How to Organize Your Closet by Color (Step-by-Step Designer Tips)

If you have ever stood in front of a full closet and still felt like you had nothing to wear, the problem is not your wardrobe — it is the way your closet is organized.

Learning how to organize your closet by color is one of the simplest things you can do to make getting dressed feel easy and even a little bit enjoyable.

As a trained interior designer who has organized closets for clients for over 30 years, I promise you this one change will make your closet look like something out of a magazine and save you time every single morning.

How to Organize Your Closet by Color — And Why It Changes Everything

A color coded closet is not just pretty to look at. It actually makes your brain's job easier. When everything is arranged in a visual pattern, your eye can scan and land on exactly what you need without digging through a jumbled rod of clothes.

Think of it like a well-organized bookshelf. When books are grouped by color, you can spot the one you want in seconds. Your closet works the same way.

The Benefits You Will Actually Feel Every Morning

Here is what a color organized closet does for you every single day.

• You get dressed faster because you can go straight to the color you want.
• You stop buying duplicates because you can clearly see what you already own.
• Your closet looks intentional and beautiful, even if it is small.
• Putting laundry away is easier because everything has a clear home.

Let's begin organizing your closet by colors.

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Before You Start: The One Step You Cannot Skip

Before you touch a single hanger, you need to pull everything out of your closet. Yes, everything. Pile it all on the bed.

This is the step most people skip and then regret. You cannot create a color organized closet around clothes you no longer wear. Now is the time to be honest with yourself.

As you go through each piece, ask yourself three simple questions.

• Does this still fit the way I want it to?
• Have I worn this in the past year?
• Does it make me feel good when I put it on?

If the answer is no, start a donate pile. Goodwill and local consignment shops are great options. Letting go of what no longer serves you makes the color organizing process so much more satisfying.

Also, pull out any seasonal clothes stored in another closet or folded in bins. You can follow these same steps to color organize those, too.

Step One: Sort Your Clothes by Category First

Once you have purged what you no longer need, it is time to sort what is left into categories before you ever think about color.

Here is how to group your clothes as you pull them off the bed.

• Sleeveless tops and tanks
• Short sleeve tops and tees
• Long sleeve tops and blouses
• Dresses — sleeveless, short sleeve, long sleeve, and maxi
• Pants and jeans
• Shorts and skirts
• Jackets, blazers, and cardigans
• Sweaters and sweatshirts

Sorting by category first makes the color step much less overwhelming because you are working with smaller, manageable groups instead of one giant pile.

Within each category, also sort by sleeve length from least coverage to most. For example, within your tops section hang camisoles first, then tanks, then short sleeves, then three-quarter sleeves, then long sleeves. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes the whole closet look incredibly polished.

PRO TIP: Add a set of closet dividers to your rod so you can see where each clothing category starts and ends at a glance.

Step Two: Arrange Everything in Rainbow Order

This is where the transformation really happens. Within each clothing category, arrange the pieces in this order from left to right.

The Exact Color Order to Follow

• Black
• White
• Cream and tan
• Pink
• Red
• Orange
• Yellow
• Green
• Blue
• Violet and purple
• Brown
• Gray

A simple way to remember this is to start with white and tans, then rainbow colors, and end with greys and black. Also, when you are organizing within a color sort from light to dark. For example, these blue shirts flow from light to dark blue.

Or you can download the color chart in my how to organize sewing supplies on a budget post. The rainbow chart will help you stay on track.

Work through one category at a time. Hang your dresses back on the rod in rainbow order, then move to your tops, and so on. Take your time with this step. It is worth it.

PRO TIP: If you are a mostly neutral wardrobe person, this still works beautifully. You simply have longer white, tan, gray, and black sections with a short pop of color in the middle.

How to Organize Patterned Clothes by Color

Patterned clothes are where most people get stuck and honestly, it is the most common question I get about closet organization. Here is the trick I use with every single client.

Take the patterned piece and hold it on a hanger at arm's length. Then squint your eyes slightly. Whatever color your eye reads first, that is where it belongs in your rainbow. That is your dominant color.

For example, a Lilly Pulitzer dress with lots of colors but a hot pink background reads pink at arm's length. It goes with your pinks. A blue and white striped blouse reads blue from a distance. It goes with your blues.

