How to Declutter Your Closet

When stuff starts to pile up it's easy to shove it in the closet and forget about it. But after a certain point, that stops working. That's because so much ends up in the closet that it can become the new mess you need to get rid of — only bigger. Use these tips to learn how to declutter your closet. Then let them help you stay organized so the clutter doesn't happen in the first place.Do you dread opening your closet door? I'm sure it hasn't always been that way. Mess has a way of creeping up on you. The problem is, when left unattended, it can spill over into other areas of your life. The best course of action is to set aside some time and clean out the closet. Whether you're just trying to relieve stress or vying for an overall more organized lifstyle, consider these wardrobe organizational tips to help you declutter your bedroom closet.

Tips to Declutter Your Bedroom Closet

1.Put away your out-of-season clothes: Nothing takes up more space in your closet than unused clothes. Take some time to sort through what you have. First clean and then carefully pack up those items you won't be needing for the next few months. If it's summer, that means your winter snow boots and sweaters. If it's winter, pack up your beach wear. I like to use old suitcases for this purpose. That way it's easy to grab the suitcase you need in the event that an opportunity for an unplanned trip or cruise to another climate comes your way. Storage boxes and bags can also work. But don't overstuff. And make sure you are only packing up clean clothes with no body oils on them. This can't be emphasized enough.

2. Donate your old clothes: Before packing everything away, you will want to pass on any clothes that no longer suit you. This is especially relevant to those trendy, but now out-of-date, clothes you purchased several years ago. This is really hard for a lot of people but it's a key component of keeping your closet organized. Ask yourself, "Does it fit? Does it flatter? Will I ever wear it again?" Let that be your mantra for deciding what to get rid of. Weed out your clothes that don't belong at least twice a year. Don't let something you know you'll never wear again clog up your organized closet! Instead, set these articles of clothing and accessories aside for some worthwhile charity. They'll find a new home with someone who can appreciate them. This semi-annual purge will free up some extra space in your closet that will come in handy later.

3. Use a closet organizing system for what's left: Consider purchasing a closet organizing system with unique storage options such as shelf dividers, bins, and accessory drawer inserts geared towards your wardrobe needs. Ranging from simple, inexpensive solutions to complex, one-of-a-kind custom closets, these organization systems can work wonders to declutter your space by ensuring that every square-inch is put to good use and no areas are left wasted. When using one of these systems, always store like items together. That means hang blouses in one section, pants and skirts in another section, and jackets in another, etc. You should do this because it's easier to "shop" your closet when the clothes are grouped together. You can further divide sections of clothing by color — it looks good and makes it easier to find a certain item.

4.Organize your small accessories: Clothing accessories like belts, scarves, and even jewelry contribute to a lot of the clutter in a closet. The good news is that there are special organizers for accessories designed to specifically keep these wardrobe items from creating a problem in your closet. Take advantage of the special slide-out belt, scarf, and tie racks made to organize these accessories. They need very little room and disappear into the recesses of the closet when not in use. Similar organizers for pants, fashion eye glasses, necklaces, and other jewelry are also available. Be sure to include some of these where needed while sorting out your closet. They can make a big difference in the overall organization of your wardrobe and the appearance of clutter in your closet.

5.Utilize space with hooks: Hooks are among the most hard working and unappreciated closet organizers. They are a very practical and economical addition to any closet. Many types are available. Think outside the box and use them for more than just hanging your robe behind the door. Consider specialty hooks as a way to organize your belts, ties, necklaces, backpacks, purses, and more. Hooks are a great way to take advantage of that narrow space behind the door or on a wall that can't be used for shelves or hanging. They can be used for clothing, purses, belts, necklaces and hats. They come in different sizes and finishes to match any closet.

Still wondering how to declutter your closet?

The basic formula for success when decluttering any closet is to purge, donate what you don't need, clean and store out-of-season items, organize what's left by type and color, then maximize available closet space with closet organizers before putting things away. Key items not to be forgotten are a closet hamper to keep dirty clothes organized in addition to the clean ones, a shoe organization system, and hooks. If you follow those basic principles, your closet will be in good shape in no time at all.