Decluttering Techniques For Building A Quality Closet

This post will share my best decluttering techniques for building a quality closet.

About two years ago, I moved to a new house smaller than the one I was coming from.

I also had two extra spaces in the house that I primarily used for myself.

This meant that whilst I was moving, I was forced to downsize.

I could move a good chunk of my stuff, but due to the lack of space, I had to create outdoor storage, and half of the stuff got damaged during the year.

This got me thinking and reassessing my approach to owning things.

Also, because I owned too much, I became claustrophobic, so moving to a new place gave me a chance to free myself.

Suddenly, I could not stand having too many things around me that contributed to clutter.

I tried to rationalise it by going back and forth, trying to justify my purchases.

Ultimately, I let go, and I felt so much at peace.

I began to embrace minimalism, which extended to other parts of my life, including my home decor and closet.

People hate having that white IKEA showroom decor, but it works for me and keeps my brain from going into overdrive.

Along the way, it occurred to me that both of my grandmothers were hoarders, and if I wasn’t careful, I would inherit that trait as well.

I mean, my grandma passed away almost five years ago, and she still has stuff in my family home.

Once I realised that I could also pick up that habit, I became intentional about curbing any hoarding tendencies by decluttering regularly.

Here are some Decluttering Techniques that have helped me along the way.

It’s essential to remember to plan what you’ll be doing with the decluttered clothes.

Decide which ones you can sell, give away to charity or dispose of and act on them immediately.

There’s no point in decluttering your closet and leaving the clothes to rot away in a pile in the corner of your bedroom.

Getting rid of clothes that have not been worn in the last one or two seasons.

If you do not reach out for these pieces, you might not like them.

I only buy clothes in neutral and monochromatic colours because I tend to wear them more than colourful ones.

I’m in my second season with a set of cashmere jumpers that I got about two winters ago.

I did not have to buy anything new this past season except to replace my acrylic scarf that I had to give away.

This means I’m currently happy with my winter wardrobe and won’t need to buy new things in the foreseeable future.

Prioritising quality vs. quantity

This means not buying a bunch of polyester jumpers just because they’re cute, but one to two quality wool and/or cashmere jumpers.

Decluttering my closet has helped me embrace natural fibres like linen, wool, cashmere, silk, and leather.

Aside from being of better quality overall, I can buy less because they cost more.

For the final part of decluttering my closet, I’m finally letting go of the last batch of polyester pieces: my summer dresses.

At the moment, I’m rebuilding my spring/summer closet with 100% linen/blends and cotton pieces.

The quality, so far as expected, has been astounding.

Using a standard-sized closet to control excessive impulse purchases

This means that items will not be purchased if there isn’t space for them in my closet.

I currently use a set of IKEA Pax wardrobes, and my entire closet fits in perfectly and is arranged accordingly.

This has helped me curb the need to buy new, unwanted things because I do not have the space for them.

Instead, I embrace the One-in-One-out Formula: if an item is desired but does not fit in the closet, it must be removed to make space.

Filling the closet with quality everyday basics rather than special occasion outfits.

This also depends on your lifestyle.

If you have an occasion to attend, invest in quality pieces that can be worn in multiple ways.

Your closet shouldn’t be filled with special occasion outfits when you only attend weddings once or twice a year.

You should have enough everyday staples to throw on without decision fatigue.

In General,

These decluttering techniques have helped me gain control while being intentional and proactive about developing my personal style.

Investing in quality pieces also changed my approach to trends.

With a versatile wardrobe, I’m unlikely to follow trends that require me to buy new things; instead, I use the trends to inspire my existing wardrobe.

If you are concerned about the price of investing in quality pieces, remember you can always thrift and/or save up towards a sale.

Get your everyday basics from Uniqlo and Marks & Spencer.

Use Vinted and eBay to find thrift-quality staples.

Sometimes you can also get them brand new if you are patient enough.

It goes without saying that rebuilding your closet after decluttering will require patience.

I recommend going about it seasonally to reduce being overwhelmed.

Finally,

These decluttering techniques have made so much difference in my lifestyle.

Not only can I control clutter, but these quality pieces make me look and feel good about myself.

The confidence that comes with wearing quality pieces is quite literally unmatched.

Not only that, but you can be more conscious about what you buy, which helps you save money in the long run.