s storage system needs to be right for you, what you own, and how you like to organize things. If you’re feeling inspired and ready to get started on your own closet transformation, we’ve laid out the steps below to help you maximize your closet’s organization and make sure it doesn’t succumb to chaos over and over again.
Step 1: Start With a Closet Cleanout
The fastest (and easiest) way to kick off closet organization is with a total reset. Before you think about systems or storage, give yourself a clean slate.
- Empty your closet: Take everything out so it’s easier to see everything you own.
- Sort into piles: Sort your belongings into piles based on what you want to donate, toss, or put in seasonal storage.
- Ask the big questions: “Have I worn this in the past year?” “Do I still love it?” If not, it’s time to let it go.
The goal of this reset is to make sure what goes back into your closet is worth the space it takes up. Once you know what’s staying, you’ll have a clearer picture of what kind of closet structure and organization system you really need.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Current Closet Space
As you’re putting things back in your closet post-cleanout, take a good look at the space you’re working with and the items you have. A little evaluation now will help you spot what’s working and what’s not as you’re developing a system.
- Measure your closet: Write down the dimensions so you know exactly what you’re working with and where your problematic spots are.
- Spot storage inefficiencies: Are corners wasted? Is vertical space left empty? Could the back of the door be put to better use?
- Take inventory: Do you have more shoes than shelves? More long dresses than short hanging rods? Make a list of what you need to store.
When you understand your space and storage needs, it’s easier to design a closet for your life. From there, partnering with a custom closet company can take your vision to the next level and ensure every inch is put to good use.
Step 3: Use Smart Closet Organization Ideas
This is where the magic happens! Once you’ve cleared out and evaluated your space, it’s time to bring in space-saving solutions that make your closet work harder and look better. An Inspired Closets designer can help you:
- Double up your hanging space with two rods (one for shirts, one for pants) so nothing gets squished or wrinkled.
- Keep folded items neat with shelf dividers, bins, and baskets that stop the dreaded toppling pile.
- Show accessories some love by adding hooks, pull-out trays, or a valet rod to keep jewelry, belts, and ties within easy reach.
- Make use of every inch with over-the-door storage for shoes, scarves, or even handbags.
With the right mix of organization features, your closet transforms into a streamlined, stress-free zone that supports your daily routine. And with expert guidance from the Inspired Closets design team, you won’t just be guessing. You’ll know every detail is designed around you.
Step 4: Group and Organize With Purpose
Now that your closet is cleared out and set up with smart features, it’s time to put everything back in a way that makes sense. Inspired Closets designers recommend:
- Organizing by category with tops, pants, and dresses together, and outerwear in its own zone.
- Color-coding within each category so you can scan your options at a glance (no more digging for that perfect black blouse).
- Placing everyday favorites at eye level while tucking occasional or seasonal pieces higher up.
These simple strategies can turn your closet into a boutique-like space where getting dressed is fun instead of frustrating.
Step 5: Rotate and Store Seasonally
Closets work best when they’re not overloaded. At Inspired Closets, we can help you design storage solutions that make seasonal swaps effortless.
- Use under-bed drawers or high closet shelves for storing out-of-season clothing.
- Label bins and baskets clearly so you always know what’s inside.
- Vacuum-seal bulky pieces like sweaters or coats to save space and keep them in pristine condition.
When everything has a “seasonal home,” your closet stays spacious and manageable year-round.
Step 6: Maintain an Organized Closet
Without a little regular maintenance, your closet organization is less likely to stick. But if you can commit to small, consistent efforts, your results will be easy to maintain for years to come. Here’s what our design experts suggest:
- Commit to a 10-minute reset each week: Set a timer on Sunday evening to hang up anything draped over a chair, pull out empty hangers, refold stacks that toppled, and return shoes or bags to their designated spots. Ten minutes spent now saves hours of re-organization time later.
- Do a mini clean-out each quarter: At the start of each new season, scan your closet and pull out anything you didn’t wear in the past three months. Donate or store those pieces so your closet only holds what you use.
- Adopt a “one in, one out” policy: Bought a new pair of jeans? Retire or donate an old pair before you add the new ones. This keeps your closet balanced and prevents overflowing shelves and rods.
Inspired Closets designs make maintenance easier with built-in zones, labeled storage, and features that encourage good habits automatically.
Bonus: Consider a Custom Closet Solution
Still feeling cramped after decluttering and reorganizing? A custom closet system personalized to your specific needs and preferences can be life-changing. When you work with our team, you’ll enjoy a solution that’s:
- Tailored to you, whether that means more shoe shelves, extra hanging space, or clever accessory storage.
- Space-efficient down to the last inch with a personalized design that builder-grade closets simply don’t offer.
- Backed by expert design help: Inspired Closets has years of experience to put to work for you. We offer free consultations and can’t wait to help you map out a system you’ll love through our collaborative four-step process.
After you’ve planned, prepared, and called in the experts, here are the many ways a closet design professional will work with you to determine the best way to organize your closet. You’ll end up with a storage system that’s easy to keep tidy and improves your day-to-day routines.
