Tip #1: Reference your damage assessment from Part 1: Decluttering

In part 1 of tackling the master closet, we started by assessing the damage.

This would be a good time to reference this list and review your before photos.

As you start to think of what you want to go where, it’s important to keep in mind what didn’t work in the way you had it before.

Use this as a guide to help you make decisions on the best layout for your closet. 

Once you have reviewed the assessment and mapped a plan, create a list of organizational items you will need to tackle these issues listed in your damage assessment.

You can see what I ordered to make my closet function better in the source list at the end of this post. 

Tip #2: Decide what would be best suited for your dresser versus hanging in the closet.

Once I decluttered my piles, I found it easier to start with deciding what would go in the drawers.

I went back and forth on whether or not I should hang workout clothes and t-shirts, but my closet isn’t infinitely large, so I chose to keep yoga pants, workout capris, workout shorts, workout shirts (tanks, short-sleeve, and long-sleeve), and graphic t-shirts in my dresser.

After putting the other items back in the closet (see the tips below), I ended up having room for pajamas, specialty running gear, scarves, and my small purses and clutches in the drawers, too!

Tip #3: Put items back in the dresser using the Konmari folding method.

The reason I had so much room left in the drawer after putting all of that stuff back in there was because I followed the KonMari folding method.

I do not know why I haven’t been folding like this my whole life, but this gave a totally new and improved view of my clothes in the dresser drawers.

You can see from the photos above how easily I can open the drawer, reach in, and grab exactly what I need in one quick look.

You have to do this for your dresser drawers if you aren’t already. It’s life changing!

Tip #4: Use matching hangers for all items that will be hung up.

Speaking of life changing, investing in the same hangers for all your clothes is a total must and worth every penny.

Now, you don’t have to go fancy with velvet slim hangers and specialty hangers if you aren’t ready for that.

However, they do allow you to fit more clothes in your closet and ensure things aren’t falling off the hangers as you remove items.

If you are not ready to commit to nice slim hangers, you can always use what you have, but try to get them to all be the same color and type, if possible.

I actually used two different types of hangers on purpose.

I have the pink velvet slim hangers for everything on the bottom rack (bottoms, sweatshirts/hoodies, and even my dresses), but I chose to use my favorite hangers of all time for my shirts and cardigans.

These hangers don’t have a loop for pants, but they have a rubber coating over the hanger and are bent so that your clothes never dimple from the hanger.

I’m obsessed. If you have the funds, I highly recommend them (listed in the sources at the end of the post).

Tip #6: Label, label, label

Once you’ve decided the categories you are going to use to separate your clothes, add labels!

I used these inexpensive hanger divider labels to make it clear the separation between types.

Not only does this help me stay organized, but if anyone else is ever in need of finding or returning anything in your closet, it will be as clear as day.

Tip #7: ROYGBIV it.

One of my favorite tips I picked up from The Home Edit is to sort each section using the old school ROYGBIV color sorting technique: sort by putting reds first, then oranges, yellows, greens, blues, indigos, and violets in that order.

There is something so pleasing to the eye when thing are sorted in rainbow order.

I did each of the labeled sections in their own ROYGBIV.

This is definitely something I would highly recommend doing. 

Tip #8: Keep everything off the floor as best you can.

Another handy tip I found in my google research was to try to keep as many things off the ground as possible.

Because of the amount I decluttered, I actually didn’t even have anything I needed to house on the ground other than my boots (eventually I will be DIYing a shoe shelf to combat this.

I’ll post a link when I’ve completed it, but from what I’ve read, it’s better to store things above your clothes than it is underneath to help keep the clutter at bay and keep your closet organized. 

Tip #9: Order what you need to keep the organization flowing.

Even with the extra organizers I made a pile of as I decluttered my closet, I was still in need of some specific pieces to make my closet function the way I wanted it to.

I do think having the right organizational pieces has really made a difference in being able to keep the closet organized as I use it.

Set yourself a budget and order the things now, so it doesn’t get too far away from you and you start creating bad habits because you don’t have the right tools.

You can find what I purchased below with affiliate links for your convenience. 

Before & After Photos of my Quick Win

And more after photos…