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6 Steps to Declutter Your Closet for Stress-Free Mornings

If you’re anything like me, getting ready in the morning can be stressful—especially if you’re staring at a chaotic closet overflowing with clothes you haven’t worn in years. The good news is that with a little time and effort, you can declutter your clothes and create a space that makes getting dressed a breeze.

The key is to make your wardrobe work for you, not against you. Let me walk you through a few simple steps to declutter your clothes and make your mornings easier.

1. Sort Through Your Wardrobe

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The first step in decluttering is to take everything out of your closet and drawers. I know it can feel overwhelming to face piles of clothes, but trust me, it’s the best way to truly assess what you have. Once everything is out, it’s time to go through each piece one by one. I like to create three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss.

  • Keep: Items you wear regularly or absolutely love.
  • Donate: Things that are in good condition but no longer suit your style or don’t fit.
  • Toss: Clothes that are worn out, torn, or stained beyond repair.

This may take some time, but don’t rush. Be honest with yourself: If you haven’t worn something in the last year or it doesn’t fit right, it’s time to let go. I used to hold on to items just because they were “good enough,” but once I started clearing out things I wasn’t using, I felt so much lighter and less stressed.

2. Keep Only What You Wear

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This one is simple, but so important. Look through the Keep pile and think about whether you actually wear each item regularly. We all have those clothes that are “just in case” or “maybe someday” pieces, but if you haven’t worn them in months (or even years!), it’s time to say goodbye.

I like to ask myself these questions when deciding whether to keep something:

  • Does it fit well and make me feel good?
  • Can I wear it with multiple outfits?
  • Is it practical for my daily life?

This keeps me from holding on to things that aren’t serving me anymore, and it makes my closet so much more manageable. Once I started only keeping what I actually wore, I found that getting dressed became so much easier. I knew exactly what I had, and I could put together outfits in no time.

3. Organize by Category

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Now that you’ve decluttered your clothes, it’s time to organize what’s left. Grouping items by category can save you a ton of time when you’re getting dressed. For example, I organize my wardrobe into shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, and sweaters. You could go a step further and arrange them by color or fabric, but the main goal is to make everything easy to find.

If you’re not sure how to start, I recommend organizing your closet in a way that makes sense for your routine. Do you reach for your workout clothes first thing? Maybe you should store those up front. Or, if you wear a lot of work clothes, keep those within easy reach. Whatever works best for you will make getting dressed much simpler.

4. Use Storage Solutions

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To keep your newly decluttered space in order, it’s helpful to have some good storage solutions in place. Trust me, once you have everything organized, you’ll want to keep it that way! I like to use bins, drawer organizers, and good-quality hangers to keep everything neat and easy to access.

For items that aren’t needed every day (like off-season clothes), consider storing them in bins or under-bed storage. This frees up closet space for the things you wear regularly. And don’t forget to rotate your wardrobe with the seasons. When winter ends, pack away the heavy coats and sweaters to make room for your summer pieces.

5. Create a Capsule Wardrobe

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If you really want to simplify things, consider creating a capsule wardrobe. I’ve done this myself, and it’s been a game changer. A capsule wardrobe is a smaller, more versatile collection of clothes that all work together to create multiple outfits. Think of it like a wardrobe full of timeless, classic pieces that never go out of style.

I focus on high-quality, neutral pieces that can be mixed and matched. For example, I might have a few pairs of well-fitting jeans, some simple t-shirts, a few cardigans or jackets, and a couple of dresses for special occasions. By keeping my wardrobe small but functional, I save time and energy choosing what to wear. It’s all about simplicity and flexibility, and I promise you’ll love the freedom it brings!

6. Maintain the Decluttered Space

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Once you’ve decluttered your clothes, it’s important to maintain your space. I’ve found that regular upkeep is key to keeping things organized and functional. Set a reminder to assess your wardrobe every few months and let go of anything that no longer works for you. Keep your closet from getting cluttered again by staying mindful of the clothes you bring in. When something new enters your closet, something old should go.

One thing that really helps me stay on track is doing a “seasonal closet refresh.” This is a simple practice where I go through my wardrobe at the start of each season to check what still fits, what’s worn out, and what I haven’t worn in a while. It helps me keep my closet fresh and organized all year round.

*This article was created with the help of AI.