How to Store Clothes Efficiently

Co-authored by Caitlin Jaymes

Last Updated: August 12, 2020 References

If you have limited storage space, then you have to be efficient in storing everything. This is especially true for your clothes. Fortunately, it only takes a few easy tricks to ensure that you have room for all your clothes. Fold everything neatly, organize each item, and maximize your existing storage space. With some efficient planning, you can easily make room for all your clothes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Folding Clothes Properly

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Fold all the clothes that you store in a shelf or drawer. Folded clothes always take up less space than if you just threw them into your drawers. Whenever you store items in your drawers, no matter what they are, always fold them neatly first.^{[1]
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- Also fold the clothes if you store them in a bin or on a shelf in your closet. Any time the clothes aren’t hanging, folding saves space.
2
Fold shirts at the sleeves and then in half to keep them crisp and flat. Whatever type of shirt you have, start by folding the sleeves in towards the middle. Then, fold the shirt in half down the middle, and fold it up twice. Press down to get rid of any trapped air and make sure the shirt is flat.^{[2]
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- This same folding style works for long or short-sleeves, as well as jackets and sweatshirts.
- For dress shirts, start with the shirt facing down. Fold its sleeves onto the back of the shirt, then fold the shirt up once.
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Fold your pants 3 times for the most compact package. Pants can take up a lot of space if they aren’t properly folded. Start by folding them in half lengthwise so both legs overlap each other. Then, fold the knees up to the pockets. Fold it up once more so the pants are in even thirds.^{[3]
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- Folding works best for lighter pants. Bulkier styles, like denim, might take up less space if you hang them.
- This works for leggings and tights as well.
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Fold your socks in half instead of rolling them. Rolled socks can take up more space than you realize, especially if you have limited drawer space. Instead of rolling, take a pair of socks and lay them on top of each other. Then fold them in half twice, making a square. Store this neat package in your drawer to save space.^{[4]
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- There are a few other methods for folding socks as well. Military rolling, for example, creates a small tube that you can tuck away easily.
- Remember that the socks aren’t attached if you fold them, so put them away neatly to keep them in a pair.
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Fold underwear to take up the least amount of room. Underwear can also take up a surprising amount of space if you just throw it in a drawer. Instead, fold all your underwear as well. Lay them face-up and fold both ends to the middle. Then, fold the bottom half up to make a neat square.^{[5]
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- This folding style works for panties and briefs.
- For boxers or boxer briefs, fold them entirely in half. Then fold them up twice to make a neat square.
- There are also other techniques, like rolling. Experiment and find the one that works best for you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Organizing Your Clothes

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Divide your clothing into distinct categories for easy access.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 December 2019.} Getting dressed will be much easier if your clothes are neatly organized. Think about the categories your clothes might fit into. For example, you might have work clothes, lounging clothes, and formal outfits. Give each category its own section in your closet or drawers so you know exactly where to find them. That way, you can get dressed much faster and more efficiently.^{[7]
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- The categories could be personal to you. If you exercise a lot, for example, you could have one section for workout clothes. Other categories might be based on the seasons, on particular occasions, or by how much you like each article of clothing.
- If you have multiple categories hanging on the same rack, hang a divider in between them to keep the two separate.
- Remember to stick with these categories every time you put your clothes away. Don’t get lazy and start mixing them up.
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Double-hang clothes to fit more in your closet. Make the most out of your available space by hanging multiple items on the same hanger. For example, you could hang a pair of pants on the bottom of a hanger and put a button-up shirt over the top. This way, you can double the amount of storage on each hanger.^{[8]
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- You can also use this trick for accessories. Try looping a scarf or purse around the hanger head when you already have a shirt on it.
- Some hangers are designed with multiple levels to support multiple items. Try getting a few of these if you have a small closet.
3
Put bulky items in shoe organizers so they don’t take up rack space. Shoe organizers are soft bins that are usually used for footwear but can hold just about anything. Try using some for bulkier items that take up too much space in your drawers or on the clothes rack. Then, place them on the floor or shelves in your closets for extra storage.^{[9]
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- This is also a good idea for more fragile items that will stretch out on hangers.
- You could also use normal bins for this as well.
4
Hang pants along with shirts to open up drawer space. Pants are sometimes very bulky and could take up a lot of drawer room. If you’re running out of drawer space, try folding and hanging your pants along with shirts in the closet. This will open up a lot of drawer space for other items.^{[10]
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- For the easiest organization, store pants in their own section so you don’t have to search for them.
- Hanging formal pants is a good way to maintain the crease, so try hanging these instead of storing them in a drawer.
5
Store out-of-season clothes to open more space. If it’s the summer, then your heavy sweaters are taking up space in the closet. Take them out, fold them nicely, and place them in a bin.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 December 2019.} Then, store that bin in your attic, basement, under your bed, or in a storage closet. This frees up more space for items that are in season.^{[12]
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- Remember to fold your clothes before storing them for the season. Otherwise, they’ll be very wrinkled when you take them back out.
- Don’t store clothes for the season directly on wood. The acids on wood could damage the clothing fibers. Use a plastic bin instead.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maximizing Space

