1) Get out the summer clothes and store them away for next year. Go ahead and toss things that you didn’t wear or that didn’t fit right into a bag or box to give away to charity. This could also be the perfect time to clear out the clutter and have a yard sale to make a little money that can be put towards perfecting your closet for winter.

2) It’s important to clean your closet now that it is empty. Most people don’t take the time to dust shelves, baseboards and light fixtures when there are clothes in the closet. Vacuum the floor, dust and wipe down everything so that you don’t end up with dust balls or microscopic insect eggs on your winter clothing. This could be a good time for a fresh coat of paint or you may even want to go ahead and install that cedar closet liner that you’ve been dreaming of.

3) Now you can determine what kind of space you’ll need for you winter clothes. You’ll definitely need some hanging space for coats and some shelf or drawer space for heavy sweaters. You can make space by moving your top shelf up closer to the ceiling and adding an extra hanging bar down below. You can use the higher shelf for storing your summer clothes, luggage, ski equipment, or other things that you won’t need every day.

4) Hang your pants on one bar and your tops on the other. You may want to put an extra bar on one side of your closet for hanging longer coats and dresses that you don’t want to wrinkle. Use pants hangers for your pants. Some have non-slip bars or non-creasing clamps. If you use clips, use ones that won’t rust, snag, or imprint your pants while they hang. Use coat hangers for your heavy coats. Make sure that these are curved to help your coats keep their shape. Wider shoulders that slope down won’t pucker shoulders or wrinkle sleeves. You can buy petite hangers or extra large hangers for clothes that don’t fit perfectly on regular clothes hangers. Use specialty hangers that hold scarves, hats, and gloves to perfectly store those small winter items without forcing you to install extra shelves or drawers.

5) For the rest of your clothes, you can use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to make the most of the space. Space saving hangers are designed to fit flat against one another, using as little space as wire hangers. However, these hangers won’t cross up on the bar, rust, snag clothing, or bend, causing your clothes to end up on the floor. These have a non-slip velvet coating to hold clothes securely in place. The bottom bar is perfect for hanging pants or attaching movable clips for securing straps. You can coordinate outfits by hanging pants and shirts on the same hanger, or even add a hook to hang multiple items in the space of one hanger. Tricks like this can help you to double or even triple the space in your closet, making room for those winter clothes after all.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

We need our closets to keep our clothing free from damage. We need to stay at least a little organized, or we’ll never make it through our day. The closet is often the first thing that you deal with in the morning when you get up. You’re just trying to get to work on time and you need to be able to quickly and easily find what you need. If the closet is cramped and cluttered, it can put you in a bad mood for the entire day.

You may think that your closet is too small, but even in a small closet, improvements can be made. Most people don’t realize that it’s not the small closet that is the problem, but the lack of efficiency that is to blame. Use these tips to make sure you’re using the space that you have wisely.

Take everything out and start to inventory what you have. You may have a lot of things crammed in there that you don’t really need anymore. Maybe some things can be given away to charity. Get rid of shoes that don’t fit right, are damaged, or have gone out of style. If you haven’t worn something in a year, get it out of there. Thin out what you own and then you can start to thin out what you allow to go into your closet.

The first rule of organizing is to categorize. If something doesn’t have a category, then you need to find one for it. Don’t allow yourself to keep a “miscellaneous” pile, box, or drawer in your home. That is pretty much the definition of clutter. Try hard to categorize so that you can easily keep things where they go.

After getting everything separated, you can assess the space situation. There is often wasted space in the front corners of the closet and at the top of the closet. Don’t be afraid to store long-term things up near the ceiling. Is there room for shelves on either side of the closet? You can put more in there than you think. If a good organizer still doesn’t give you enough room, consider space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to get the job done. These can cascade from each other and hold specialty clothing so that you can save up to three times the space in your closet.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Clear out as much of your old stuff as possible. If something doesn’t fit quite right, get rid of it. If you have shoes that hurt, are scuffed, or simply don’t match anything that you have, give them away. Making charitable donations is a great way to help your community and get some extra deductions on your taxes. If possible, have a yard sale or list your better items on an auction site. Use the extra money to upgrade your closet so that it can stay more organized in the future.

2) Come up with a wardrobe rotation system. If you have a closet that is on the smaller side, you may not be able to store your summer and winter clothing in there. Try to find space under the bed, in an armoire, or in the garage for clothing that you don’t use year-round. Be sure to use cedar accessories in your storage bins to avoid musty odors and to repel pests. If you prefer to keep your clothing hanging, invest a little in a rolling garment rack with a zip-up cover to keep your hanging clothes nice and neat while they’re in storage.

3) Space is at a premium, so use it wisely. If t-shirts take up more space hanging than they do stacked on a shelf, use the shelf. If pants stay better organized on pants hangers than stuffed in a drawer, designate one area just for pants. Designate areas, bins, containers, drawers or shelves for pajamas, socks, swimwear, and other small items that you may not want to hang. A simple cubby system down one side of your closet may be enough. Or, consider putting one on each side of the closet, leaving the hanging space in the center free for hanging clothes.

4) Find storage space wherever you can. Is the area on the back of the closet door being used? What about above the closet door? Near the ceiling? There is often space in the closet that we haven’t considered using before that is perfect for storing things that we don’t use every day. Consider placing some small shelves and racks around those spaces for things like hats and luggage that don’t get used very often.

