How to organize your closet and gain space
5 – step guide
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Opening your closet and quickly finding the clothes you’re looking for can be a challenge when the space is full and disorganized . Clothes piled up, lack of space for accessories, and the difficulty of finding what you need are common situations that generate stress . But with organization and smart tricks, it is possible to transform even the smallest closet into a practical and functional space .
The secret is to stop operating on autopilot and create a simple logic of use, keeping what is actually part of your daily routine visible . With a clear method, organizing stops being a chore and becomes a habit . Below is a practical 5-step guide to help you organize your closet and gain space once and for all.
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Why does organizing your closet free up so much space?
Organizing your closet frees up space because it eliminates excess, improves how items are arranged, and prevents clothes from getting wrinkled or lost at the back . When everything is separated by category, it becomes easier to see what you have and stop accumulating items you don’t use . Additionally, organization reduces daily clutter, ensuring that everything has a designated spot and goes back there after use . Good organization also directly impacts saving time and money .
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Step 1: The purge — let go of what no longer serves you
The first step to organizing a closet, especially a small one, is to do a thorough review . Take all your clothes out of the closet, spread them on your bed, and analyze each piece . This process helps you visualize what you actually need to keep and prevents you from holding onto excess items . You might be surprised at how many items you no longer use.
What to eliminate from your closet
To make decisions easier, use practical criteria :
- Items you no longer use: If you haven’t worn it in the last year, you probably won’t wear it now .
- Stained and torn clothes: Items in poor condition that cannot be repaired should be discarded .
- Clothes that don’t fit well: Pieces that are too tight, too loose, or don’t match your current style .
- Out-of-season items: Store heavy coats and winter clothes in boxes at the top of your closet during summer .
Studies show that, on average, 25% to 40% of what is in your closet falls into the category of unused items . Removing these items before organizing is more effective than any storage accessory .
What to do with discarded pieces
Separate the items into three categories :
- Keep: What you use regularly and makes sense in your routine.
- Donate: Clothes in good condition that no longer fit or don’t match your style.
- Discard: Torn, stained, or damaged items that cannot be donated .
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Step 2: Categorize items to make daily life easier
After purging, organize what’s left by category. Grouping similar items speeds up your daily routine and creates a cleaner look .
Group by type of clothing
Shirts with shirts, pants with pants, dresses together, and coats with coats . This division prevents your closet from becoming a disorganized storage unit . Each area has a specific function, making it easier to maintain organization . Within each group, also separate by frequency of use: everyday, work, or special occasions .
Separate by frequency of use
What you use frequently should be at eye or hand level . Occasional items like party clothes, heavy winter wear, suitcases, and rarely used items can go on higher or less accessible shelves .
Organize by color
A functional (and beautiful!) technique is to organize items by color. This helps you quickly find what you’re looking for and adds a special charm to your closet . You can follow the rainbow order or create your own visual pattern .
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Step 3: Choose the right hangers — the change with the most impact
It may seem like a small detail, but using the same type of hanger makes a big difference in both organization and space utilization . Standardizing your hangers is the most impactful visual and practical improvement . Mixed hangers of different thicknesses and materials create clutter even when the clothes are organized .
Why matching hangers make a difference
Thin, uniform hangers take up less space and create a more uniform look . Velvet hangers are the best solution for lighter clothing: they take up half the space of common plastic hangers and prevent clothes from slipping off .
What to hang and what to fold
How you store your clothes directly affects available space .
Hang (items that wrinkle easily):
Fold (flexible items that don’t wrinkle easily):
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Step 4: Folding techniques to save space
How you fold your clothes makes all the difference in a small closet . Two practical techniques can be very helpful.
Vertical folding (KonMari method)
Vertical folding, popularized by Marie Kondo, is the one habit change that, once adopted, no one abandons . Instead of stacking, you “file” clothes standing up in the drawer. This way, you can see all your items at a glance when opening the drawer, preventing forgotten items at the bottom and making it easier to choose what to wear .
