15 Closet Organizing Mistakes to Avoid for a Tidy Wardrobe

We've all been there, right? Standing in front of a closet overflowing with clothes and saying those dreaded words: "I have nothing to wear." UGH. Yes…even me! The sheer exhaustion of it all—before you've even had your first sip of coffee. A few years ago, this was my morning reality. When my husband and I bought our current home, I finally got my dream—a walk-in closet. And you better believe, with my background in retail management, I was on a mission to fill that sucker up. Little did I know, the more I filled it, the harder it became to find anything, let alone decide what to wear. My dream closet was turning into a daily source of frustration.

As a pro organizer, I’m all about creating efficient systems and routines to make life easier. And the closet is one of the most common places that needs a frequent overhaul. Fashion is so fast and ever-changing that it’s easy to accumulate, along with our bodies constantly fluctuating and changing, too.

This, in particular, makes decluttering your closet one of the most challenging projects because, let’s be honest, things are tied to our emotions. That’s why I want to talk about how a messy closet doesn't just happen overnight. It's a series of little things that add up over time, turning your once-organized space into a jungle of clothes.

But don’t worry, this isn’t about being perfect. I’m certainly not a minimalist, and you don’t have to be either! It's about finding a rhythm that works for you and creating a space that feels calm and easy, not overwhelming. It's about having a closet that you love opening because it's full of clothes you love wearing.

I’ve organized hundreds of closets, and along the way, I’ve noticed some common culprits—some things that make a closet look and feel messier than it needs to be. I've also found some solutions that have made a world of difference. So, let’s dive in and take on these closet clutter mistakes together.

1. The Mismatched Hanger Mishap

This one might seem small, but let me tell you, it makes a huge difference. A hodgepodge of different hangers—wire hangers from the dry cleaner, bulky plastic ones, a few wooden ones—creates a visual jumble. It makes your closet look chaotic and can even take up more space than you realize.

The Fix: Invest in a set of slim, matching hangers. Velvet hangers are my personal favorite because they’re thin, which saves space, and they prevent clothes from slipping off. Not only will your closet look instantly more organized and put-together, but you'll be amazed at how much more space you have.

2. The "Someday" Clothes

We all have them. The jeans that will fit again "someday." The dress we’ll wear to that fancy event that’s not on the calendar. The blazer that needs to be tailored. These are the clothes that hang around, collecting dust and guilt. They are the biggest emotional clutter you can have in your closet, and they prevent you from seeing the clothes you actually love right now.

The Fix: Be honest with yourself. Create a dedicated bin for "someday" clothes and put it somewhere out of sight. Set a reminder on your phone for six months from now. If you haven’t opened that bin or worn any of its contents by then, it’s time to let them go without regret. For items that need repair, give yourself a two-week deadline to get it done. If you don't, it’s time to say goodbye.

3. The Clothing Avalanche

You know what I’m talking about—the moment you open your closet door and a cascade of clothes tumbles out. This is a classic sign of an overstuffed closet. When items are crammed in too tightly, they get wrinkled, you can’t see what you have, and you end up wearing the same 20% of your wardrobe over and over.

The Fix: You need to give your clothes some breathing room. A good rule of thumb is that clothes should hang freely without being compressed. If you can’t easily slide a hanger in and out, you have too many items. This is your sign to do a good old-fashioned declutter. Remember, it's about quality over quantity!

4. The Black Hole of the Floor

The floor of your closet should be empty, period. Clothes piled on the floor or stuffed into a corner are not only unhygienic, but they’re also a massive visual stressor. This signals that you don’t have a system for where things belong.

The Fix: Install a dedicated hamper or laundry bin inside your closet to catch clothes that are ready to be washed. For items you’ve worn but aren’t ready for the laundry pile, create a designated spot—a valet hook or a small basket—to hold them until you put them away properly.

5. The T-Shirt Tower of Pisa

That stack of folded t-shirts, sweaters, or jeans that leans precariously to one side and inevitably topples over every time you try to grab one. A cluttered dresser or shelf space makes it impossible to see what you own.

The Fix: Embrace vertical folding. I love the KonMari method for this. By folding clothes vertically, you can see every single item in the drawer or on the shelf. This method not only makes your clothes look neat and tidy, but it also helps you find what you need in seconds.

6. The Unloved Accessories

Belts, scarves, and bags thrown onto a shelf or piled in a corner can create visual chaos. When accessories aren't properly stored, you forget you have them, which means you miss opportunities to complete an outfit or just add a little pop of personality.

The Fix: Use dedicated storage solutions. Hang belts and scarves on a single hanger with multiple loops. Use over-the-door hooks for purses and hats. Store sunglasses in a drawer with dividers. When your accessories are organized, they become part of your wardrobe, not just afterthoughts.

7. The Forgotten Footwear

Shoes tossed on the floor in a tangled mess are a major source of closet clutter. Not only is it hard to find a matching pair, but it also makes the entire space look and feel disorganized.

The Fix: Get your shoes off the floor! Utilize a shoe rack, a hanging shoe organizer, or clear shoe boxes. The key is to give every pair of shoes a designated home so they're easy to find and put away.

8. The "Just in Case" Items

This is a close cousin to the "someday" clothes. The "just in case" items are the clothes you keep for a potential, but not likely, event. The bridesmaid dress from ten years ago. The business suit for the job you no longer have. They are taking up valuable real estate in your closet.

