How to Declutter A Messy Dresser
Learn my easy way on how to declutter a messy dresser, turning a big and overwhelming project into a quick win that you can get done fast. Get help on what and how to remove the extra stuff so you can create an area that is neat, efficient, and easy to keep that way.
Wondering how to declutter your bedroom? This actionable plan will clear the mess and create a space you’ll love getting dressed from every day.
It’s so easy for dressers to turn into a disaster zone. One quick grab for a shirt, and suddenly, your drawer is a mess.
If you’re like me, there’s nothing more frustrating than waking up to a dresser with half-open drawers and clothes spilling out. It’s not exactly the best start to your day.
But here’s the big question—do we really need all this stuff? Should we keep it? Toss it? And, more importantly, how do we decide?
If you’re ready to get rid of the chaos and wake up to an organized, stress-free space, check out these simple decluttering tips. They’ll make tackling your drawers a breeze.
How to declutter a messy dresser
If you’re like me and love your clothes, it’s important to give them the space they deserve. Holding onto more than your dresser can handle isn’t the answer.
The goal? Keep only the pieces you love and make room for them to stay in great shape for years to come.
Step 1. Sort what you have
When most people hear the word declutter, they tend to cringe. Decluttering means work and lots of it, instead let’s see if we can change our outlook in a way that is more postive.
Instead of decluttering, you are going to sort the things you have.
What’s the difference? When we declutter, we often have an end goal of getting rid of things. But when we sort, our focus is on organizing and categorizing our belongings in a way that makes sense for us.
So start by taking everything out of your dresser and sorting it into piles based on categories like shirts, pants, sweaters, etc. This will help you see exactly what you have and make decisions on what to keep or let go.
Step 2. Decide what to keep
As you are sorting, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I wear this regularly?
- Does it fit me well?
- Is it still in good condition?
- Do I like how it feels?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it’s time to let go of that item. This will help you keep only the pieces that you truly love and use regularly.
What basket do I need to sort my clothes in?
- Donate – Things to pass on to those folks that need them.
- Toss – Items that are too damaged to pass on.
- Keep – Clothes that will be going back into your dresser.
I like to use laundry baskets for sorting clothes because they work perfectly. Grab a few and label them, be sure to keep them close to where you are working.
Donating is good for you and good for others
If you have items that are in good condition but are not things you wear routinely, consider donating them. This not only helps declutter your dresser and make room for the pieces you love, but it also allows someone else to enjoy those clothes.
You can donate to local thrift stores or charities, or even host a clothing swap with friends to exchange items. Giving back and decluttering at the same time – it’s a win-win.
If, while you are decluttering your messy dresser, you find you are getting stuck, here are a few questions that will help.
#1. What do I have?
Before you decide what to keep and what to let go of, I find it is best to take a look at what all you have.
More often than not, the clothes we have is more than we need, and this can make organizing quite challenging. By downsizing just a bit, you will free up space. And that is our goal whenever we organize.
Do a quick purge of any clothes you can easily see that you do not need to keep. More often than not, these will be damaged things that you can toss. See more on this below.
#2. Do these clothes still fit me?
The next question is whether the clothes or items you have still fit you. Sometimes, we become too busy that we have yet to notice that we still keep the clothes that we have outgrown.
I think, as women, we tend to keep these clothes even when we know deep down we will never be able to wear them again. I used to do this myself, and every time I saw that stack of size (how did I ever fit into these in the first place) jeans, I would beat myself up for not losing the weight so I could fit into them.
Let those clothes go. Release the pressure they give you. Be happy with where you are and embrace the clothes you now have. You have my permission to remove them and free up extra space.
D/M Pro Tip: Not a fan of passing things on to donation? Why not find yourself a closet buddy? A friend or family member you can give your items to that you know they will enjoy as much as you did when you wore them.
#3. Do I love it?
Just because your clothes still fit doesn’t always mean you should keep them.
You will want to ask yourself if the article of clothing you are holding up is something you enjoy wearing. If you don’t, you can let them go to donation or to your closet buddy.
Only keep items you love, the clothes that make you feel confident, feel great when you wear them and make you look amazing as well.
D/M Pro Tip: You can also sell your clothes online to earn extra money. This is a great way to downsize your wardrobe without the guilt of money wasted.
#4. Does this item belong in your dresser?
When organizing your dresser, it can be useful if you ask yourself if this is the best place to store an item or if there is a better option.
