by Kimberley Heit

Created on: December 21, 2008   Last Updated: December 28, 2008

A well organized closet saves you time and energy on a daily basis, because you don't have to spend time rummaging through a disorganized mess. To create a useable closet space you need to; perform a spring clean, make sure you are using the space efficiently and organize your belonings in a logical manner.

Spring Clean your closet:

When it comes to spring cleaning your closet the first step is to remove everything from your closet. Get rid of anything that is broken or items you haven't used in a long time. Some people have trouble letting go of belongings, but letting go of clutter will not only give you more closet space, it can actually make you feel emotionally lighter.

Divide your items up into three piles; keep, donate or sell, and throw out. If you are unsure when it comes to some items make sure you store these away out of reach. If you don't get them out before next year you should feel okay about throwing them out in the next round of spring cleaning.

Efficient use of space:

To maximise the closet space you have, you need to make sure you are using it in the most efficient way. There are many inexpensive ways to make better use of your closet space. Some examples include:

-Add an extra hanging rail to a clothing closet.

-Store infrequently used items in vacuum space bags.

-Add some extra shelves to your closet. You don't have to be an experienced handyman to achieve this; there are hanging shelf organizers which are suitable for holding light items or simply buy an inexpensive bookshelf and place it inside your closet.

-Add some draws to your closet. Storage outlets sell freestanding draw units for a reasonably affordable price. Another cheap option is to buy a few of those plastic stackable draws.

-To keep chaos from reigning inside draws use draw inserts which divide the draws up into sections. These are particularly good for organizing small items.

-Make use of your closet door by hanging a storage system off the back of it. There are hanging shoe racks and hooks which are especially designed to make use of this space.

-Use large plastic storage bins on wheels to store items in the bottom of your closet. They keep items protected from dust and insects and can be easily moved around.

-Collapsible boxes are a great storage solution because you can pop them up for use when required, but store them away flat packed when they aren't needed.

Organization:

The last step in your spring cleaning process involves assessing what items you use on a regular basis and which items you use less often. This will help you to determine where you should store what in your closet. Items you don't use often can be stored at the top back corner of your closet. Items you use regularly need to be readily accessible.

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