Spring Cleaning: How To Organize Your CLoset

April showers have brought May flowers, which means it’s time for spring cleaning! At the top of my to-do list for this time of year is swapping out my fall and winter wardrobe for spring and summer clothes (followed closely by stocking up on allergy meds). While you always need to keep a light jacket on hand for those “Carolina cool” mornings and late nights that bookend the smoldering hot days, you can still take this seasonal change as an opportunity to declutter and organize your closet with my simple and manageable 5 Step process.

Step 1

The very first step is to take a photo of your closet the way that it is, just as a visual reference. Not only is this useful in tracking your progress, but who doesn’t love a good before and after transformation photo?

Step 2

Step 2 involves emptying your closet completely. While your closet is empty, this is the perfect time to deep clean the closet space—toss any broken hangers, wipe down shelves, and vacuum the floor. Some organizers will tell you to sort your clothes as you empty your closet, but I prefer to sort after decluttering. Our closets can hide a lot, so simply removing everything (and I mean everything - this includes clothing items that may be stored in other places such as winter coats in the hall closet) allows us to see what we have, including the things we’ve forgotten about. Now you’ll have a blank canvas to reimagine your space.

Step 3

Next up, step 3, focus on decluttering. While Marie Kondo’s method for decluttering - “if it doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to let it go”- might sound practical, in my experience, most clients will suddenly find joy in almost everything in the moment. I prefer to ask specific questions, that will all have a clear “yes or no” to really get through the decluttering process. Take a few minutes to ask these questions, giving yourself only 30 seconds or less to answer:

Do I like it?

Does it fit well?

Have I worn it recently?

Does it fit my current lifestyle?

Is it still in good condition?

Would I buy it again?

As you are releasing items from your closet, be sure to release any accompanying feelings of guilt. Some items may have been a splurge that you felt guilty about purchasing anyway, and now you feel guilty parting with them. Remember, you have already invested enough money, time, and attention to these items and remind yourself that there is no space for guilt in your life! As you declutter, have a “keep” pile, a “donate” pile, a “trash” pile, and a “maybe” pile. Keep in mind you may have some “just in case” items that you don’t need to feel guilty about choosing to keep, but you can also toss them in the “maybe” pile along with any other items you can’t make a decision on and revisit later. If you need some ideas on where to donate any of your items that you are ready to move on from, click here to explore some of my favorite local organizations in the Charlotte area.

Step 4

Now for step 4, we’re almost done! Once you've decided what stays and what goes, it's time to organize. First decide if you will be hanging or folding each garment. Investing in uniform hangers and bins/baskets for folded items can make a world of difference in the appearance and functionality of your closet. Don’t forget to label your bins and baskets for easy recognition! I personally feel more inclined to do my part in keeping my clothes organized when I have a cohesive and practical space to work with, and I’m sure you will too. Grouping items by category (e.g., tops, pants, dresses) and then by color within each category can make finding what you're looking for much easier and quicker. I also recommend creating zones in your closet for things like shoes, hats, purses, etc, to keep like items together. As you put everything back, place frequently used items at eye level or within easy reach, keeping current-season items front and center. If space allows, consider storing off-season and special occasion items elsewhere to free up valuable closet space, even if that “elsewhere” is just the back of the closet in a storage box.

Step 5

And finally, step 5 (and my favorite part) - take a photo of your new closet and admire the transformation from before. Once you’ve shown off your before and after photos on Instagram, take some time to think about how you’re going to maintain your new space. Regular mini decluttering sessions can be helpful to reassess what you're actually using and loving. Keep a donation bin in or near your closet to make decluttering clothes you no longer wear easier throughout the season and make sure to keep some negative space in your closet or allow for “room to grow”.

Incorporating these steps into your spring cleaning routine tidies your closet and streamlines your daily decision-making process, making it easier to get dressed in the morning and ensuring your space is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Once your closet is organized, take advantage of that little bit of extra time in the morning! Go for a quick run, read a few chapters of a book, or…just hit snooze a few more times.