A new season is always a good excuse for a proper wardrobe clear-out and to build better habits. They say clean house, tidy mind—studies have even found that the more clutter in your everyday environments, the more easily distracted you are. So, what’s the best way to streamline your space to let your mind work harder in 2025? Sophie Crowhurst, professional organiser and founder of Tidyist has the squeaky-clean solution. An expert in clothes sorting and storage hacks, this month we sit down with Sophie to discover her specialist tips for sustained wardrobe organisation in 2025, her tidying tool recommendations and storage advice to make the most of your living spaces.
Hi Sophie—please introduce yourself and Tidyist, and tell us what pulled you towards making a career out of organising people’s homes?
Hi, I’m Sophie, and I live on the south coast in Chichester with my husband, Matt, and our two boys, Kit and Jasper.
After having my children, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of what I wanted to do next and feeling disconnected from my own strengths and passions. It was my brother who sparked the idea of professional organising after reading Marie Kondo’s book. He called me and said, “This is so you, Soph!” – and he was right. (As a child, I used to tidy his room weekly just for fun!) Back then professional organising wasn’t as widely recognised as it is today, but I knew I had found my calling. I found a day course with APDO, which provided me with the essential tools and knowledge to start my own business.
That’s how Tidyist was born, and the past seven years have been an incredible journey. Meeting new people every week, bringing calm and order to their homes, and witnessing the transformative effect a well-organised space can have on someone’s life brings me so much joy. The physical shift in a room’s energy and the emotional lift my clients experience is what drives me. The job satisfaction is truly off the charts! One of my all time favourite areas to organise is, you guessed it…wardrobes! The difference you can make with some simple changes and some clever folding is transformative and I know from experience opening those doors each morning to calm and order, starts the day right!
What are the key steps when organising your wardrobe?
When organising your wardrobe start by setting aside enough time to complete the task. Remember, there will always be a ‘messy middle’—that overwhelming stage when everything is all over the place, but push through it and I promise you will get a second wind when you start seeing things come together.
The key to maintaining a tidy wardrobe is not having too much in it. Regular decluttering is essential, so aim for a clear-out every time you organise. Instead of emptying everything onto the bed (which can be overwhelming), tackle one drawer or cupboard at a time. For each item, ask yourself:
1. Does it fit (or will it ever fit)?
2. Have I worn it in the last 12 months?
3. Will I wear it again?
4. Is it my style?
5. Does it make me feel good?
6. Is it damaged or stained?
7. Would I buy it if I saw it in a shop today?
Share a few of your best storage tips to keep rooms clutter-free and spacious.
Sort items into the following categories:
1. KEEP – FREQUENT USE: Items that fit well, go with other pieces, and are worn often (in the last 3 months). Store these in your main wardrobe.
2. KEEP – INFREQUENT USE: Special occasion pieces (evening wear, wedding dress, maternity wear).
- KEEP – OUT OF SEASON: Items not suitable for the current season.
- KEEP – TO ACTION: Clothes needing cleaning, mending, or alterations—make these a top priority.
3. SELL: High-quality items for resale on platforms like Curate & Rotate where they do the selling for you. Or sell yourself on Vinted or EBay etc (but consider if it’s worth the effort).
4. CHARITY: Good-condition items you no longer wear.
5. GIVE AWAY: Items to offer to friends, donate to recycling bins, or post on platforms like Gumtree.
6. RUBBISH: Only items too worn or damaged, though some charity shops accept fabric donations by weight.
Bag up and remove the last four categories from the room immediately. For items you’re unsure about, set them aside to reassess later. You may find you love your newly organised spacious wardrobe so much you get rid of these maybe items at the end.
Once decluttered, assess your remaining clothes and decide on the best storage solutions. If space is limited, store infrequent-use items elsewhere (spare room, loft in airtight containers, under-bed storage).
What are your go-to tidying tools or organisers to streamline wardrobes?
Before refilling your wardrobe, give it a thorough clean and consider these storage tips:
1. Do you need more hanging space, drawers, or shelves?
2. Can you add a shelf above or below the existing hanging space?
3. Use boxes for shoes or accessories and hooks on doors for jewellery.
4. Ensure everything is visible—if you can’t see it, you likely won’t wear it.
5. Organise by colour, style, or type for easy straightforward access.
Switching to matching hangers, especially slim velvet ones, instantly improves wardrobe aesthetics and maximises hanging space. Fold knitwear to avoid misshapen shoulders and consider anti-moth solutions like jumper bags. Tiered hangers are great for trousers, while shelving inserts can help store folded jeans if drawer space is limited. Drawers are best reserved for underwear, socks, gym clothes, and everyday tops—use dividers for better organisation.
There are many options for shoe storage, depending on what space you have to work with. Have a think about how many shoes you have, what types and see what would work best. If you have the space these stackable shoe boxes with magnetic doors are great as you can see what you have and they keep everything dust free.
Share a few rituals to ensure wardrobes and spaces stay tidy post-clearout.
1. Regular Declutters: Aim for at least twice a year during seasonal changes. Reassess any ‘maybe’ items from your last clear-out.
2. Put Clothes Away Properly: Always return items to their designated places—no piling on chairs or floors. Taking a few extra seconds to fold or hang neatly saves time later.
3. One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you add, remove one to maintain balance and avoid overcrowding.
Obviously doing any organising on your own can be overwhelming so there is always the option of hiring a professional organiser to help, they will be able to get the best systems in place and will make sure the job gets finished! Whichever way you manage to get that space more organised; whether its clothes, kids bedrooms, kitchen and living areas garage or office spaces, it really is worth the time and effort.
Learning to let go of items can be hard—how do you recommend knowing what to keep and what to pass on?
Letting go of items can be difficult, especially when they were expensive or hold sentimental value. Ask yourself the questions above, though, and be honest—creating more space will bring you far more joy than holding on to a ‘what if’ dress from 20 years ago!
Meet Sophie - @tidyist.co
Words by Alice Hartwell for Curate & Rotate