Organise your wardrobe and save time in the morning

Declutter your wardrobe

Before you start rearranging everything, look at what you've got.

• Start small. Sort through one category at a time, such as tops, shirts, pants or dresses. It's a much more manageable way to get started.
• Mix and match. When deciding whether to keep an item, think about whether it goes with at least three other things you own. The more ways you can wear something, the more useful it is.
• Get the balance right. A handy wardrobe tip is to have more tops than bottoms, as you can mix and match them to create different outfits. A ratio of three tops to every pair of bottoms is one approach, but find what works for you.
• Try a little experiment. Put half your clothes in storage boxes or another room for a couple of weeks. You'll soon discover which items you reach for regularly and which ones you barely miss.
• Make getting dressed easier. Many of us wear the same favourites on repeat, even with a wardrobe full of clothes. Having fewer options readily available can make choosing an outfit quicker and easier.

Make more space

You don't necessarily need a bigger wardrobe to fit everything in. A few clever storage tricks can help you make better use of the space you already have.

• Add another hanging rail. An extra rail can double the hanging space for shorter items such as shirts and blouses. It's particularly useful if you don't have many long dresses or coats.
• Hang the right things. Delicate garments, dressier items and structured pieces such as coats are generally best kept on hangers to help them maintain their shape.
• Fold bulky clothes. Jeans and chunky jumpers are often better folded and stacked on shelves or in drawers, where they take up less hanging space.
• Roll your T-shirts. Fold T-shirts and workout clothes into thirds, then roll them into neat little bundles. Store them in a drawer so you can see what you've got without rummaging through a pile.
• Make handbags work harder. Pop smaller handbags inside larger ones to save space on shelves.
• Pack away seasonal clothes. Store out-of-season clothing in suitcases or storage boxes to free up room for the things you're wearing now.

Get organised

Once everything has its place, putting together an outfit can be much quicker.

• If you have a favourite combination, hang the pieces near each other. You can even put together a few outfits in advance, ready to grab when you're short on time.
• Create a mini capsule wardrobe. You might already have the makings of one in your existing wardrobe. The idea is to choose versatile basics that work well together, such as jeans, pants, cardigans and simple shirts. Keep these easy-to-wear favourites within reach so you can create different outfits with just a few pieces.
• Pick a few colours you love and add versatile neutrals such as white, black, navy or grey. It's an easy way to create more outfit combinations without needing more clothes.
• Keep shoes in sight. Clear shoe boxes are stackable and let you see what's inside, making it easier to find the right pair.
• Once your wardrobe is organised, returning clean clothes to their designated spots will help keep everything in order. It also means less searching when you're getting ready.

A well-organised wardrobe doesn't have to look like something out of a magazine. The goal is simply to make your clothes easier to find, your space easier to use and your mornings a little less rushed. Start with one small area and see how much difference it makes!