If you truly cannot decide on a dominant color, there is another option. Separate all your patterns from your solids entirely. Organize your solids by color and then hang all patterns together at the end of each category. Either approach works beautifully.

I like to keep patterns in with the solids, but I organized the short-sleeve dresses with the patterns at the end to give you an example. Also, I like to organize sleeveless first, then short sleeves, long sleeves, and last all long dresses.

Before you know it, your closet will be finished, and you will have color organized closet. But let's say you want to make the rest of your closet pretty. Here are more ideas on making your closet look tidy and organized.

Common Mistakes People Make When Color Coding a Closet

After organizing closets for clients for more than 30 years, I have seen the same mistakes recur. Avoid these, and your closet will stay beautiful long after you finish.

• Skipping the purge. Color organizing a closet full of clothes you do not wear just creates a prettier mess. The purge step is non-negotiable.
• Using mismatched hangers. Mismatched hangers are the number one thing that keeps a closet from looking pulled together. Matching hangers make a bigger difference than almost anything else.
• Mixing all categories together. Hanging every single item by color without sorting by category first makes it harder to find things, not easier. Sort by category first, then by color within each category.
• Giving up on patterns. Most people just shove patterns wherever there is room. Use the arm's length squint method above, and your patterns will fit right into your rainbow.
• Not maintaining it. A color coded closet only stays beautiful if you put things back where they belong. Make it a habit to hang laundry back in its color spot and your closet will stay organized with almost no effort.

How to Make Your Closet Look Pretty Once It Is Organized

Once your clothes are hanging in a beautiful rainbow, it is time to talk about the details that make a closet go from organized to truly lovely. These are the same touches I have added to client closets for years, and they make such a difference.

The Hanger Rule That Makes All the Difference

The single best thing you can do to give your closet that professional, magazine-worthy look is to use matching hangers throughout. Mismatched plastic hangers from a dozen different stores pull the whole look apart, even when your clothes are perfectly organized.

For a walk-in closet with plenty of rod space, wood hangers are a beautiful choice. They are sturdy, they keep clothes separated nicely, and they look gorgeous with a color organized wardrobe.

For a smaller closet with tight space, slim velvet hangers are the better pick. They are thinner, so you can fit more clothes on the rod, and they grip fabric, so things do not slip off. We used them in my daughter's small closet, and they worked like a charm.

Doesn't a wood hanger look amazing in a closet?

Another helpful tidbit is to hang a large tote on a hanger and place smaller purses inside it. This is a trick for smaller walk-in closets without shelf storage.

Hangers, baskets, and hanging bags can make your closet look so much prettier, but if you can splurge on a closet system, then I would recommend it.

Closet Storage and Organization Systems

If you can invest in a closet system, do it. A good closet system combines shelves, drawers, rods, and cabinet space to make organizing so much easier and the result looks beautiful.

Home Depot carries several do-it-yourself closet systems at a range of price points. Even a small addition like a second rod or an extra shelf can completely change how much space you have to work with.

What is a Closet Storage and Organization Systems

A closet system is a combination of shelves, cabinets, dresser drawers, rods, and more to make organizing your closet much easier and better looking. I have installed closet systems in small and large closet spaces, so size doesn't always matter.

Recently, we added a closet system to my daughter's and her husband's walk-in closet. Here is a YouTube video showing how they did it.

If you can afford an organizational system, then I would go for it. It will make a big difference in keeping your closet space organized and maintaining a clean closet look.

Many closet organizers have shoe racks, but if you are wondering where my shoes are in this closet, then you are asking a good question.

Shoe Storage Ideas for Your Bedroom Closet

Some people store their shoes on shelves where they are displayed and easy to find. Personally, I like to hide my shoes behind the cabinet doors, in baskets on the shelves. Storage bins or baskets make great shelf dividers, too. Here are a few options.

• Open shelves: easy to see and access every pair at a glance.
• Baskets inside cabinets: a great option if you prefer a cleaner, more hidden look.
• Behind-the-door shoe organizers: perfect for small closets with limited floor or shelf space.

One of the most creative shoe storage ideas I ever installed was between the wall studs in a very narrow walk-in closet. I ran wooden dowels between the studs, and my client propped the heels of her shoes right on the dowels. It was a genius use of vertical space that did not take up a single inch of rod or shelf space.

