Closets can be useful tools for keeping your house tidy, but it often seems like there is never enough space in them. Making use of the space you do have is critical for keeping clutter at bay and being able to find what you need without wasted time.

 

First things first; don’t waste time and space by hanging, folding, washing or storing clothing items that you will never wear. If you have a piece that you haven’t worn in a year, be realistic – you aren’t going to start wearing it now. Donate these unused items to people who can truly appreciate them, and give yourself the gift of extra space that will allow you to more easily find the items you actually do wear.

 

Now it’s time to get rid of items that you don’t need for this particular season. Use space-saver vacuum bags to store out-of-season clothing on the top shelf of your closet or in your basement or attic. Don’t forget the shoes; winter boots have no business taking up valuable closet space in the summer.

 

Hang double rods to maximize space. Better Homes and Gardens, one of the nation’s leading authorities on home organization, recommends hanging double rods – one over the other for hanging shirts, skirts or folded pants. You will also need a separate area for a single high rod for hanging long garments and/or coats. Storage crates, shelves or shoe racks will fit nicely underneath items in the single rod section of your closet.

 

Many superstores and home improvement stores now offer very inexpensive cloth shelves that can hang from the top rod of your closet. This storage solution only takes up the space of a few hangers and allows you to store many times the items that would have fit hanging in the same space.

 

Another great hanging option is an over-the-door shoe rack. If your closet space is tight, you can even hang it so the shoes are displayed on the outside of the door. Look for an organizer with clear plastic bags for the shoes, so you can easily see what you have stored.

 

Trouser racks are helpful for people whose closets are not big enough to hang all pants next to each other. These can be mounted so that pants lay flat against a wall while still avoiding the creasing that could result from drawer storage.

 

Labeled bins that can fit on the top shelf of your closet or on the floor are the best solution for clothing that doesn’t need special treatment such as bathing suits, workout clothing, undergarments and pajamas. Inexpensive sets of plastic drawers are also available at most superstores and offer another easy option for this type of clothing. An added benefit of these plastic shelves is that the hard top surface can be used for storage of small bins or boxes.

 

One of the most commonly ignored potential storage spaces in closets are the walls. Purchase some inexpensive wall hooks or clear plastic pushpins to make use of this space in a creative way. Belts, scarves, ties and jewelry are just a few of the times that items can be hung from these hooks, making them easy to find. Keeping items of one kind clustered together on the wall at varying heights creates visual interest and displays your favorite items to their fullest.

 

Organizing your closets is one of the most rewarding changes you can make to your home’s functionality. You might even be able to sleep in a little later or sit down with your coffee in the morning with the time saved finding work clothes.