Important Benefits Of A Well Organized Closet

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Do you know what is in your wardrobe or do you feel stressed out when an event comes along and you start thinking about what you will wear? It will become abundantly clear what the Important benefits of a well organized closet are after you read this.

The importance of a well organized closet

I still have a pair of bleeding Madras scrub denim bell-bottom pants from my high school days in my closet, and yes they do still fit! I finally figured out who to give the cool flapper-style dress I have been coveting. This dress is covered in twinkly sequins right out of the roaring twenties! Full disclosure, I have never worn this dress.

The flapper dress was purchased from a friend's high-end consignment shop about 20 years ago for very little money. Even with these 2 pieces of memorabilia my wardrobe fits nicely in one not-too-large closet that is outfitted with the California wire shelving style units.

Photo byMarj Bates

For a well organized closet the first step is taking an inventory

Why take stock of your current wardrobe? Because gathering information is necessary. One reason is to learn what fits and does not. What is torn and beyond repair and what is in the pile of clothes to repair that you actually will fix?

Are you going to get more use from your beloved pieces of clothing than I have with my flapper dress? Do you know what your preferred style of dressing is?

I am adding a link to another article I wrote named Top Tips to Declutter Your Clothing Closets Now.

The Decluttering

If you are ready to be organized it is time to let go of all the things you have not worn in years such as duplicates and stained clothing or clothing that needs to be repaired. These pieces are taking up precious space in your wardrobe and generally speaking closet space is a valuable commodity.

Set your goal. With a clear and concise goal accompanied by a plan, you will now have a practical and manageable way to define your ideal wardrobe.

First things first! Empty closet. If your closet is too big or has too much stuff in it empty it a section at a time. This will keep the mess and chaos down.

Next step- arrange 3 separate big, black, heavy-duty contractor bags for clothing to be sorted into. One item at a time each piece gets deposited into the appropriate bag. Label 3 bags in the following manner:

• sell
• trash
• donate

Photo byMarj Bates

You will find this to be a practical decluttering strategy. TIP: Discard as much as possible and remove the bags from your premises immediately upon completion. This allows no room for second guessing!

Donating and Discarding Unwanted Clothes

You have identified and put clothing in separate bags. Feels great, doesn't it! Now decide where you will donate and or sell the good, unstained, clean pieces that no longer work for you. Toss the rest in the trash!

This is a win-win! You are decluttering and helping another person afford to buy your gently used clothing- something they may not have otherwise been able to afford. Cheers!

The last step is the fun part!

Now it is time to organize your new streamlined wardrobe. What efficient storage solutions will you use? Hangers, shelves, bins? Will you hang or fold your clothes, arrange clothes by type, color, or frequency of use?

I find the California style closet systems to work best for me. Because my preference is to live minimally I do not have to own bureaus for clothing, every article of clothing I own fits nicely in one closet.

I do store boots and heavy New England winter clothing separately in the off season because these items are clunky and I have a fair amount.

The benefits of decluttering and streamlining your clothes

Easy Access is practical

An organized wardrobe allows you to find your clothing and accessories quickly and effortlessly. You no longer waste time rummaging through piles of clothes or searching for misplaced items. This saves valuable time and reduces stress while trying to get you and your family out the door in the morning.

You will also learn your personal style while promoting a more sustainable and mindful approach to clothing.

Efficient Use of Space

By organizing your wardrobe effectively you can optimize storage solutions, such as using vertical space, utilizing drawer dividers, or using space-saving hangers. You will be able to fit more pieces of clothing in an organized manner, allowing for better storage and preventing overcrowding.

Amazon sells many different closet organizers as do other stores.

Photo byMarj Bates

Clear Visibility

If you want to save time install some organizing systems. It will take a little bit of time to set up and then you will feel the benefits of a well-organized closet.

I bought the California Closet like plastic coated wire shelving and set up a closet clothing system geared to my particular needs. The cost was minimal and the installation was easy.

When items are neatly arranged and visible, you can easily see what you have and make outfit choices more efficiently. It also helps you identify items you need to replenish or replace.

Extend the life of clothing.

Proper organization and storage techniques help to preserve the condition of your clothes. Jamming clothing in the closet is not the best technique to keep your clothes in optimal condition.

