If you’re anything like me, you start every year off by claiming that you WILL actually follow through on your resolutions. We gave you a heads up to start decluttering back in December. This year, I seriously mean business and I’m starting by Tidying Up (Marie Kondo anyone?!). If you haven’t seen the Marie Kondo special on Netflix, you should get on it and find some joy!

Don’t watch the show and then sit there in a panic of where to start. Start digging into your closet first and then go room by room. Before putting your clothes back into your closet, take some time to add organizing options to help ensure you stick to being organized. Here are 5 tips to help you get started:

1. Use all the space that you have available. We aren’t all fortunate enough to have one of those gigantic walk-in closets you see on tv, so you have to be sure to maximize the space you have available.

Double Hang your clothes. This can easily be done by moving your existing curtain rod up and hanging another rod below it, be sure to consider the appropriate height before installing your rods.

Shelf Dividers are a great way to make the most of the limited shelf space available in your closet. They make folding and stacking your shirts, sweaters and jeans a lot easier, and honestly, it just looks a lot neater.  

Slide storage can be very useful for items you don’t need to access on a daily basis such as scarves or belts. You can pull this out to access the items and then stash it out of sight until next time.

Bins and Baskets can be used to store wrinkle resistant or smaller items. Things like work out tank tops, accessories, hats or clutches. If you’re like me and your jaw drops when you see the cost of these baskets, or you need a specific measurement, you can make your own. And if you do add in bins or baskets be sure to label them so you don’t have to pull them all out trying to find what you are looking for. Trust, it will happen.

2. Color coordinate containers so you have that Pinterest worthy look when you open up your closet. If you want to get real fancy you can use colors that complement your bedroom (ooohhhh). Too much? Then select nice neutral colors like white or gray or something that will pop against your wardrobe. This won’t help you be more organized, but it will give a more organized look to your space.

3. Hangers aren’t all created equal. If you’re like me, you aren’t willing to splurge and buy the nice wooden hangers that have the little lip. But I bet you have lost a shirt to the mass of your closet because it slipped off the hanger…Stop that right now with this handy little trick (hint: you will need some pipe cleaners). If you have a lot of tank tops or camisoles, you can hang them on a craft circle to save space. And for scarves you can throw some shower rings on a hanger or a towel bar and keep them all in one place where you can actually see what you have. Lastly, if you have handbags sprinkled throughout your house, on doorknobs and backs of chairs, pull them together in one spot and use this nifty little hanger.

4. Organize by category and save your sanity and time in the morning. Try to group all your pants, sweaters, casual tops, work shirts, and dresses/skirts together. So when you wake up 30 minutes late and know you want to wear your gray shirt and blue skirt, you know just where to look.

5. Move Rarely-Worn Items to Storage. Do I need to elaborate on this one? Ok, here goes. You don’t need to have your winter sweaters in your closet when it’s 90 degrees outside. Try to cycle your clothes based on seasonality that way you don’t have to sort through irrelevant items and they aren’t taking up space.