5 Tips: How to Downsize Your Wardrobe for Tiny Home Living

Living in a tiny home is a great way to embrace minimalism, save money, and live sustainably. But it can be a big change, especially if you’re used to having a lot of space. If you’re considering moving or have recently moved into a tiny home and are wondering how to downsize your wardrobe, read on.

You can create a functional and accessible wardrobe with minimal closet space. It just takes a little intentionality and a teeny bit of tough self-love. These five great tips will help you achieve a clutter-free wardrobe so you can declutter clothes and start living more simply.

1. Assess Your Clothing Needs

Before you start downsizing, take a good look at all your clothes. First, get rid of clothes you haven’t worn in a year, those that don’t fit anymore or are damaged, and those that are no longer your personal style.

Place the remaining items into three groups: clothes you wear regularly, clothes you wear quite frequently, and clothes you never wear (be honest!). This is the tough self-love moment: no hanging on to things you might wear in the future.

Clothes you wear regularly can stay right where they are. Clothes you never wear can be taken to a clothing swap or consignment store if they are in good condition.

For clothes you wear quite frequently, apply the Marie Kondo method: Is it something you enjoy wearing or absolutely love? If the answer is “Yes,” keep it. If not, donate or sell.

Old and unused clothes occupy valuable closet space, and donating clothes can feel good. You’ll be surprised how much clothing you actually need once you start to downsize your wardrobe. It’s not as much as you think!

2. Invest in Quality Over Quantity

When downsizing, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity. Adhere to this method: What does the piece mean to you? ‘Quality’ doesn’t have to mean ‘expensive.’ Sentimental clothing items have great value, even if they’re cheap.

Focus not just on the quality of the clothes but on the quality of your life. Think about the benefits of decluttering clothes: more space, a clutter-free wardrobe, fewer clothes to wash and maintain, and less to leave you feeling overwhelmed when choosing your outfits.

3. Store Out-of-Season Clothes

Store seasonal items in places that are less accessible in your tiny home or even off-site completely in a storage space. This will free up space in your closet for new clothes and clothes you wear regularly.

If you are very fashion-conscious, you might even consider donating out-of-season outfits when you buy new clothes. That way, your minimalist wardrobe will always be a current wardrobe. Take one from last season to a thrift store for every new piece you buy for a season.

If you can’t decide whether or not to get rid of a piece, try storing it with your seasonal items for a while and see if you miss it. This is a great way to figure out if an item can go with the rest of your unwanted items or if it’s truly something you can’t live without.

4. Embrace a Minimalist Approach

When you downsize your wardrobe, embrace a minimalist approach to your clothing choices. Choose neutral colors and avoid patterns so you can mix and match easier. Buy pieces that work with many different outfits, and don’t go overboard with accessories.

Go for classic, quality pieces that work well with everything: jeans and t-shirts, a few items that can double as work clothes and dressier outfits, and shoes that can be paired with skirts, pants, shorts, or dresses.

5. Keep Organized

Once you’ve downsized your wardrobe, keep it organized. You’ll find it easier with your newly downsized wardrobe, as you’ll no longer have too many clothes to deal with!

Use closet organizers, hangers, and shelving to keep your clothes neat and tidy. This will make it easier to find what you need and keep your tiny home feeling spacious and uncluttered.

Summary

Downsizing your wardrobe for a tiny home can seem daunting, but with these tips, it can be a liberating experience. Not only will you be saving money in the long term, but you’ll also feel good supporting consignment stores and even a local charity or two.

Getting rid of clothes may be an emotional journey, but it doesn’t have to be a negative one! By focusing on quality over quantity and embracing a minimalist approach, you can have a smaller wardrobe full of clothing you love and are excited to wear daily.