Frustrated by a wardrobe stuffed with clothes and that’s difficult to use? Here are 11 things that make your closet look cluttered and how to fix them.
WHY I STRUGGLED WITH A CLUTTERED CLOSET
I used to have a cluttered closet. I enjoyed shopping for clothes and felt like I needed a variety of clothes to suit my lifestyle as a busy working parent.
Until I began to take a more mindful approach to shopping and realised that a simplified wardrobe with less clothes could actually be more flexible and useful, my wardrobe just kept growing. Unfortunately, this meant that every morning I’d open that closet and come face-to-face with a jumbled pile of clothes.
The problem was that I STILL couldn’t find an outfit to wear easily and quickly. I didn’t have space to move clothes around and see what I had, let alone put together an outfit with ease and fun.
It all just felt overwhelming first thing in the morning, required too much brain-power and decision-making skills – and that was all before the day had really begun.
IS YOUR CLOSET CLUTTERED AND FULL?
Does your closet feel more like a chaotic cave than a calm, clutter-free and organised space? You’re not alone! A cluttered closet can make getting dressed in the morning a stressful ordeal, leaving you frustrated and frazzled. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With a few simple changes, you can transform your cluttered closet into a tidy, efficient space where everything has its place. Today I’m opening those closet doors and taking a look at 11 common culprits that make your closet look cluttered and, more importantly, how to fix them.
11 THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR CLOSET LOOK CLUTTERED (AND HOW TO FIX THEM)
If your closet is feeling cluttered and full, and not really very useful to you, then perhaps this article might help!
1. Too Many Clothes
It’s easy to accumulate clothes over the years, but an overcrowded closet is the fastest way to create clutter. When your clothes are packed tightly together, it’s difficult to find what you need, and your closet ends up looking messy.
What to Do About It:
- Declutter: Start by pulling everything out of your closet and sorting through your clothes. Donate, sell, recycle or get rid of items you no longer wear or that don’t fit. Keep only the clothes you love and actually wear, and that fit your body right now.
- Seasonal Rotation: Store out-of-season clothes elsewhere. This frees up space and makes your closet feel less crammed.
2. Mismatched Hangers
It might seem like a small detail, but mismatched hangers can contribute to a cluttered look. Different shapes, sizes, and materials create visual chaos and make your closet look disorganised.
What to Do About It:
- Invest in Matching Hangers: Choose a set of uniform hangers, like slim velvet or wooden ones, to create a clean, cohesive look. Not only do they look better, but they also help save space and keep your clothes in good shape.
3. Unfolded or Poorly Folded Clothes
Even if you’ve decluttered your closet, clothes that are stuffed into drawers or piled haphazardly on shelves can still make your space look messy.
What to Do About It:
- Learn to Fold Properly: Take the time to fold your clothes neatly. Consider using a folding board for consistent results. If folding isn’t your thing, rolling clothes can be a great alternative that maximises space and reduces wrinkles.
- Use Drawer Dividers and Containers: These can help keep your folded items in place, separated and prevent them from becoming jumbled.
4. Shoes Scattered on the Floor
A pile of shoes at the bottom of your closet is a sure sign of clutter. Not only does it make your closet look messy, but it also makes it harder to find the pair you’re looking for.
What to Do About It:
- Install Shoe Storage: Use a shoe rack, shelves, or an over-the-door organiser to keep your shoes off the floor. Store them in a way that’s easy to see and access.
- Store Seasonally: Like with clothes, consider storing out-of-season shoes elsewhere to free up space.
5. Bulky or Infrequently Used Items
Bulky items like coats, bags, or bedding can take up a lot of space and make your closet look cluttered, especially if they’re not stored properly.
What to Do About It:
- Use Vacuum-Sealed Bags: For items like extra bedding or out-of-season coats, vacuum-sealed bags can compress them down to a fraction of their size, making them easier to store.
