Join Us for a Closet Clear-Out: Tackle Your Clutter This Weekend

We’re bringing back a long-dormant two-post tradition: inviting readers to take on a home project alongside us. Last time we cleaned out our garages, and this round we’re focused on closets. Whether you call it nesting, an early spring cleaning urge, or simply a desire for order, Sherry and I decided it was time to purge and reorganize.

With the baby due in roughly ten weeks and baby-shower gifts arriving soon, the timing felt right to clear out long-forgotten clothes and miscellaneous items that have been hogging valuable closet real estate. Some pieces deserve donation, others can be tossed, and the rest should be sorted and stowed properly. My closet, in particular, has become a half-folded mess lately — guys only fold so much — so it was an obvious candidate for a thorough refresh.

We’re tackling more than just wardrobes. Our hall closet has gradually turned into a memory bin and an overflow for “emergency” gift bags and boxes. It’s time to decide what we really need to keep and what can go. And behind the bamboo blinds over our laundry nook lurks a chaotic mix of tools, luggage, wrapping paper, and who-knows-what else. We hide it because it’s embarrassing; now we want to make it useful and neat.

Rather than handling this alone, we’re inviting you to do the same in your own home this weekend. You don’t have to be here with us—just join the effort in spirit. Pick a space: a crowded closet, a junk drawer, a pantry, or even an entire room. The goal is the same: sort, purge, and reorganize so your space works hard for you again.

To make the process smoother, start by pulling everything out so you can see what you actually have. Create three piles: keep, donate, and discard. Be honest with yourself about what you use and what’s just taking up space. For items you’re keeping, group like with like and use consistent storage solutions so everything has a clear home. Labeling shelves or boxes can help you maintain order over time.

Donations are a win-win: they free up your space and give useful items a second life. Trash the things that are broken or stained beyond repair, and recycle what you can. If sentimental items are hard to part with, consider limiting yourself to a single memory box or photographing items before letting them go. That preserves the memory while reducing clutter.

When reorganizing, aim for practical accessibility. Store frequently used items at eye level or within easy reach, and move seasonal or seldom-used things higher or lower. Use shelf dividers, clear bins, or uniform hangers to create a visually calmer and more efficient space. Small investments in organizing tools often pay off in daily convenience.

Besides reclaiming space, a successful purge can change how your home feels. You’ll get extra square footage for storage or breathing room, and the satisfaction of a job well done is a great reward in itself. We’re partial to small celebratory treats like ice cream after completing a project, but pick whatever motivates you.

We’ll post our before-and-after photos and a rundown of the process we used next week, and we’re eager to hear how your projects go as well. Tell us what you tackled and any tips you discovered. Good luck, and good riddance to closet clutter—here’s to more organized, livable spaces.