5 Steps to Fall in Love With Your Closet
Are you in a rut with your closet leaving you uninspired and not excited about the pieces in your wardrobe?
These 5 steps will guide you through our simple, yet effective method to transforming your closet.
The process of transforming your coset is an intentional journey that includes mindset shifts as well as making physical changes to your space. Whether you’re working with a small walk-in closet or a boutique-worthy space, organization can have a huge impact on helping your create the perfect look.
Our method is simple, yet effective. We encourage you to invest your time and resources on the front end so that you’re not repeating the process every six months. Our #1 tip? Don’t skip a step— especially not step #5.
Have questions along the way? Leave them in the comment section below and one of our incredible organizers will help guide you!
Step 1: Categorize
All impactful work must begin with taking an honest look at what is present.
Start your project by emptying your closet and creating clear categories. It’s worth the time! This action will allow you to take inventory of what you own and it will help you identify duplicates easily. This step also provides an opportunity to start identifying trends (you’ll be surprised what you learn about what you are keeping!!)
Glancing at items while they are still in the closet just doesn't do the trick. There is a real magic to seeing items outside of their normal space. See the amount of items in each category and considering how often you use the items can also bring real clarity.
Often times, this step will reveal shopping habits we didn’t know we had, unused or damaged items that are taking up space or unique habits that have been keeping us from the goal of organization and peace.
Challenge yourself to understand the needs you have in your current lifestyle and keep your very favorites for those occasions and activities.
Pro tip: Use sorting bins labeled with painters tape to keep your categories from bleeding together. Sorting bins can be clear plastic bins that you can use for all future organizing projects or, they can simply be Amazon boxes. Just be sure to clearly label all categories.
Step 2: Edit with Intention
TAKE THE TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT ITEMS MAKE YOU FEEL CONFIDENT AND YOUR BEST SELF.
Oftentimes, once you finish editing, you’ll feel really excited about your “absolute yes” items. And, in seeing them, you’ll likely find it’s easier to release those “maybes.”
Is the item in question triggering negative feelings every time you see it (maybe it’s frustration about post-baby weight that hasn’t come off, or guilt about a hobby you invested in, but haven’t had time to pursue)?
We can’t say it emphatically enough: move it on! Life is made up of many seasons. Set yourself up to appreciate, enjoy and find peace with where you’re at today.
Find some things to release? Don’t mix it up. Use black trash bags for trash and white trash bags for donation.
Give yourself the time to go through every item in your closet and remove those that no longer serve a purpose. A curated closet stocked with items that truly serve you is going to make you feel excited about what you own. Seeing your things displayed and taken care of is motivation to use and love what you have, rather than running to the store to find something new.
Curious how to organize your collection by color? Check out this post: 5 Steps to a Rainbow Wardrobe that will guide you step-by-step to achieve the look!
Step 3: Zone Plan
Zone planning is designed to make your everyday routines easier and more efficient, enabling you to make the most amount of progress on your daily tasks in the least number of steps. It also allows you to build a customized plan for putting your closet in place.
This is the last step before we purchase baskets and bins - it’s also the “secret sauce” that sets you up for purchasing the RIGHT organizational product for your items and for your space. Don’t blame us if you get addicted to zone planning :)
The purpose of zones is to eliminate as many steps as possible. Meaning, you don’t want your dress pants to be on one side of your closet and your dress shirts to be on another. Take into consideration your daily routines. Do you work out of the home? If so, think through the pieces necessary to create an office look. Maybe you decide to create a “work zone” featuring hanging pants on the bottom, dress shirts hanging above and dress shoes below or are on shelves near the zone.
Do you travel often? Create a travel zone for items you know you’ll need for your next getaway. This could be a labeled “travel” basket or a drawer specifically for items such as packing cubes, cosmetic bags, travel tech items, etc. An easy to grab-and-go solution that prevents you from taking a trip all over the house while packing.
Are you looking for more primary closet inspiration?
Check out the HILLSIDE VIEW HOME TOUR where Graceful Spaces had the opportunity to help design the closet of our client’s dreams during the early stages of the building process!
Step 4: Put It All Together
Organizational product is the tool that will keep your categories from bleeding together and the number one way to maximize your space. Bonus, it will give you the boutique feeling that allows you to “shop” your own closet every day.
