Lifestyle

4 Ways to Organize Your Closet for Summer

June 1, 2018

People often think that spring cleaning is the perfect time to go through your closet, but with the weather in such a state of transition it can be difficult to really determine what you need and what you don’t. So, I like to do my decluttering in the summertime.

Now that we are out of the winter’s chill, I can look at my wardrobe with fresh eyes. But before I start my closet cleanse, I just want to take a moment to acknowledge that we all have attachments to our attire. As necessary as the roof over our heads, these pieces clothe us in more than warmth, they are filled with memories and moments we want to, and need to, hold on to. Knowing that can help as you sift through styles from years past and look forward to a clutter-free future.

Here are some tips that I use to get organized and go through my closet to get ready for summer break.

Let it All Out. Take everything out so you can really look at it. First, tackle the dresser, going drawer by drawer, then move on to the closet. Don’t be tempted to pull out only what you “think” you don’t need because you will end up keeping a lot more than you want to—and that isn’t the point, right?

Start Sorting. Once everything is ready, get three laundry bins or boxes and label them: Keep, Store and Donate/Sell. This is where it gets real and you need to make some tough decisions. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself as you work:

Do I actually wear it or is it something I “think” I will wear someday?

How do I feel when I wear this?

Is the upkeep for this piece annoying?

Does it have significance to me or my family?

Could someone else benefit from it?

Keep What You Really Love. As you get ready to put your Keep clothes back in your drawers and closet, there is a little trick I use to make sure I really love these items. Put everything away inside out. Fold each piece neatly and hang them on a hanger orderly, but yes, inside out. After you wear your clothes, put them back right side out, then after a certain period of time you can go back through and see what you are really and truly wearing. This allow you to make a more informed decision about whether or not you should keep them.

Decide on the Rest. Now that what you want to wear is neatly put away, it’s time to go through the other two bins. Save family heirlooms and those kids clothes you can’t bear to give away in collapsible space bags or plastic tubs, then stash them in the attic, basement or even a storage unit for safe keeping. Then bag your donation items to drop them off at a local organization. If you have any items left over, try selling them at a consignment store, online or post them to a social swap group.

That’s it, you did it! Now pour yourself a cool drink, put your feet up and enjoy this incredible accomplishment.

Photo by Heather Schwartz

 

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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Linda
    June 4, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    My closet definitely needs help…your post came just in time~

  • Reply
    Peggy Goodson
    June 6, 2018 at 2:53 am

    I do all of what you had mwntioned.

  • Reply
    Dawn Saltz
    June 14, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    I just told my sister-in-law yesterday that it was time to clean out my closet. Perfect timing! I’m going to tackle it today. I am also donating any of my shoes I haven’t worn, or barely wore to Soles 4 Souls, at my local Brighton store.

  • Reply
    Bea Valcourt
    June 14, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    Good advise!

  • Reply
    Jane Hirsch
    June 14, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    Another way to find out if you wear things is hang the coat hangers backwards, then if they are still that way at the end of the season, you will know next purge to get rid of the items.

  • Reply
    Lana Banana
    June 14, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    I agree with Debbie and waited to clean out my close/accessories closet until our unusually long spring was officially over with the first wave of 90 degree plus heat in early May. I have a gift card for Target and I am making it a project to purchase Space Bags with it so that I can better put away my out-of-season clothing. Currently, I have recycled paper store and gift bags and housed all of these out-of-season items on my shelf above the hanger sections.
    What’s on the floor: Two side-by-side individual wooden shoe holders that contain fifteen individual cubbies and space on top for purses. The first one is mine and I asked my son for his since he never used it. Now I have 30 places for shoes and 2 to areas for purses, sunhats and visors. Jewelry: I have employed 3 jewelry and underwear travel pouches from a travel bag that I have rarely used that now hang on the lower rack in my closet keeping my jewelry easily accessible.

  • Reply
    MaryAnn Jacobwith
    June 14, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    My husband and I have moved to senior living and have a small apartment so I needed to hear these tips from you. I will start doing them and, hopefully, have much more room! Thank you!

  • Reply
    Debra O’Connor
    July 15, 2018 at 11:52 am

    I go through my closet often but instead of hanging my clothes inside out I put the clothes on the hangers and turn the head of the hanger backwards and hang in my closet. After I wear them I turn the hanger the correct way. At the end of the season if I haven’t worn it I will probably get rid of it.

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