Practical ideas to declutter, simplify, and upgrade your closet
The closet or walk-in closet is one of the most used spaces in any home—and it can truly make or break your day.
My mom would always say, “If you’re not dressed for the day, your day is ruined.” I believed her even as a child. In our house, that meant wearing full white tights under my sundress—not for style, but to avoid mosquito bites.
Dressing well became something I looked forward to because when you feel comfortable, everything else falls into place.
That’s why closet organization matters: it helps you get ready efficiently, manage your time better, and start your day on track. And trust me, this is still one of my biggest morning challenges.
Here are some frustrations that often come with closets and organization: not enough space; I can’t seem to see everything; some shirts come out so wrinkled; where do I put my shoes; my belts are everywhere.
I’ve put together here a few solutions to help you organize your existing closet space.
Get rid of items you don’t need
This is the hardest part: reviewing your clothes and identifying pieces you haven’t worn in a year. If an item hasn’t been touched for that long, chances are, it never will be. Consider selling, giving, or donating these.
Some people set these pieces aside in storage, hoping their daughters might want them someday. But I’m not so sure about that! My daughter and I, for example, have such different tastes that I doubt she’d wear anything I hang onto “for her.” Take an honest look at your wardrobe and be ready to let go.
Have a cabinet space for travel items
These include toiletry bags, chargers, plugs, eco bags, travel dryers, travel steamers, travel trolley (only the one you really use), medicine, and packing cubes, among others.
I have a shelf specifically for these travel essentials, so when it’s time to pack, I simply pull everything out and place it straight into my luggage. It easily saves me at least 20 minutes.
Box it
For your shelves, use boxes with handles to store smaller items. Sleeveless tops, bikinis, swimsuits, sarongs, and similar pieces can be placed here and be properly labeled for easy pull out.
Organize your closet according to your needs
If you have gowns, have tall cabinets with ample hanging space. If you rarely keep items folded, add more hanger rods. Consider your entire wardrobe and plan your closet layout accordingly.
If you’re working with a closet specialist or maker, share these details with them. Don’t be embarrassed to show them what you own.
When we work on clients’ homes, we use a detailed questionnaire that covers everything we need to know, from the types of shoes they wear to how often they shop for clothes.
Color code your clothes
It’s helpful to arrange your clothing by color for easy viewing. This will save you time. It also helps to separate short sleeves from long sleeves for quicker access.
Have a storage for accessories
Keep your accessories separate. There are ways to display and store neckpieces, large earrings, and statement bibs. I should know! My walk-in closet is half filled with them since my mom designs accessories. I organize them in a row of color-coded drawers.
You can also make use of underutilized spaces, like the back of a door, and install necklace hangers for easy access.
Add an island storage when possible
If you have the space, an island storage is a fantastic addition. It helps you separate and organize your important items.
A bench seat is just as valuable. It’s where you can sit, lay out the outfits you’re considering, and even let friends hang out while you get ready.
Have a “layover” space for your clothes
Seeing David Beckham maintain a separate space for his outfits for the week shows how much time it can save. Sure, he has a team to do this, but we can adopt the habit.
We can prepare our outfits for the week since we usually know our schedules in advance. It also spares our brains from overthinking. I even have an auntie who has a rotating closet that’s already arranged for 365 days. What a lifesaver!
9 Get yourself a built-in styler
In other countries, this appliance is called Mr. Butler. It looks like a tall, slim, dark refrigerator that uses steam to sanitize clothes and neutralize odors. It can replace dry cleaning for many fabrics, though not for delicate ones like silk or piña. I use the LG Styler.
10 Choose specialty hanging systems
Pull-out shoe shelves, adjustable shelving systems, and pull-down hanger rods can save a lot of space. For example, with pull-down hanger rods, you can install them much higher and add two more rods underneath.
11 Light up the closets
Choose thin linear LED lights to install on the side panels or top panels of your interior closets. This will help you see everything, including your lost earring from decades ago. This can also help you see the difference between navy blue and black trousers.
12 Alternate shoe orientation
Alternating your shoes will help you save space and fit more pairs in a row.
13 Utilize corners
Utilize the corners of your space by adding shelves or a corner chair.
14 Make a display wall of your shelves
If you have good-looking bags, display them on your wall with hanging shelves. Add some handsome wallpaper and a nice chandelier.
15 Style your space
Beautify your walk-in closet by adding some glitz and glamour. Use wallpaper or decorative paint for blank walls or ceiling. Add a nice chandelier or table lamps, or both. Place a giant mirror that’s nicely framed. Add an ornate rug. If minimalism is more your thing, a statement stone piece can be added on your wall.
The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an award-winning and recognized interior designer known for redefining and elevating spaces. She specializes in residential, hospitality, and amenity spaces for different real estate companies. Chat has also collaborated with international design firms to create residential interiors in Manila
