12 Expert Tips For Decluttering Your Closet Like A Pro

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While there are things to declutter at the end of summer for a major closet refresh, like broken shoes or unused accessories, sometimes you need to do a larger clean-out. In this House Digest exclusive, we spoke to professional home organizers and the decluttering elite to not only find out what you should remove from your closet during an overhaul, but also how to do it successfully. Often, the ins and outs of planning and executing the process successfully can be even more overwhelming than deciding what to keep and what to get rid of.

Sure, there are some smart organization tips that even HGTV stars swear by, but you can use this expert advice to create a decluttering strategy that works best for you. That might mean setting aside a weekend to tackle the project in stages, or starting small with one clothing category at a time so you don't burn out halfway through. The goal is to make intentional choices, not rushed ones, to create a wardrobe that feels both functional and inspiring. Here's how to get started and what to declutter so you end up with the closet of your dreams.

One of the things you need to know before starting Marie Kondo's KonMari organizing method is that you have to take everything out of your closet for it to really work. You can't just shuffle through things while they are still inside your closet, as you won't get a full stock of what you're working with. And piling everything on your bed or kitchen table can hinder other parts of your life, so it's best to have a dedicated spot. "Having a flat, clear surface to sort, fold, and organize items gives you the extra space you need when working in a cluttered area because many times we don't have a clear surface to work on," Takilla Combs, professional organizer at Xtreme Audacity, LLC, exclusively tells House Digest.

Doing things this way is one of the easiest ways to keep the rest of your life orderly, while you're getting your closet organized, too. "It keeps the process efficient and prevents piles from taking over the bed or floor, while also helping you separate the keeps, donates, and items to discard without losing track of your progress." You can combine a few small card tables that you already have to create a long, flat surface. Or, use something like Best Choice Products' 8-foot Plastic Folding Table to give yourself a long, seamless surface to work on.

When you're decluttering your closet, it might be tempting to glaze over parts of it that you already consider to be organized. However, for the best results, you should buckle down and clean out every nook and cranny. "Be sure to declutter and sort every single item in your closet. Don't skip over boxes, bins, or tucked-away corners; everything needs to be reviewed so you know exactly what you have and rid your life of things that aren't serving you," Combs suggests. "Seeing the empty space allows you to reset your mindset and reimagine how you want the space to function." You might even decide that you don't even need those bins and boxes anymore, since you are getting rid of what's inside them.

However, especially because you have things laid out on a table ready to go, you don't have to go through each of these smaller boxes at the same time. "Closets can quickly become overwhelming if you try to tackle everything in a single session or even a single day," Combs says. "Instead, focus on one section or category at a time, like shoes, tops, bottoms, or handbags." She insists that following this method means that you won't feel burned out and can make the best choices about what to keep and what not to, as you'll be feeling fresh. 

Make the whole process more manageable by creating a schedule ahead of time. That way, you won't feel like you've failed when you can't tackle the whole closet on day one. Plus, you'll feel accomplished as you check the smaller, broken-down tasks off your project plan.

Most of our experts agree that your bedroom closet should be for clothes only. Keeping it organized in this way means that it'll be easier for it to stay decluttered. "Ditch anything that's not wearable. We often see clients storing keepsakes, gifts, luggage, documents, and other non-clothing items in their closets," Mindy Godding, former President at National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and founder of Abundance Organizing, warns House Digest readers. "These other possessions take valuable real estate away from a closet's primary purpose — getting dressed."

Sometimes in smaller living spaces like city apartments, storage space is at a real premium, and you might feel like shoving everything in your bedroom closet is the only option. The key here is to find room elsewhere that still isn't being used. For example, flattened out duffel bags can be slipped under the couch instead of taking up the entire top of the closet. Keepsakes can be stored in displays, like the Califortree Shadow Box Frame, where they can be enjoyed instead of hidden away in the closet. Important papers should be in a binder or filing cabinet, not your bedroom closet. By taking a moment to be intentional, you can often find enough room even in the smallest of spaces. 

