14 Ways To Declutter And Organize Jewelry To Free Up Useful Space

Accessorizing every outfit for every occasion can be easier when you have a large jewelry collection. You have more options and can achieve a look that showcases your unique style and personality. However, this isn't always what happens. Sometimes having a large collection of jewelry can backfire. If your pieces aren't organized, or you have to open several boxes just to find the one thing you're looking for, it can make it even harder to accessorize each outfit and pull together your look.

A cluttered jewelry collection also takes up precious space in your drawers, dresser, or closet, making it difficult to keep your other accessories and personal care products organized. When you've had enough and are ready to deal with overwhelming clutter in your home, tackle that jewelry collection. You'll find that a streamlined and organized setup can simplify your morning or evening routine as you get ready for work or a night out on the town. 

Before you can declutter or organize your jewelry, it is imperative that you assess your collection as a whole. If you're like many, you might have jewelry spread out in various locations in your bedroom: a few pieces in your nightstand, several in a jewelry box (or two or three), others in a lockbox or safe, and others in the original boxes from the store where they were purchased. You need to be able to assess your collection in its entirety to understand what you have and decide what to keep.

So, clear off a large and flat surface, such as your dining room table, and bring all of your jewelry pieces to this central location. Don't use your bed for this task as fine chains could slip between the mattress and the headboard or small pieces could get tossed around. Plus, you won't be able to see the colors and patterns of each piece as clearly as you will on a flat table.

After everything is laid out, look through your collection and pull out any necklaces or bracelets that have tangled or knotted chains. Taking the time to untangle these first will save you the hassle of tackling the task when you're sorting and organizing your pieces. Plus, if there are any chains that are just beyond help, you'll be able to identify them now and take that into account when you're deciding which pieces you want to keep and which you should get rid of.

Once you've pulled these knotted necklaces aside, it is time to get to work. Grab a straight pin from a sewing kit, and push it into the middle of the knot. Once it's in place, slowly move it back and forth to try to loosen the knot and reveal the areas where you can work to untangle the chain. Work carefully to avoid making any of the knots tighter.

A little baby powder can help with any knots that you can't loosen with just the pin. It will work as a lubricant, so when you stick the pin in the middle of the necklace, the knot should open up enough to help you see where you need to focus your attention. Once you've finished untangling the necklaces, clean them to remove any remaining baby powder residue so it doesn't damage the finish.

Now you're ready to start the decluttering process. Take a first pass over your jewelry pieces, and pull out anything with a broken chain or that is missing a stone. If you haven't repaired these pieces yet, is it realistic to tell yourself that you still will? Unless you're prepared to dedicate the time to fix these items in the next day or two or want to bring them to a jeweler to have them repaired, don't let them continue adding to the clutter. Unpaired earrings belong in this category, too. Don't keep them if you won't wear them without their match. You might be able to reuse old jewelry to breathe new life into your home decor, but only save pieces for this if you plan to complete a project very soon. Otherwise, they'll only continue to add to the clutter.

Next, look for any pieces that no longer fit you, such as rings or bracelets that are too small now. These pieces should also go. There is no point in allowing jewelry that you don't and won't wear to take up space and prevent you from efficiently organizing the pieces that you do want to wear.

After purging items that are broken or don't fit anymore, your work is going to get a bit more complex. You'll likely still need to get rid of some more items to downsize your collection and prevent it from being too overwhelming, but you might need to put some more thought into which pieces to get rid of. Start with your collection of costume jewelry. Look for any pieces that you know you'll never wear. This might include pieces that don't match current fashion trends, those with stones that are too large for your preferences, or metals in colors that don't match your staple pieces.

As you assess your costume jewelry collection, you should also allow yourself to get rid of gifts that you've never really worn. It can be hard to let go of something that was given to you by a friend or loved one, but there is no point in letting it take up space that you could put to better use. 

Gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, along with any particular sentimental pieces, should be treated a bit differently than costume jewelry. Since these are usually more valuable, you should decide more carefully what to keep and what to get rid of. You might want to begin by pulling out the pieces you regularly wear and setting them aside.

Then, look at what is left. If there are items that you don't wear and probably never will, think about why you are saving them. If it's a particularly sentimental piece (such as your grandmother's wedding ring) then it is likely worth saving. However, you might be able to find a more appropriate home for it than with your regular jewelry collection, such as in a lock box or displayed in a frame like Linkstyle's 3D Floating Stand. 

Gold and silver are valuable precious metals. If there are other items that you are saving simply because you don't want to give them away, consider making a plan to sell them. If you can't determine whether something is real gold, use a magnifying glass to look for a stamp. The stamp can let you know whether it is gold-plated (EP), gold-filled (GF), or solid gold (a number followed by K). The higher the number, the greater the percentage of pure gold in the piece. For example, a 14K bracelet has more gold in it than a 10K one and will probably be worth more money.

Now that you've downsized your collection, take the time to clean the jewelry items that you are keeping. This way, once you put everything away, it will all be ready to wear. The best way to clean jewelry will vary depending on the material(s) from which it is made. Solid gold is one of the easiest materials to clean. Most of these pieces can be placed in a bowl with some warm water and a small amount of dish soap. After letting them sit in the solution, gently wipe them off and dry them thoroughly.

Cleaning silver jewelry correctly requires a bit more time. Purchase a silver polish, such as Hagerty's Silver Clean, and some polishing cloths, like this Pack of 50 from SevenWell, and work carefully to remove all the tarnish from the item. The best way to clean most costume jewelry pieces will be to wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth.

The clean necklaces that you've decided to keep are ready to be put away. However, be purposeful about how you store these pieces. Otherwise, it's not going to be easy to find what you're looking for. Necklaces also tangle easily, so if you just drop them in a small box or in the drawer of a jewelry box, you might be frustrated the next time you want to wear one of your pieces.

