Are you a complete clothing and shoe fanatic?  Are you running out of super valuable closet space?  Perfect!  This entry is just for you!  The first question that you need to ask yourself is this:  what do I absolutely need to store in my closet?  If your first thought is “ooh, that stripper pole that I’ve been keeping collapsed in an unmarked box somewhere,” maybe you need to ask yourself that question again!

I would first recommend that you find a place for your stripper pole; preferably somewhere that’s not a focal point for any guests.   You really want to be as efficient as possible in maximizing your storage space, especially if you do not have the luxury of an oh-so-sought-after walk-in, like Elton John probably has in his house.

After you’ve eliminated your stripper pole woes, my next recommendation would be to have a spring cleaning party, even if it happens to be winter, summer, or fall.  If you’re like me, you probably have lost weight or gained weight and then found someone else’s weight, and you’re most likely storing a bunch of crap that you really don’t even need.  Get a friend to come over and force you to try on clothes that you’re unsure about keeping or tossing.  If you must, offer your friend awesome incentives like a glass of wine or free pizza or maybe a little strip tease on your newly recovered stripper pole.  This will allow you to cut out any existing clutter before you get started on the actual organization part, and you might find yourself having a bunch of fun in the process.

Once you have eliminated unnecessary clothing or shoes, it’s time to re-assess how much space you have by doing a visual inventory of what needs to go back into your closet.  I highly recommend being a completely anal-retentive neat freak and keeping your shirts separate from your pants.  If you do this, you can maximize your closet space by having one clothing rod on top and one rod on bottom, located approximately half way between the top rod and your floor.  This nearly doubles your closet space by simply organizing your clothes by length.  You can also have a section of higher rod ONLY, as this will allow for longer items such as formal dresses or long jackets.

If you’re into stupid as-seen-on-TV kind of stuff, you can buy those multiple item hangers.  I tried these and I DO NOT recommend them.  They’re annoying, just like bad house warming gifts, and you will probably end up forgetting about some of your favorite clothing items anyway.

If you still have a bunch of space leftover once you have cleaned out your closet clutter, you can customize your remaining space to be as practical as your creativity will allow.  Floor space is often overlooked.  You can buy shoe organizers, or, if you’re feeling like spending a little extra cash, you can install your own pull-out shoe racks.  Adjustable shelves also work well, as you can modify them as your needs change.

Shelves come in handy for seasonal items or things you use infrequently.  If you choose to pack away seasonal items, this will be excellent motivation for you to keep your in-season items well-organized.  It will take you less time to swap out your closet if you maintain its neatness.

If all else fails, hire an interior designer or professional organizer.  This is an option that will cost you more money than doing it yourself, but they are trained professionals that program your needs and design your space accordingly.

Good luck, and happy closet organizing!