Ask Veronica: How can I organize a closet in easy, simple steps?

I’m overwhelmed by the volume of stuff in my closet, which makes it a challenge to keep my bedroom tidy and organized. But I’m committed to scaling back and plan to spend time in the next week or two cleaning out my closet. How do I know when to donate or to consign? —Joy P., Chesterfield

From my own experience, the most challenging step in the process of cleaning out a closet is the very first one. Elizabeth Kline, owner of Happy Spaces by Lizzy, says the best way to begin is to fully empty your closet, vacuum or sweep the floor, and wipe down the shelves. This is an onerous and unappealing task, but it’s also the most thorough because it makes you take stock of what you own. Once that step is complete, Kline inspects each garment to determine whether or not to keep, donate, or consign. Clothes that no longer fit or that aren’t valuable on the secondary market can be  donated, she says. But don’t forget that while some items may no longer have value to you, they could hold great appeal to someone else.

Stacy Fendelman, a local luxury manager at the online consignment retailer The RealReal, visits her clients in-person or via Zoom to help them sort through their things. Most often, Fendelman is looking for high-value designer items. “We have an eye for recognizing pieces that typically pay well in a secondhand market,” she says. In meetings with clients, Fendelman will also look for duplicate items, such as black leather boots, and discuss the need for holding onto multiples. “How many pairs do we really need?” she asks, “I advise only keeping the most comfortable and stylish. Anything that’s been hanging in the closet, with the tags, for more than a year needs to find a new home,” she says. Kline, on the other hand, practices the “one in, one out” rule, knowing that clients gravitate to newer pieces and often relegate older items to the back of their wardrobes where they see less use. If you happen to own apparel from popular brands such as Lululemon, Alo Yoga, Veronica Beard, and Madewell, you’ll want to bookmark Kline’s resale account on Instagram that specializes in items from those companies. 

Once you’ve cleaned your closet, determined what you’re going to keep and what you’re going to sell or donate, create an organization template based on grouping like-items either by color or style. “It makes it easier to edit and add in seasonable items,” says Kline, noting that slim-profile hangers go a long way toward maximizing space and creating a streamlined aesthetic.

Looking for expert advice from design insiders? Reply to this email with your question, or send a message to Veronica at [email protected].