It’s that time of year where we start to swap out our summer clothes for those fall staples. Or at least, we start to think about digging out our jackets, sweaters and boots to sub in for swimsuits, cut-offs and sandals. Personally, I’m not quite ready to give up on summer but I do know that in the next couple weeks, I’ll be switching out my summer clothes for fall duds.

Cleaning out my closet is one of those OCD things that I love. I find joy in purging things I don’t need or wear anymore and clearing things out. When I clean my closet out, I take almost EVERYTHING out and get down to business sorting through things and organizing it all. But where I usually go wrong is preparation. To be honest, this could be my downfall in a lot of area of life, I just start without making a plan to finish.

So to help us all tackle our closet more effectively, I’m bringing in a pro. Kim Jones of L + K Organization (go follow her on Instagram for a steady stream of organization tips) was a godsend earlier this year when she helped me get my closet cleaned out and organized. So I’ve asked her to share some of her tips. She’s coming in hot with ten tips to get things right and tight quickly and efficiently.

And if you’re just not in the mood to tackle it yourself, just call in Kim and she’ll take care of the heavy lifting for you. I still need to get a time for her to come over and help me conquer the massive mess that is my basement storage area.

Source: unknown

How to tackle organizing your closet:

• • Vision: What is your vision for your closet and how do you want it to look like? Get inspired and look through Pinterest or Instagram to have a clear vision of what you want the end result to look like.Note from Danielle: I have a whole board on Pinterest dedicated to organization. It’s an obsession. But it’s true, looking at them helps you get an idea of what you want your closet (or kitchen, pantry, basement, garage) to look like. 

• • Mindset: Less is more. It is easier to make decisions on what to wear when you are not overwhelmed. Another benefit is you can see what you have in the space and don’t need to dig.Note from Danielle: I can attest to this. Getting ready in the morning is ten times easier with fewer options. 
  • Donations: Pick a charity of your choice. This allows you to visualize that your items are going to a new home of someone who truly needs it, making it easier for you to let it go.
  • Commitment: Pick a designated time to get it done and go all in. This is a day without distractions (kids, pets, work, etc..). Have your coffee, music, dance moves on standby to power through and make it fun while you go.
  • Make a Mess: It may look worse before it looks better. To do any organization project 100%, take everything out of the space to see what you have and what you need.Note from Danielle: When I clean out my closet, Drew will walk in the room and immediately turn around. “Oh you’re on one of these kicks,” he usually says before running as far away as possible. 
  • Categorize: Did you know that you have approximately 10 pairs of very similar black high heels? You may not have even noticed until you had everything in a category.  Next step…Do you need all 10 pairs of those shoes?  Are there any pairs you haven’t worn in over a year?  If so, time to let it go.Note from Danielle: Once you categorize, then determine if you need any storage items or containers to help keep it all together. I love the ones below from Container Store. 

Get Organized

• Making Tough Decisions: You may need to ask yourself some really hard questions as to why you are hanging on to certain items you know you will never wear. Be honest with yourself and if it is time to let it go, know someone from your favorite charity will love it and wear it often.
• Create a System: Once you have decided what to keep, discard, or donate…time to put everything back into the closet. Keep items in categories and make the placement of items easy to maintain your hard work for months to come, even as life gets crazy!
• Shopping Time: Once you know what you have decided to keep, do you need any tools to help maintain an organized closet? Create a plan and budget before going shopping and stay focused.Note from Danielle: This is another time when Pinterest comes in handy. I like to create boards of looks I want to emulate and then see what’s missing from my closet. 
• Enjoy: Sit in your closet, grab a glass of wine, give yourself a huge high-five and enjoy all of your hard work. Your vision has now become reality, what a great feeling!

One thing I will definitely co-sign is Kim’s recommendation to clear your schedule before tackling your closet. It’s important to pick a day where you have three or four hours to dedicate to the process. I like to pick a podcast or great playlist to listen to so I can focus and get the job done.

And as soon as you clear things out, get rid of them. If you leave them around too long, you might second guess your decision. If you make a plan to deliver your donations the next day, you won’t have them lurking around trying to sneak their way back into your closet.

If all of this still overwhelms you or you feel like you need a helping hand, call Kim. She did such a good job of getting all my closet madness organized and in order. It was especially helpful with those little things (belts, jewelry, make-up) that you’re not sure what to do with. She’ll come in and in one day (yes, one day), your closet will be living its best life.