1. Decide What to Store in Your Closet
The first step to designing an organized closet is knowing exactly what belongs inside. Are you using it only for clothes and shoes, or do you want space for blankets, towels, handbags, or even a built-in vanity?
This is where working with a professional makes a big difference. Our designers will help you define your storage priorities, identify what fits best in the space, and create a system that makes everything easy to access. With our guidance, your closet will hold exactly what you need in the smartest way possible.
2. Determine How to Organize Everything
There are many different ways to organize closets, and each method is highly personal. What works for one person may not work for another. A professional closet designer knows the right questions to ask to determine the best organization and storage methods for you and your space:
- Do you prefer to have frequently worn items in easy-to-access places?
- Does your brain work best with a closet organized by item type?
- Do you feel calmed by an aesthetic space organized by color?
- Or, would you like to have a little bit of each?
Your designer will walk you through the use case for every possible organization method to determine the best way to organize the closet for you.
Closet Storage Tips from Our Design Experts
Ever wonder what the experts think about the best way to organize a closet? Below are some industry insider tips from our designers that can make a serious difference in your closet organization and day-to-day routine.
1. Pay Serious Attention to Your Lighting
It may not be high on most homeowners’ closet to-do lists, but the lighting in your closet matters. It lets you easily see everything you have, makes your closet feel bigger, and the temperature even affects your mood. From ambient to accent, strip to puck, lamps to sconces, there are numerous lighting options for your space, and each option will have a distinct impact.
When asked how to organize a deep closet in particular, our designers say that using strong closet lighting to eliminate shadows and dark spots can make the space feel completely brand-new. Working with an expert always ensures you have the lighting that best suits your space. Interested in learning more about how to start every morning off on the bright side? Click here to read our library article all about closet lighting, or visit our Learning Center for related topics.
2. Opt for Custom Storage Just for Your Shoes
Shoe storage is a common organizational challenge due to the various shapes and sizes of shoes. While one-size-fits-all solutions may work for flats and sandals, they often don’t accommodate boots, sneakers, or stilettos. With many types of shoes for different occasions, it’s easy for them to pile up and create a chaotic mess that wastes your time.
Our recommended solution? Custom shoe storage. Our Shoe Shrine® is the definition of custom, changing with you as your shoe collection grows over time. Sleek, lightweight shelves can easily be adjusted to the height of each pair of shoes, maximizing your overall space. Because your shoes are neatly organized, completely visible, and all in one place, getting dressed is a lot faster and less stressful.
3. For Small Accessories, Stick to Drawers
When it comes to storing small items, organizers and custom features are some of the best ways to organize closet drawers. Pull out the drawer, see everything you have, and find exactly what you’re looking for. Drawers are preferred for protecting things like necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, watches, sunglasses, cufflinks, tie clips, hair accessories, and more from getting tangled, scratched, or broken.
4. Use Storage Accessories Designated for Belts, Ties, and Scarves
Did you know that you can install dedicated storage to organize ties, belts, and scarves in your closet? Storage accessories created especially for these long, often awkward-to-store items will prevent them from getting tangled, damaged, or lost. These accessories can also be discreetly mounted to the sides of cabinets, pulled out, and put away as needed, saving you a lot of space.
5. Store Your Makeup In the Closet
If you have a walk-in closet with a mirror, good lighting, and a vanity or built-in dresser, keeping makeup in your closet and tackling this step of your morning in the same space can save time. It’s also a bonus when you can plan the day’s chosen shade of lipstick or blush along with your outfit. Wondering how to organize a walk-in closet makeup station? Use countertop organizers, dedicated drawer storage, or both to keep your makeup tools and products clean, sorted, and easily accessible. If you plan to do your makeup in your closet, also make sure you have a small waste bin nearby for easy cleanup.
Take the First Step Toward an Organized, Stress-Free Closet
Start and end your day on a positive note in a well-organized space you love that feels as good as it looks. Regular closet clean-outs help to maintain everyday organization, but true organization starts with a storage system that works exactly how you need it to. A custom closet designed specifically for you and what you own is your best and most sustainable chance at closet organization success.
Ready to take that first step? Work with our design experts to determine the best way to organize your closet. We’ll help simplify the process, save you time, eliminate stress, and ensure you end up with a closet you truly love.
Key Takeaways
- Start with a cleanout: Empty your closet, sort items into keep/donate/toss/seasonal, and only keep what you love and wear.
- Evaluate your space: Measure dimensions, identify wasted vertical space, and take inventory of what you need to store.
- Use smart storage solutions: Add double hanging rods, shelf dividers, bins, baskets, hooks, pull-out trays, valet rods, and over-the-door organizers.
- Group with purpose: Organize by category, then by color; keep everyday items at eye level and store less-used items higher up.
- Rotate seasonally: Use bins, labels, and vacuum-sealed bags for out-of-season clothing to keep your closet uncluttered year-round.
- Maintain your system: Reset your closet in 10 minutes each week, do a mini cleanout each season, and follow a “one in, one out” rule.
- Consider a custom solution: Inspired Closets designers tailor storage solutions to your wardrobe, habits, and lifestyle for a lasting, organized system.
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