Streamlining your hangers is always the first step. Depending on your personal preference, collection and aesthetic, you may opt for velvet hangers (our personal favorite) or possibly thin plastic hangers such as these.
Give shape to your boots and handbags with boot and handbag shapers. This will not help you achieve that “boutique” look in your closet but most importantly they will ensure you’re protecting your pieces.
Save space by adding an over-the-door shoe rack. We use these for shoes but they also work well for scarves, hats and other accessories. Short on drawer space? File fold less frequently used shirts and pants into baskets that double as storage and decor.
If you have shelving in your closet, a great way to maximize space is by utilizing stackable options that will double your storage. For shoes, we have tried several different products over the years and these are without a doubt our favorites. Even if you do not have shelving in your closet, you can utilize floor space underneath your hanging clothes to stack these boxes for additional storage.
Folding sweaters into clear stackable drawers is a great way to free up space in your closet while continuing to be able to see your items. We also love this linen option for a more elevated look.
Step 5: Healthy Habits for Sustainability
The final step is to establish healthy habits to ensure long-term sustainability of the systems you’ve created. Practice makes permanent. Routines reduce stress and ensure you’re able to accomplish your goals. They also support creativity and eliminate the decision fatigue that causes so many of us to give in and compromise at the end of a long day.
Having daily, weekly and monthly routines will allow you the ownership over your space and your time.
DAILY: Pick up all items off the floor (hamper, rehang, place on hooks)
WEEKLY: Rehome those items that don’t belong. Magazines, books, bedding, trash. Fold and put away/hang laundry. Take items for mending or dry cleaning. Place unused or unneeded items directly in the donate bin.
MONTHLY: Take all donations, pieces to sell, and items that needs to be repaired to their respective locations.
SEMI-ANNUAL SEASONAL SWAP: Move out-of-season items to baskets marked seasons and place in less accessible areas (or place in weathertight totes for attic and crawl space storage). Move in-season items to easily accessible areas. Take intentional notice of last seasons items that were not used and consider donating. Collect and deliver donations. Assess and update your labels. Intentionally notice what habits worked and what habits you need to leave behind.
3 bins to set you up for success:
DONATE: We all know the drill. You try something on that doesn’t serve you any longer and it ends up on the floor or right back on the hanger. Creating a specific space for those items will eliminate this habit.
SELL: Similarly, when you decide a piece is no longer serving your current lifestyle but it’s a great item to consign, simply place it in your “sell” bin for your next consignment store visit.
RESTORE: As you identify pieces that need attention (a button fell off, a zipper is broken, jeans that need to be hemmed, etc.) simply place them in your “restore” bin as to not forget.
Limited on Space?
Creating a boutique closet is easier then you think! Big or small there are little details that can make you feel as if you are shopping your own closet.
Let there be light
“Small closets can be dark and cave-like. Because I rented my apartment, I opted for battery-powered tap lights to brighten things up, help me see everything at once and lend a more custom look to my shelves (bonus: I got to take them with me when I left!).” - Rebecka, Co-Founder and CFO at Graceful Spaces Organizing
Think vertical
Just because your shelving stops, doesn’t mean your storage must. Lidded bins stack neatly and make a great option for travel items, off-season shoes and accessories and bulky winter gear. Nest suitcases, toiletries bags and packing cubes inside the biggest piece and tuck them on a top shelf.
Choose product wisely
It may seem counterintuitive, but adding the right product will ensure you utilize every square inch of your space. We love behind-the-door shoe organizers, adhesive hooks on the wall for handbags, hats and scarves, tiered hangers and linen zipper boxes to keep your seasonal rotations under the bed (for homes without attics or garages).
Less quantity, more quality
If you don’t wear it a lot, you don’t love it or it’s not climate-appropriate, send it on its way. Invest in fewer pieces with more wearability and change up your look with accessories and makeup that have a smaller footprint!
Working with limited space and need inspiration?
see the magic graceful spaces created in the The Graceful Spaces Lavish Landing home tour!
Are you building or renovating and looking for an expert to weigh in on specific features to include in your closet build?
We’ve seen it time and time again— custom closets built with not enough shoe storage, shelving not deep enough for a client’s collection, clothing rods that can’t be adjusted and the list goes on and on. Let our talented team learn about your collection and we’ll help you design the closet of your dreams.
Click here to learn more about our Building Luxury service: custom design plans that prioritize organization!