In most homes, bedroom closets get more use than any others. You pull clothes, shoes and other items from them each day for work, school or play. Laundry bins also often live there. This daily use requires family members to keep their bedroom closet tidy or risk not being able to close the door. They can also benefit from a spring cleaning this time of year. Follow these tips to get your bedroom closets organized and keep them that way.
Declutter and Clean Your Closet
When you're learning how to organize a closet, decluttering is always the first step. Start spring cleaning your closet by pulling everything out and placing it in a keep, donate, or trash pile.
Keep
Send any clothes, shoes, and accessories you’re keeping that need a refresh to the laundry room or dry cleaner.
Donate
When considering what to donate, think back to the last time you wore or used an item. If you can’t remember, odds are you don’t need it. Certain clothes prove the exception to this rule, though, such as formal wear you only use occasionally. That said, they are a “donate” candidate if it no longer fits your body and style.
Having trouble deciding what to keep? Ask yourself:
- Do I enjoy wearing it?
- Does it fit well?
- When was the last time I wore it?
- Will I wear it again?
- Could someone else use it?
- Is it damaged?
- Can it be repaired?
These questions can give you a balanced perspective about which items are worth keeping. Immediately throw away any items destined for the dump to avoid the temptation of changing your mind.
Pro tip: Place “donate” items in shopping bags or even clear garbage bags; using clear bags helps you easily identify what needs to go to the donation center, not into the trash.
Clean
Once your closet is empty, it's time to deep clean it from top to bottom using these closet cleaning tips. Dust the lighting fixture, hanging rod, and shelves, then vacuum the floor and the corners of the closet. Use a soapy, wet cloth to wipe down the walls, baseboards, and doors. Then, wipe off the residue with a damp cloth. Allow your closet to dry thoroughly before placing anything back into it.
Pro tip: Use a dryer sheet to go over the baseboards. They provide a fresh scent and are anti-static.
Patch and paint
While your closet is empty and clean, it's a good time to patch dents and holes and paint for a nice refresh. This holds especially true if you’ve removed old rods and shelving in order to install a new closet system. Consider neutral colors for the walls and white or lighter shades for shelving and trim. Once the paint dries, it's time to install your custom closet system that allows your space to grow and change with your needs.
Optimize Your Closet Space
No matter the size of your closet, begin by envisioning what the perfect closet would look like and how it would work best for your needs. Then, check out the most popular closet organizer options and how they fit into your space.
Remember, the ideal closet organizers offer ways to modify shelving, hanging rods, shoe racks, drawers, and more to maximize your storage space. Mix and match the closet organizer options that can grow with your changing needs.
Wire closet organizers
These modular organization systems are made of durable, strong, rust-resistant wire. Wire organizers are budget-friendly and easy to install. They also offer adjustable shelves, cubbies, shoe racks, and hanging rods.
Shoe racks
A shoe organizer can be a component of a larger closet system, mounted on walls and doors, built-in, or freestanding. Whether you use shoe boxes, bins, or over-the-door racks, the key to success is optimal accessibility.
Bins
Using bins is one of the best closet organization ideas for nearly any closet layout because they fill in unused spaces and offer convenience. Because closet bins are available in almost any size, these flexible storage options are ideal for shoes, handbags, other accessories, and much more.
Clothes racks
Clothes racks offer the versatility of bins and can be hung in available spaces. Clothes racks can also be wall-mounted in a range of configurations with multiple rods, shelves, and other components.
Pro tip: Adding a second hanging rod in your closet doubles your hanging space.
Hanging organizers
Hanging crates and bins create more space by making use of those overlooked vertical closet areas. Hanging organizers are available in soft and hard materials and come in many sizes and colors.
Pro tip: Utilize your closet's wall space by adding hooks or shelves for accessories.
Closet Organization Ideas
Before you settle on a particular closet system, use these field-tested organization tips to get the most out of your space:
- Move your winter clothes into your storage area and prepare your closet for summer
- Organize your hanging clothes by clothing type, such as short-sleeve tops, dresses, and outerwear.
- Invest in slim hangers to maximize space and help keep clothes from wrinkling so much.
- Consider folding bulky items like sweaters and jeans and storing them on shelving instead of hanging them.
Pro tip: To save yourself from organizing your closet every single season, you can combine spring and summer, as the clothing tends to be the same for both seasons, no matter where you live in the country. Return to optimizing your clothing in the fall for an organized fall-winter closet.
Maintaining a Clean, Organized Closet
Once you're done with your project of cleaning and organizing your closet as part of your spring cleaning checklist, you want to ensure it stays that way.
- Choose a laundry day. Sunday makes an excellent day for doing laundry, as it allows you to start the week with all of your clothes clean and ready to wear. On that same day, also mend any clothes and clean and polish any shoes that need it and you’ll never fall behind.
- Go through your closet once a month to keep, donate, or trash. Keeping your bedroom closets organized and your wardrobe streamlined allows you to get dressed quickly and ready to get wherever you need to be on time.
Enjoy a Clean, Organized Closet All Year
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Closet Organization FAQs
Is building a closet organizer less expensive than buying one?
It depends on your level of customization if building or buying a closet organizer is cheaper. A prefabricated closet organization system will typically be more cost-effective than a DIY project for your typical closet. However, the cost of custom-made closet organizers varies greatly and can cost significantly more than building your own. The decision to buy a prefabricated organization system or build one depends on your needs, skills, and abilities.
How can I utilize the corners in a walk-in closet?
Spring cleaning your closet can be simple when your layout creates a spot for everything. The easiest way to utilize closet corners is to have the back of the closet shelving end at the wall. For more space, you can add another section from the other corner to meet the existing shelving. If shelving isn't practical, consider installing a rotating organizer for belts, ties, and scarves. You can also use corner-rounder rods and shelves at varying heights for a more custom design.
