Start by emptying the closet. Keep only what you really like to wear. After you thin the herd, you can begin to organize your clothes. Remember, the goal here is to create even more space than you actually need. This way, as time goes by and new clothing gets added, you do not have to start over. We want a closet that stays organized despite our best efforts to pack it full.

Now, you could spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on a custom closet system. If you can afford it, it’s not a bad idea. But, for those of us looking for a quick fix for a long-term problem, we may want to look at some more cost-effective options.

The best closet trick in the book is to utilize the many specialty hangers that are on the market today. Hanger designs have made it possible to double or even triple the space in our closets. These special hangers used to only be available to stores and high end retailers. But, thanks to the internet, we can order luxury shirt hangers, skirt hangers, pants hangers, space saving hangers, slimline hangers, and more! The list goes on and on. But, the point is that you do not have to buy hundreds of one type to order straight from the best manufacturers out there.

So, order yourself some really sturdy hangers. Get all of the different types that you need to really make some space in your closet. Many hangers, like slimline hangers and metal salesman’s hangers, allow you to cascade items from one hanger to another.

For example, you can hang your shirt on a shirt hanger, your pants on a pants hanger, and then adjoin them with a cascading hook. This way, they are not only hung together and ready to wear, but they take up half the space that they did before. Salesman’s hangers have an extended neck to keep the pants or skirt hanging well below the shirt, making even more space. It may not seem like much, but all of the tiny bits of space that you save can add up.

Once your closet it organized with specialty shirt hangers, skirt hangers and pants hangers, you should have some extra space. Now, every time you put away laundry, your closet will be instantly organized again. When everything has a specific space, you are more likely to keep it there.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for shirt hangers, skirt hangers, pants hangers and dress hangers. Get all of the accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

First things first, get rid of old shoes and clothes that you haven’t worn in a while. The golden rule of closet organization is, “If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it.” Just grab a few garbage bags and start filling them up. Try not to think about it too hard or you’ll end up keeping too much. Some people keep things in their closets for decades because it’s “still good” or “barely worn”. Do you really need to fill up the space that you use every day with things that are just stored? Probably not.

If you have a lot of things that are still good or barely worn, go ahead and have a garage sale or take them to a consignment shop. Sometimes it’s easier to get rid of things if there is money involved! Or, have a swap party with some friends. Everyone can bring over usable items and have a big trade. Purses, hats, belts and shoes may be old junk to one person and a treasured find for another. Another option is to give everything you can to charity. Use the donation as a tax deduction and a feather in your good karma hat.

Clear out other junk as necessary, but your main goal for a quick fix is to get everything off of that crammed up bar. If you hang a lot of shirts and pants, you may be able to move the top shelf up higher. Then, move the hanging bar up higher. Not so high that you can’t reach, but high enough to install a second hanging bar at about hip-height. This plan may not work if you have a lot of dresses, suits and long coats, but if you have a walk-in closet, you may be able to install two bars on one or two walls and keep one bar by itself for longer hanging items.

Use specialty hangers to save even more space. Skirt hangerscan hold many skirts flat on one hanger. Pants hangers keep pants from wrinkling while keeping them easily accessible. Dress hangers keep your dresses from slipping off on to the floor. Cascading hooks can be used to pair up tops and bottoms, saving room by using the space of one hanger on the bar. Choosing the right hangers and accessories can keep your closet organized and spacious.

About the author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for shirt hangers, skirt hangers, pants hangers and dress hangers. Get all of the accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.