How to Organize Your Closet by Color (And Should You?)

Organizing your closet by color can be an aesthetically pleasing way to bring harmony to your wardrobe. However, it may not work for everyone’s lifestyle or closet space. This article explores the pros and cons of color-coordinating your closet so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Benefits of Organizing by Color

Grouping clothing by color has some potential advantages:

Creates a visually appealing, rainbow effect when you open your closet doors.
Makes it fast and easy to find a top or bottom in your desired hue.
Allows you to see what colors you actually own and identify gaps in your wardrobe.

Drawbacks of Color Coordination

However, there are also a few downsides to consider with this approach:

Can be time-consuming upfront to sort every item.
Limits outfit mixing and matching across color families.
Requires frequent re-sorting as new items are added.
Might not suit everyone’s closet space or organizational style.

Tips for Organizing by Color

If you want to give color-coordinating a try, here are some tips:

Sort clothes first by clothing category, then color. Group all tops, bottoms, dresses, etc.
Use divider shelves, bins, or dividers to separate color groups clearly.
Hang longer items and fold delicate fabrics prone to slipping off hangers.
Place the neutrals, blacks, whites, and patterns section closest to the door for easy outfit assembly.

Alternative Organizing Options

Color isn’t the only way to organize your closet. Consider these other options if color-coding isn’t for you:

By season – Best for areas with major seasonal weather shifts. Group by spring/summer and fall/winter clothing.
By occasion – Helpful if your wardrobe varies greatly by occasion – work, weekend, formalwear, etc.
By item type – Simple approach grouping all tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, etc.
By frequency of use – Place favorites and most-worn items in prime spots for easy access.

FAQ

What are the benefits of organizing your closet by color?

Organizing by color can give you a visually pleasing rainbow effect in your closet, make it easy to find items in a certain color family, and help you identify gaps or redundancies in your wardrobe across hues.

What are some drawbacks to color-coordinating?

It can be very time consuming to initially sort everything, may limit mixing and matching outfits across colors, requires frequent resorting when adding new items, and might not suit those with small or packed closets.

How exactly should I group my clothes by color?

First sort clothing by category into tops, bottoms, dresses, etc. Then organize each group by color using dividers or separate sections – either hung or folded neatly. Place neutrals and patterns near the front for easy grabbing.

What if organizing by color doesn’t work for my closet?

No problem! Other options include grouping by season, occasion, item/garment type, or frequency of use instead. Choose whatever makes the most sense for your personal wardrobe and lifestyle needs.

Should I organize my accessories by color too?

It’s up to you! Some people enjoy color-coordinating all their accessories like shoes, jewelry, and handbags as well for a cohesive look. But if you have limited space or overflowing accessory collections, it may be better to just focus on your clothing for color organization instead.