April 19, 2026, 10:38 am | Read time: 4 minutes
In spring, many people are motivated to clean up, declutter, and reorganize. Spring cleaning is in full swing–and while the kitchen, bathroom, and living room are usually at the top of the list, one area is often overlooked: the closet. It’s especially worthwhile now to bring clarity to your closet. An organized closet is more manageable and helps with the daily question of what to wear.
Take Everything Out and Be Honest
As radical as it sounds, the best start to organizing your closet is to empty it completely. This brings every single item to light. It not only provides an overview but also forces you to honestly ask yourself: Do I really still wear this?
This is where the approach of tidying expert Marie Kondo can come into play. You ask yourself whether a piece of clothing “sparks joy.” It may sound unusual at first, but it’s surprisingly effective. Instead of just making rational decisions, it’s about consciously perceiving how you feel about an item. Anything that no longer truly excites you can go.
Depending on how extensive your wardrobe is, the sight of all the emptied clothes can initially seem overwhelming. Instead of being motivating, this “all at once” approach often leads to overwhelm and demotivation. Especially if you own many things, it may be worthwhile for some to proceed more systematically and in small steps.
A proven method for organizing your closet is to empty it by categories. You tackle one group at a time, such as all pants, take them out completely, examine each item, and decide what stays or goes. The items you keep are then neatly sorted back in. This way, you work through all categories step by step, keeping the process manageable.
Sorting Out with a System
To prevent decluttering from ending in chaos, a clear system helps. Three piles have proven effective:
- Keep: Favorite and frequently worn items
- Donate or Sell: Well-preserved clothing that no longer fits or appeals
- The “Maybe” pile: Items you’re not quite sure about.
Also interesting: “What I Learned from the Japanese About Spring Cleaning”
What happens to the items in the “Maybe” pile? There’s a small but efficient trick: Hang all the uncertain items with the hanger “backward” in the closet. Each time you actually wear an item, hang it back the right way. Over time, this creates an honest picture of your usage habits. After a set period–for example, six months or a season–you can easily see which items have remained untouched. Anything still hanging backward can now be sorted out with a clear conscience.
Decluttering According to the Happiness Principle Like Marie Kondo
Finally, Organize Your Closet! 8 Clever Tips and Tricks
Order That Lasts
Once you’ve sorted out, it’s time to put things back. Now is the perfect moment to establish new organizational systems. Sorting clothes by categories provides clarity. For those who prefer even more structure, sorting by color is an option.
A central aspect of Marie Kondo’s KonMari method is how clothes are folded. Instead of stacking items, Marie Kondo recommends folding them so they can stand upright in drawers. This way, each item is visible at a glance, nothing gets lost in lower layers, and reaching into the closet in the morning becomes much more relaxed. T-shirts, sweaters, or pants are folded into compact rectangles: stable enough to stand on their own. This not only saves space but also brings a calm, almost aesthetic order to the closet.
A Look at Your Own Style
An organized closet is more than just tidy–it can be seen as an invitation to rediscover your style. Often, a common thread emerges when sorting out: certain colors, cuts, or materials that are particularly prevalent. Marie Kondo’s “Joy” philosophy can also help here: By focusing on what truly brings joy, you automatically develop a clear sense of your own style. This leads to more conscious purchasing decisions in the long run and a closet that isn’t overcrowded.