Weekend Job: Declutter and Organise Your Wardrobe
An organised wardrobe is on many of our to-do lists – here's how you can make it happen
Clothes are possessions that really benefit from regular review. Most people only manage to wear a fraction of what they own – which effectively means that most of the space devoted to clothes storage is redundant. Take the opportunity to go through your wardrobe every so often and get rid of those that are out of fashion, no longer fit or are irreparably stained or damaged.
You can have a wardrobe that is neat, efficient, manageable, and working for you, and these tips are sure to help.
You can have a wardrobe that is neat, efficient, manageable, and working for you, and these tips are sure to help.
Pare down your items
Look at every item you have collected over time and ask yourself:
Look at every item you have collected over time and ask yourself:
- Does this fit me?
- Is this in keeping with my own personal style?
- Have I worn this within the past year?
Sort your items into destinations
Go through your cull pile and sort it into destinations – charity, for friends and family, vintage store, etc. Just because these clothes no longer have a place in your wardrobe does not mean they are worthless. If they are beyond help, consider recycling them into dust rags.
Go through your cull pile and sort it into destinations – charity, for friends and family, vintage store, etc. Just because these clothes no longer have a place in your wardrobe does not mean they are worthless. If they are beyond help, consider recycling them into dust rags.
Section your load
If you have a large wardrobe area, work on one section of it at a time. Start with one side of your wardrobe and work along – that way you’ll be able to see the progress you are making.
If you have a large wardrobe area, work on one section of it at a time. Start with one side of your wardrobe and work along – that way you’ll be able to see the progress you are making.
Use a system that works for you
The goal here is neat, visible and accessible. The system you create should make sense to you. For example, if you exercise daily, have your work-out gear within easy reach.
The goal here is neat, visible and accessible. The system you create should make sense to you. For example, if you exercise daily, have your work-out gear within easy reach.
Decide whether to hang or fold
The main reason to hang rather than fold is to keep your clothes from becoming wrinkled. Although, some pieces actually work better folded. The rule of thumb is to hang dresses, skirts, trousers, blouses and blazers, and fold and stack neatly your sweaters, T-shirts, tops, long-sleeved T-shirts, work-out pants and tops, and pyjamas.
The main reason to hang rather than fold is to keep your clothes from becoming wrinkled. Although, some pieces actually work better folded. The rule of thumb is to hang dresses, skirts, trousers, blouses and blazers, and fold and stack neatly your sweaters, T-shirts, tops, long-sleeved T-shirts, work-out pants and tops, and pyjamas.
Make use of the space you have
Rather than wasting the area at the bottom of your wardrobe, place two rails in one section your hanging space so that you can hang short items such as shirts, skirts and jackets in two rows. You will need a depth of at least 60cm for hanging under each rail.
Rather than wasting the area at the bottom of your wardrobe, place two rails in one section your hanging space so that you can hang short items such as shirts, skirts and jackets in two rows. You will need a depth of at least 60cm for hanging under each rail.
Rotate your wardrobe
A key strategy is to rotate your wardrobe on a seasonal basis. Clean and repair your summer or winter clothing before you pack them away in vacuum-seal bags. Items used once in a while or seasonally, such ski clothes, can always go on a top shelf. They’ll be out of the way, they won’t jam up your newly organised wardrobe and, when you need them, you can break out the stepladder.
A key strategy is to rotate your wardrobe on a seasonal basis. Clean and repair your summer or winter clothing before you pack them away in vacuum-seal bags. Items used once in a while or seasonally, such ski clothes, can always go on a top shelf. They’ll be out of the way, they won’t jam up your newly organised wardrobe and, when you need them, you can break out the stepladder.
Look at door alternatives
Sliding or folding doors are more space saving than conventional doors. If access is tight, you can always screen your clothes storage system with blinds.
Sliding or folding doors are more space saving than conventional doors. If access is tight, you can always screen your clothes storage system with blinds.
Colour block your items
This is for the super-organised. Within each length category – shorts, pants, maxi skirts, short skirts, long tees, etc – organise as best you can by colour. Then group them from dark to light or light to dark. Now you’ll always know where to find that light grey shirt.
This is for the super-organised. Within each length category – shorts, pants, maxi skirts, short skirts, long tees, etc – organise as best you can by colour. Then group them from dark to light or light to dark. Now you’ll always know where to find that light grey shirt.
Reset your style
Whenever you buy new shoes or articles of clothing, look at whether there’s something in your wardrobe you can part with. This is a good habit to get into if you don’t want the clutter to build up again.
Whenever you buy new shoes or articles of clothing, look at whether there’s something in your wardrobe you can part with. This is a good habit to get into if you don’t want the clutter to build up again.
Indulge in shoe storage
Individual plastic storage boxes will keep shoes in order. Other solutions include cloth tidies that hang with velcro from wardrobe railings, and glam pull-out shoe units like this beauty.
Individual plastic storage boxes will keep shoes in order. Other solutions include cloth tidies that hang with velcro from wardrobe railings, and glam pull-out shoe units like this beauty.
TELL US
What if your wardrobe was so organised that finding an outfit was easy and even fun? How would your day be then? Your mood? Your life? Let us know in the comments section below.
What if your wardrobe was so organised that finding an outfit was easy and even fun? How would your day be then? Your mood? Your life? Let us know in the comments section below.
Take everything out of your wardrobe and lay it out on the bed … and the floor … and the hallway. Before you can start to establish any order, it’s essential you know what you’re dealing with – the good, the bad and the ugly.