- Utilise Top Shelves or Under-Bed Storage: Keep bulky or rarely used items in these out-of-the-way spots to free up prime closet space for things you use regularly.
6. Cluttered Shelves
Shelves piled high with clothes, accessories, or random items can quickly create a sense of chaos. When shelves are overcrowded, it’s difficult to keep things tidy.
What to Do About It:
- Use Bins and Baskets: Store smaller items in labelled bins or baskets to keep them contained and easy to find. This prevents things from spilling over and makes your shelves look organised.
- Limit What You Store on Shelves: Keep only the essentials on your shelves. Consider relocating less-used items to other storage areas. If at all possible, try to only keep clothes and items you put on your body, in your wardrobe. Find homes for other items in another place if you can.
7. Too Many Accessories
Accessories like scarves, belts, hats, and jewellery can be tricky to store neatly. When they’re thrown into drawers or piled up, they contribute to a cluttered look.
What to Do About It:
- Install Hooks or Racks: Use hooks, racks, or a pegboard to hang accessories where they’re visible and accessible. This keeps them organised and off surfaces where they can create clutter.
- Drawer Dividers for Jewellery: Keep jewellery organised with drawer dividers or a jewellery box. This not only protects your pieces but also keeps them neatly in place.
8. Hidden Clutter in Drawers
Drawers are often a go-to spot for hiding clutter, but overstuffed or disorganised drawers can make it difficult to find what you need, leading to a cluttered closet overall.
What to Do About It:
- Declutter Drawers: Go through each drawer and remove anything you don’t need or that doesn’t belong there. Keep only what you use regularly.
- Use Drawer Organisers: Keep items separated and organised with drawer organisers. This makes it easier to maintain a tidy space.
9. Unused or Unloved Items
Holding onto clothes or accessories out of guilt or because you might need them “someday” is a common cause of closet clutter. These items take up valuable space and make your closet feel cramped.
What to Do About It:
- Be Honest with Yourself: If you haven’t worn something in a year, consider whether it’s time to let it go. Donate, sell, or pass on items that no longer serve you.
- Create a “Maybe” Box: If you’re unsure about parting with certain items, put them in a box and store them elsewhere. If you don’t miss them after a few months, you can confidently let them go.
10. Inadequate Lighting
Dim or poorly lit closets can make it hard to see what you have, which can lead to disorganisation and clutter. When you can’t easily see your clothes, it’s harder to keep things tidy.
What to Do About It:
- Improve Lighting: Install better lighting in your closet, whether it’s an overhead light, battery-operated LED lights, or stick-on lights inside the closet. Good lighting makes a huge difference in maintaining an organised space. And, it also feels nicer and more special when you open your wardrobe doors instead of being met by a dim, dark space.
11. Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Even if you’ve decluttered and organised your closet, it won’t stay that way without regular maintenance. Over time, things can get out of place, and clutter can start to creep back in.
What to Do About It:
- Set a Routine: Schedule regular times to tidy up your closet, whether it’s a quick weekly sweep or a more thorough monthly reorganisation or seasonal clothes declutter. This keeps clutter at bay and helps you maintain your newly organised space.
- Stay Mindful of New Additions: Be mindful of what you bring into your closet. Before buying something new, consider if you really need it and if you have space for it.
CONCLUSION
A cluttered closet doesn’t just make it harder to find what you need. As I explained at the beginning with my own old closet full of clutter, it can add unnecessary stress to your day. Who needs that?!
By addressing these 11 common causes of closet clutter, you can create a space that’s not only organised but also more fun and a joy to use. Remember, the key is to start small and make changes that you can maintain over time.
With a little effort and some smart decluttering and organising strategies, you can turn your closet into a calm, clutter-free zone. Perhaps this could also be a helpful way to starting your day better too?
Do you have too many clothes stuffed into your wardrobe? Does your cluttered closet make it difficult to decide what to wear each day? Do you know WHY your closet is so full?
I’d love to hear from you if you have any thoughts or tips to share. Please leave a comment at the end of the article.