9 Effortless Ways to Purge Clothing for a Functional Closet

But how can you exactly go about it? How do you declutter your wardrobe?

“I do not have anything to wear!” We often hear this as the person laments while a lot of clothes are strewn about, on the bed, down the floor or over the couch. Kind of ironic right? But maybe the key to this is to check on your wardrobe, to discard those that may be outdated or do not fit anymore and to give you space for new ones.

1. Try to declutter your clothing by type.

Start with shoes/boots, dresses, bottoms, shirts and underwear. If you want to start small, you can start with a type of clothing for the day, then move on to other types some other day. In that way, you do not feel like you are giving too much away in just a day.

2. Want VS Need

Always ask yourself the questions, “Is this something I need?” “Is this something I love?” So that you can also decide if you should keep or get rid of the items in your closet. When you ask yourself these questions, you can keep yourself in check if the items are still worth keeping or should be given away already.

Check each item and ask yourself when was the last time you wore them. If you can only vaguely remember, then that means it is time to let them go. You may have changed your taste in clothes or may have changed in size that you did not bother wearing these pieces anymore. It is time for you to give them to someone who can really make use of them.  Also, if by looking at a top, you wonder, “Why on earth did I buy this top?” then it is time to give them away. If you do not want to wear them now, then chances are, you will not wear them in the future too.

 3. Is it worth repairing?

You can also check the condition of the items in your closet. If there are things that need repair, decide if it is worth repairing or you can let go and do away with them. Remember, it might be more inconvenient to have something repaired and then left in the closet again, than letting go and buying a different item that you would like better.

 4. Stick to the basics.

Stick to the basics. The key to having a functional wardrobe is to make sure you retain staples – those pieces that are easy to mix and match. Like that little black dress that can suit any occasion or that plain top that you can wear to the office or to a night out with friends. By sticking to basic pieces in your wardrobe, it will be easier for you to discard those that might be difficult to match with your other clothes.

 5. Categorize and Color-Code

If you can, try hanging your clothes in category and color order. In this way, you can keep tabs of the pieces that you own. It can also help you have an idea of pieces that you still need to buy and pieces that you no longer need. It keeps your wardrobe in order and makes it easier for you to look for the pieces you need to wear for the day.

 6. Toss clothes that make you feel bad about your current shape.

Should you keep clothes because of their sentimental value? Actually, that is really up to you, especially if the items really mean a lot. But bear in mind also that keeping clothes that may no longer fit you can make you feel bad about the body you have now. Letting them go or giving them away can be a way for you to move on and begin to love your body more. Besides, giving them away can help you put the clothes to better use.

 7. Shelf items by season

Do you have pieces of clothing that you only use when in season but takes up a lot of space in your closet? Like those swimsuits you only use during summer or those bulky coats you wear in winter. You can create a holiday/seasonal box for clothes that you only wear for a season or a special occasion. Keep it in a container or bin that you can easily get when that time of the year comes around. The space you free up can make way for your other pieces in the closet.

 8. One too many?

While decluttering your closet, you discover you have a number of similar plain white shirts or black bottoms. Do you really need to have too many of one kind of an article of clothing? You can decide on a limit for each category of clothing so that your closet would not be full of just one kind of clothing. You would be able to maximize the space and even discover your preferences for other items.

 9. Designate an area for a Sell or Donate Bin

If you want to make decluttering a habit, try to have a donation bin/basket in your closet or somewhere within your reach. You can easily declutter your closet for items that you need to let go of when you chance upon them. In this way, you can maintain the functionality of your wardrobe pieces.

Letting go of clothing can be a tedious and difficult task for some because we often worry about the items that we lose. And sometimes we are uncertain about letting them go because we think we might need them in the future. But let us change that mindset. Instead of focusing on what we have lost, maybe we can focus on what we can gain. Maybe a new set of wardrobe or maybe the chance to experiment on a new style for a new and better you.Visit Home Makeover HK to help you clear your mind and get you started.