The technique involves folding clothes into compact rectangles and placing them upright in drawers or even baskets . This allows for more efficient visualization of all items, avoiding duplicates and disorder .
Organizers and accessories that are actually worth it
In a small closet, every inch counts . It’s worth investing in organizers that multiply space and keep everything in place .
- Compartment boxes (honeycomb): Ideal for socks, underwear, belts, and accessories, keeping them always visible and easy to grab .
- Boxes and baskets: Great for storing accessories or heavier clothes . Prefer transparent or labeled options for quick identification .
- Drawer dividers: Help separate categories and prevent items from getting mixed up .
- Vacuum-sealed bags: Significantly reduce the volume of comforters, blankets, and winter clothes, while protecting them from moisture and mold .
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Step 5: How to keep your closet organized
Organizing your closet is the first step; the secret is maintaining order in your daily routine .
The secret to daily maintenance
- Put items back in their place: Put clothes away in their designated spot and avoid stacking items haphazardly .
- Set aside a few minutes each week: Adjust what has moved out of place and make small corrections .
- Create a simple system: Set aside a few minutes each week for adjustments to prevent clutter from accumulating again .
Seasonal review
Every season, rotate your clothes . Store winter clothes during summer and vice versa . Use this opportunity to do a new review and remove items you no longer wear . This prevents accumulation and ensures the space remains functional .
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Common mistakes when organizing your closet
- Buying organizers before purging: Organization doesn’t work on top of accumulation . More baskets and boxes will only hold more stuff if you don’t get rid of the excess first .
- Trying to organize everything at once: Break it down into small steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed .
- Not having a designated spot for each item: Without a fixed place, clutter tends to return quickly .
- Storing papers in the closet: Papers increase humidity, attracting moths and contributing to mold growth .
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Conclusion
Organizing your closet doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With simple steps and daily awareness, everything becomes more practical . By following this 5-step guide — purge, categorize, choose hangers, master folding techniques, and maintain — you can transform your closet into a functional, beautiful space that simplifies your routine. The result is more practicality, less stress, and a lighter day-to-day life .
How to organize your closet and gain space How to organize your closet and gain space
Frequently Asked Questions
How to organize a closet to gain space?
The secret is to follow an order: purge (let go), categorize (separate by type and use), choose appropriate hangers, use folding techniques like vertical folding, and perform regular maintenance .
What is the first thing to do to organize a closet?
The first thing is to do a complete purge. Take all clothes out, separate what you use from what you don’t, and donate, sell, or discard what no longer serves you .
What is vertical folding and how does it help save space?
It’s a technique, popularized by Marie Kondo, where clothes are folded into compact rectangles and placed standing up in drawers. This allows you to see all items at once, saves space, and prevents piles from toppling over .
Which clothes should be hung and which should be folded?
Hang clothes that wrinkle easily, such as dress shirts, blazers, dresses, and creased pants. Fold t-shirts, jeans, gym clothes, pajamas, and knits, which don’t wrinkle as much or can stretch out on hangers .
What type of hanger is best for organizing a closet?
Thin, uniform hangers, preferably velvet, are the best. They take up less space, prevent clothes from slipping, and create a more organized and uniform look .
How to keep a closet organized once it’s done?
Develop the habit of putting each item back in its place after use. Set aside a few minutes a week for adjustments and do a seasonal review (every 6 months) to donate items you no longer use .
Is it worth using organizer boxes in the closet?
Yes, especially for small items like socks, underwear, and accessories. Boxes and compartment organizers help keep everything separated and easy to find. Prefer transparent models or those with labels for easy identification .
How to organize a small closet with many clothes?
Prioritize purging and categorizing. Use vertical space, take advantage of doors and sides with hooks, and invest in organizers that optimize every inch. Vertical folding is essential for compact closets .
