How to declutter your wardrobe
When you walk into your favourite clothing shop, what’s the first thing you notice? Well-curated, well-spaced and well-organised clothes. There’s a reason why brands put so much effort into how they merchandise in store. An efficiently laid-out shop makes the customers feel more at ease, more likely to spend time browsing and ultimately more likely to buy.
The same can be said for our wardrobes. A neat, orderly and clutter-free space helps you know your wardrobe inside out and makes putting outfits together a much more enjoyable experience. If we open the doors and can’t see the wood for the trees (or the shirts for the skirts in this instance), it heightens our dress stress levels and can be overwhelming before we’ve even begun.
A wardrobe declutter might seem like a daunting task and may have been on your to-do list for longer than you'd care to admit, but trust us when we say the sense of accomplishment that you’ll feel afterwards far outweighs every reason not to.
So, to help you on your way - here’s our top tips and tricks to help you declutter your wardrobe and avoid closet chaos. After all, a tidy wardrobe is a tidy mind.
TAKE IT ALL OUT
First things first, you need to know what you’re dealing with. Start by taking everything (and we mean everything) out of your wardrobe. It’s important to do this so you can look at each item individually, assess the condition, decide if you still love it and whether it’s going to make a return. Sort the contents into four piles: KEEP (items you’ll continue to wear), REPAIR (items you love but need a little TLC), STORE (seasonal storage is a good space saving idea) and GIVE (items you could sell, pass on to a friend or donate to charity).
Make it visible
When your clothes are carefully and thoughtfully displayed, it’s a lot easier to fall back in love with them. When you’re re-arranging your wardrobe make sure to keep your remaining clothes visible so that you can easily glance at what you have to wear. Don’t fall into the rabbit hole rummage trap again.
Image by Gloria Gonzalez
Organisation is key
Putting your clothes in an order which works for you is a game-changer. Whether you choose to order by style, occasion or colour it will make your life much easier if you only have one section to pick your outfit from. Not only that but it’ll make your wardrobe look much neater and will save you time if you’re in a hurry.
Space optimisation
If space is an issue, try storing your clothes by separating seasons. Think of it as a capsule wardrobe. To save on space and give your pieces room to breathe, rotate the contents of your wardrobe come spring, summer, autumn and winter. If there’s a heatwave you don’t need to be riffling through your knitwear to find an outfit. Vacuum packing is a great space saver for the out-of-season pieces.
The right tools for the job
Don't forget to upgrade your hangers, too. Wire hangers are less than ideal for your clothes: they can easily bend and pull items out of shape. Invest in wooden, fabric with rounded corners or non-slip hangers. These are all much better for protecting your clothes and keeping them in pristine condition. If you can match all of your hangers, it’ll add to the neatness satisfaction.
Feeling inspired? Now’s the time to find a window of opportunity in your diary and let the declutter commence.
Cover image by sosageblog.com
