Should You Organize Your Closet by Color?

Organizing your closet by colour isn’t just for people with Pinterest-perfect wardrobes. It’s one of the simplest ways to bring clarity, calm, and function to your daily routine. But just because it looks good doesn’t mean it’s the right system for you.

So—should you organize your closet by colour?

Here’s the honest breakdown: who it works for, when to skip it, and how to do it the right way.

Why Color-Coding On Your Wardrobe Works

Let’s start with the upside. Colour organization delivers immediate visual payoff. When you open your closet and see clean, defined colour blocks, it creates a sense of order—even if everything else in life feels a little chaotic.

But this method isn’t just about aesthetics.

Here’s what colour-coding can actually do for your space and routine:

• Faster outfit planning: You can instantly see which colours are available, making it easier to mix and match outfits. No more digging through a pile of black sweaters to find the navy one.

• Spot unused items: If your red blouse is still in the same spot every week, it’s probably not being worn—and maybe it’s time to donate it.

• Creates a calm space: Even in a small closet, a visible colour system can make your wardrobe feel cleaner and more intentional.

• Makes seasonal swaps easier: Colour groups make it simple to rotate clothing for seasons—darks and heavy fabrics in the winter, lighter neutrals in the summer.

For Ottawa homeowners, where closets come in all shapes and sizes (especially in older homes), colour coding offers a low-effort way to refresh the space without a full renovation.

When It Might Not Work

Despite all the perks, organizing by colour isn’t always the most functional system for everyone.

Here’s when it might not be your best move:

• You mostly wear prints: If your wardrobe is full of florals, plaids, and graphic tees, grouping by colour gets tricky.

• Your daily needs don’t match: If you dress differently for work, workouts, and weekends, organizing by use might be more efficient than by colour.

• Your closet is very small: For reach-ins or single-rod closets, grouping by frequency (e.g., go-to staples in front, special occasion items in back) might serve you better.

• You live with shared closet space: Couples or roommates sharing a closet often benefit more from a shared layout that divides the space by person or function than by colour.

There’s no universal rule. Closet organization should serve you, not stress you out.

The Best Way to Organize by Colour

If you’re ready to give it a shot, here’s the right way to do it—without driving yourself nuts:

1. Sort by Garment Type First

Group everything by category: shirts, pants, jackets, dresses, etc. You’ll keep each section more manageable this way.

2. Then Sort Each Group by Colour

Use the ROYGBIV method (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet), or a lighter-to-darker gradient. Add neutrals like white, grey, brown, and black either at the beginning or end.

3. Use Matching Hangers

It may sound minor, but it makes a big difference. Matching hangers visually reduce clutter and make the colour order more noticeable.

4. Adjust Shelving or Hanging Rods

If your current setup doesn’t give enough room to display your layout, this is where a closet designer in Ottawa can help. Adjusting rod height, adding extra vertical space, or creating custom shelving can turn a cluttered mess into a smart, usable space.

What If You Want a Hybrid System?

Some homeowners combine systems—and that’s a smart move. Try:

• Organizing tops by colour, but pants and skirts by function.

• Using colour for visible zones (like open shelving) and keeping drawers organized by type.

• Grouping workwear by type, and casual wear by colour.

There’s no rulebook. The best system is the one you’ll actually keep using.

Get a Custom Design That Supports Your Routine

Let’s be honest: sometimes the issue isn’t how you’re organizing—it’s what you’re working with.

If your closet layout makes it hard to stay organized no matter what system you try, you’re not alone. Most closets (especially in older Ottawa homes) weren’t built with modern wardrobes—or today’s busy routines—in mind.

That’s where a professional closet designer makes the difference.

At Ottawa Custom Closet Solutions, we help homeowners create closet systems that are customized down to the last detail. Whether you prefer organizing by colour, category, occasion, or season—we’ll build your storage around what actually works for you.

Here’s what we offer:

✔️ Free consultation (virtual or in-home)
✔️ Personalized design tailored to your space
✔️ 3D renderings so you know exactly how it’ll look
✔️ Material and finish selection that fits your style
✔️ Full installation handled by our expert team

Your Closet, Your Rules. Let’s Build It.

No more clutter. No more guesswork. No more settling for systems that don’t fit your life.

Book your free design consultation with Ottawa Custom Closet Solutions today. We’ll help you organize by colour—or any system that makes your day run smoother. Let’s create a closet that’s as smart as it is beautiful.