Pare Down & Organize Your Closet, step by step

Q: My dilemma is closets! I have two quite small closets in my bedroom and I cannot seem to get a handle on keeping them organized and straightforward to use since they feel like they are stuffed within an inch of their life! I know you folks are strong at living with less, simplifying, and organizing in general- so I thought perhaps you could share some encouragement when it comes to paring things down and choosing what to keep? Deep down I know there is a lot of extra stuff that I do not need that is taking up some much needed space, but I have a hard time letting things go for fear that I will want them again once they are gone. Any pointers for scaling back and keeping only what I need so I can regain control of my closets again? – Leslie

A: Would not you simply enjoy one of those boutique closets? I admit it, I totally have closet envy. I look at all those magazine spreads with celebrities who have a whole wall of shelves dedicated to bags and a spare 50 square feet for an ottoman in the middle of the room and I melt. And it is not because of the primo logos on their plethora of purses or the luxe labels on their bevy of ball gowns. I am simply a freak for organization, and the idea that all of their insanely abundant items have a distinct spot to sit (or hang) gets me all hot and bothered. So without further ado, let us get into it, shall we?

It is no secret we are big subscribers to the “a place for everything and everything in it is place” school of organization. Which is likely why I do my best to keep my closet especially edited and pared down in the interest of easily being able to a) see everything that I own and b) toss on an effortless ensemble that I know and enjoy (instead of stuffing the ol’ Ikea wardrobe to the gills with crap that I never wear).

But when people write to me to ask how the heck I only have a few pairs of jeans and a small collection of clothes (read more about our closets here) it is in fact truly hard to explain my minimalist ways. I simply do not buy a lot of stuff. And when I notice that I do not wear something anymore (because it is damaged, unflattering, or simply too worn) I either repair it, consign it, or donate it so I can free up that space for something truly deserving of the square footage. Here is what the bed looks like when John and I are in the middle of a pairing down spree:

I simply go through everything and remove anything that I do not enjoy (whether it has simply gotten too worn, does not quite fit anymore, has a stain, is something I never in fact wear, etc). It is likely rooted in the fact that I lived in NYC in one of those closet-sized studios and literally did not have any room to amass even one extraneous item of clothing. Coupled with the fact that I am a low-cost-o (and proud of it) that likely explains how I can easily walk away from things that might look pleasant but are not necessary. But I can easily see how that is hard to swallow for someone who does not find it quite as straightforward to let things go (or pass up clearance clothing in the first place). So when I came across this quote in The Lucky Shopping Manual (I have had a copy for over five years and I enjoy to flip through it) I realized it perfectly explained my philosophy in a way that I could not:

If a piece does not work, look at it this way: You paid for it once in cash, and now you are paying for it in valuable closet space. If it is not right for you, bite the bullet and let it go.

Does not that make ideal sense? If an item of clothing does not fit, is out of date, never makes it out of your closet, looks shaggy or worn, or is not flattering simply ask yourself if it is worth paying for again and again in square footage. Or if you’d rather free up the space to be able to better see the items of clothing that you enjoy to wear (and make room for a few more things that will give you more of a return when it comes to sacrificing that closet space).

And as for a pointer to keep from amassing too many items that you will later regret (or simply never wear) this quote (also from The Lucky Shopping Manual) might assist:

Do not buy anything on sale that you would not consider at full price.

It is straightforward to get caught up in how much you are saving when you find something that is marked down. But if you do not need it or it does not fit you well then you are not saving anything. You are spending hard earned money on something that will simply sit in your closet and take up space. Inspiring right? Perhaps simply to me.

Anyway, here are some other gems from the book that I thought I’d pass along:

• “If you are unsure about a big ticket item, put it on hold for 24 hours and think it over.”
• “Do not buy anything that does not flatter you or is not comfortable, no matter how of-the-moment it is.”
• “If you have to talk yourself into a purchase in the dressing room, pass on it.”
• “If there is nothing in your closet to wear with it, skip it.”
• “Never purchase something simply because it looks good on someone else.”
• “Do not save a pair of jeans for that anticipated five-pound weight loss. Owning them is bad for your psyche. If the time comes when you drop a size, chances are you will not hesitate to run out and buy a new pair”
• “If a stain did not come out at the cleaners or when you toiled over it in the sink it is permanent. Time to let it go.” <- or turn it into painting clothing like we have been known to do
• “If we kept every item of clothing with a memory attached , we’d be buried in clothes.”
• “Ask yourself if each item of clothing in your closet: 1) flatters your shape, 2) fits perfectly or is fixable, 3) is the right color for you, 4) has been worn in the last two years – only things that get four yesses should stay.”

I might be a sick individual but I in fact enjoy going through my clothing (and even jewelry and shoes) to see what I can skim down and consign or donate.

Try not to think about paring down & simplifying as actions that result in losing things. Instead, focus on everything that you are gaining! More space. A no-brainer wardrobe that is simplified, flattering, and straightforward to toss on. Money (for everything that you consign, eBay, or sell in a garage sale). And time (no more rooting through piles of stuff to find that elusive tank top). I seriously get a rush when I can look into my closet and proclaim “every single thing in there is something I enjoy.”

But sufficient about me, what do you folks do about closet upkeep? Do you pare things down once a year? Never get rid of a stitch of clothing? Ebay things and buy new stuff? Wear the same outfit every day? Feel free to share any and all pointers for Leslie and anyone else who may find themselves in a similar predicament!

Psst- Looking for more info about our closets? Check out this post and this post. And here is a general post about keeping things plain. Oh and if you are looking to learn how we modified two inexpensive Ikea wardrobes to create bedside built ins, check out this post for the deets.