Yes, our closet at the new house has a ton of storage space, but I hate it. Everything from the bad lighting to the discolored white melamine shelving that doesn’t line up correctly to the IKEA wardrobe closet with waaaaay to many drawers. We are planning on remodeling our terribly outdated master bathroom this spring and have decided to remodel the closet at that time as well. Not because we are clothes horses, but because we just want a simple, more organized look.
We moved into our new house about 100 days ago and have since crammed everything from extra dishes, to tool sets into the space. There is something to be said about visual clutter leading to mental clutter, and since I’ve declared 2015 the year of simplicity, the visual clutter has got to go!
I have decided to prep for the upcoming changes by clearing out all clutter from our closet this week {meaning everything but CLOTHING}. Because HELLO, it’s a total mess in there. That way, when the remodel is complete, all I have to do is place everything in it, easy pleasy.
If you are looking to simplify, here’s some tips to get your closet in line with your thinking:
- First off, minimalism. I am sure if you are honest, you wear the same 30 or so items over and over. Why even bother keeping the rest? It’s taking up room. Get rid of it. Don’t look at it as getting rid of perfectly good items, if you aren’t wearing it, they aren’t doing you any good. Give it to someone who can put it to perfectly good use. I own maybe 35 articles of clothing…maybe. It feels like plenty. I totally get everyone’s “plenty” is different, so decide on yours.
- Ask yourself about EACH and EVERY thing in the closet, “Do I like this? Do I feel confident when I wear it? Is it flattering? Is it comfortable?” If you answer no to any of those questions, throw it in a donation box {or take it to a consignment shop} and move on.
- Choose a color palette, and get rid of the rest. I know, it seems slightly oppressive at first, but when you have a color palette you adhere to {and one that is flattering to you}, everything in your closet can be mixed and matched, creating far more possibilities with less options. P.S. You don’t have to choose black like I have for years, it just happens to be my preference.
- Turn the hangers backwards. For everything that you put back, place it on the hanging rod backwards. If in one year, the hanger is still backwards, trust me, you are over it. Give it up.
- For each item in your closet, make sure you can turn it into an outfit. If you don’t have pants, shoes, etc. to match it, either fix that or get rid of it. {I would opt to get rid of it, but that’s just me}.
- Keep a handful of in-style accessories instead of excess clothing. They can update a wardrobe, make it more formal or put together, etc. and take up almost no space at all. Best of all, they are inexpensive {usually} so you won’t feel bad donating it after you’ve worn it for a season or two.
- Get real about your shoe situation. I totally get how they can get out of hand, but consider what you really wear, what is actually quality, and what is comfortable. You can do the math from there.
- Decide on an organization system. Maybe you want to sort by color, maybe by type {short sleeve, long sleeve, button up, etc.}. Decide on something that makes sense to you and then make it happen.
- Create a one in, one out rule. This will seriously limit a lot of your troubles. You’ll know exactly how much you love the new sweater you tried on with this simple rule. If you are more than happy to let something go in its place, then you probably really love it. If not, then it might not be as great as you think.
- Lounge wear/Comfy clothes. I am all for comfort, but how many old scrubby pairs of sweats does one person need? Chances are you are holding onto a lot of stuff because it’s comfortable, even though you wouldn’t be caught dead out of the house in it. If so, evaluate how many pieces you need to get you through each week until laundry day, and then get rid of the rest.
How about YOU, how do you keep closet clutter at bay?
~Mavis
JC says
“Turn the hangers backwards.” I think I am going to try this trick this year. Everything gets flipped around once, then as an item is used turn the hanger back to normal. Next December whatever is still backwards gets donated. I think I am going to end up donating 3/4 of my closet this way! I really do only wear a few items each week. What a good idea!
sk says
Whew!!
Heidi P says
When we updated our master we had our carpenter build an organizer into the closet that we drew up. (same guy that did our pantry that I love) We’ve never regretted our choice and it didn’t cost much more then buying one at the store. We did all of the painting ourselves. Thanks for the organizing tips……we need them:)
Mavis Butterfield says
🙂 I just want something simple… 🙂 I a glad you are happy with your closet.
Elizabeth in Upstate NY says
Mavis, you inspire me! Do wish could downsize like you have/are. Am currently living in a small house, that has contents from us, my parent’s house and my mother-in-law’s house. Even with selling half the Christmas decorations to a collector, still could decorate 3 trees plus with all we have. Anyone out there want 1950s era window wreaths?
Clothes, also wish could downsize like you, but in our current negative temps here, those wool sweaters and wool pants [which we haven’t needed in a few years] sure are welcome. Plus, being only semi retired, both my husband and I still need “professional” clothes for those regular occasions when only a suit will do. And for me, the family gardener, have a set of “garden clothes.”
Your walk-in closet looks wonderful. Our master bedroom has no closet – period. We use the room that also has the walk-up attic entrance as our closet room and storage for all medical stuff. My husband is on home dialysis and we go through a huge volume of supplies.
Thank you for all your posts, know they all take time to do and are a major committment. They bring brightness to my life. Elizabeth
Mavis Butterfield says
Very sweet! Thank you Elizabeth. 🙂
Carol says
I’m looking forward to the photos after you remodel your closet. Visualizing how I might want my space is the hard part for me, but I’m good at copying others’ ideas!
I was able to get the front door closet cleaned out over the holidays. Now onto my clothes closet. Wish me luck. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Good luck Carol, once you start it’s easier to finish. 🙂
Mary says
I am looking forward to seeing your new walk-in closet. We have one also and it needs help!
Veronica says
Good job with this, but this method (one year worn or not) really only works if you are not pregnant or nursing. If I were to get rid of everything I haven’t worn in the past year, my closet would only include maternity and nursing friendly clothes. When those stages are over, I don’t want to have to shop for a while new wardrobe.
Marcia says
Yep, totally agree on the pregnant/ nursing! I’m 44, but I had my second child at 42. I’m just now getting back into my pre-baby clothing, and boy am I glad that I didn’t get rid of them! They were flattering on me. So now I *do* get to get rid of the really big post-baby clothes.
I still have too many shirts. While I’ve managed to get into my smaller jeans, for some reason (carrying around a 26 pound toddler? Pushups?) the shirts are too small. I don’t know if they will always be too small? Anyway I’d like to lose 6-10 more pounds and see. If they still don’t fit then, I will get rid of them.
I’m making it a goal this year though to buy NO new clothing. So I’m hesitant to get rid of stuff until I hit my goal weight and stay there awhile.
Kirsten G says
I wish I had the room for bigger closet. My husband and I share a closet the size the space where you hang your shirts.
That dress you’re holding up in the picture is cute. Did it belong to The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird?
Lisa says
sad to say, but I think my teenage boy’s bedroom is about the same size as your closet!