Welcome to the 30 Days to Less of a Hot Mess Challenge! We’re decluttering, reorganizing, and creating a home that helps you breathe a little easier. If this is your first time at the challenge, start at the beginning of the series to get oriented. Affiliate links were used in the original post for convenience.
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What is one space you use every single day? Your closet. A well-organized closet shapes your mornings: when your wardrobe is tidy and everything has a place, you can get dressed quickly and start your day calm and confident. When it’s a mess, mornings become frustrating and time-consuming.
Imagine opening your closet and finding exactly what you need—everything hangs or folds neatly, shoes are easy to see, and accessories are accessible. That’s the goal: less stress, more clarity, and a closet that works for your life.
Closet Systems
Let’s begin with the framework: the closet system. Not every closet requires a full renovation. In our master walk-in, the built-in wire shelving that came with the house has been perfectly adequate for now. It spans the left and back walls, offering two levels of hanging space for shirts and pants and a single top rack for longer garments like dresses and coats.
One empty wall became the home for a dresser that stores t-shirts, underwear, socks and some folded sweaters. This combination—hanging space plus drawer storage—often covers the needs of many households without a costly overhaul.
For my daughter’s closet, we installed a modular closet system that offers flexibility. These systems typically start with a wire or base shelf and allow you to add drawers, shoe cubbies, and wooden shelving to meet changing needs. For others who want a custom, budget-friendly approach, DIY plans that use wood and galvanized pipe have been popular and effective—perfect if you enjoy building and customizing your space.
When planning or updating your closet system, consider how you live: Do you need more hanging length for dresses? More shelves for folded sweaters? Dedicated shoe storage or a set of drawers for accessories? Pause and evaluate what will help you streamline your daily routine before investing in hardware or an install.
How to Organize Your Closet
Now for the hands-on decluttering and organizing. I started my own closet with the KonMari method, which recommends beginning with clothing. The process is straightforward but thorough: remove everything, hold each item, and decide whether it sparks joy or serves a purpose in your life.
If you prefer a different approach, the core principles remain the same: take everything out, sort, purge with intention, and put back only what you truly need or love. A well-executed edit makes the next steps—folding, hanging, and arranging—much simpler and more sustainable.
A few practical steps to guide you:
- Empty the closet: Take everything out so you can see the full scope of what you own.
- Sort by category: Group tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories together.
- Ask the right questions: Does it fit? Do I wear it? Does it make me feel good? If the answer is no, let it go.
- Decide the fate of removed items: Donate, consign, recycle, or recycle textiles if damaged.
- Measure and plan: Measure shelf heights and hanging lengths before buying storage pieces.
- Arrange for function: Hang frequently worn items at eye level, store seasonal or occasional pieces higher or in drawers, and use clear bins or labeled baskets for small items.
- Maintain a system: Revisit your closet each season for quick edits to prevent clutter from building up.
When I decluttered my closet last year, I held onto a few well-made items that no longer fit. They were quality pieces I hoped to wear again. Over time, I realized keeping them created stress rather than motivation. Instead of letting them sit and remind me of what once was, I decided to pass them on to someone who can wear them now.
The Messy Work: Remove everything from your closet. Pick up each item and ask: does this fit, flatter me, and serve a purpose or bring me joy? Anything you answer “no” to should be removed and given a new home.
In the mess with you, Laura
More Posts You Will Love:
- How to Organize a Linen Closet
- Maximizing Closet Space with the IKEA Pax System
- A Quick Storage Closet Makeover
- How to Organize a Messy Garage
- The Best Garage Storage Ideas
If you want to keep any of these tips for later, save this page or make a brief checklist: assess your closet system, declutter with intention, plan storage that fits your daily routine, and schedule seasonal maintenance. A little consistent effort pays off in calmer mornings and a wardrobe that truly works for you.