By admin 
| RealSimple.com
Having an organized closet is a crucial part of an organized life. And while your closet may look aesthetically pleasing, that doesn’t mean it’s uncluttered. You may recognize the obvious signs that your closet needs to be reorganized, such as if your closet rod is falling under the weight of your clothes or if there are piles all over the floor. But there are also more subtle indications that your closet needs a major overhaul. Here are six signs it’s time to reorganize your closet.
1. Your daily closet interactions are exhausting.
Does going through your closet every day feel like an arm workout because everything is so tightly packed together? If you’re running out of space, this is a clear sign that you need to organize your closet. “Most of us have all the space we need, but we have been conditioned to think we need more. That’s why we buy storage units and put things we need there. The more stuff we have, the harder it is to maintain our homes,” says Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space.
She suggests going through the supplies at least once a year to determine what you really need. Although ideally we should clean up at least once a season.
2. You own too many duplicates.
While it’s smart to buy something in multiple colors if it looks great on you, if you have sixteen black T-shirts from different stores, it’s time to reevaluate your wardrobe. “We can all relate to this: How many times have you been looking for something specific, but you can’t find it, so you go out and buy it?” says Duckworth.
This can also save you money in the long run as you won’t be buying the same thing over and over again.
3. You spend too much time figuring out what to wear.
Even though it may take a while to figure out what to wear to an event or a night out, if it takes you more than five minutes to put together an outfit for the grocery store, you need to organize your closet. Katrina Green, founder of Badass Homelife, ADHD organization specialist and coach, tells me: “If you’re spending more time looking for things in piles, rather than actually deciding what to wear, now’s the perfect time. to be organized.”
4. You can’t find that one thing
Whether it’s that button-up blouse you need to use for a work presentation or that cute dress for date night, if you have to call in a search party every time you get dressed, it’s a clear sign that you need to get organized. “If you’re looking for a specific piece of clothing and can’t find it, it’s probably buried in a dark corner of your closet,” says Rose Pulver, professional organizer and co-founder of Thoughtful Home. “We encourage you to take the time to organize your closet and identify every piece of clothing you own. This will help you find important pieces that you may have forgotten. No more missing items!”
Best of all, you’ll likely rediscover some things you forgot you had, making it easier to shop your closet.
5. You have more clothes than closet space.
Whether you live in a spacious house or a studio apartment, the reality is that we all have a limited amount of closet space. If your entire wardrobe doesn’t fit in your closet, you may need to downsize your clothing collection. While this may sound like a challenge, it’s probably easier than you expect. “When we work with customers, we always start by organizing all clothing items into categories, such as shoes, short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, pants, jumpsuits, skirts, dresses and accessories,” Pulver explains. “Then you can go through each item and remove anything that you don’t really love, that is broken, out of fashion or no longer wearable.”
6. You can’t remember the last time you updated your closet.
Do you remember the last time you went through your clothes and threw away the things you never wear? Pulver emphasizes the importance of cleaning out your closet at least every six months. “Set a reminder to review items you’re not sure whether to keep or throw away. If you haven’t worn it yet, it’s time to let it go. By going through this process, your closet will function optimally and you will feel more organized.
Real Simple magazine offers smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.