Decluttering can seem like an impossibly large task, but breaking it down into stages may make it seem more manageable. An organised wardrobe reduces frustration and helps you rediscover lost outfits. Set aside a good hour or two of time and follow the following steps.

Does it serve a purpose?

Do you actually wear the clothes in question? Do you enjoy wearing them? Do they fit? Are they appropriate for your lifestyle? Can you style them in different ways? These questions can help you decide what to keep in your wardrobe and what to repurpose or throw away. Sentimental items that you won’t wear again, like a wedding dress, may be best stored elsewhere.

Repair, sell, donate

If you have decided which clothes you no longer need, you still have choices to make. Some pieces might be able to be adjusted or repaired so they can be reused, or recycled to provide fabric for crafts or similar. High-quality, branded clothes can be sold online, while less valuable clothing that is still clean and wearable may be donated or gifted.

Decide your organisation system

One of the first ways that you can start classifying your clothes is into summer and winter piles. Pack away the ones that are out of season in a suitcase in the attic, leaving yourself a more manageable collection. With the remaining clothes, potential organisational systems include sorting by type, such as trousers in one place and shirts in another, or separating into formal and casual, or arranging by colour.

Storage

Organising the inside of your wardrobe is easier with aids such as hangers, boxes, shelves, hooks and drawers. You may also want to update the wardrobe itself. If you do not want a whole new piece of furniture, replacement wardrobe doors may be a good representation of your new start.

Once you have followed these steps, you will have an organised wardrobe that only contains easy-to-find, tidily stored clothes that you want to wear, plus some stylish replacement wardrobe doors. That is worth a sense of satisfaction.