Come follow along as I show you my best tips for having and maintaining clutter free closets. As well as before and after pictures of our now clutter free closet.
Let me take you back to winter of 2018.
I was pregnant with our second baby and I felt overwhelmed with our house. We had just moved AGAIN. I was exhausted from being pregnant and chasing after our one year old son. Something needed to change.
I kept thinking to myself…
How will I manage our life with a newborn and a toddler?
That very question started me on a journey to simplifying our daily routines as well as our living spaces. I needed an easy to maintain life and home.
The first step was to work on the hidden clutter filled areas of our home. I am someone who loves visual simplicity so a lot of stuff ended up being shoved in closets and cupboards. I used to think, if I can’t see it, then it’s tidy. I was so wrong with that assumption. The hidden clutter in our home was stressing me out to the max!
What does it mean to have clutter free closets?
When I think of clutter free closets I image that everything is easy to take out and in of the closets. I also image a closet that my kids might be able to play hide and seek in. Growing up we would play hide and seek and absolutely loved hiding in the nooks and crannies of the closets. It was so much fun!
What are the best tips for having clutter free closets?
I have five tips that have helped me create closets free of clutter.
Tip #1: Focus on why you want clutter free closets.
The first tip is to focus on why you want a clutter free closet. Is it because you are moving soon and want an easier move? Is it because the extra stuff is stressing you out? Do you want to be able to find your items quickly?
Focusing on why really helped me stay firm in my decisions. It also helped keep me focused on creating and maintaining a clutter free closet. For me my why is I have little kids who are constantly into everything. I wanted anything they pull out to be easy to put away and not cause me too much stress.
Tips #2: Reduce the amount.
The second tip is to declutter the closet. For this I worked in 5-10 minute chunks of time. I worked slowly over time. Eventually I was able to get the closet items to a more manageable level.
Tip #3: Sort as you go.
The third tip is to sort the items into categories as you declutter. When I did this I brought in a donatable box for donations and a trash bag for trash.
I then sorted the items into three piles:
- Items to donate (donatable cardboard box)
- Items to trash (trash bag)
- Items to go back into the closet
If I found anything that I wanted to keep but didn’t belong in the closet I immediately put it where it belonged.
Tip #4: Use containers.
The fourth tip after you decluttered and sorted the items into containers to help organize the “stuff”.
For this tip I recommend using what you already have around the house. I had these white plastic bins from various other paces around the house. I like the look.
Tip #5: Progress over perfection.
Remember that closets are storage spaces for clothing and items. Usually items in storage are coming and going on a regular bases. Thus, items won’t always be perfect. So if you are trying to have clutter free closets then you are on a good path.
How do I know if my closets are clutter free?
You will know that your closets are clutter free if you can answer this question and not cringe, “How would I feel if the closet doors were missing?” If the idea of having all your closet items on display gives you a relaxed, calm feeling then you know your closets are free of clutter. If you get a stressed out feeling, then the closets need some work.
Another question you could ask yourself is, “Can I take out and put away the items in 1 minute or less?” If yes, then you have clutter free closets. If no, then they still need some work.
How to maintain clutter free closets once it’s decluttered?
Be mindful whenever you place new and old items back into the closet. Whenever I place an item back into the closets I always take the time to put it away properly. Does that happen all of the time? No but if you at least think about putting away items correctly that does help.
I hope my tips for clutter free closets, along with our before and after pictures, helped inspire you.
I’d love to know…
Why do you want clutter free closets?
Thank you so much for stopping by! I share posts every week about everyday routines my family and I do to simplify life. To read more about my family and I, go HERE.
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