The clothes you keep in your closet during decluttering should be clothes that look and feel good right now. Unless something really sparks joy (like a vintage prom dress you might be saving for your daughter), don't hang onto someday clothes. "Instead of vague rules like 'if you haven't worn it in a year...,' I like to use very specific, real-life decluttering categories that anyone can relate to: You know those jeans, the ones that look good in the mirror but are torture to sit down in. Or that dress that creases if you dare even look at a chair," Ema Hidlebaugh, founder at Minimize My Mess, shares with only House Digest. 

Many might know the difference between sitting pants and standing pants, but this criterion actually applies to nearly every type of clothing in your closet, too. For example, when evaluating a pair of jeans you haven't worn in a while, you'll likely sit down to see if you can still breathe, or if they totally cut off your circulation. When it comes to dresses, try the "raise and bend" test. Lift your arms. Does the hemline sneak up higher than you'd ever want it to? Then bend forward. Does the skirt puff out and put more on display than you bargained for? If so, it might not be the most practical choice.

Even if something passes the test, it might still be time to declutter it because you know, deep down, that you're not actually ever going to wear this item in your real life. "My fellow sensory sensitives will know what I mean: the dress with the fally-down straps, the shirt with the scratchy label," Hidlebaugh says. "They technically fit, but they're not comfortable to wear — and that matters more." Instead of letting these items continue to take up space in your closet, it's time to get rid of them. Consider using resale apps like Depop or Facebook Marketplace if the original price you paid for them might be holding you back. Using these resale apps is a clever closet hack you didn't know you needed, as sometimes you might just need a little financial motivation to get the chore done.

Are you not sure whether it's time to let go of something? It's time to pinpoint what bothers you. If you already know — too tight sleeves, itchy seams, fabric that clings in the wrong spots — out it goes. But if you're fuzzy on why it keeps getting skipped when getting dressed every day, give it a little bit of a trial run. Slip it on, move around the house, and see how it feels. Chances are, you'll remember within minutes why it never makes it into your rotation. Then it can finally stop taking up too much space.

If you aren't going to actually ever use the piece again, it's time to declutter it. "Breastfeeding tanks, business-Barbie dresses, freebie t-shirts," Hidlebaugh says. "If that's not your season anymore, it doesn't need to take up space." This can be quite an emotional process, especially as it often means letting go of a season of your life, and sometimes you might not be ready for things to move forward.

To help push you along, consider the kinds of positive impacts you can make by finding these pieces a new home. For example, charities like Dress for Success connect women in need of support with employment resources, including the appropriate wardrobe for interviews and for wearing in their new roles. These clothes are usually something that they might not have afforded on their own. For maternity clothes, consider donating them to a women's shelter, as a current resident might need them more. Knowing your clothing is making a difference for others can give you the final motivation you need to finally let it go.

One of the biggest enemies of organizing is things you never use, but think you have to keep for random, non-practical reasons. "Hiding something at the back of your closet to be 'kind' doesn't serve anyone. Pass it on so someone else can love it," Hidlebaugh says. 

She divides these items into three categories: gifts, deals, and expensive items. First, feel free to regift or donate gifts that don't suit you, after writing a lovely thank-you note, of course. As for the second group, those great-deal pieces may not be such a great buy anymore. She says, "A bargain isn't a bargain if you don't wear it. If you wouldn't have bought it full price, it's not really a good deal; it's a space stealer." And as for those pricey items, she explains, "If you don't wear them, you're never going to 'make your money back' by letting them sit in your closet." 

So, instead of focusing on the money spent or the sentiment tied to an item, shift your perspective to what you'll gain by letting it go. More space, a closet that reflects your real style, and less stress when getting dressed are all forms of value. Remind yourself that the purchase already served its purpose, whether it was the joy of receiving a gift or the thrill of a bargain. Its job is done!

Having multiples of a certain thing isn't a problem if you truly wear and rotate them, but most of us fall back on the same favorites again and again. The extras only take up space and make it harder to see what you actually love. Instead of keeping "backups" you never reach for, keep the best version or two and let the rest go. "One client of mine had five nearly identical black sweaters, but only wore two," Hidlebaugh says."If it's not in regular rotation, it's just clutter." By getting rid of them, you'll make choices easier and free up space for pieces you'll genuinely enjoy wearing.

