I am going to share a secret with you guys! By nature, I am a just a totally absent-minded, messy person.  I am I feel like I am always running around trying to tackle 1000 things at once, leaving CAT 5 hurricane level destruction in my wake.

Staying tidy is HARD for anyone, but especially if you are like me and live in a small space with minimal storage.  Just because I am teenie doesn’t mean I deserve a teenie sized closet, but that’s what I’ve been dealt.  On top of that, I have 3 other roommates, so communal area storage is minimal. 

The only thing that saves me from drowning in an endless abyss of clothes is my organization and decluttering skills. 

In this IGTV (Instagram) video I highlight my top 15 organizational and decluttering tips for keeping my space tidy.

I got so many questions and positive feedback from the video, I decided to do a full in-depth blog post of my entire process. Without further ado; follow these steps to stay organized and decluttered for life.

Purging

If you are serious about organizing and decluttering, the first step is to begin the process with one big purge.  Yup, just like on hoarders.  Go through all your items and ask yourself the following questions:

• When was the last time I wore this? – If its been more than 6 months and/or you haven’t worn it in the last season it applies to – bye-bye.
• If I had to go to {EVENT} tomorrow, would I wear this? – If the answer is no, toss it.
• Why is this in here? – Be honest with yourself.
• Do I have a duplicate item? – If the answer is yes, decide which one you want and get rid of the other.

Don’t give into the following excuses:

• I Hope to fit into this someday – Don’t play this game with yourself.  If you drop some lbs., you are most likely to (as you should!) reward yourself with some new clothes!
• It’s designer/it was expensive?- So? You aren’t getting your money’s worth letting it collect dust in your closet, donate to someone who can’t afford designer clothing.
• I haven’t had an occasion to wear it – Huh?  What occasion are you waiting for?  The Met Gala?
• It’s sentimental – I personally don’t attribute emotions or sentimental value to items but I understand how people do.  Ask yourself, would taking a picture of this item help you remember it and make you feel better about parting ways with it?  If so, create a file on your computer for pictures of these items before donating.
• I’m waiting for it to come back in style – GF,  you’ll be 50 before extra low-rise jeans come back in style.  Do you really want to rock those in front of your kids?

Once you complete the great purge, it’s time to organize! Here are my rules for organizing different storage areas.

The Closet

Use all matching hangers

Mixed-matched hangers make your closet appear disorganized and cluttered. Different sized and shaped hangers create inconsistency with the way your garments hang.  This makes it challenging to sort through different pieces.  Invest in a consistent set of hangers.  I prefer felt hangers. They are durable, slim, and help keep sleeves from slipping off.

Only hang as many pieces that fit comfortably in your closet

If your rod is bending from the weight of your clothing, or you don’t even have a millimeter of space to slide over each hanger, you need to revisit the purge.  If you can’t comfortably see what you have in your closet there is a 95% (I am making this up but believe it) chance that you haven’t worn a good 40% of the items in over a year and most likely, won’t wear them again.  Even if you wear it once in the next two years, ask yourself, is that one wear really worth contributing to the clutter in my closet?

Make sure all your garments are facing the same direction

Take the time to setup and maintain the garments in your closet.  Make sure all items are facing the same way, that way you can easily sift through the hangars and know what you are looking at.

Organize garments by color and style

Organizing garments by color and style make it easier to find things when you need them.  Just got a cute skirt and looking for the perfect black blouse to go with it?  Having all your black blouses next to each other will make it easier to find the perfect one!

One garment in, one garment out

Once you do a purge and have your closet organized with a comfortable amount of hanging room, you need to maintain this.  The way I do this, is the one garment in, one garment out rule.  Every time I get a new item I make myself part with an old one item and use that hanger for the new item. This way you will always have the same amount of items that fit comfortably and don’t have to worry about ever buying new hangers. Most likely, whether you were consciously aware of it or not, you bought the item to replace an old one. Buy a new spring dress you’ve been obsessing over? Chances are you have one in your closet that has lost the joy it brought you the same time later year – get rid of it and let the new one you love so much have some room to breathe 🙂

Get creative and utilize every inch of space.

When I moved into my place, my teenie tiny closet only had one rod placed in the center of the closet. That one rod was not going to cut it for the amount of clothes I had and needed to hang.  I got handy and went to the hardware store and got an additional rod to make two rows and double my hanging space.  I hung my tops from the top rod and dresses and jumpsuit items on the second row which had more height.  I also installed a shelf at the very top to add additional storage.  If you aren’t handy or don’t want to go through the hassle yourself,  get a task rabbit or handyman to do it for you.  

Visibility and accessibility are key

If you can’t reach it, or can’t see it, chances are you’re never going to wear it.  Avoid storing items under your bed or in boxes you can’t see thru.   Sure, you will go through that box again, but when you do, you’ll just say to yourself, “Oh, I forgot I had this, here is where it is,” make a mental note, and forget it again 2 days later.  If you are short and petite like me, store a step-stool in your closet for easy access to items you can’t reach. 

The Drawers

Roll your clothes in dividers compartments

Rolling your clothes next to each other as opposed to folding your clothes on top of each other not only gives you more space, but it allows you to see each item.  Dividers and storage help keeps your items rolled up and from turning into a cluttered endless pit.

Store items like panties and bikinis in tiny compartments

Invest in storage organizers with tiny compartments for panties and bikinis to help them stay organized and decluttered in drawers.

10 pairs of socks max!

You don’t need more socks than this.  Also, 1 sock gone missing?  You have two feet. Get rid of the remaining one.  One sock ain’t gonna do you any good.

Discard of boxes and packaging

Boxes, cute shopping bags, and packaging are enemy #1.  Sure, it’s exciting to open up a cute package and admire the pretty box when you first get something, but that box won’t bring you joy forever, it will just take precious space. Throw it away! Also, storing items like shoes and jewelry in their original boxes takes up a HUGE amount of space. Take them out and store them where you can visibly see them.  

Bathroom

Consolidate Medicine

I don’t know who comes up with the design for medicine packaging, but they clearly don’t care about wasted space.  Bought pills that come in a box? take them out and throw the box away. Pills come in a container?  It’s half full – consolidate with another medicine.  Most medicine is labeled, but to be safe, consolidate with one of a different color so you won’t get confused! 

Don’t hoard samples

Every girl loves a good sample.  It’s so fun getting them and to try different products.  But samples accumulate over time and can slowly encroach on your space.  When you get one you like, don’t hold on to it, use it RIGHT away and consistently until its finished!  If it’s something you don’t often use and don’t really have a need for, donate them.  Also, don’t take extra hotel samples just to take them, only if you absolutely need!

You don’t need all those towels

For some reason, we all love to hang on to towels.   We’ll buy new ones, but won’t give away our old ones.  Give away your old towels! Try reducing to 4 bath towels, 2 pool towels, 2 washclothes, and a hand towel per person.   You will thank me I promise!

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