It’s that dreaded time, when you can’t seem to find anything in your closet or perhaps the door won’t close or it’s that time of year—spring cleaning, whatever the reason it is time to clean your closet, so where do you begin? The first step in organizing your closet is the purging step. Everyone dreads this part but it is something that must be done in order to completely organize your closet.

photo credit: calamity_sal

To begin the organization process, you must take some time deciding what you wear and what can be disposed of. Below are some questions that will help in deciding what to keep for your cluttered closet:

1. When was the last time I wore this item? Although this is a difficult question it is one that must be answered. If the item is a seasonal item it can remain. But if you haven’t worn an item in the last 6 months, then it is time to let go and give that item away.

2. Check your clothing and determine if it fits you properly. If there are clothing items that are too big or small, they must be donated…no sense in saving them for those, ‘what if’ moments.
3. Check the condition of the clothing item. If there are stains, tears, overly worn, then it is time to let those items go.

I did find a great book that you can download right away to help you get started!

It’s called The Definitive Guide to Home Organization for Busy People. The thing is, because it is written for “Busy” people, it’s not made up of hundreds of crazy ideas you’ll never be able to use or filled with a bunch of fluff, which is what I really like about it.

It’s got solid strategies for regular people. and walks you through each and every problem area of your home, giving you the confidence and energy to tackle and remove the clutter creating the stress we’d all love to live without. The thing is, the organization strategies you’ll read about have been around for generations and were used to perfection in a time when life wasn’t so hectic. When life wasn’t so busy.

But life is different today and these same strategies still work. The Definitive Guide to Home Organization for Busy People gives you the tools and strategies in a friendly, easy-to-understand process that completely removes the overwhelming of being short on time and high on stress. And finally makes life simple again.

To find out how to get organized and put these strategies to use right away, visit: Get My Closet Organized

photo credit: Sew Ripped

Making the decision to “organize my closet” is a decision that is not an easy one to make.

It may actually seem overwhelming but with these 5 organizing tips you will be able to tackle the project more efficiently.

The way to tackle any large project is to divide it into smaller jobs that are easier to handle. The main idea you want to keep in mind is that you are organizing to de-clutter your closet.

Here are some tips to help you organize your closet:

1. Remove everything from your closet – every item should be removed to better analyze the condition. Purging items may be easy for some, but very difficult for others. If you have items that are sentimental that you can’t seem to part with, put them into a storage container and keep you closet clean.

2. Check every article of clothing – if you haven’t worn an item in more than a year, it is time to consider purging or donating. Some experts actually suggest 6 months, for deciding whether to remove that item, but if you live in a climate with season changes, a year is a safe number.

3. Evaluate your accessories – when purging or donating you must also look at accessories such as shoes and purses. If shoes are too tight or you have simply forgotten about them, it is time to donate.

4. Develop a system for organization – organizing by color, style or season is a great way to keep your closet looking clutter-free. You may also choose to categorize by pants, shirts, dresses and skirts or you may choose to separate dressy outfits from everyday outfits. Whatever system you choose be sure to stick to it as to not have all your hard work go to waste.

5. Utilize storage units and/or shelving – once you have your closet cleaned out you may decide to add extra shelves or an entire closet system. Decide what your budget is and what the look you are aiming for is and write out a list. Determine if you need extra shelves for shoes or sweaters or perhaps hooks for belts and purses. Once this is decided, take out your measuring tape and measure the length and depth of your closet. This information will make your hunt for the perfect unit easier and stress-free.

ClosetMaid 2897 ShelfTrack 5-to-8 Foot Closet Organizer with SuperSlide Shelving, White

The most important thing to keep in mind when organizing your closet is the realization that you may have to part with certain items. Once this task has been accomplished you can begin to design your closet and continue to keep it organize for a long time. Take some time and research the different closet organizers and come up with one that you will absolutely love.

Storage & Shelving Solutions: Over 70 Projects and Ideas That Fit Your Budget, Space, and Lifestyle

photo credit: KaiChanVong