By eliminating overcrowding your clothing closet(s) you will minimize wrinkling, prevent creases, and reduce the likelihood of damage caused by mishandling. This ultimately extends the lifespan of your clothing items.

Because I am not a big fan of the process of buying clothes I don't use a clothes dryer. I will do anything reasonable to extend the life of my clothing.

Clearer Personal Style

This is my favorite category. An organized wardrobe allows you to showcase your style more effectively. When you can see and access your clothes easily, you can experiment with different combinations and create stylish outfits that reflect your unique fashion preferences.

Discarding items that no longer align with who you are today allows you to curate a collection of clothes that truly represent your unique fashion identity.

Accessorize!

There is a little bit more to the story about why I dress in black and jeans only - except for the occasional funeral, etc where respect for others is more important to me than my personal style.

As a lifelong artist, I have for the past 30 years or so designed, made, and sold one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces and luxurious unique silk and wool scarves and vests, etc.

I was in thought one day when I decided I wanted to make getting dressed quicker and easier and market my artwork at the same time when I had a lightbulb moment. This is how I get away with my limited wardrobe. Accessorizing is the best and easiest way I have found to dress.

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Life is too short

A clutter-free and organized wardrobe eliminates the back and forth of what to wear. Or should I say the on and off with different pieces of clothing in piles surrounding you before you make a decision.

I am so glad I gave this up 150 years ago because the amount of time I used to spend on deciding what to wear is embarrassing now.

With a streamlined collection of clothing, you have fewer choices to make when getting dressed. This simplifies the decision-making process, freeing up mental energy for important tasks.

Mindful Consumption

A well-organized wardrobe encourages mindful consumption. Because you have taken an inventory of your closet you know what you already have. This reduces the temptation to make unnecessary purchases thus promoting a more sustainable and conscious approach to fashion.

Sustainable Fashion Practices

Decluttering promotes sustainable fashion practices. By being more mindful of your clothing consumption and reducing unnecessary purchases, you contribute to reducing textile waste and the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

decided long ago too cheap clothing does not last as long as well made clothing so especially because I have a limited amount of money to spend on clothes I would buy the best, most basic pieces that will be comfortable, easy to maintain and have a longer life span.

By doing so I am not contributing to our already over filled landfills. It makes me feel better knowing I am doing all I can to leave a smaller carbon footprint.

Positive Impact on Well-being

The physical and visual orderliness of a well organized wardrobe has a positive impact on your overall well-being. It brings a sense of calm, fosters a more serene and peaceful environment and reduces visual clutter. Getting dressed in the morning does not have to be stressful.

Getting and staying organized does not have to be difficult! You can get organized little by slow as your time and other resources allow. Getting organized does not cost a lot. Often you can creatively find solutions with things you already have around your home.

Increased Clothing Utilization

When you declutter, you become more aware of the clothes you own and are more likely to utilize them effectively. No longer buried under clutter, your clothing gets equal attention, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Reduced Stress and Overwhelm:

Clutter can contribute to feelings of stress and overwhelm. By decluttering your wardrobe, you create a more serene and peaceful environment, free from the visual chaos and burden of excessive clothing.

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Not to mention the stress-free mornings you will begin to enjoy.

Financial Savings:

A streamlined wardrobe can save you money in the long run. With a clear understanding of your clothing needs and a curated collection of versatile pieces, you are less likely to make impulsive purchases or buy items that you won't wear frequently.

Improved Self-Confidence

Having a decluttered and streamlined wardrobe can boost your self-confidence. When your clothes fit well, align with your style, and are organized, you feel more put-together and empowered in your daily life.

Like I said I decided long ago to stop spending so much time worrying about what I would wear daily. Because my wardrobe consists almost entirely of jeans and black tops dressing takes a minute. And it makes accessorizing really easy and fun!

Depending on the weather I pick either long or short pants and a warm or cool top, often layering 3 or 4 black tops. I realize and admit this style of dress would not work well for many.

Consider though the freedom of wearing only what you love everyday. Pretty cool.

Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutterer and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. "Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

For more Declutter Buzz & Freebies check out our safe and private Decluttering community on our Facebook page. We are a safe and private space of like minded folks tackling this all encompassing clutter thing once and for all. No shame allowed! We will have a few laughs too!

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