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Use drawer dividers to keep your drawers organized.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 December 2019.} If you have limited drawer space, then you probably can’t dedicate whole drawers to certain items. In this case, install some drawer dividers. These make compartments in your drawers for individual items. This way, you can have a neat section for your socks, underwear, shirts, and other items.^{[14]
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- You can buy drawer dividers at home goods stores or online. If you prefer a DIY project, you can install strips of wood in your drawers to create individual sections.
- Some drawer dividers hover halfway inside the drawer to give you a second storage layer, essentially doubling the amount of space.
2
Install shelves in your closet for more storage surfaces. There is potentially a lot of extra storage space in your closets. Look at the space above and below where your clothes hang. If you have room, install some shelves in these spots. You can use them for folding clothing, shoes, or purses.^{[15]
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- If your closet already has some shelves, see if there is room for some more. You might get 2 or 3 more small levels of storage.
- Don’t forget about the inside of the closet door as well. You may have room for small floating shelves, or a hanging rack for more storage.
- If you don’t want to do any construction, you could also get a shelf rack from a home goods store. These can fit in your closet and increase the amount of storage space without requiring any construction.
3
Use the space under your bed for more drawers or boxes. If you have any space under your bed, this is a nice, out-of-the way place for some extra storage. Get some drawers or bins and slide them under your bed. Remember to organize the drawers so you know which items are in there.^{[16]
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- This is also a good spot to store bins with your out-of-season clothes until next year.
- Some bed types come with installed drawers. If you know you’re moving somewhere with limited storage, this may be a good option for you.
4
Get a free-standing clothing rack if you’re out of closet space. If you have a small closet, you may not be able to fit all your clothes in there. In this case, try buying a clothing rack. These are compact and mobile, and can hold all of your excess clothing that won’t fit in your closet.^{[17]
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- This is also easy to build if you’re handy. Construct a square or rectangle frame and run a bar across the stop to hangers. For more mobility, install wheels on the bottom.
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Dedicate another room to clothing storage if you're out of closet space. If you have an unused office or bedroom in your home, then you could dedicate the entire space to clothing storage. That way, everything will be in one convenient place. Move all of your clothes in here and free up your closet space for other needs.^{[18]
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- Place drawer and clothing racks throughout this room to fit all of your clothes. Use all of the folding and storage techniques that you’d use elsewhere.
6
Donate or sell the clothes you don’t wear anymore.^{[19]
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Expert Source

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 December 2019.} Most people have many clothing items that they don’t use anymore. These items are simply taking up space that you could use for something else. Go through your clothing and make a pile of things you no longer wear. Donate these items to a local charity, or sell them to a thrift shop or online.^{[20]
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- As a general rule, if you haven’t worn something in a year, then get rid of it. Many people do a seasonal cleaning to clear out things that they haven’t worn.
- It’s also possible that by cleaning like this, you’ll rediscover old items you forgot about. This is a great way to spice up your wardrobe without making new purchases.

Community Q&A

Question

What is the best way to store clothes in the winter?

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.

Caitlin Jaymes

Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist

Expert Answer

It can help to store your out-of-season items in tote bins so they don't take up space in your closet or drawers. Keep the bins in a different room or under your bed so they're out of the way.