Q: My dilemma is closets! I have two very small closets in my bedroom and I can’t seem to get a handle on keeping them organized and easy to use since they feel like they’re stuffed within an inch of their life! I know you guys are great at living with less, simplifying, and organizing in general—so I thought you could share some encouragement when it comes to paring things down and choosing what to keep? Deep down I know there’s a lot of extra stuff that I don’t need that’s taking up much-needed space, but I have a hard time letting things go for fear that I’ll want them again once they’re gone. Any tips for scaling back and keeping only what I need so I can regain control of my closets again? – Leslie
A: Wouldn’t we all love a boutique-style closet? I admit I get closet envy looking at those magazine spreads: walls of neatly arranged shoes and bags, and plenty of space to move. It’s not about labels for me—it’s about order. Knowing that every item has a home makes getting dressed effortless. If you’re battling two small, overflowing closets, the good news is you can reclaim that calm with a few steady habits and decision rules.
First, adopt a clear organizing principle: a place for everything, and everything in its place. That means editing your wardrobe so you can see what you own and select outfits quickly. When your closet is pared down to pieces you love and wear regularly, dressing becomes less of a chore and more of a routine.
Start with a ruthless sort. Pull everything out and make immediate piles: keep, repair, donate, consign, and toss. Be honest with yourself—if an item is damaged beyond reasonable repair, sits unworn for over two years, is outdated, or no longer flatters you, it’s costing you closet space. Think of it this way: you paid for those items once with money, and you’re continuing to pay for them with valuable space. If they don’t serve you, let them go.
Some decision rules that help prevent future buildup:
- Don’t buy anything on sale you wouldn’t buy at full price. Deals aren’t savings if the item sits in your closet unused.
- If you’re unsure about a big purchase, wait 24 hours and reassess. A cooling-off period avoids impulse buys.
- Never buy something that doesn’t flatter or feel comfortable, even if it’s trendy.
- If you have to talk yourself into a purchase in the dressing room, pass on it.
- If you can’t imagine three existing pieces in your wardrobe that would go with a new item, skip it.
- Don’t save clothing as motivation for future weight loss; keeping ill-fitting items is discouraging and counterproductive.
- If a stain won’t come out after professional cleaning and careful treatment, accept it and let the item go—or repurpose it creatively.
- Be wary of holding onto pieces solely for the memories tied to them. If sentimentality means you’re buried in clothes, prioritize the pieces that actually fit your life now.
- Use a simple four-question checklist to decide: Does it flatter my shape? Does it fit or is it fixable? Is the color right for me? Have I worn it in the last two years? Only items that pass all four should stay.
Beyond the edit, organize what remains so it’s easy to use. Group similar items together—pants, skirts, dresses, work clothes, casual tops—and keep frequently worn items at eye level. Use uniform hangers to save space and give a tidy appearance. Consider slim shelving or a small set of drawers for accessories and folded items. Shoe boxes or clear bins keep footwear organized without creating visual clutter.
Make upkeep a habit. Schedule seasonal reviews—at least twice a year—to reassess what you wear. When something new comes in, let something else go. That one-in, one-out rule helps prevent the slow creep of clutter. For items that could be mended or altered, decide quickly whether repair is worth it; otherwise move them on.
Reframe paring down as gaining: more space, a streamlined wardrobe that’s flattering and easy to wear, extra cash from selling or consigning, and time saved not digging through piles. The payoff is being able to open your closet and know every single thing in there is something you love and use.
Finally, keep the process manageable. You don’t need to empty the whole closet in a day—attack one shelf, one category, or one drawer at a time. Consistency beats perfection. Over time, small daily decisions add up to a functional, calm closet you enjoy using.
What do you do for closet upkeep? Do you pare things down seasonally, sell online, or stick with a very small wardrobe? Share tips that helped you reclaim closet space—others (and Leslie) will appreciate the ideas.