If you are looking for a guide on how to organize clothes in drawers this will walk you through a few different approaches. the help you need to declutter your bedroom and create a space that is inviting and a joy to sleep in.

Did your favorite shirt go missing again? Is it hiding in over-stuffed and messy drawers?

Organizing a messy area can be a bit intimidating especially when it comes to your clothes. And sure, the idea makes sense and even sounds simple but finding a layout that you can stick with, may be easier said than done.

Actually, this is a common roadblock for many folks and my hope is to remove the hard part of doing this alone and bring in easy steps that you can just follow along. These are the tips that you can use to organize your dresser like a pro.

With a little bit of effort, you can have a beautifully organized dresser that makes finding what you need a breeze.

How to Organize Your Dresser

What should go in each dresser drawer?

This all depends on you and your clothing style but a basic rule of thumb is anything you wear that can be folded. Things such as underwear, pajamas, socks, tops, jeans, and activewear are all great options. Other items like delicates, dresses, or bulky sweaters may do better in a closet or larger storage area.

Step #1. Start with a plan.

Before you dive into your dresser you will want to do a little bit of planning. Daydreaming is what I prefer to call it because I want this part to be enjoyable so you start this project off on a positive foot.

Think of the way you dress each day. What styles do you have? What clothes do you wear to work? What are your favorite pieces for the weekend? What are your comfy clothes for on a lazy day?

Your goal is to set up your dresser so each drawer holds a specific style of clothing. Before you begin, think about how you use your clothes. This will help you determine how best to organize each drawer.

– Daily Wear: Everyday items such as underwear, socks, pajamas, etc.

– Work Clothes: Items you wear to work such as dress shirts, slacks, skirts, etc.

– Weekend Wear: Weekends favorites such as jeans, comfy pants, casual tops, etc.

– Formal Wear: Dressier pieces, and formal wear for special occasions such as dresses, suits, etc.

– Seasonal Wear: Special items you only wear during certain seasons such as sweaters, swimwear, heavy coats, etc.

For the number of drawers you have in your dresser you can pick an item from the list above. So, for example, if you have 6 drawers then you can choose 3-6 clothing categories. Keep in mind that some categories will need 2 drawers whereas others only have one.

Using a sticky note write the name of the clothes category on a sheet until you have the same number of notes as you have drawers.

These are the tools you are going to use to set up a layout for your dresser. Stick the note on the front of the drawer where you plan to put the category of clothes. Once done, take a step back and see if it makes sense.

A tip to keep in mind is, that the more you wear it the closer you want it. The less frequently you wear it, the further away you can keep it.

This will guide you on a setup that fits you, your style, and your weekly schedule. This is why I love using sticky notes because they are so easy to move around. Try not to rush this step but instead give yourself time to play with things. This way once you get everything moved around you can be confident that the layout will work for you.

Step #2. Empty Your Dresser Out

A dresser is one of those areas that is easier to organize with a clean slate. That means taking everything out and starting from scratch. Your bed is a great working area as you go through things a sort different items out. Spread out a sheet so you have a clean area that is all one color. This will help you to sort without any distractions.

Step #3. Sort Your Clothing by Category

Start by putting like items with like items. This means all your jeans in one area, shirts in another, and so on. This is where your sticky notes from step #1 come in handy. Duplicate them and put them around your bed or another work area. As you are sorting be sure to remove anything you do not wear or love. Put those items off to the side for either the donation bin or the trash.

Step #4. Set Up Each Drawer

Now for the fun part! Setting up each drawer. Rather than just return the clothes let’s streamline this area a bit more first. The biggest issue with messy drawers is when things overlap causing chaos and mess. Separating each drawer into sections will help to keep things in their place where it belongs.

You can do this with tension dividers, baskets, or full-drawer organizers. Take a look at each option and see what you feel will work best. Your goal is to make it easy on you to put your things all the way away. The more you do this the less clutter you will need to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Step #5. How to Fold

Once you have your drawers sectioned off you can start putting the clothes inside. How you store your clothes is totally up to you. If you are not sure you can try out one option at a time until you see what you can most easily keep up with.

Rolled – This helps you to see each item in a single layer. Rolling is somewhat easy to do and keeps clothes free of wrinkles and creases.

Folded – This more easily keeps things stacked and in piles. The quickest way to store clothes but can cause creases and wrinkles.

Pocketed – A version of rolled and folded that helps you to see each item in a single layer while keeping things neat, compact, and wrinkle-free. This is a time-consuming way to store clothing.

Jeans – Storing clothes vertically in a drawer will help you to see everything you have more easily. But what do you do if you have jeans? How can you fold them to sit in a drawer that way?

The best way I have found is to fold them in quarters. Even though your jeans will be thicker that way they will be small enough to fit in a drawer vertically.

Whatever method you choose storing clothes vertically is something you may want to try. This will allow you to see at a glance just what you have so you can more easily choose what to wear.

Step #6. Don’t Over Stuff

If you have more clothes than you have room in a drawer you may want to declutter what you have or add a second drawer to this category. Sometimes having too many options can lead to frustration when getting dressed. I have found over the years that the fewer clothes I have the more I enjoy getting ready for the day ahead.

Step #7. Label Each Drawer

Be sure to put a label on the outside of each drawer when you are finished. Remembering a new setup can be a bit overwhelming especially if you have done a complete overhaul. Using sticky notes create temporary labels as you learn your way around your new setup. As you become comfortable you can remove the labels altogether.

Once you have your dresser organized it will be much easier to keep it that way. By taking the time to sort, store, and label each drawer you will be able to find what you need quickly and easily. This will save you time and frustration in the long run.

Don’t forget to empty your dresser out occasionally to ensure that everything is still in good condition and that you are still using everything. A well-organized dresser is a great way to keep your bedroom tidy and stress-free.

Use these tips for how to organize clothes in drawers starting today.