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Having sufficient storage space is key to keeping a home neat and organized. When you can put things away and still find them again as needed, your home will be a more pleasant place to work, play, and live. However, as we accumulate more possessions, closet space becomes a rare commodity. Here are a few Spring cleaning tips for making the most of the closet space you have without spending a fortune on organizers:

1. Pare down.

Throw broken items in the trash. If an item is in good condition, but you are unlikely to use it, then donate it to charity or pass it along to a friend or family member. Keeping things "just in case" only makes sense when you have ample storage space.

If you really want to keep something for sentimental reasons, consider transferring it to an attic or basement storage area where it will be out of the way.

2. Nest.

Nesting works especially well for luggage. Put your smaller bags inside your larger bags. You can also "nest" your off-season clothing by double-hanging shirts on top of pants or skirts.

3. Box it up.

Before you resort to spending money on fancy shelving and plastic organizers, try using cardboard boxes to store things. Shoe boxes are a good size for storing small items like craft tools and supplies. For larger things, try getting cardboard box designed for holding copy paper. Most offices will gladly give these boxes away. Designed to hold several reams of paper, the boxes are sturdy and are small enough to fit in most closets, but much bigger than a shoe box.

Other containers that work well for storage are used, washed coffee cans and plastic food containers that once held ice cream, margarine, or pre-cooked meat. These containers can be filled with the items you need to store and stacked on top of one another.

When using these makeshift storage containers, be sure to label everything with a Sharpie marker so that you can find things again when you need them!

4. Invest in some inexpensive utility shelves.

Shelves help you use all of your space efficiently. If you don't already have shelves in your closet, consider buying some low-cost metal or plastic shelves. You can also buy single shelves to help organize a closet whose shelves are too far apart. A very small amount of money can help you utilize all of the storage space in your closet, effectively "adding" storage.

5. Make use of hidden spaces other than closets. If you store your items in appropriately-sized boxes, you can store them under your bed, thus freeing up closet space. Also be sure you are effectively making use of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, including those under the sink.6. Find ways to display your heirlooms and collectibles. Some items are in the closet only because you haven't thought of a way to showcase them. Getting motivated and making displays for those keepsakes will help free up closet space. Try making a scrap book or photo album for those old photos in the shoe box. Hang a shelf in the den for those high school trophies or vacation souvenirs.

Learn more about this author, Raven Lebeau.
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