Using vertical space is always the best strategy for maximizing storage in any size closet.

Best Paint Colors for Closet

The best paint colors for closets are white and light neutral colors. I particularly love Alabaster White by Sherwin Williams paint. It is a nice, soft white that lets the colors of your clothes show exactly what they are supposed to be.

Other colors you consider are pure white, extra white, kilim beige, and accessible beige, which are all Sherwin Williams colors. The last two colors are light tan and gray, but they are good neutrals that don't read any particular color.

If you need more ideas, try popular Sherwin Williams paint colors.

Best Lighting for Closets

Lighting can make a big difference in the colors of your clothes. For example, an incandescent warm light bulb will cast a yellow hue on your clothes, whereas an LED cool light bulb casts a cool hue.

Closet Ceiling Light

I recommend when picking a bulb for a ceiling light, go with an LED or fluorescent because they do not produce heat, which is great if your closet is a walk-in and you plan to change in there.

Also, turn the bulb box over and look at the lighting facts chart. Then go down to the light appearance section. This is a sliding scale from warm to cool. I have a cool LED light at 5000 K in my closet.

5000k a pure light kind of like sunlight on a bright day that will help the colors of your clothes to read exactly what they are supposed to read.

Last, let's talk about how bright your light should be. That will all depend on how big our closet is. My closet is a smaller walk-in galley-style closet. I have one light in the center, so I went with the 75-watt equivalent LED daylight bulb.

Now, saying all of that, if you are used to warmer bulbs, then go with what you are used to.

Closet Cabinet and Shelf Lighting

After you have organized all your hanging clothes, on shelves, in cabinets, and drawers, let's look at easy ways to add lighting to darker areas.

I use battery operated puck lights that are battery operated to illuminate my cabinet shelves. I find I do not need them all the time, but sometimes they really come in handy.

Simply determine where those dark places are and stick the puck lights to the top of the shelf above. Once you have all of them installed, simply attach your remote next to your light switch, and like magic, you have a shelf and cabinet lighting.

Closet Decorating Ideas That Add Charm

Now that everything is illuminated and organized in your closets, let's add decorations. Look for functional decor like a bench, which is very handy for getting dressed. Here is a simple DIY bench you can make for your closet.

If you want to add character to your closet, create a DIY faux beadboard or shiplap on one wall. This is a very simple project, and I will have a DIY post coming soon to show you.

Another great idea is free wall art for decorating the walls if there is space to do so. I recently created an Etsy shop with these botanicals, plus many more that you can print and install into your decor.

Baskets are also very practical for closets, and they look pretty, too. I use this French market basket all the time on outings, and it's a great place to store belts, scarves, or anything smaller that needs a spot.

And they are very functional on shelves, too. They keep things looking neat and tidy and have easy access to your accessories.

Last, add a rug to your small or large walk-in closet to dress it up. It is very important if you have wood floors. But if you have carpet, still consider a rug to give your small space character.

It will make your entire closet look cozy and warm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Closet Color Organization

Is it better to organize a closet by color or by type? The best approach is actually to sort by type first, then by color within each type. That means all your tops hang together in rainbow order, all your dresses hang together in rainbow order, and so on.

Does a color coded closet work if most of my clothes are neutral? Absolutely. A mostly neutral wardrobe actually looks stunning when organized by color because the tonal flow from white to cream to tan to gray to black creates a very clean, sophisticated look.

How do I keep a color organized closet looking neat over time? The key is putting things back in the right color spot every single time you do laundry. Once the habit is formed, it takes almost no extra effort.

Your Color Organized Closet Is Waiting

Well, that pretty much sums up how to organize closets by color and other professional tips and tricks on organizing and making pretty closets. I hope this closet organization post has inspired you to tackle your closet and add a few extra details that make it a lovely place to get dressed every day.

If you're interested in seeing more closet transformations, check out my post DIY Dream Master Bedroom Closet Makeover in One Weekend.

If you have clothing and accessories you're ready to give to a new home, check out my post Garage Sale Organization: Your Checklist for Success.

Again, I hope you have enjoyed this post, and if you need help organizing other areas of your home, try kitchen zone organizing and how to organize your linen closet using Pinterest to organize.

Now it is your turn. What closet do you plan to color organize clothes in?

Happy Decorating!