Tips from Frida: Create space for your summer clothes

As the days grow lighter and warmer, many of us look forward to switching over to our summer wardrobe – rediscovering floaty dresses, breezy linen shirts, and sandals we’d almost forgotten we owned. But that joyful moment can quickly lose its shine if there’s simply no space to hang it all up.

“Creating space for the clothes you would like to use doesn’t have to be as hard as you might think. Sometimes all it takes is one afternoon, a good storage system – and the decision to let go,” says Frida Swanson, Storage Expert at Elfa.

Today, Frida shares her best tips for making room for the clothes you love – so your summer favourites are always within easy reach.

1. Clear it out before you fill it up

Before the summer clothes can move in, something else usually needs to move out. I like to start small – one shelf, drawer or rail at a time. I take everything out and lay it where I can see it, then sort it into four piles: keep, donate, sell, and recycle. And I try to be honest with myself – if I haven’t worn it in the last year, chances are I won’t miss it.

To make the process smoother, I always make sure I have what I need before I start: empty boxes, bags, hangers – maybe even a space-saving storage bag for off-season clothes.

2. Give your favourites the space they deserve

Once I’ve decluttered, it’s time to reorganise. Shallow shelves help avoid messy piles, and pull-out baskets make it easy to see and reach what I need. I use vertical space all the way up to the ceiling for things I don’t need every day – and the more floor I can see, the tidier it feels.

A suitcase I’m not using becomes perfect storage for clothes I won’t wear for a while. And the top 30 cm of my wardrobe? Ideal for those in-between-season items.

Summer shoes deserve some love too – I line them up neatly on a shelf or rack instead of piling them up, and use simple boot shapers or inserts to help them keep their shape.

3. Let it become a habit

It’s not about being perfect – it’s about small, sustainable choices that make everyday life easier. I keep what I enjoy wearing, let go of what no longer serves me, and make space for the clothes that make me feel good this season.