How To Organize Clothes in Drawers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s be real: Tending to your laundry is a never-ending chore that can pile up on you (quite literally) if you don’t stay on top of the task. Creating a system that works for you and your family is key to controlling the chaos, and that includes sticking to an organizational solution.

Hanging clothes in a closet or stacking garments on shelves is straightforward, but learning how to organize clothes in drawers presents some unique challenges. After all, what’s out of sight is out of mind, and that can translate to disorganized drawers of doom. We asked pros to share their best approach for simple clothing drawer organization.

Why Use Drawers for Clothing Storage? 

You’ve got a closet and maybe some shelves, so why add drawers to the mix when storing clothing? Turns out, there are so many benefits to using drawer space for this purpose, says professional organizer Lauren Moyer, founder of Simplified by Lauren. Not only are drawers easy to access, but they also provide enclosed storage to protect against dust and sunlight. 

“Drawers are a great solution when you want something to be easily accessible but not on display,” Moyer says. “They also allow me the space to get technical when categorizing smaller pieces of clothing such as socks, underwear and accessories like belts and scarves. There are lots of insert options that help maximize the space potential of each drawer.” 

Drawers also provide you with additional storage outside of your closet since they’re often housed inside external dressers. Another perk is that they allow you to get a bit more compartmentalized with your garments—quite literally. You can have a drawer dedicated to swimwear or athletic apparel, or a drawer full of socks or underwear. 

How To Organize Clothing in Drawers

Here’s how to get the most out of your drawer space—and ensure you feel a sense of organized peace every time you slide one open. 

Step 1: Purge Your Belongings 

Before organizing, complete a full review of your clothing to pare down what you own and prioritize garments you enjoy wearing. Remember: Your closet and drawers should be functional. 

“Consider donating clothing that you haven’t worn in over a year if they are not sentimental pieces,” says Genna Bross, professional organizer and co-founder of happily.catalogued. “Look for duplicates and items that no longer fit, as all are less likely to be worn and will take up prime storage space for clothing that you currently wear.  Lastly, consider discarding damaged pieces.”

If you have sentimental items, these can be placed in another location versus with your everyday garments. 

Step 2: Clean & Measure Your Drawers 

Whether your dressers are new or have been around for a while, make sure to give them a quick clean. Wipe down surfaces so that your clothes are stored in a space free of dust, dust mites, dirt, and unwanted introducers. 

While your drawers are clean and empty, Bross recommends measuring the height, width, and length of each. This makes purchasing drawer dividers and organizers much easier. 

“There are many options to consider including trays, bins and dividers,” Bross says. "We recommend keeping the solution simple with a product that maximizes vertical storage space, doesn’t snag clothing. and keeps categories separate.”

Step 3: Categorize Your Garments 

Once you’ve determined which items are staying and which are going, it’s time to categorize everything. “Some people like to sort by color, while some people prefer to sort by category,” Moyer says. “So, you can either put jeans with jeans and sweaters with sweaters, or you can turn your closet into a rainbow. This part is personal preference and a very fun last step.” 

Step 4: Put Everything Away 

With everything categorized, you can officially put everything away. “Fold clothing in a consistent method and stack items vertically within the drawer dividers, separating by category,” Bross says. “Stacking vertically allows you to see all of your similar pieces for quick access. For help folding larger clothing consistently, use a folding board.” 

Moyer says that your drawers should not look overstuffed or be overflowing; every item should have its place. You can also put things away according to how easily you want to access them. 

For example, if you tend to dress casually on a day-to-day basis, keep your jeans stored together in a top drawer. Items worn daily, like socks and underwear, also make sense in top drawers. If you have extra storage space, bottom drawers can work for lesser-used items or items you’d like to keep in “storage” during the off-season.

Step 5: Keep it Organized 

Revel in the fact that you’ve just accomplished a major feat! Here are some professional organizer tips you can use to help keep things organized: 

• Label Items: “Labeling is especially helpful if you are sharing drawer space or laundry duty with another person,” Bross says. “Color-coding helps decision making and eliminates the likelihood of duplicates or excess. It’s also easy on the eyes.”
• Tidy Consistently: “Instead of letting your space and drawers get to a place that feels mentally overwhelming, commit to short spurts of tidying up,” Moyer advises. “If you open a drawer and see a t-shirt out of place, fold that one t-shirt instead of letting your drawers get to a place where you must fold 25 t-shirts at once.” 
• Commit to a Maintenance System: “Consider a ‘one in, one out’ mentality if your drawers are completely packed with no room to grow and add new pieces,” says Bross. This prevents you from stockpiling items, leading to overstuffed and overwhelming drawers. Ensure your drawers work well with your lifestyle and work for you—not against you!