Declutter and Organize your Closet in 3 Easy Steps
Have you ever found yourself digging through your closet to find your favorite dress because you have been invited to the swaray of the year?
Have you every been frustrated in that moment because no other dress can match this one! It’s your absolute favorite dress because:
A. You look stunning in it
B. It’s a one of a kind and nothing else compares
C. It reminds you of the joy it brought you when purchased this dress on your holiday in Italy and you want that feeling of peace and empowerment.
D. Again, because it’s your favorite
You ask yourself endless questions of where it could be. “Is it at the cleaners? Did I unpack it from my last trip? Where is my dress?”
For the life of you, you cannot find it so you end up pulling out your entire closet tossing clothes everywhere in your room creating a mess and then finding it in the right corner side of your room hiding away, next to your holiday fashion.
With all of this going on you have dinner plans with your girlfriends and you know they are going to ask you, “What are you going to wear to XX’s party?” And you sit there with a small fuming flame knowing you just spent over an hour looking for the iconic dress to wear to this gathering.
If you have ever been in this situation of closet clutter and disorganization this blog is for you.
Hello, my name is Jess. I’m a Professional Home Organizer in Asheville, NC and I’m here to give you tips and tricks on how to get your home organized. I work with busy professionals, stay at home moms, and retirees to organize homes with intention so you can live a peaceful life with less stress and less decision making.
Here are my top 3 ways you can escape the
“Where is my dress” saga.
Create more space in your closet with a seasonal change over
Spring/Summer
Fall/Winter
Most of us, if not all, keep ALL of our clothes in our closets all year round. All four seasons with no real method of keeping it organized. This can cause unnecessary stress when trying to find that one timeless summer dress that you look fabulous that you know it will never get rid of because it will never go out of style. Which is why you keep it BUT you cannot find it at the moment you need it.
Consider taking time to do a seasonal change over when you are ready to organize your closet and temperatures begin to rise or cool down. Take all of your seasonal clothes and put them in storage or relocate them to another part of your home.
Pro Tip: Here, in Western North Carolina we experience drastic changing temperatures throughout the day when spring begins. Mother Nature can be unpredictable. We would start with 35 degree temperatures and by mid afternoon we are in the low 70s. I recommend when switching to spring/summer attire keep one or two universal medium weight jackets out for the cool spring and summer mornings and store the rest..
Where to store your items:
In another area of your home, either spare bedroom closet or hall closet.
Under the bed or in an area that is not commonly used and out of the way.
Pro Tip: Storing items in space saving bag not only preserves your clothes and keeping them free of dust bunnies take one step throw a few dryer sheets in with your stored items so when it’s time to do another seasonal change over your clothes smell fresh!
Estimated project time:
2-4 Hours (per section)
2. Know when to Donate, Discard, or Sell
While you are decluttering and organizing your closet ask yourself these 5 questions if you are unsure of when to donate or discard.
When was the last time I wore this item?
I can’t remember the last time I wore this. It has been more than 2 years.> Consider Donating/Selling
Yes> I’ve worn this last year and I may wear it next season. > Keep
2. Is your clothing damaged, faded, or worn?
Yes > It is worth repairing?
Yes > Keep, Put in a pile for repairing
No> Consider Donating/ Discarding
No > Proceed to the next question
3. Does this item fit me?
Is it too small or too big? Our bodies change with our lifestyle. Have you recently gained or lost weight? There is no shame in either body change. Ask yourself, are you still holding on to a comfy pair of pants because you hope to fit in to them one day in the near future? By all means if want to keep an item as a reminder or for a goal. KEEP IT. But if its just taking up space then it’s time to donate/sell.
4. Did you spend a lot of money on this item?
Refer to question 1.
Refer to question 2.
Refer to question 3.
It truly does not matter how much money you have spent on and item when it comes to asking yourself these questions and taking inventory of your cluttered closet.