For some types of clothing, a dresser may not be the best storage place.
Work clothes, jackets, jeans, and seasonal wear may do better to be stored on open shelving in a closet. You can also use hangers, hooks, or other organizers to hold your things.
D/M Pro Tip: If you live in an area with four seasons, you can store out-of-season clothing in totes under your bed. This will free up lots of space while keeping your clothes nearby when you need them.
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#5. Is this item damaged or unrepairable?
Any stained, ripped, snagged, or stretched-out clothes belong in the “toss” basket. Please do not overthink this step. If it is damaged, let it go and move on. Remember, never donate damaged items.
D/M Pro Tip: You can add this tip to your clutter-free habits. Any time you are getting dressed for the day ahead, and you find an item that is damaged and cannot be repaired, put it into the trash bin.
Keep working through all the clothes focusing on one drawer at a time until you have touched every item in your dresser.
Once you are done decluttering your messy dresser, see this project all the way to done and create a dresser that is neat, organized, and easy to keep that way.
Clean the Dresser
Now that your dresser is empty take this moment to give it a clean-up. Grab a clean damp cloth to wipe the insides of each drawer. You can also do a quick. clean the outside of your dresser, and get underneath as well.
Be sure to wait until it is completely dry before putting your things back inside.
Organize what’s left
Once you have sorted through your belongings and decided what to keep, it’s important to find a designated spot for each category within your dresser. This will make it easier for you to keep things from getting messy going forward.
To make your dresser drawers more organized, rethink your layout and change up the location of where you keep your clothes.
- Ensure your go-to items, such as socks and undergarments, are easy to reach.
- Group like items together, such as t-shirts in one drawer and jeans in another.
- Fold things to ensure you are using the space you have efficiently.
Remember, the goal of organizing is to help you find your things more quickly but also to make putting your things away easier as well. The more you can put items all the way away, the less clutter you will have going forward.
Organizing tips for your dresser
Organizing your dresser is more than just putting things away; it also includes folding methods, designating drawers to specific categories, and using drawer organizers to keep things neat.
Here are a few organizing ideas you can follow:
Idea #1. File-fold Your Clothes
One important task to keeping your dresser organized going forward is folding your clothes. It’s fine if you may have been used to storing your clothes by stacking and piling them together.
But let me tell you this organizing secret – folding techniques matter.
I have found that by folding clothes vertically, like a file folder, I can more easily see just what things I have inside.
The file-fold technique is a convenient and simple way to have a good view of your clothes and avoid wasting time digging through things.
You can also organize clothes by how often you use them, by colors, types, or in any order you like.
Idea #2. Use Drawer Organizers or Dividers
If your drawers have wide spaces for smaller items, you will want to use dividers and other dresser drawer organizers like small baskets, bins, or trays to separate them.
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Using a dresser organizer is a convenient way to maximize space and keep all of your essentials easily accessible.
Idea #3. Keep the Dresser Top Clutter-free
As much as possible, keep the top of your dresser free from clutter. Set a new clutter-free rule of not allowing this area to be a dumping ground.
Here are a few tips that should help.
- Use a bin to hold random items from your pockets.
- Keep decorations to a minimum.
- Use a makeup organizer to hold perfumes, makeup, or jewelry.
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Keep things neat going forward
After decluttering and organizing your messy drawers, you might just find you love your new dresser layout but keeping it neat and tidy is another matter.
To keep your dresser neat and organized, give yourself this helpful clutter-free habit from now on.
Always put your things away. Yes, it’s simple, but trust me, it is life-changing as well. The more you can put things away, the less stuff you will have out, giving the appearance of a cluttered space.
Make Decluttering A Routine
Let’s face it, it’s really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustles of life, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves how much our homes mean to us.
Schedule a time for decluttering and organizing to maintain a tidy space. Once a quarter, commit to sorting your dresser to refresh your items and keep them from getting too unruly.
Say goodbye to your messy dresser by trying and following all these tips and steps whenever your dresser is in shambles.
Always remember to avoid unwanted items from reaching your drawer and sort them out to avoid unnecessary clutter. Try your best to resist the urge to keep all the things and let go of those you don’t love, need, or use.
How to declutter a messy drawer will keep your clothes neat, organized, and stored in a way that helps them last. Make organizing and decluttering a habit so you can maintain a tidy space you love to wake up with each morning!.
