5 Closet Decluttering Tips Minimalists Swear By, According to Organizers

If your closet is busting at the seams and you could use a tip or two on how to make it appear more minimalist, keep reading.

We’ve spoken with three professional organizers to gather their insights on how to majorly pare down a closet and get rid of excess. They’ve outlined five key tactics that you will want to keep top of mind during the decluttering process.

Cut Back on Clothing and Shoes

Minimalists understand that they don’t need to keep endless clothing options on hand in their closet. Instead, it’s wise to set a limit on the number of items within a given category that you plan to hold onto, Kenzie Harkey, the founder of Simply Dare, says. For example, she explains, maybe you have 15 pairs of jeans but realize all you really need is seven.

The same goes for shoes. First, cut back on any duplicates, Harkey advises.

“It’s easy to edit items when you have another option that’s very similar,” she says. “Minimalists are purposeful and intentional with their choices, and as long as there is one good option, that’s all you need.”

Another tactic is to create a capsule wardrobe, Amélie Saint-Jacques, the founder of Amélie Organizes, recommends. This involves selecting 30 to 40 items that are in season and keeping those within sight.

“I think it helps people see what they really need (less than they think) and figure out what they love most, and it makes their life easier,” she says of this system.

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Say Goodbye to Clothing That Doesn’t Serve You

In addition to parting ways with extras, you will want to be sure to toss or donate any clothing items that are no longer serving you in other ways, Saint-Jacques explains.

These include clothes that no longer fit, clothes with tears, stains, and the like, and clothes that you don’t feel good wearing, Saint-Jacques notes.

“If you’re tugging at it, it has a scratchy tag or rough material, it is uncomfortable for any reason, or you’re just self-conscious in it, it has to go,” she says.

Other types of pieces to get rid of include clothing that you have not worn in over a year, clothing that brings up negative feelings, and pieces that do not fit your current lifestyle, she adds.

Buy Fewer, More Versatile Pieces

Minimalists have specific shopping habits that prevent them from filling their closet with anything and everything.

“I am a huge believer in less is more with clothing, and I’m really into buying basic or statement pieces that are high quality and last forever, but can be mixed and matched in several ways,” Harkey says.

Rather than giving in to every fast fashion trend, take a cue from the organizer, who adds that due to this tactic, getting ready in the morning is a breeze.

Use a Uniform Style of Hanger

Opt for one type of hanger and get rid of any mismatched ones left over. Using just one style of hanger in your closet offers an array of benefits, Amelia Nicholas, the founder of Urban Cottage NYC, explains.

“The uniformity alone will give your closet a custom pro-organized look and feel, while cutting down on the annoying ‘hanger tangle’ that happens all too often when you have different kinds crammed in together,'” she says.

Nicholas adds that for small closets, thin velvet hangers are an excellent, versatile choice.

“They help maximize space and can handle everything from spaghetti straps to heavy coats,” she says.

Pare Down Jewelry

Minimalists understand the importance of not only cutting back on the number of clothing items they own but also paring down on accessories as well. Costume jewelry, in particular, is something that Harkey encounters quite often in her clients’ closets, where it is often collecting dust.

“Most of the time, people wear basic everyday jewelry pieces and don’t find themselves accessorizing as much as they wish,” she says, noting that it’s best to hold onto a few statement pieces that complement a range of outfits and donate the rest of your bold baubles.