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No one likes eating alone. I dread cleaning alone. When my close friend recently came to visit me in Las Vegas, I discovered that cleaning with your girlfriend is not only helpful, but kinda fun. Okay, maybe not really fun, but much better than going it alone!
When my girlfriend told me she was coming to visit I had no idea that she actually had secret plans to revamp my closet and makeup space.
The thought of this particular girlfriend helping me get organized was rather funny to me because we sang in a band together for years, and she was the messiest of all the girls in the band. Her room looked worse than any natural disaster you’ve ever seen. But with her prodding and “quick to throw away” hands, my closet was cleared out, organized, and totally amazing when we finished.
Closet Organization Tips: How To Declutter Your Closet
If I can do it, anyone can do it! It’s a brand new year. Let’s get pumped up and ready to get those closets cleaned out.
What You Need To Organize Your Closet
- A good friend. Cleaning is much better with good company. In addition, when you are tempted to have a hoarder moment and keep what should be tossed, your trusted friend will offer some sensitive advice like “Those shoes are so old they could have been Wilma Flintstone’s… throw them out already!”
- Some big huge garbage bags. You are getting ready to clean, clear, donate, and trash. You’ll need some bags.
- A ride. You’ll be headed to Wal-mart or Target to pick up some organizing tools like shoe racks or hanging organizers, so grab your keys and get ready to roll.
- A camera. You’ll want some before and after pictures so you’ll have proof of what an awesome job you did.
- A vacuum. There will be lots of dust bunnies, and some other things you didn’t even know existed, and you’ll want the vacuum handy to suck it all up.
My before pile was HUGE. Seriously huge. Take every single thing out of your closet! Once you take everything out, you can decide what will go back in your closet, and what will be tossed or donated.
Start The Purge and Organize
- Use piles: Shoes, summer, winter, keep, trash, donate. It’s really important that you go through your clothes and if you haven’t worn it in a year, chances are it can be tossed or donated. The goal is to really get rid of some
extra pieces so you’ll have more room in your closet for the clothes you love. - Think about your goals. Do you want to get shoes off the floor? Do you need bins to put belts in? What are you hoping to change? Do you just need more space? These questions will help you to know what organizing products you will need.
- Get some organizing products. I love shoe organizers. They take up very little space with huge results. There are also shoe racks for the floor. Consider buying plastic bins for scarves, small belts, and dress slips and other miscellaneous items. Buy all white hangers to make the closet look extra clean.
- Keep your closet seasonal. If it’s winter, put the halter top away and if it’s summer, you don’t need the bulky sweater. Store out of season items in the garage or another room and open up that valuable closet real estate.
- Restock the closet – shoes first. Now it’s time to put everything back into your closet. Start with the shoes first by adding your shoe organizers. I organized my shoes according to groups. Flip flops, boots, and heels all got grouped with like pairs.
- Next up – clothes. Once all the shoes are organized, move on to clothes. Organize shirts by color group so you can find what you need.
Once you have everything loaded back into your closet step back, breathe and do your crazy happy dance because you just created an amazing space!
After I organized my closet, it was so nice. I could easily find what I was looking for. I was no longer overwhelmed by all the things that didn’t fit to find the things that do. Getting ready in the morning is easier and faster.
About the Author: Lisa
Lisa is the voice behind Mompreneur Mogul, a blog where she shares parenting advice, blogging tips, inspiration, and big laughs. She is a Mompreneur & freelance writer. When Lisa’s not busy with her many projects, you can find her on Twitter or Facebook, or working on her newly developed product for moms and their babies. She currently lives in Vegas with her husband Chad, daughter Matilda, English Bulldog Harley, AKA “El Diablo” & Hank, her Pit Bull(lap dog).
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Great tips! I will definitely be using this to spruce up my closet!!
OMG my closet was super messy…It took me 2 hours to clean and organize. I sell real estate and you would not believe the crazy closets that i see when i show homes!!! One lady seriously had a closet that was larger than 3 of my bedrooms in my house put together. I wish i was her…:(
My closets are scary perfect…They have been like that since I was little…All clothes are hung by category, in color order, all the same way and same distance between each hanger and with the same hangers, I had to train my hubby early on and now he is the same way, whew! Now the rest of my house isn’t soooo perfect and needs some decluttering but actually worked on that all weekend…Fun, fun! 😉
I have cleaned mine out quite a bit over the past 2 years, and pretty much only holds what I wear, but it has gotten to be a mess! Maybe I will make that my project for the week!
Great tips!
I did this last weekend. I had started 2010 by cleaning out my file drawer which then allowed me to clean the files out of my closet, which then gave me free shelves! It looks so nice right now!
@Kimberly Gauthier, Adventures in Blogging great tips that you added thanks
@ Patrice P I’m your friend 🙂 even if I can’t be there physically we’re all with you !!
Wow! Those are some amazing after shots! This is definitely the swift kick I needed to organize my closet space… pronto. There are some things I haven’t found in ages and articles of clothing I haven’t worn in lord knows how long… Time for an overhaul!
Oh wow! I love the new look! And thanks for the tips on decluttering. I’ve been meaning to start that process for a few weeks now!
Maria xx
http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
I do try to keep on top of things like this, but at the moment I have a huge pile of stuff waiting to go to the charity shop.
This post couldn’t have come at a better time! I started working on my closet this afternoon! And there’s a lot to do! Haha
There is no better feeling than looking at a clean, spare, color coded closet! Keep one empty shelf!
I needed this inspiration!
First, I need to find a friend…
Such great tips! I have a rule that if I haven’t worn something in a year or more (gotta cover all seasons) then it’s got to go. My follow up rule is that just because I’ve purged my closet doesn’t mean I get to head over to the outlet mall (which is about 5 minutes away).
Thanks for sharing your tips!
YES! I just moved and my closet is a mess! Thanks for this. 🙂
My problem is that I only have one closet in my apartment so it’s crammed with stuff that isn’t normally in a bedroom closet. I need one of those magic closets that’s 5x bigger on the inside and everything fits.
Just the kick I needed!
I NEED her!!!!!xx
ooh I LOVE having an organised closet … mine has not many clothes, and a LOT of shoes. Seriously. A LOT OF SHOES. -happy sigh-
Thank you all of you for your awesome comments 🙂 Funny thing shortly after I wrote this piece we had a hot water leak, water came into my clean closet they had to rip up all the carpet out and it was a disaster once again. BUT then they replaced it with brand new carpeting and it looked better than before. I couldn’t help but think when you take a step to get organized everything rallies around you to help you succeed! So here is to all of us & our organizing success!
Love it! My biggest problem is getting rid of clothes I might wear if I ever go back to teaching after my SAHM gig… I hate to toss just to have to buy all that professional wear again, but I know there is a bunch of stuff that is just out of date or too worn to really keep.
I actually like to clean out a closet and reorganize things. I usually do this alone but having a friend help who is willing to be honest about what to keep and what to get rid of would be nice.
This is definitely something I need to work on!
I am just starting this process. I wrote a post about my scarf collection and my need to reevaluate some of them.
I need to clean out my closet, the garage, and my office/craft room!
Much needed for my disaster, thank you!
There is actually nothing I love to do more than clean out closets. This article made me want to go do one right now!
But I have to go eat one of the Jersey Shore ice cream cone cupcakes I just made ….
What great tips! I know what closet I need to work on first.