Top Tips for Decluttering your Wardrobe

Let’s be honest, not many of us have the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe and more often than not, we even have to share valuable wardrobe and drawer space with our spouse or partner.

It’s not the largest space in the house, but the amount of clothes, shoes and accessories we try to stuff into it can make it one of the most time-consuming areas of the home to declutter.

Because of this, it’s often an overcrowded area we tolerate. Sorting through clothes and the – dare I say it – process of giving away or throwing away clothes, is not an enticing task.

However, if you clear some time in the diary to focus on the job, it can end up being a cleansing, fun and satisfying experience.

Why not invite a friend round to help, or even host a wardrobe decluttering party with a group of friends over a glass of vino? You’ll be surprised at how the time flies, how many new outfits you end up with, and above all, the pride you’ll take at how tidy your clothes look.

So if your wardrobe and drawers are bursting at the seams, here are some quick tips on how to get started on decluttering them.

1. Get rid of the ‘definite no’s’

Get a big bag and starting from one end of your wardrobe put everything you know for sure you will never wear again into it, discarding the hangers in a pile. Put the bag in the car, ready to take to the charity shop.

2. Keep the ‘definite yes’s’

Then starting again, pick out all the clothes you love and wear now. Remember this doesn’t include clothes you haven’t worn for a year. Put them somewhere together for later.

3. Toss anything with stains, that doesn’t fit or is fading fast

Even if it’s an old favourite – are you really ever going to wear it again if it’s damaged?

4. Ask yourself…

Do you really need five black cardigans? Are you going to wear 40 different t-shirts this summer? Will it ever come back into fashion? If it does, will you revisit the fashion? If not, ditch them now!

5. Do they still fit?

Are you ever going to get into that favourite summer dress you wore when you were 17? Either donate clothes you will never fit into again, or get them adjusted by a professional.

6. Co-ordinate

Take whatever you have left and create some new outfits. Mix basics with styled, mix colours that match and compliment each other, mix trousers with tops and sweaters, mix skirts with the same tops and sweaters. Remember to keep to your own personal style and fashion sense, but above all, does it suit you? This is another opportunity to discard.

7. Organise your new ‘clothing zone’

The above tips work for clothes, shoes and accessories, and as you remove items from your wardrobe, shelves and drawers, place them on the bed in piles of ‘same types’ and then ‘similar colours’. Re-house anything which isn’t related to what you wear. Putting items back is the easy bit as they will already be sorted out and co-ordinated.

8. Enjoy your new ‘clothing spaces’

You’ll be amazed by how much time you save getting ready in the morning or for an evening out. You’ll be able to choose clothes, shoes and accessories at a glance. Just remember to put them back into the same place once they are clean again…

If you are looking for a helping hand to declutter and organise your clothing spaces, Julia and Louisa are here to help. Get in touch with Make Space to organise an initial consultation.