13 Fresh Ways to Declutter Your Closet Physically and Energetically

There I was, on a Sunday afternoon, crouching in my closet surrounded by what looked like the dumpster behind a Thrift Store after a pack of raccoons got into it.

Piles of clothes I never wear. Dresses, scarves, jeans, three outdated ankle boots that were feeling less “power move” and more “winter mud trap.” And I thought: If I can’t find my anything to wear, yet have so many clothes, what else am I missing? Could this messy closet be a reason why, energetically, I feel so drained and cluttered internally?

Yes. Absolutely it is! The objects around us hold memories, energy, and vibes that really do affect our frequency and mood.

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So I pulled everything out, dumped every hanger, and asked: Does this version of me still align with this piece of clothing?

Because your closet isn’t just storage. It’s a mirror to yourself. And if that mirror is fogged up with old versions of you, you’re going into the new year already wearing last decade’s energy.

Today, I’m sharing the top closet organizing tips that changed my life! Not being dramatic, but these tips will save your mornings, your sanity, and maybe even your floor from the next shoe avalanche.

Here’s the full list of how I cleared space both physically and energetically (and why it matters) so you can open those closet doors and feel aligned, empowered and effortless. You know, instead of stuck, frustrated and late by fifteen minutes.

How To Declutter Your Closet Both Physically and Energetically

Here’s my step-by-step process for clearing out old clothes and old energies from a closet. Try this and see how amazing you feel after!

Step One: Gamify the act of Decluttering.

As someone with ADHD, aka a brain wired for 47 tabs open at all times, I can confirm: cleaning out your closet is the real self-care but it needs to feel fun or I simply won’t do it.

Can you relate?

If so, let’s play a game. Picture your closet right now. No cheating. Is it overflowing with cardigans, mystery jeans from 2017, and one-too-many “maybe I’ll wear this” dresses?

Are your shoes doing a gravity experiment on the floor? Maybe there’s a random stack of books or that old karaoke mic you swore was “essential” once.

Ok, now tell me this: how long does it actually take you to get dressed in the morning? Are you rifling through hangers like it’s a Black Friday sale, trying to build an outfit that doesn’t make you feel like an imposter?

Been there. Now imagine opening your closet to a calm, clean, color-coded dream where every piece fits, flatters, and sparks future you energy. Where decisions take seconds. Your mood lifts. You feel—dare I say it?—organized.

First, you’ll want to download my Capsule Wardrobe planner guide, which you have for free. yes girl, free!

It’s helped thousands of women not only declutter, but curate a wardrobe that supports every season of life (and weather).

Step Two: Empty Your Closet Fully.

Rip it all out like you’re on an hgtv demo day! Everything comes out!

Yes, I’m serious. Pull everything out of your closet. Every shirt, every boot, every random tote bag you forgot existed. Even the “maybe I’ll wear this again” stuff. Because you can’t organize what you haven’t evaluated.

You want your closet emptier than your bank account the day after a Sephora sale. It might look like a boutique exploded in your bedroom, but that’s part of the magic.

Step Three: Clean the space.

With everything out in the open, you’ll finally face the full scope of your “but what if I need it someday?” pile. Plus, this is your chance to wipe down shelves, vacuum up dust bunnies, and finally rescue that one earring that got away in 2021.

Vacuum, dust, maybe even paint or add a peel‑and‑stick wallpaper if you’re feeling spicy.

Okay, painting is totally optional, but powerful. A fresh coat of paint turns your closet into a chic little showroom. It gives your eyes a breather and lets your wardrobe be the star.

If you’re renting and can’t paint? No worries. Just give those walls a deep clean and pretend you’re designing a capsule collection pop-up shop. (Trust me, it changes how you treat the space.) Here are some more renter-friendly home update ideas you’ll love!

Step Four: Declutter like a cat herder.

Now that you’ve got a blank canvas, it’s time for the hard conversations. Make piles: keep, donate, and “what was I thinking?” Piles for pants, dresses, blouses, shoes. If it hasn’t been worn in a year or doesn’t spark you, it leaves.

Hold up every item and be brutally honest. If it doesn’t fit, if you haven’t worn it in a year, or if it makes you feel like a deflated balloon, let it go.

Donating to places like ThredUP or local shelters helps it find a second life. And please don’t put anything back in that closet unless it earns its place. This is a fresh start, not a reunion tour.

Step Five: Send Your Seasonal Clothes on Vacation.

If it’s not sweater weather (or flip-flop season), why are you wrestling with that parka every time you reach for a cardigan?

Give your off-season pieces the gift of space. Stash them in clear bins that slide under your bed or perch neatly in your closet’s no-man’s-land zones.

Winter coats in July? Store them. Free up the real estate for your now‑energy.

