Today I’ve got a guest post from you from the ever-clever Morgan. Morgan is a writer-at-heart from New York with a degree in Communications. She’s currently looking to devote more time to her own blog over at www.graygabbana.com, and to connect and share with online communities. In the meantime, she’s also working on a book of poems.

Amid all the snow and cold, it’s hard to avoid the winter blues. But don’t let the gloomy weather get you down, because spring is (hopefully) coming soon. As a way to lift my spirits this time of year, I take a weekend to clean out my closet and prep my wardrobe for springtime. This might sound daunting, but the process really can be fun and energizing. Here are some tips to get started:

 

It’s all about storage

One of the biggest spring cleaning challenges is finding room for all your seasonal clothing. If you’re anything like me, there’s no way your closet has room for your sweaters and your sundresses. Hence, finding a convenient storage method is key. Plastic bins or vacuum storage bags work well for this, especially if you want to keep your winter threads safe until it’s chilly again. Make sure to label your bins clearly for next year, which will speed up the process in the future. And another tip: to keep your clothes smelling fresh, store them with a dryer sheet – it’ll conquer any musty scents.

 

Do some shedding

Your spring wardrobe cleaning is a perfect time to weed out your closet. Yes, I know this sounds intimidating, but purging old garments can feel really liberating. Put on some energizing music, and start sorting. During this process, try to determine which articles you don’t wear, which don’t fit, and which have reached their tattered end. Your wardrobe slim-down will feel great—you’ll have more space to add new items after some spring shopping. But before you toss your discarded clothes into the bin, consider donating them to a charity (remember – you can deduct this from you taxes!). Even your old, tattered clothes can be recycled, so say “no” to that trash can.

Revitalize

Sometimes there are gems hiding in our closets, so before you throw out that old t-shirt, think of the crafty alternatives. Letting go of clothing can be difficult, especially if there’s a sentimental value. Your old college sweatshirt might be looking a little stale, but there are lots of ways you can freshen it up for spring. For example, thisbasket weave shirt project is fresh and stylish for the spring season. Consider adding some glitter to old ankle boots, or turning a t-shirt into a spring scarf. The sky’s the limit!

 

Reorganize

Once you’ve purged the old, it’s time to bring in the new. When you take your spring wardrobe out of storage, you’ll want to place it in your closet in an orderly fashion. This is particularly important as you purchase new clothes, so things don’t get chaotic. As you rotate your clothes for the season, it’s a great opportunity to design a new closet setup. There are lots of possible arrangements, such as color coding or sorting by sleeve-length. This infographic from RedEnvelope is a great comprehensive guide to closet cleaning and reorganization. With a little planning, your closet will look as good as a shop display.

Spring closet cleaning shouldn’t strike fear into your heart. It’s a great time to let go of the old and embrace the new, as well as kicking some of that clutter. This is a chore to have fun with! Embrace your creative fashion, do a little cleaning, and say goodbye to winter. Your streamlined spring closet will thank you.