Want a Tidier Closet? Try This 15-Minute Reset Organizing Experts Swear By

Getting our homes tidy is one thing, but having them stay tidy is another. One area many of us struggle with is our closets. But with a small mindset shift and a few new habits, everything can change, according to Hillary Forst and Jamie Andrieu, pro-organizers and co-founders of Sorted & Styled. “Closet maintenance isn’t about perfection. It’s about attention,” Forst says. “Give your closet a little attention every day, a little more every week, and [you’ll have] a whole lot less stress year-round.”

Here’s what these organizing pros do every week to reset their closets—and some tips for keeping them more tidy all the time.

15-Minute Weekly Closet Reset

Forst and Andrieu religiously practice a routine they call Sort It Out Sunday. “This is our favorite trick,” Andrieu says. “We teach it to every client. Sort It Out Sunday is a 15-minute weekly reset. You don’t have to overhaul the whole house. Just take a few minutes to put things back where they belong.”

This means putting away any laundry that’s out, rehanging anything that needs to be properly hung, and re-evaluating your current systems. “[Like] editing your shoes if your shoe rack is constantly overflowing,” Forst says.

Lastly, the pro organizers advise taking one last glance to see if anything feels out of place or unnecessary and adjusting from there.

If you’re super busy and don’t even think you can fit in 15 minutes to your schedule, try five. Angela York, vice president at St. Louis Closet Co says even a mini closet reset every Sunday to quickly tidy up can make a big difference. “[During a mini reset,] I rehang and fold items that found their way out of their designated spot and realign any shoes that wandered,” she says.

More Ways to Stay on Top of Closet Organization

A 15-minute closet reset can work wonders to keep your closet more tidy, but there are other important steps to take to ensure your closet stays organized throughout the week, month, and year.

Start With A Full Reset

Starting with the proper foundation is absolutely crucial to the process. “You can’t maintain a system that never worked in the first place,” Andrieu says.

So, what does a full reset entail? While there are many ways to do this, on the most basic level, York says it involves taking everything out so you can see exactly what you own and editing it down. “If you see an item that you haven’t worn in a year, or something you don’t think is on brand to your wardrobe anymore, get rid of it,” she says.

Then, organize by category: Start with hanging, then folded items, and lastly, shoes. “Matching hangers are always a good idea, and if you are up for it, organize by color,” York says. “Color coordination makes it so much easier to get ready in the morning. For folded items, I recommend velvet-lined drawers for lingerie and drawers with dividers for tees, workout clothes, and jeans.”

Once everything has its place, it will be easier to stay organized long term.

Organize Your Closet for How You Live, Not How You Want to Live

While those celebrity closets or ones you see with a million likes on Instagram look beautiful, aspirational organizing won’t help you stay tidy in the long run. “When organizing your closet, keep it simple and true to how you really live,” Forst says. “Group items by type (tops with tops, dresses with dresses).”

Keep a Basket in Your Closet

Instead of leaving things that you can’t wear in your closet or a pile somewhere, Forst and Andrieu suggest having a designated place for these items. “Keep a small basket for items that need fixing, dry cleaning, or donating,” Andrieu says.

Consider using a canvas bag on a hanger (such as those reusable shopping bags we all have way too many of) if you are short on floor space. 

Always Put Everything Back Where It Belongs

“While it may seem like a complicated habit to start, putting everything back where it belongs the first time around starts to become quite easy when you do it enough times,” says York.

For example, if you change your clothes, this means you should rehang or put away your other clothing immediately. “Place your shoes back in their pairs, zip up your dresses, button your shirts, and tuck away your accessories after wearing them,” York adds.

Only Keep Clean Clothing in Your Closet

Anything that’s clean shouldn’t be kept on a chair or wherever your laundry purgatory pile is. “I also make the point to keep only clean clothes in my closet. Laundry always goes in the hamper,” reveals York.

Consider a Custom Closet System

If you find it challenging to keep your closet tidy, no matter how much effort you make, it might be worth it to consider renovating your closet. “If your custom closet system is set up right, these little actions will be effortless,” York says. “The key is to be consistent, not perfect.”

However, if that’s not in your budget, consider at least adding an extra closet bar or two, a new shelf, a shoe rack or two, and a fresh set of matching hangers.