The Fix: Ask yourself, "Is this event likely to happen again in the next 12 months?" and "Would I truly wear this item again if it did?" If the answer to either of those is no, it's time to let it go. You'll be making space for the clothes that bring you joy right now.

9. The Unused Duplicates

Do you have five similar black t-shirts or three identical pairs of jeans? It's easy to fall into the trap of buying duplicates of things you love, but this can lead to a closet full of excess.

The Fix: Go through your clothes and compare similar items. Keep the one that fits you best and makes you feel the most confident. Let go of the others. Remember, it's better to have one or two high-quality items than a dozen items you feel "meh" about.

10. The "Too Many Categories" Confusion

When everything is just thrown together, it's hard to find anything. Your work clothes are mixed with your casual clothes, your shorts are hanging with your pants, and your formal wear is tangled up with your everyday t-shirts. This lack of a system makes your closet feel like a jumbled mess and makes getting dressed a total chore.

The Fix: Organize your closet by category, then by color. Start by grouping all your like items together—all your jeans, all your skirts, all your blouses. Once they are grouped, organize them by color. This visual system will make it easy to find exactly what you're looking for, which saves you time and prevents that "nothing to wear" feeling.

11. The Missing Button/Stray Thread

Do you have clothes with a missing button, a tiny tear, or a loose hem? We all do! These small repairs don't seem like a big deal, but they signal to our brains that the item isn't ready to be worn, and they often get overlooked. Before you know it, these "needs to be fixed" items take up a significant amount of space and create a feeling of unaddressed chaos.

The Fix: Create a "mending" basket. Place this basket somewhere accessible, like on a shelf or on the floor of your closet. When you come across an item that needs a small repair, immediately place it in the basket. Once a month, set aside a little time to work through the basket. If you're not a fan of sewing, take the items to a tailor or seamstress. This simple system ensures that your clothes are ready to wear and not just taking up space.

12. The Lack of Lighting

This one is often overlooked, but it's a game-changer. A dark closet makes it hard to see what you have, especially if you have a lot of dark clothes. When you can't see what's in there, you tend to grab the same things over and over again, and the items in the back get lost forever.

The Fix: Improve the lighting! If you don't have built-in lighting, there are many easy, affordable solutions. Consider battery-operated, motion-sensor lights that you can stick to the walls or ceiling. Another option is a simple floor lamp. This will not only make your closet feel more inviting but will also help you see all of the clothes you have to choose from.

13.  The Missing Vertical Space

Most closets have a lot of untapped vertical space, especially between the rod and the floor or above the top shelf. Leaving these areas empty is a missed opportunity for storage. On the other hand, using them incorrectly—like with a wobbly stack of cardboard boxes—looks just as messy as leaving things on the floor.

The Fix: Maximize your vertical storage. Add another hanging rod for shorter items like shirts and skirts. Use shelf dividers to create separate sections for folded clothes. Or, invest in a freestanding shelving unit to store shoes, bins, or other items neatly. Use clear bins to keep things contained while still being able to see what’s inside.

14.  The Random Trinket Collection

Let's be real, a closet is for clothes. Yet, so many of us use it as a catch-all for random items that don't have a home. Think of the sentimental cards, old notebooks, crumpled papers, or random decor items that have somehow ended up there. This "miscellaneous" clutter is visually distracting and makes the space feel like a storage unit, not a closet.

The Fix: Go through all of the items that aren't clothing and move them to their proper home. If they don’t have one, decide whether to keep, donate, or toss them. Give papers a home in a filing cabinet or a designated "paperwork" bin. Mementos should be stored in a memory box. The goal is to make your closet a dedicated clothes-only zone.

15. The Bag & Box Graveyard

Those shopping bags from past trips—some full of stuff, some empty and crumpled up in a corner—are a major source of closet clutter. They take up space and contribute to an overall feeling of chaos and disorganization. And let’s not forget about all those designer boxes. They're gorgeous, I know, but if they're just collecting dust and taking up valuable real estate, they're part of the problem.

The Fix: Have a designated spot for reusable shopping bags. If you have an excessive amount, choose a few to keep and recycle the rest. As for designer boxes, pick one or two of your favorites to display and yes… it’s okay to let go of the rest. This simple habit will save you from a pileup of bags and boxes in your closet.

Before You Start to Declutter

Ready to take on your closet? Here are a few things to keep in mind to make the process as painless as possible:

• Time Block: Give yourself a solid block of time to work. Even 30 minutes can make a difference.
  

• Work in Categories: If a full closet cleanout feels too overwhelming, work in categories. Do all your bottoms one day, all your activewear the next.
  

• The 12-Month Rule: Ask yourself if you've worn the item in the last year. This is a great starting point for decision-making.
  

• Don't Let Guilt Win: Try not to think about the money you spent on an item. The space it's taking up and the decision fatigue it’s causing is also very valuable.
  

• Try It On: If you're on the fence about something, take the time to try it on. A quick try-on session can give you the clarity you need to let it go.

I get it—even with all these tips, the thought of actually starting can be overwhelming. But here's the thing: you deserve a closet that makes you feel good, not stressed. If you've tried everything and still feel stuck, maybe it's time to bring in a professional. I'd love to be your partner in crime on this journey. You can learn more about my services and schedule a chat with me right here.

Thanks for following along on our journey as we declutter and organize!

XOXO-

Janelle

& The A Meaningful Space Team