Seven Closet Organizing Steps to Getting Dressed Faster

Follow these seven closet de-cluttering guidelines right now to making getting dressed every day a little bit easier. 

Photo credit Michael Wiltbank

For many, mornings are a mad rush helping everyone else get ready leaving you little time to get out the door. Even the early birds and planners who dream about fitting in an early-morning workout, a meditation session, meal prep, and cleaning all before they leave for work rarely get to everything on their to-do lists. Whether your goal is to accomplish as much as possible before your kids wake up or simply to snooze 15 minutes longer, there's one way to find more minutes in the morning. The secret? Organize your closet to streamline your morning routine. Stop hunting for lost socks, trying on multiple outfits, and sifting through that growing pile of shoes. 

1. Thou Shalt Not Store Clothing Thou Don't Really Wear - Haven't worn that blouse, jacket, or belt in the past 12 months? Then it no longer deserves a spot in your closet.

2. Thou Shalt Organize Clothing by Activity - If your goal is to get ready faster in the morning, organizing clothing by activity is the most practical method.

3. Thou Shalt Make It Easy to Find Lint Rollers, Sweater Shavers, and Wrinkle Spray - Keep a small basket or bin dedicated to clothing care must-haves right in your closet so it's easy to grab what you need in the morning.

4. Thou Shalt Not Stash Excess Hangers - There may be things cluttering up your closet that aren't even clothes. Hangars, shoe boxes, paper shopping bags etc.  Toss it!

5. Thou Shalt Make Accessories Accessible - If you want to get ready faster, save yourself a trip to the dresser or bathroom, and store jewelry and accessories right in the closet. Order an $8 jewelry organizer that can hang right from a hanger in your closet, then invest in a belt rack.

6. Thou Shalt Store Socks and Underwear in the Closet, Too - If you really want to make your closet your one-stop shop for getting dressed, you're going to need to commit to storing your socks and undergarments there as well.

7. Thou Shalt Not Pile Shoes on the Floor - Whether you opt for an over-the-door organizer or a classic shoe rack that sits on the floor, you'll be able to spot the pair you're looking for at a glance, saving you time every single morning.

This article was written by Katie Holdefehr and published by RealSimple.com