5. Does this item make me feel beautiful and good about myself? Or does it bring up frustrations?
I feel beautiful in this. It fits me well. I spent good money on this item. > Keep
It just a shirt and I don’t know why I have it. It does not serve me and I don’t know why I’ve kept it all of these years. > Consider Donating/Selling
Pro Tip: Keep two separate baskets in your closet or somewhere in your home for ongoing donations and items you want to sell. Don’t stop at your closet! Do this for your kids closet too! So when you are ready to get out of the house for shopping or errands you can pick up the donation basket and hit the drive thru. Or you can schedule time for a fashion photo shoot to list your items online.
Estimated project time:
On going, set aside time each month to donate, discard (or repurpose)
3. FIFO your closet
If you are anything like me, sometimes you just need a new outfit or a new pair of shoes. It is ok to treat yourself. Whether you just got a recent promotion to VP or you just signed contract to be the newest Head of Marketing, or you just had a baby, whatever is happening in your life give yourself permission to buy the designer hand bag, shoes, or whatever item you want.
You deserve it.
My personal experience:
I practice the inventory strategy. First-In-First-Out. When I’m ready to spend money on a new item I look at what I currently have. For example: If I have 15 handbags and I’m ready to buy a new one I pull all of my handbags out and put them on my bed and I ask myself the questions in step 2. I practice a hard set, consistent rule for every new item I purchase I donate, discard, or sell 3 items. Voila! My clutter problem is solved. I refuse to bring in more item than my space can handle. Clutter causes disorganization and increases stress and I work hard to have a peaceful organized home.
OK, I’ve sorted my clothes and have decided what I’m going to keep…NOW WHAT?
When putting your clothes you are wearing for the next two seasons back in your closet start organizing your clothes by section/category to best fit your day-to-day lifestyle. Work on one section at a time if you don’t want to spend half of your day in your closet.
Pro Tip: How to organize your work section of your closet.
Ask yourself: How often do I need to access these items?
Everyday? Do you work in an office setting everyday?
A few times per week? Do you attend meetings a few times a week and work primarily at home?
(e.g. all of your suit jackets can go in the same section.) Next, organize your work section by type and color. (Short sleeve jackets, 3/4 sleeve jackets, full sleeve jackets) (Then organize by color and print) Label it if you wish.
Now do this for every section of your closet. Shoes, jewelry, designer hand bags, dresses, work-out attire.
Donating to those in need
Some of my favorite non-profit organizations to donate clothes are:
1. ABCCM
Selling your Clothes Locally for Profit
Local Asheville, NC Consignment Shops
1. Clothes Mentor
I cannot say enough good things about Clothes Mentor. Anytime that I have sold or bought from Clothes Mentor their associates have proven their time and time they put their customer service skills at the top of their priority and the selling process is super easy!
The Clothes Mentor Selling Process
”Our inventory comes from customers that have beautiful designer and name brand pieces in their closet that just don’t get worn. You can bring your items into Clothes Mentor, sell them for CASH on-the-spot, putting the money in your hands before you leave the store.”
Brands they Love
ann taylor, anthropologie, athleta, avenue, banana republic, burberry, calvin klein, chicos, coach, cole haan, eileen fisher, express, gap, gucci, jcrew, j.jill, kenneth cole, lane bryant, limited, loft, louis vuitton, lululemon, michael kors, north face, old navy, ralph lauren, talbots, tory burch, vince camuto, white house black market and many more!
Other local consignment stores
2. Reciprocity
3. Asheville Consignment Boutique (get a quote from their website)
Make money by Selling Your Clothes Online
Poshmark
Resource: 23 Simple Poshmark Tips For More Sales [Updated 2020]
Source: Closet Tools
A good read: Good Housekeeping Article: How to sell your clothes online and make money
Back to the beginning of our journey, I encourage you to declutter your closet, get organized, find the dress, and create your perfect closet.
Don’t have time to sort, organize, and design your curated closet? Contact us at Green Mountain Space and let us help you! We live for this!
Meet the owner
As a luxury professional home organizer, I am passionate about offering compassionate services to my clients and tailored experiences to their organizing needs.
I take time to capture my client’s vision of an organized, peaceful working home by asking the big question, “How do you feel when you are in your space now?” “What is the feeling that you want to have?”
I assist clients by removing the excess of emotional burdens and items that do not spark joy.
As a professional organizer, I would love to work with you to streamline home processes and implement systems that complement your space and style.
