Calm your closet chaos with this simple guide that’ll help you create and maintain a functional, organized closet.

Declutter & Remove

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Did you know that most people only use 20 percent of what’s in their closets? The first step to organizing yours is to declutter. Remove everything from your closet so you can see exactly how much space you have. Separate the items that you use frequently from those that are worn less often.

Categorize & Sort

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Divide your clothing and accessories into categories to get a good overview of what you have (you might find pieces you haven’t seen in years!). As you sort, take note of which items you love and wear, and which ones you could do without. Clothes that you keep “just in case,” like ones that are too small, have sentimental value or are worn for special occasions, should be removed and put in a labelled box or bin. Store the bin elsewhere in the house, if space allows, and revisit it six months to a year down the road and reassess whether you need to hold onto anything inside.

Go through each item by category and ask yourself if you love it and really need to keep it; try on items you’re not sure about. For the items you’re keeping, assign a spot in your closet based on their use: Pieces that you wear frequently should be placed in an easily accessible spot, and items worn less often can be placed on higher shelves, for example. Next, think about the type of storage you need: Do you hang blouses and jeans or fold them? Do you prefer bulky sweaters in drawers or on shelves? You can also divide the items in each category by colour, or keep whole outfits together.

Tip: To help yourself remember the last time you wore a piece of clothing, turn the head of the hanger after wearing it. At the end of the season, you’ll know exactly which ones you didn’t wear!

Focus on Function

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Now that everything is categorized, it’s time to see what accessories are needed to optimize your closet’s storage and functionality. Most of these spaces are commonly designed with one rod with shelf above it, which can be a waste of valuable space.

Hangers & Hooks

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Although wooden hangers are nice to look at, they take up a lot of space on the rod. Thinner, velvet- or fabric-covered models save about a third of the space. For more hanging options, try an over-the-door set of hooks.

Baskets & Bins

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If you have a lot of accessories like scarves and belts, decorative baskets are useful, but it’s worth taking the time to label them, or opt for transparent or screened ones to quickly see what they contain. If the closet space isn’t big enough for both summer and winter clothing, remove the out-of-season clothes and store them in well-identified bins. Try bins that slide under your bed for ultimate space-saving storage.

Drawers & Shelves

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It’s possible to rework your closet’s design by adding shelves and additional rods, for example. Or hang fabric shelves from the existing rod. Compartmentalized trays that fit right into your drawers are perfect for storing jewellery and accessories, while fabric drawer dividers can do the same for smaller clothing items like undies and socks. Stacks of sweaters, handbags and other items that tend to collapse can be held upright with vertical separators and placed directly on the shelf.

Fold it? Roll it? Hang it?

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Rolling your clothes may be the most space-saving solution, but it doesn’t always allow you to see which white T-shirt you’re looking at! While folding your clothing might take up a little more space, and can leave creases in your pieces. Hanging is a great option for items that wrinkle easily, but it’s not so great for knitwear. Whichever method you choose, be sure to base it on what’s best for the fabric.

Getting Dressed

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Don’t forget to place a flattering mirror near or in your closet. Choose a good warm-toned light for the perfect ambiance, but be sure to select one that gives off low heat.