Someone asked me this at a Lunch & Learn recently:
“What’s the best way to organize my closet?”

By role? By category? By colour?

Here’s the truth:
There’s no one-size-fits-all closet system.
The best closet organization method is the one that actually works for you.

That said, I do have a tried-and-true method I recommend to clients who want to open their closet and feel calm, not chaotic.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Organize Clothing by Category and Type

Start by grouping your clothes based on what they are, not when or where you wear them. This is how I typically arrange a closet:

Start with tops:

• Sleeveless
• Short sleeve
• Long sleeve
• Button-downs and blouses
• Sweaters

Then move to bottoms:

• Shorts
• Skirts
• Cropped pants
• Full-length trousers
• Jeans

Bonus:

Hang dresses and jumpsuits together in their own section, ideally sorted by sleeve length or occasion.

Step 2: Sort Colours From Light to Dark

Once you’ve grouped your pieces by category, it’s time to add a layer of colour coordination.

Within each section:

• Group light to dark (think: white → beige → grey → navy → black)
• This visual order helps you see what colours dominate, and which ones you’re missing

It’s not just pretty. It’s functional.

Step 3: Use Closet Dividers to Keep It Neat

Dividers (or even labelled hangers) help you maintain order after your initial sort. You can mark transitions between categories or create zones for different types of clothing.

Bonus: When life gets busy (and it always does), these subtle cues make it easier to keep things in place.

Step 4: Hang What You Want to See, Fold the Rest

A simple rule:

If it helps you plan your outfit, hang it.
If it doesn’t, fold it.

Things to hang:

• Everyday tops, bottoms, layering pieces
• Dresses, blouses, structured items
• Anything that wrinkles easily

Things to fold (and ideally store upright, not stacked):

• Pyjamas
• Workout clothes
• Camisoles and layering tanks
• Lounge sets

This keeps your drawers organized and lets you see everything at a glance.

Step 5: Make Jewellery and Accessories Easy to Access

Out of sight, out of mind, especially with jewellery.

Try:

• A jewellery tree on your dresser
• A hanging organizer on the back of your closet door (like The Little Black Dress by Umbra)
• Clear trays or stackable boxes with compartments

If you see it, you’ll wear it.

Your Closet Should Work for You, Not the Other Way Around

The real secret to closet organization isn’t perfection.
It’s visibility, accessibility, and a system that reflects how you get dressed.

Whether you’re planning outfits for work, weekends, or just want to stop wearing the same five things on repeat, organizing your closet this way can actually make getting dressed feel fun again.

Need help getting started?
Let’s talk closet cleanses, capsule wardrobes, and making space for clothes that feel like you.