Instead, the best way to store necklaces is to hang them up. This way, they won't get all wrapped up around themselves or other chains. Depending on the layout of your space and where you want to keep your jewelry, there are different types of necklace hangers to consider. One option would be to purchase something like the Yyilis Necklace Holder that mounts on the wall. You could mount it inside your closet or above your dresser to keep your options easily accessible. Alternatively, you could consider a necklace stand, such as this Necklace Holder from Bussdis, that could be placed on top of a dresser.

Jewelry organizers with individual compartments can be a valuable asset for keeping your jewelry collection clutter-free. Your pieces will be less likely to get tangled since they'll each have their own dedicated space. Plus, you'll also be able to easily see everything and find the specific ring, bracelet, or pair of earrings that you want for a given occasion.

Many of these organizers feature compartments of varying sizes to help accommodate the pieces in your collection. Some may also have thin slots to keep rings upright and easy to view. One option to consider is the Songmics 3-Layer Jewelry Organizer. It has an upper section plus two lower drawers to hold a variety of pieces. One drawer is open for larger necklaces, while the other two tiers feature compartments of different sizes for the other pieces in your collection. If you're up for a little project, you could also DIY a custom jewelry box to match your specific needs.

If you don't have space on your dresser to accommodate a jewelry box, or would rather keep your collection a bit more hidden, then a jewelry drawer organizer may be the ideal solution. Like many jewelry boxes, these organizers feature smaller compartments to help keep your collection tangle-free, organized, and easily accessible.

For example, the ProCase Jewelry Organizer Set includes stackable trays to accommodate a range of items. Each set includes removable dividers to allow you to customize the sections based on the types and sizes of the pieces you need to store. You could also reuse a kitchen staple for storing your jewelry. Cutlery trays (like Aujen's Cutlery Organizer) offer different compartments that can keep your various items separated from one another.

You could also consider storing your collection in a mirrored jewelry cabinet. With the cabinet hung on the wall, many of your pieces will be at eye level, making it easy to find the perfect finishing touch for each outfit. Plus, you'll be able to see how you look by closing the cabinet and checking out your reflection. Mirrors can also help a small room feel larger, giving a tight bedroom an airier feel. When shopping for a mirrored jewelry cabinet, consider the available wall space, your preferred color and style, and whether you want any special features, such as a lighted mirror.

This Jewelry Cabinet from Songmics offers hooks for hanging necklaces, slots to accommodate earrings and rings, bracelet holders, and shelves to store makeup and other personal care products. It has a large mirrored front as well as a smaller interior mirror with LED lights to help you quickly assess your look or put on your makeup. The mirrored cabinet comes in a wide range of finishes so you can coordinate it with the rest of the decor in your space.

Those with some extra floor space in their bedroom or walk-in closet might benefit from a jewelry armoire. These standing jewelry cabinets are typically about three feet tall, offering a plethora of storage space. While each armoire features a unique design, most offer several drawers to hold rings, earrings, necklaces, and broaches, along with side doors that open to reveal hooks for hanging necklaces. Many armoires also have a built-in mirror, making them a one-stop shop when you're putting your jewelry on and checking out how you look.

If you prefer a more traditional look and could benefit from the drawers that span the entire height of the armor, the Hives and Honey Robyn Locking Jewelry Armoire may be right for you. In addition to the eight drawers, it has two side doors that each offer hanging space for six necklaces, a locking top, and a vanity mirror. The Giantex Jewelry Cabinet Armoire offers a more modern feel with its washed gray finish and four narrow legs. It features five drawers, two side doors (each with four necklace-hanging hooks), and velvet lining to protect each jewelry piece it holds.

Many of us have go-to jewelry items that we wear most days, such as a ring that was passed down from a beloved family member, a necklace that was a gift from a partner, or a beautiful pair of earrings that just make us feel special. If you have pieces that you wear on a near-daily basis, it can be burdensome to have to put them back in a jewelry box each night, only to take them out again the following morning. Instead, consider integrating simple storage pieces into your bedroom's decor.

You can set up a decorative bowl to hold these items you wear most days, or even to lay out the pieces you want to wear the following day. There are several different products that can help you accomplish this goal, including jewelry dishes like this Trinket Tray from Beunaizer. If you tend to wear more pieces, larger options such as the Pickpiff Jewelry Stand Organizer, can easily accommodate more necklaces and bracelets without them getting tangled.

After you've finished organizing the jewelry items you're keeping, you'll need to decide whether the other pieces should be sold or donated. If you want to donate some or all of your collection, there are several ways that you can use it to help those who are less fortunate. One option is to donate it to a local charity, such as the Salvation Army. You could also look at donating to a nonprofit organization called Dress for Success, which works to provide professional attire and other resources to women striving to attain economic independence.

You may also have certain pieces that you would prefer to sell. For these items, you could sell to a private individual (via a reputable online selling platform) or find a local jewelry consigner who is willing to list the items and pay you once they sell. Before selling any pieces, particularly those that are valuable, be sure to get them appraised so you know their full worth.

After spending all that time decluttering and organizing your jewelry collection, you don't want it to return to cluttered chaos after only a few weeks or months. You must create and stick with a system for keeping everything where it belongs. Make a point of putting each piece back in its place after you wear it. While it might be the last thing you want to do at the end of a busy day, just consider the trade-off. Spend just a few minutes now to put everything back, or punish yourself with a several-hour-long organizational job in the future.

Be sure to continue weeding down your collection, especially as you purchase or receive new items. A good rule to follow is to get rid of one older piece every time you add a new item to your jewelry wardrobe. This will help ensure the clutter doesn't build back up.