How to Organise Your Wardrobe, According to Experts

In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, it feels important to cling to order wherever we can find it. It might seem like a small thing, but organising your wardrobe is a simple place to start. Think about it: we get dressed every day, so if our clothes are messily crammed into random drawers or hanging haphazardly off cheap hangers, we're going to experience the same self-inflicted annoyance on a daily basis. A tidy wardrobe is a tidy mind.

There are other perks, too. "Knowing how to properly store and care for your clothes not only helps you create a calm wardrobe but also extends the life of your clothing so that you can enjoy them for longer,” Maria Bettis, organisation expert and founder of Slow Style Mindset, tells me. "I remind my clients that opening their wardrobe is the first thing they do each morning, so if the experience is positive it will help set their mood for the rest of the day.”

Sounds worthwhile, right? But before you embark on a complete closet overhaul, there are a few things to keep in mind. Find out exactly how experts go about organising their wares, plus the handy products that make the job easier, below.

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(Image credit: @livpurvis)

WARDROBE STORAGE IDEAS TO TRY

1. Consider the best solution for your space

If you're working with a compact space, a heavy-duty wardrobe might not be the best option for you. I asked John Lewis' Home Design Stylist, Leah White, what she would recommend. "Fixing shelves on the walls that run the length of the room is a great solution in small spaces, as they keep the space feeling open and the illusion of more room. Clothing rails can then be hung underneath, maximising the space without the need for a chunky wardrobe.”

2. Organise by colour or item type

According to Bettis, "categorising and colour coordinating clothing makes the process of getting ready each morning easier.” There are financial and environmental benefits, too. "[It] helps identify gaps in your wardrobe so you can shop with purpose and steer clear from unnecessary impulse purchases.”

3. Roll and fold where possible

There's more to organising a closet than just hanging clothes. "Fold denim using shelf dividers to get the most use from your wardrobe,” White suggests, "and roll smaller items like strappy tops and shorts to really maximise drawer space.”

4. Don't cut corners with your knitwear

After talking to Bettis, I'm convinced there's a knack to making your knitwear last. "Your delicate knitwear is best stored folded to retain its shape but if you prefer to hang them, ensure you use rounded knitwear hangers to avoid pointed hanger marks on the shoulders that can cause permanent damage.”

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer. After receiving an Audrey Hepburn box set for her 10th birthday and subsequently swooning over the actor’s wardrobe, Bébhinn felt pretty confident she wanted a career that involved clothes. She started her first blog at age 14—the title was a pun, but we’ll leave it at that—and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine


A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor for Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and updated takes on classic designs. 


While she still loves Audrey Hepburn films, these days, Bébhinn’s sartorial taste sits closer to Annie Hall’s and Alexa Chung’s. In her spare time, she’s likely cooing over cute dogs on rescue websites, playing folk songs on her guitar and browsing bookshops for new additions to her already-overpacked shelves.