When it comes to minimalism, I’ve found that the closet is one of the best places to start because it’s so tangible and will make an immediate change to how your home feels!
I’m a big supporter of choosing only clothing that makes you feel like you—the items that make you feel confident, beautiful, and ready to take on the world! And I’m not just talking about formal clothes or power suits (although if that’s what you love, go for it!). For me, it’s a simple white t-shirt and a good pair of jeans.
My seasonal approach to declutter and organize your closet is a great system to get the most out of the clothes you own and create a wardrobe that truly reflects your tastes. My husband and I are currently living in a smaller basement suite, but I’ve found that this method works no matter what the size of your space is.
So, let’s dive in! I’m currently organizing my closet for spring, so the examples you’ll see here will reflect that season:
Step One: Take everything out of your closet, and pile it on your bed.
Step Two: Have a minor panic attack about all the stuff you own and how big the pile looks.
Step Three: Remind yourself that things often look worse before they get better, go grab yourself a snack, take a deep breath, and continue.
Step Four: Go through your pile and immediately eliminate everything that’s stained, damaged, doesn’t fit, or that you no longer love. Bag these items up to donate and remove them from your room.
Step Five: Remove all items that don’t suit the season but that you would like to wear again. Ask yourself if the item is functional for the season.
For example, if you’re getting ready for spring or summer, you probably don’t need heavy knit or wool sweaters, but you can make great use of them next winter!
Remove these from your pile, fold, and store them until it’s time to use them again. You can use whichever storage method works best for you:
- Fold and store in bins or drawers (this is the one I use!)
- Store in bags
Tip: If you’re strapped for space, try vacuum sealed bags to maximize your storage!
Step Six: Look over the selection you’re keeping and see if there are colours or patterns that don’t suit the season. I have a t-shirt and a dress that are a beautiful mustard yellow, but I don’t pull them out until the late summer because that colour suits me and the season much better then!
Step Seven: (Notice we haven’t put anything back into the closet yet—this is the step where we begin to!)
Now that we’ve pared down the pile, begin with your staples. What are the few items that you could wear everyday? For me these include:
- Basic t-shirts (in white, grey, and black)
- Neutral tank tops (in white and black)
- A long skirt
- A good pair of jeans
- Jean shorts
- Dresses (in black and floral)
- Jean jacket
- Converse sneakers
Hang these items up in your closet and step back to admire!
Next, ask yourself what items do you need for this season? After considering this question, I added:
- 2 neutral long sleeves
- 1 hoodie
- 1 flannel
Spring in the prairies definitely still has cooler weather, so it’s important for me to still have pieces that are functional for the fluctuating temperatures!
Step Eight: Everything else that’s still left in the pile gets stored or given away—no if’s, and’s, or but’s! If you find yourself wanting or needing a specific item, take it out and gladly add it to your closet—you’ve found another piece that you can’t live without!
This process can take a bit of fine-tuning the first season you try it, but I promise the more you do it, the quicker it is! Plus, each time you organize your closet this way, you’ll find that you’re able to live without a few more things and your pile will get a bit smaller, so you’re only storing and using the things you love!
And, there you have it!
What’s your tried and true way of creating your own minimalist or capsule wardrobe? Let me know down in the comments below!
Little Minimalist on the Prairies 