Organise your wardrobe: A step-by-step guide
If you want to organise your wardrobe, but you’re feeling overwhelmed, grab a friend or get the kids involved. It’s more fun than doing it alone.Â
Do you open your wardrobe in the morning and feel like you have nothing to wear?
You’re only wearing 20% of what’s in your wardrobe, the rest either needs fixing, doesn’t fit or just doesn’t feel right.
It’s important that all the clothes in your wardrobe fit you, are in good condition and you love wearing them. This makes your mornings run smoother and has you starting each day feeling good.
Before you begin, take a photo of your wardrobe, and let’s start to organise!
Step 1: Start to organise your wardrobe by categorising the clothes & accessories
Before you grab your wallet and head to the shop for organising products, we need to work out three things:
- Exactly what you are storing in the wardrobe;
- How much of each item there is and;
- Where you want to store it (in a drawer, shelf, hanging).
With that in mind, the first step to organise your wardrobe is to sort items into categories. I categorise clothes by type and usage. For example, gym tops, casual t-shirts, smart tops, summer dresses, work pants. You could also categorise by colour. Sort into whatever first comes to mind or makes sense to you and try not to have too many distinct categories.
As you’re categorising, create piles for items:
- you no longer want (donate or sell if in good condition);
- that don’t currently fit, but you want to keep;
- that need repairing.
Try things on as you go if you need to check in with how you feel wearing it. It’s ok to have a ‘not sure’ pile to come back to later.
Step 2: Assess the wardrobe space
The next step to organise your wardrobe is to assess the space.
- What kind of storage do you currently have?
- Is it adequate for the clothes you’re keeping?
- If you don’t have much hanging space, what items do you definitely want to hang, and what can go into drawers or shelves?
- What will you store at the top of the wardrobe?
- What about the bottom of the wardrobe?
With masking tape or post-it notes, label each drawer and shelf with what item you think will work there. You can change this later if needed.
If you don’t think you’ve got enough space in your wardrobe for all your clothes, there’s a few options:
- Could you be more ruthless and get rid of some more clothes to fit the space?
- Could you store some clothing items in a different space? E.g., out of season clothes, clothes that don’t currently fit, clothes that are only worn occasionally?
- Could you increase the physical wardrobe space? Or better design your wardrobe storage for more efficient use of space? Note that this will likely be the most expensive and time-consuming solution.
Step 3: Putting everything back in your wardrobe
Now you have categorised everything in your wardrobe, and you’ve decided where it’s going to live, it’s time to put it all back. Organising your wardrobe is an iterative process, it doesn’t need to be perfect first time. As we are putting the items back, feel free to tweak and adjust your categories or where you store them.
Next, we will look at some products to organise your wardrobe that help maximise the space and make it easier to access all your clothes.
But let’s get everything back in to the right spots first. Take out any rubbish, load the car up with donations and work out a plan to get anything repaired.
Step 4: Products to organise your wardrobe
Now we’ve gone through the first three steps to organise your wardrobe. You should have a good idea of exactly what you’re storing and where. Measure up any drawers or shelves and keep a note on your phone or in your bag.
Wardrobe coat hangers
Matching coat hangers is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make your wardrobe look organised and consistent.
Flocked velvet hangers are space efficient and prevent clothes slipping off.
Available at most big box stores, my go to are the Reject Shop ones.
 For hanging heavier items like winter coats, wooden hangers are more robust.
Clip hangers are best for pants & skirts if you have enough height.
Kmart now sell flocked hanger clips that can be added onto their flocked hangers.
Organise deep wardrobe shelves
So many built-in wardrobes have deep shelves that are difficult to keep organised. Deep pull-out containers or baskets work well in this space.Â
Separate into categories and fold so that items sit vertically in the container. You don’t need to fold perfectly as the containers will hold them. But this allows you to see and access your items more easily.
These clear containers come in 3 different sizes from Kmart or Bunnings and are ~45cm deep.
Kmart Narrow & Small roller storage
Organise your wardrobe drawers
For smaller items in wardrobe drawers you can use drawer dividers or drawer organisers.
I like the Kmart clear drawer organisers or bamboo organisers. They are different sizes so make sure and measure to see which are the better fit.
Categorise within the drawer by type or occasion. E.g., everyday socks, gym socks, footlets, tights. This allows you to grab what you need without hunting around.Â
Use a laundry bag or have a section for odd socks to keep them separated while they’re waiting for their other half. And give the vertical file fold a go for T-Shirts and pants, you won’t regret it!
Organise the top of your wardrobe
The space at the top of the wardrobe is ideal for out of season clothing or clothing that doesn’t currently fit you. Measure the space to get storage baskets that will fit well. And don’t forget to label the outside so you know what’s in there. This space is also good for luggage and travel items or bedding.
Organise the bottom of your wardrobe
The bottom of the wardrobe is traditionally used for shoes. If you don’t have built-in shoe shelves, you can buy freestanding shoe racks or shoe boxes. Baskets can also work for storing shoes & bags.
Admire your organised wardrobe
Now everything is organised in your wardrobe, take a step back and have a good look at your progress. Take a photo, put the kettle on and compare your before and after. How do you feel?
Hopefully you feel lighter and it’ll be so much nicer to get ready in the morning. Now that you have designated spots for everything in your wardrobe, it will be so much easier to put your clothes away too.
Our needs, tastes and bodies change over time. So it’s important to sort and organise your wardrobe on a regular basis. The frequency will depend on you and your circumstances, but I recommend every six months or so.
PS. Keep a basket or bag in your wardrobe for items that you come across that you want to donate or need fixing.
I would love to hear how you wemt with organising your wardrobe. Please feel free to reach out and email me! If you’d like more tips for decluttering, organising and downsizing in your home, you can:
Home organising services
Would you like to gain back control & focus on the more important things in your life? Whether it’s a pantry or wardrobe, one room or the whole house, I can help you with any home organising task as together we declutter, reorganise and reclaim your space.
Hi, I'm Sarah.
I’m here to support & motivate overwhelmed families juggling the demands of everyday life.
I believe that what’s in your home should be intentional and organised in a way that makes your life easier, reduces your daily decisions and makes you smile 🙂
As a parent I’m all too familiar with that overwhelming feeling that comes from a never ending to do list and the desire to get it all right. When things start to unravel at home it can take an unnecessary toll.
That’s why I’m passionate about helping you create a home that you can relax and have fun in so you can truly treasure your time together as a family.
Get monthly tips and inspiration for creating a home you love to spend time in and making your life so much easier.
...and get my FREE DOWNLOAD 7 habits of organised families
- Develop good habits to reduce the daily overwhelm and make your life so much easier.
- Gain back control of your everyday tasks.
- Stop wasting time hunting through cupboards and drawers trying to find things
- Create a home you actually want to spend time in.
