Getting organized is often a lot easier said than done. This is especially true if you’ve got a large collection of apparel with a lot of clothes, shoes, and accessories and not enough space to comfortably store it all. You may also struggle to arrange things in your large walk-in closet due to not knowing where to start, or what storage features you could add to the space to help. No matter what kind of closet space you have, if you’re wondering how to organize or arrange your wardrobe effectively, you’re in the right place.

While there’s not necessarily a right or wrong way to organize a closet- there are a few tips and tricks that can help get any closet space neat and tidy. Check them out below!

1. Declutter 

To organize your wardrobe properly, you first need to get a better understanding of your collection. More specifically, you’ll need to have an idea of the types of clothing categories you have, how much there is to store of each category, and what space you have available for organization. Easiest way to start is by taking inventory of everything you want to store in your closet. This includes everything that’s currently stored in there as well as anything you wish to add. Next, separate things into categories like pants, shirts, blouses, dress shirts, jackets, and so on. To get the most out of this, we also recommend emptying your closet completely. This will give you the best idea of how much storage space you have to work with total. It will also help you to better reimagine how you’re currently using that space for organization.

2. Create a System

Now that you have everything you want to go in your closet together, start thinking about what organizational system you want to employ. Do you separate everything by color? By style? By clothing brand? Different things will work better for different people. Like we said, there is no singular answer to how to arrange your wardrobe.

3. Design Your Ideal Closet Space

Now we come to the fun part of how to organize your wardrobe – designing your ideal closet space! Figure out what kinds of closet features will work best with the organizational system you decided upon above and can fit in the space you have. If you want some suggestions, as well as direction on how to do so within your budget, you can talk with one of Closet America’s designers at a Complimentary Design Consultation. Overall, this step will be made easier to visualize if you took our suggestion to completely empty your closet.

4. Maximize Vertical Space

If you don’t know how to arrange your wardrobe, it would probably help to understand how to maximize your vertical space, too. This can be done multiple ways, utilizing a variety of different storage solutions for your custom wardrobe. One of the best ways to use all your vertical space effectively is by doubling the hanging space you have available with two hanging rods, one on top of the other. An over-the-door shoe rack is also a good option. Our designers can also work with you further to figure out how to make the most of your vertical space.

5. Store Clothes by Category

Remember the system you created for the second step in how to organize your wardrobe? Time to put it into action. We know this might seem like an obvious tip, but we still want to mention it because of how much easier it’ll make your life!

6. Add Dividers

Understanding how to organize your wardrobe doesn’t have to be difficult, and dividers are a very simple solution to getting things organized and keeping them that way. Dividers can be used in drawers, along open shelving, and even in cubby holes.

7. Valet Hooks Are Essential

Valet hooks are a straightforward addition to your closet that can make a big impact. Don’t let that simplicity of the valet rod fool you – they’re amazingly convenient! First, they can be used to match items of an outfit together. You can also leave clothes hanging out on it for the next day to grab and go. Next, you can use it as a convenient place to steam your clothes or transition your dry cleaning out of its plastic and back into your wardrobe. You can even use it as a convenient place to button your shirts when you put them onto the hanger from the dryer. Trust us, after having them in your closet for a while, you’ll wonder how you lived without them before!

8. Add Light

Lighting is another one of those things that don’t immediately come to mind when thinking about how to arrange clothes in your wardrobe. However, ample lighting can make all the difference! Lighting allows you to see everything clearly so you can easily pick out your outfits. Additionally, bright lights can make small closets feel larger.

Now that you know how to organize your wardrobe, you might be struggling with how to bring your wardrobe organization ideas to life effectively. You can trust the closet design experts at Closet America to help you build a custom wardrobe solution perfect for you and the unique space you have. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!