When deciding which to keep, try them all on back-to-back. Which one fits best? Which fabric feels the most comfortable on your skin? Which one do you automatically grab when you're in a rush? Let those answers guide your choices. You can also take pictures to compare or rope in a family member or friend if you need help deciding between them. And, once something is out, don't replace it! That's how you got into this mess in the first place.

When decluttering a closet, you might not think that the organizational materials themselves need an overhaul, but when it comes to hangers — you definitely need to take a second look. "Matching hangers is my number one recommendation for up-leveling the look and feel of a walk-in closet," Godding shares. "Mismatched hangers are more than just an aesthetic nightmare; the wrong hanger can take up too much space, or cause fabrics to stretch or require ironing."

If you have decades of collected hangers from shopping trips to runs to the dry cleaners, it might be time to start afresh. "We recommend switching all hangers to a uniform slim style to bring visual order to the closet and maximize hanging space," she continues. "To maintain creases and reduce stretching, our favorite styles feature a crossbar for folding over pants and sweaters." 

Wire hangers tend to be a bit too flimsy. And, while the Amazon Basics Plastic Clothes Hangers clock in for good value at less than $20 for a pack of 50, plastic hangers might still not be everyone's first choice — especially when going for a more elevated look. The StorageWorks Wooden Hangers are $25 for a 20-pack. Because they are a bit more sturdy, they can easily seem more high-end than plastic options.

Once you've pruned your shoe collection, it's time to store them so they won't result in clutter on the floor of the closet! The age-old question — shoe drawers vs. shoe racks: which are better for organizing? "Store shoes up and off the floor. The biggest mistake I see people make in a closet is leaving their shoes on the floor underneath their hanging clothes," Godding says. "Don't treat shoes as an afterthought!" By being intentional about how you store shoes, it'll also be easy to stay organized, as you won't be digging through a pile of them each time you need a pair.

The best way to take care of this is to store them up and down. "In a closet, I like shoes to be featured like they would be in a boutique: stored vertically floor-to-ceiling, lined up on a shelf, grouped by style and color, with toes pointing out towards the room," Godding continues. "I prefer flat shelves for shoe storage; tilted shelves aren't a great use of space and sometimes shoes can slide off the front if the shelf doesn't have a high enough lip." While you can certainly build bespoke shelving that follows these exact guidelines, pre-made options are often the most accessible. For example, the 3-Tier Metal Shoe Rack is a great way to keep things off the ground, as is the Gorilla Grip Over the Door Mesh Shoe Organizer.

Socks, mittens, and the like can easily make a mess if you don't have a dedicated place to put them. In closets without built-in drawers, or instances where you don't also have a dresser, our experts recommend using containers. "Contain smaller items with matching bins," Godding shares. "Flat surfaces can pose a challenge in closets because they attract piles, making items harder to see and access." By having bins, you don't have to sift through a massive mountain of socks each time you're looking for a specific pair. And even if you do, the mess stays contained in the bin.

"Use bins or acrylic holders to corral smaller items like socks and hats to keep them tidy and give them boundaries," she continues. "Choose a material that appeals to your sense of style and design." And to avoid a cluttered look, be sure to stick with a set. Something like the Amazon Basics Collapsible Fabric Storage Cubes if you want an open top, or the Vipehope 6-Pack of Stackable Storage Bins with Bamboo Lids if you want something more contained.

We've all been there, holding the pants we wore today, thinking they aren't quite dirty enough, but you don't want to call them clean. You might toss them on the floor of your closet, outside the hamper, to remind yourself they are still fair game. But our experts have a better idea. "Install a valet hook. A simple hook mounted on the wall creates a sensible place to store those items in transition, like dry-cleaning bags or yesterday's jeans, keeping the closet looking tidy," Godding advises. The Dntorx Folding Coat Hooks offer a great in-between for saving space, as they don't need to stick out all the time.

The final tip might seem like a given, but for some, they still just have a classic dirty clothes pile. "Add a hamper. Every closet needs a receptacle for clothes that need to be laundered," Godding continues. "Instead of allowing soiled clothes to pile up in the corner on the floor, use a stylish hamper to collect dry cleaning or laundry." An option with a lid, like the Lifewit Laundry Basket, can also help cut down on bad smells.