Transform Your Bedroom Closet: Expert Tips from a Professional Organizer

Your bedroom closet is a glimpse into your world. It's more than just a place for your clothes, it reflects your personality, daily habits, and lifestyle. It's where you start and finish your day. Your closet holds  memories and personal choices, from impulse buys and heirlooms to items that make you feel your best. It's a snapshot of your values, from efficiency to self-expression, and the choices you make every day.

The way you organize it tells a story, revealing if you're a meticulous planner or a creative spirit. The key to any closet, regardless of its size, is functionality: you should be able to easily find, reach, and store all your belongings. Transform your closet with these tried-and-true organizing techniques.

Start by removing everything from the closet and decluttering ruthlessly. Toss any torn or worn-out items. Donate clothing that is in good shape but doesn’t fit or you or you haven’t reached for in the last year. You may be able to sell your used clothing that is in good condition and has a brand name. Take them to your local consignment store or sell them with online services such as: Poshmark, ThredUp and the RealReal.

Relocate anything that isn’t related to clothing, such as files, photos, memorabilia, etc. Store muddy shoes, outdoor boots and exercise shoes in a mudroom area or garage.

Sort into categories. You should be left with clothes that you love and enjoy wearing. Separate tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, and accessories to see what you have and how much space each needs. 

To hang or to fold? If you have the space, it is always best to hang as much as you can. This applies to pants, jeans, shirts and things that will get wrinkled. Fold sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts, pajamas, underwear and socks. Assess everything and determine whether you need more hanging space or shelf space.

If you have a dresser, use drawer organizers to optimize space. You may be able to transfer some of the clothing from your closets to your drawers. Invest in slim, nonslip hangers which save space and give your closet a streamlined, organized look.

Make the best use of vertical space. So many closets come with two single rods and a shelf above them. This leaves so much wasted space - we can do so much better! Redesigning a closet that is customized for your wardrobe is a great investment and it doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Consider the fact that this is a room that you use multiple times a day. Many big box stores offer closet kits that are easy to install. @The Container Store offers different price points for their closet systems and have in-house designers that will help you customize your closet to fit your needs – for free! You can also contact your local closet company or handyman and have them build it to your specifications. Before you install a new closet system, consider painting and replacing worn out carpets to refresh your space. Assess lighting to make it easier to find everything.

Install additional shelves. Use the upper shelves for out-of-season clothing and things you only use occasionally. Use shelf dividers to keep sweater and purses organized. Store your shoes on shelves to keep them organized and easy to find. This also saves floor space and improves hygiene by elevating them off dusty floors and helps preserve their shape.

Create specific zones to make it easier to find what you need when you’re getting dressed. Define separate zones for shirts, pants, skirts, dresses and active wear. Within each zone, sort clothes by color. When you do this, you may be surprised to find that you have 10 long-sleeved white shirts or 15 pairs of black yoga pants. It also makes it so simple to find an item and put it back after doing the laundry.

Use baskets and bins and drawer organizers to store things that are difficult to keep organized, such as: hats, scarves, purses, ties and belts.

Tips for Choosing & Using Bins

• Clear Bins: Best for visibility, letting you see contents without opening them.

• Fabric Bins: Great for shelves and hides contents; look for sturdy ones with wireframes.

• Stackable Bins: Utilize vertical space effectively, especially on floors or high shelves.

• Labels: Essential for identifying contents quickly, especially for non-clear bins.

• Placement: Store frequently used items at eye level and seasonal or seldom-used items higher up or on the floor.

Utilize wall space effectively. If possible, hang a full-length mirror. Wall hooks work well for organizing belts, ties and hats. You can save space by installing pull-out tie and belt racks.

Utilize the back of the closet door. Use an over-the-door organizer for shoes, purses, belts, scarves and jewelry.

When you have a closet that maximizes every square inch of space, keeping it organized is a breeze! An organized closet helps you feel prepared and put-together, setting a positive tone for the rest of your day. It can provide a sense of calm and control, making the morning routine feel less like a chore and more like a deliberate act of self-care. This feeling of order can inspire confidence and clear the mental clutter, enabling you to approach the day with intention and clarity. 

Happy Organizing!

Kay