Introduction
A cluttered closet can make getting dressed a chore and leave you feeling overwhelmed. But knowing when it’s time for a closet cleanout can be tricky. Here are 21 signs that indicate your closet is due for a serious decluttering. Tackling the task now will make your mornings easier and your closet a place you actually enjoy spending time in.
Signs It’s Time To Declutter Your Closet
1. You Have to Squeeze Clothes onto the Rod
If you can’t easily slide hangers along the rod or you have to smoosh clothes together, that’s a red flag. You should have a bit of space between clothing for everything to breathe. If the rod is overloaded, it’s time to remove anything you don’t absolutely love or wear often.
2. You Own Clothes You’ve Never Worn
That dress still has the tags on it. Those shoes are still in the box. If you have pieces you’ve owned for over a season but have never actually worn, it’s time to let them go.
3. Your Clothes Are Falling Off Hangers
Having to constantly pick up fallen clothes from the closet floor is annoying. Prevent this by getting rid of pieces you don’t wear often. This will free up space and make your most loved items easier to spot.
4. You Can’t Remember What’s Hanging
Do you pull open the doors and find clothes you forgot you owned? A crammed closet makes it hard to see everything you have. By removing excess, you’ll have a better handle on your wardrobe.
5. Closet Avalanches Happen Regularly
If you open the door and items fall down, that’s a sign your closet is dangerously overstuffed. Thin out the contents before a major avalanche leaves you buried beneath last season’s boots and purses.
6. It Takes Forever to Pick an Outfit
If you have to rifle through multiple crammed racks and shelves every morning, it’s time to pare down. Removing pieces you don’t love or wear will make choosing a look easier and faster.
7. Things Are Hard to Put Away
Trying to squeeze in that extra pair of shoes or one more top gets harder and harder in an overloaded closet. It’s better to have some open space than force items onto packed shelves or hooks.
8. You Can’t Find Things Easily
When there are piles on the closet floor and every inch is filled, finding a specific item can be impossible. Getting rid of excess makes locating garments and accessories fast and easy.
9. Your Accessories Are a Tangled Mess
If you have to dig through knotted necklaces and stuffed handbag compartments, a lack of organization is the issue. Declutter, then find smart storage solutions to keep these small items tangle-free.
10. You Have Multiples of the Same Item
No need for five nearly identical black blazers. Pare down duplicates and multiples to streamline your wardrobe. Keep one or two of your absolute favorites and donate the rest.
11. Your Closet Makes You Feel Stressed
Seeing a closet explosion every time you open the door can cause anxiety. Take a deep breath and begin clearing things out. A tidy, organized closet will make you feel peaceful and put together.
12. Sentimental Clutter Has Taken Over
It’s nice to keep a few sentimental pieces, like your wedding dress or favorite childhood tee. But if your closet is packed with clothes just because they hold memories, it’s time to clear some out. Photograph them before donating to ease the process.
13. You Have Too Many Sizes and Seasons
Get rid of pieces from sizes ago along with off-season items you won’t need for months. Keep only items in your current size and appropriate for the current or upcoming season.
14. Your Clothes are Wrinkled or Damaged
If you open your closet and see piles of wrinkled garments or clothes with stains, rips, or missing buttons, it’s declutter time. Toss or donate anything damaged beyond repair and set aside pieces that just need a good steaming.
15. You Have Unused Storage Items
Goodbye wire shelving units and fabric bins stuffed in the back. Remove storage items you don’t actually use to simplify your space.
16. Piles Have Formed On the Floor
Whether it’s shoes, clothes, or accessories, piles on the closet floor are a sign your space is overloaded. As you declutter, use baskets, shelves, or hooks to keep items organized and up off the floor.
17. You Shop Because Your Closet is Lacking
Do you shop to fill perceived gaps or “freshen up” your closet? This likely means you actually just own too many pieces you don’t wear. Edit down to versatile essentials you love and shop intentionally for statement pieces.
18. Your Closet Makes You Late
Spending too much time searching for pieces or trying on outfit after outfit? A cluttered closet full of options can make getting ready in the morning feel impossible. Declutter so you can grab favorite pieces and go.
