Are you looking for closet organizers because your clothes are wrinkled and jammed together on the rod, and your shoes are a muddled mess on the floor? Getting organized means setting up your space with functionality in mind and purchasing a few closet organizers for efficiency. First, take everything out of the closet and give the walls and floor a good cleaning and spray for little critters that like to munch on your clothes. If you can afford it, line the closet with cedar. Otherwise, buy one or two small packages of cedar chips at your local hardware store and sprinkle them on the top shelf. If funds are limited, you can double your space instantly by putting in an extra rod or by adding a shelf. If you have more funds, hardware stores sell many do-it-yourself kits and our "Closet Organizers Resources" section lists several good possibilities, (such as wood or laminate systems) or inexpensive wire organizing units, designed for making the most of small spaces. These wire systems are easy to install and can be changed as your needs change. and they "breathe".

Next, before buying any portable closet organizers, sort through your clothes. The 80-20 rule applies: we wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time, while the remaining 80% need to be re-evaluated. This is a good time to recruit a friend (honest and ruthless) who can help you decide what looks good and what doesn't. Categorize your clothes and accessories into "throw away", "give away", "limbo", and "keep". Use grocery sacks for what you are getting rid of. The limbo category (I will be able to fit into these size 2 jeans. . .someday or I will need these velvet bell-bottoms. . . someday) should be boxed up and put in the garage. If you search out the box and retrieve an item during the year, great! Otherwise, in a year's time, the items need to be recycled. Subdivide the "keepers" into categories, such as pants, skirts, blouses and then hang each category by color.

Closet organizers for the remainder of your clothes and accessories are easy to find locally or online. Select hanging fabric garment organizers (ideal for shoes or sweaters) in a variety of colors or stackable/nestable plastic containers (ideal for sweaters, belts, purses, and extra shoes). If you have some extra cedar chips, throw some into the box. As a final touch, buy some inexpensive plastic hangers in colors of your choice, and enjoy the functionality of your new space.