How to organize a closet for fall – 5 steps to a savvy seasonal wardrobe

When the cooler weather starts to blow in, it can be tricky to know exactly when to switch your summer dressers for your comfy sweaters, and how to organize your closet for fall. 

With your closet being one of many things to declutter before fall, it is important to get your system right when tackling your seasonal transition – and organizing clothes within seasons is essential to keep your closet functional year-round. 

Professional cleaners and organizers have shared their tips for organizing a fall closet, from transitioning your wardrobe to decluttering your collections. 

How to organize a closet for fall  

Knowing when to start switching your clothes over can be as up-in-the-air as knowing when to start fall cleaning. The best approach is to listen to your local weather – if you have been feeling chilly in the mornings, or reaching for a blanket on the sofa, it may be time to start the transition to the cozy season. 

Here’s how to stay organized when you do:

1. Decide how quickly to transition between summer and fall

Deciding how to transition your closet is the most awkward step in organizing a closet for fall, and working it out will usually come down to your climate, says Parveen Garg, manager, and organizer at OlaClean. 

If you live somewhere with relatively mild winters, then you can likely transition your clothing gradually between summer and fall, wearing pieces from both wardrobes as the weather gently fluctuates.

If you live somewhere with drastic changes between seasons, then an all-in approach to organizing a closet may be better for you, she says, removing all your tank tops and shorts and the like in exchange for thicker comfier sweaters and jeans. 

‘It's also important to consider your style,’ Parveen adds. ‘If you love wearing dresses and skirts, keep some of your summer clothes out even when it's cold outside. However, if you prefer to wear pants and sweaters, you can start to put away your summer clothes sooner.’

2. Decide what summer pieces you want to continue wearing

Just because you are transitioning to the cooler months doesn't mean you have to move all your summer pieces over to your long-term clothes storage, adds Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless Cleaning. 

‘Begin by assessing your current summer wardrobe. Take stock of what you have and identify items that can easily transition into the fall season. This might include lightweight sweaters, cardigans, transitional dresses, and other versatile pieces,’ she recommends.

‘Group your clothing into categories, such as tops, bottoms, dresses, and outerwear. This will make it easier to see what you have and plan your fall wardrobe accordingly. If you have limited closet space, consider storing off-season items in bins or vacuum-sealed bags, such as these, from Amazon. This will free up room for your fall clothes and help you maintain a tidy and organized closet.’ 

Karina Toner

Karina is the Operations Manager at Spekless Cleaning, a trusted maid service based in Washington D.C. The team has over five years of experience providing top-quality cleaning services for both residential and commercial clients. Karina oversees every aspect of the business, ensuring that every client gets the same top-notch service and a spotless clean every time.

3. Declutter your summer pieces as you take them out

One of the most important rules for decluttering clothes is to declutter when transitioning between seasons, reminds Bonnie Borromeo Tomlinson, professional organizer and author of Stop Buying Bins, available at Amazon. 

‘Without a doubt, this is the perfect time to declutter and downsize,’ she says. ‘Anything you didn't wear, won't likely wear again, didn't fit right, or you just no longer like from your summer collection can be donated or in the trash.

‘Likewise, as you move your fall items into a place of prominence, decide what you can part with from these pieces too.’

When organizing your fall pieces, a great decluttering tip is to place your hangers on the rail facing backward and turn them around as you wear each item. This can help you to see what you are not reaching for, and what can be decluttered when you transition back into spring. 

4. Clean the closet itself

The chances are you pay particular attention to washing your clothes correctly but forget about the closet itself. When making the transition between summer and fall, take the time to also clean your clothes closet using a vacuum and a damp microfiber cloth to get rid of dust and dirt that may attract bugs, suggests Karina Toner, cleaning expert.

You can also add a fragrance to your closet in the form of sachets of dried lavender and cedar, available at Etsy, to help keep your closet smelling fresh and deter moths.

5. Organize your fall pieces into categories

Keeping your clothes categorized is the best way to keep your fall clothes easy to sort between – especially when you have several thick sweaters that may be visually cluttering your rail, or you still have some summer pieces lingering.

‘In cooler months, keep all fall items front and center for easy access,’ begins Bonnie Tomlinson, professional organizer.

‘Separate pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, sweaters, jackets, etc. Then make sure they are all clean (if not, wash them) and free of damage (at which point repair within two weeks, repurpose, or get rid of to prevent useless clutter from taking up space). This approach really helps to maximize clothes hanging space.’ 

FAQs

When organizing a closet for fall, make sure you are storing your summer clothing correctly when you move it to your wider home storage. Wash your clothing before you stow it away in vacuum bags, or sealed acrylic totes to ensure they are not left to go musty or stale before springtime rolls around. 

Brush up on how to do laundry with large loads, and check your clothing label laundry symbols to make sure they get the best care and continue to serve you well for years to come.