19. Things Don’t Stay Organized
No matter how often you tidy up, your closet descends back into chaos. Eliminate excess that’s preventing things from staying organized. Then commit to maintaining the newfound order.
20. You Have More Hangers Than Clothes
This likely means you got rid of items but didn’t clear out the newly empty hangers. Finish the job by removing unused hangers and condensed overcrowded sections.
21. You Avoid Using Your Closet
If you get dressed elsewhere or stuff things in drawers to avoid facing the mess, it’s beyond time to tackle that closet. Make decluttering a priority and you’ll soon enjoy using your streamlined space.
Decluttering Your Closet: Where To Begin
Start With an Honest Evaluation
To get your closet decluttered and organized, you’ll need to begin with a thorough evaluation of everything you currently own. Be honest with yourself here – anything you don’t absolutely love or wear often should go.
Pull every item out and seriously consider if it has a place in your wardrobe. Try things on and check for fit. Be on the lookout for multiples, unused pieces, and items past their prime. Keep only your favorite pieces in great condition that fit well and make you feel amazing.
Set Up Donation and Trash Piles
As you evaluate pieces, create “donate” and “trash” piles in addition to a “keep” pile. Having visible piles helps give you a reality check for how much you’re ready to part with.
Donate gently used items so they can find new life with someone who will use them often. Damaged or worn-out pieces should be tossed out.
Tackle Section By Section
Don’t attempt to declutter your whole closet in one giant session. Break it down into sections to make the process more manageable. Work through one area at a time like:
- Dresses
- Tops
- Bottoms
- Outerwear
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Storage/equipment
Decide On Your Organizing Method
As you declutter, also decide how you want to arrange your space. Consider grouping by item type, color, season, or frequency of use. Or keep a simple front-to-back system.
Invest in quality hangers, shelves, baskets, and hooks to help maximize space. Add in a few specialized tools like a shoe rack, belt hanger, or accessory drawer organizer.
Maintain the New Order
Decluttering is useless if you allow clutter to creep back in. Make tidying up part of your weekly routine. When bringing in new items, immediately remove a similar number of older pieces you no longer need.
Enjoy the new breathable, functional closet space you’ve created. A decluttered closet saves time, reduces stress, and makes getting ready each day so much more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Decluttering Your Closet
How often should you declutter your closet?
Aim to do a major decluttering session twice per year – at the beginning of spring and fall. Additionally, try to purge a few items each month to prevent clutter from building up again.
What’s the best way to declutter a closet?
Start by taking everything out so you can see what you actually own. As you put items back, be choosy about what makes the cut and use an organizational method that works for you. Limit closet contents to pieces you wear and love.
Where should I donate used clothes and shoes?
Good options for clothing/shoe donations include national chains like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Housing Works. You can also look into local shelters, churches, textile recycling programs, or nonprofit organizations.
How much closet space do I really need?
There’s no magic number for how much space you “should” have. The goal is to have a closet where you can easily access and store the items you actually wear regularly. Avoid bulging, jam-packed rods and shelves.
What do I do with clothes that are ripped, stained or damaged?
Damaged pieces that are beyond repair and too worn out to donate should be tossed out. Some stains can be spot treated at home or professionally cleaned. Minor holes or tears may be fixable via sewing, iron-on patches etc.
What should I keep in my closet?
Focus on keeping versatile basics and essentials you reach for often. Include pieces that fit well, are in good condition, and make you feel amazing. Ditch items you never wear, duplicates, and anything that’s worn out.
Conclusion
A decluttered closet provides immense satisfaction along with practical benefits like time savings and reduced stress. If you spot any of these 21 signs, it’s a clear indicator that your closet needs some attention. Begin the process by honestly evaluating your belongings and removing anything you don’t absolutely love or need.
Break the decluttering down into smaller tasks focusing on specific areas. Allow yourself to let go of items by sorting them into donate and trash piles. Maintain your tidy closet by making decluttering a regular habit. You’ll be amazed at how refreshing and functional your space becomes. Enjoy the freedom that comes from owning only those pieces that truly spark joy when you get dressed each day.