If storage is tight, rotate your closet like a boutique display! Current season front and center, off-season out of the way. It’s like curating your wardrobe for each season’s vibe.

Step Six: Upgrade Your Hanger Game.

If your closet looks like a hanger scrapyard, it’s time for an intervention. Matching hangers might feel extra, but they’re secretly a power move.

They keep your clothes in better shape, stop your blouses from diving to the floor, and make your closet look like you know what you’re doing (even if you don’t).

Go for slim velvet ones like these. They save space and actually hold stuff. Bonus points if you use stackable “huggable” hangers to double up and fake more closet square footage.

Step Seven: Max Out Your Closet’s Hidden Real Estate.

Your closet might be small, but it’s got potential. Think shelves, hanging organizers, over-the-door racks…whatever it takes to make use of those awkward nooks.

Use vertical space. High rods, shelves, cubbies, you have so many options. You can even raise the rod higher and add a second one underneath. Suddenly, you’ve got a “top floor” and a “ground floor” like a fancy walk-in.

Don’t buy storage solutions until you know exactly what space you’re working with (and what’s actually staying in your closet). Measure first. Then get creative.

Step Eight: Evict the Random Junk.

Unless you wear glitter reindeer antlers daily, your holiday decor has no business in your closet. Neither does that old binder from college or the charger for a phone you haven’t owned in a decade.

Old bills, random gadgets, dog toys… Your closet is not a garage sale waiting to happen. It’s prime real estate. Relocate the misfits, rehome what you can, and trash what you can’t. Your clothes deserve a clutter-free runway.

Step Nine: Arrange things by category and then colour.

When it comes to arranging your clothes, don’t overthink it, but don’t wing it either. First, sort by type. Sweaters with sweaters, blouses with blouses, etc.

Then, within each group, arrange by color. This is really clever! This isn’t just aesthetic; it’s strategic. It stops you from buying your fourth identical black turtleneck because you couldn’t find the other three.

Basically, your eye lands on what you own, in an aesthetically pleasing way. This sends dopamine to your brain, while also stops you buying duplicates.

An organized closet lets you see what you own, helps you style new outfits, and saves you from panic-ordering something you already had hiding behind your prom dress.

Step Ten: To Fold or to Hang? That is the Closet Organizing Question.

Not everything needs to be on display like it’s auditioning for America’s Next Top Cardigan. Some things thrive better in a drawer.

Rule of thumb? Hang anything that’s prone to wrinkle, stretch, or has delusions of grandeur—silk, velvet, satin, rayon, trousers, dresses, and structured skirts.

• Button-downs? Button that top one so the collar behaves.
• Fold your thick jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, and anything that can be stacked like a stylish lasagna.

Pro tip: assign each drawer a category, so your tees aren’t in a turf war with your yoga pants.

Oh and if you’re low on drawer real estate? Stash your folded jeans up high on a shelf like the denim royalty they are. But I’ma big fan of these space-saving hangers for jeans.

Step Eleven: How to Actually Arrange Shoes, Bags & Everything That Didn’t Come With Hangers.

Shoes: store them like they’re dating: close, but facing opposite directions. This simple trick gives you more space and makes it easier to spot pairs.

If over-the-door organizers aren’t your thing, grab some clear bins or stackable shelves.

A rolling cart with compartments? Chef’s kiss. Handbags and hats deserve shelf space too. Don’t let them get squished in a corner. Display them proudly like the outfit-finishers they are.

Step Twelve: Do Mini‑audits quarterly.

Every new season, redo the “does this spark future‑me?” test. Send out the old you. Donate, sell, recycle. Give your old pieces new energy.

Step Thirteen: Script Who You Are Becooming Moving Forward

Scripting is the manifestation practice of writing out who you want to be, as if your goals have already been realized.

So the final step here, is very important. Write your style script. Who are you? What does she wear? What kind of energy does she emit through her personal style?

Learn more about scripting here.

Let your closet reflect that. Add one elevated piece. A new scarf, statement boot, or blazer because this signals to your brain you’re leveling up.

Ready to upgrade your style energy?

Find the pieces that align with your next chapter:

• Old Money Aesthetic: How To Dress Rich
• A Capsule Wardrobe Checklist You’ll Actually Use
• Vanilla Scent Routine: How To Smell Expensive All Day

15 Fresh Ways to Declutter Your Closet Physically and Energetically – Conclusion

You did it. Your closet is no longer a textile jungle! Now it’s a serene, stylish sanctuary.

Doesn’t it feel borderline magical to swing those doors open and actually see your clothes instead of just sensing them beneath the clutter?

Take a victory lap in your most organized outfit. And if you had any lightbulb moments or unearthed something you forgot you even owned, spill the tea in the comments.

Oh, and if this guide helped you wrestle your wardrobe into submission, pin it so the internet knows you’re officially That Girl™.