8 Closet Organization Mistakes to Avoid

Whether you’re just starting to organize your closet or are already dealing with a messy one, there are some mistakes you can avoid. These tips will help you keep your clothes from becoming a jumbled mess.

Stacks of clothing piled high don’t look organized, no matter how neatly they’re arranged. Use dividers and other organizational tools to prevent this from happening.

1. Failing to Purge

If you don’t purge regularly, it’s easy to accumulate clothing items that you never wear. These things may take up space, but they also detract from your wardrobe’s overall aesthetic.

Keeping a closet filled with clothes that you’re not wearing is counterproductive and can actually make getting dressed each day more difficult (since there’s so much choice). If you’ve ever worn something once and never reached for it again, consider letting go of it to free up space for something you truly love.

If you’re struggling to let go of certain clothing items, consider asking for a second opinion from a trusted friend or family member. They’ll be able to give you an objective perspective without your emotional attachments getting in the way of making an honest decision. If you’re still having trouble, try taking an inventory of your closet before you begin organizing. This will help you plan out what to keep and where to put it.

2. Failing to Take Inventory

If you don’t know what’s in your closet, arranging it neatly won’t do much good. Take an inventory before you start, so that you’re aware of what needs to go or what you have multiples of.

Once you know what’s in the closet, make sure to organize it by type (jackets, shirts, dresses) and then by color within each group. That will help you find what you’re looking for at a glance.

Another common closet organization mistake is putting too many things in too small a space. That might mean stacks of folded t-shirts and jeans in a corner of the closet when you could easily store them in a rolling clothes rack that allows you to see everything at a glance or in an over-the-door shoe organizer.

If you don’t have drawers in your closet, consider adding them so that you can keep items like underwear and socks in one place without having to search for them. A deep drawer is also a great spot to keep out-of-season clothing items until they’re needed again.

3. Failing to Sort

A major mistake people make when reorganizing their closet is failing to sort through everything that they have. It is important to start with a bare closet and take stock of your entire inventory before beginning the reorganization process, Horderly Professional Organizing says.

Once you’ve sorted through your clothes, put your “keeper” items back in your closet or storage spaces according to category. This helps you see what you have and if your space is getting overcrowded. It also makes sense to use shelf dividers, rack tags, and bins to help you keep things organized in the future.

Once your closet is organized, it’s important to keep it that way. To do this, follow the one-in-one-out rule when purchasing clothing. If you’re adding a new top, donate an old one to charity, and then repeat this process every time you buy something for your closet. This will help you avoid clutter build-up and save money on items you don’t need. Plus, you’ll always have a place for the new clothes you’ve bought!

4. Failing to Label

It is easy to pile things neatly on closet shelves, but that is no way to organize your clothes. A stacked item doesn’t look as good as a hung item and is less convenient to find when you need it. Make sure to keep the aspect of cleaning in mind.

Stacking items can also lead to clothing damage over time. For example, cotton or silk items can become stretched out from being folded over and under other clothing. Having a label on your bins or baskets is a great way to remind you what’s inside them, which can help prevent misplacing items in the future.

It is important to know what you want from your closet before attempting to organize it. Starting a project without clear goals is likely to result in a sloppy job that will not last long. For example, a closet that doesn’t have any drawers for shoes or purses is going to be difficult to maintain and will make getting dressed in the morning more of a hassle. A professional design consultant with Closets by Design can help you set realistic goals and create an organization system that will stay put!

5. Failing to Hang Items

When items are not properly hung, the closet can feel like a maze. If you walk into your closet and push through a field of clothing (like a corn maze at a pumpkin patch on a beautiful Fall day), it is time to tackle your closet organization.

Using the right storage solutions will help you keep your clothing organized and out of sight. This includes shelving, hanging rods, and other dividers. It also includes bins to hold smaller items like hats, scarves and jewelry. Investing in these items will save you from sighing every time you open the closet door, and it will keep your space looking neat and organized.

Another big closet organizing mistake is not letting go of items you no longer wear. It can be hard to let go, but it is important to not hang onto things that are stained, torn or frayed, don’t fit or you know you will never wear again. Gain some extra space by turning single hanging sections into double hanging sections to accommodate these items.

6. Failing to Store Shoes

While a closet can be an ideal storage area for shoes, it is easy to make mistakes when organizing your footwear. One such mistake is failing to store your shoes in a way that makes it easy for you to access them.

Using a shoe rack is the best solution, but you can also use flat shelving to give your shoes some lift (and visibility). Avoid shoe organizers made of mesh, which are often bulky and not very visually appealing. Instead, opt for clear binders that can be labeled to identify the type and brand of each shoe.

Another important consideration is ensuring that your shoes are clean before storing them. Storing wet or damp shoes can promote the growth of mildew, mold, and unpleasant odors. To keep your shoes in pristine condition, regularly wipe them down with a cloth and air dry them before storing.

7. Failing to Store Accessories

If you’re like most people, your closet is home to a lot of extras, from hats and scarves to tools and party supplies. These items can take up valuable floor space and make it difficult to find what you’re looking for. Rather than shoving these items into the closet, give them their own storage system. For example, a simple hook board is perfect for storing hats and scarves, and it frees up space on closet rods for more clothes.

After you’ve done a big purge, it’s time to do some inventory work, advises Murphy. She suggests sorting the items you’re keeping into categories based on similarity (like shoes, undergarments and swimwear) and counting how many of each item you have. This helps you determine if there are too few or too many of each item to keep. If you’re having trouble making decisions, consider enlisting the help of an impartial friend or family member to assist you. Having an accurate understanding of your clothing inventory is key to preventing closet clutter in the future.

8. Failing to Keep It Visible

Organizing a closet isn’t always an easy task, especially if you’re working with a small space. However, there are some mistakes that can make the process even more difficult, and these errors may cause your organized closet to quickly fall back into disarray.

One common closet organization mistake is using too many organizers and storage products in a small space. This can create dead spaces and overcrowd your closet, making it harder to keep things organized. Instead, use streamlined products such as flat shelf dividers that take up minimal space.

Another common closet organization mistake is neglecting to update your storage tools regularly. For example, mismatched hangers can not only look sloppy, but they also can damage delicate fabrics over time. Instead, invest in sleek velvet hangers that are not only more attractive, but they also save valuable rod real estate.

Finally, a common closet organization mistake is purchasing items without being disciplined about your shopping habits.