5) Choosing the right clothes hangers can make a huge difference in the space that you use and how organized you are able to keep the closet. Space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, prevent clothes from slipping, puckering at the shoulders, or becoming tangled up on the bar. They are slim enough to fit closely together. You can also get cascading hangers that allow you to hang multiple pairs of pants on one hanger or coordinate outfits to save time and space.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Your attitude matters more than you think. If you’re totally stressed and sad that you have to live in a place so small, then you won’t get much done for a while. A negative attitude can cloud your judgment and keep you from using your creativity to make the space work. You need to adopt a minimalist attitude. You don’t need a million possessions to be happy. Possessions don’t make you who you are. Society dictates that we consume more and more each day. However, you have the power to rise above and live your life more efficiently.

2) Now that you’ve adopted your “can do” attitude, it’s time to get to work. You are probably surrounded by boxes and furniture. Go through and categorize everything. Rate your belongings on a scale of 1-10. If you really need it to live and eat, rate it as number one. These things will be the highest priority. Scale everything down to ten. Now, decide how much room you have by putting away everything rated as number one, then two, three, and so forth. When you run out of room, everything else should go.

3) Be picky about what you keep. You don’t want piles of junk all around you or you’ll always feel cramped and stressed. Try to get a few functional pieces of furniture that have storage inside. Install shelving above your doors, in the corners, and under the windows. Invest a little in closet organizers and a pantry organizer. Put large drawers under your bed and couch. Create storage wherever you can if you need to store more than your small living space will allow.

4) Bulky furniture is often unnecessary. You can make room for a large capacity armoire by getting rid of a dresser. Dressers are very inefficient. Clothes are stacked inside where you can’t see them or get them out without unfolding half of the stack. We end up hiding miscellaneous items in the drawers and soon they become crowded with junk. Using an armoire for blankets and other bulky household items saves you closet space. With some space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, some baskets, shelves, and storage bins, you can put every piece of clothing you own inside of the closet. When you store something, ask yourself if this is the most efficient way to store before you decide that the item is in its permanent spot.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) If money is an issue, consider selling some of your extra clothing, purses and shoes. Recycling gently used items saves space and helps out someone in need. You can have a garage sale, visit a consignment shop, or donate items to charity for the tax deduction. Another option is to try auction sites or local sales sites to make a few dollars. You don’t have to spend hours listing each item. Simply list “bag of women’s clothing size 12” or whatever you think will get some attention on the site that you choose. Include pictures in your listing and you’re sure to bring in a few bucks for your stash.

2) There may seem like there isn’t much room to incorporate your personal style into your closet, but that’s not necessarily true. You can coordinate colors with containers, canvas hanging shelves, your laundry basket, shoe rack, hat rack, and clothes hangers. You can personalize these items with a little bit of paint. You may like turquoise paint with white dots, black and white stripes, or just about anything that makes the closet space unique and inviting.

3) Use the closet door for hanging things like hats, ties and belts. You can mount baskets for smaller items like socks, mittens and containers for jewelry. If you’re in a small dorm or efficiency apartment, you may also want to use the inside of the door for school books, phone chargers, camera equipment, movies, or video game storage. You can find a lot of space on the door that you didn’t know you had. Consider a pantry door organizer with adjustable shelves and baskets to make the best use of this space.

4) You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a small closet organized. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to maximize the space on your hanging bar. These hangers fit flat together and save more space than you would think. They’re not flimsy like wire hangers and the velvet surface keeps clothes from slipping. You can get removable clips for hanging skirts, pants and shorts. Use cascading hooks to coordinate outfits and double the space. These hangers also come in a wide variety of colors and prints to accentuate the style and personality of your closet.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

You may be surprised at what types of storage containers are on the market today. The closet accessories that used to only be available to professionals are now available at reasonable prices to the public. Before you go and buy a lot of stuff, examine what you have. You will need to determine what really needs to stay in your closet. Get rid of as much as you can. Then take measurements. You don’t want to get home with a lot of containers that just won’t fit in your closet space.

See if you need to install additional shelving in your closet. Even coated wire shelving has some attractive accessories, now. You can get beautiful baskets that slide like drawers or wooden inserts that make a wire closet system look great, without investing in a solid wood closet system.

You can dress up a closet system by using wood hangers or other high-end hangers that make your closet look nice. You can save space by using specialty hangers. Save shelf space by using comforter or quilt hangers. Get shorts off of your shelves by using pant or skirt hangers to hang them. Pretty much any hanger with clamps or clips will hold shorts.

There are other hangers that will hold things and keep you from having to invest money and space in storing them. Scarves, ties, belts and purses can all be hung. Skirts, pajamas, swim wear, and even lingerie can be hung. Just be sure that you choose the hanger that is meant to hold each of these items so that they don’t end up stretched, torn or on the floor.

If your goal is to save space, consider space saving hangers, like velvet hangers. These are thin, flat and fit close together. However, their ingenious design keeps them strong. The velvet coating keeps clothes from slipping.

Velvet hangers also come with cascading hooks. Simply slip the accessory over the hook of the hanger. Then you can hang more things from that hanger on the hook. Pair up tops and bottoms to make getting ready a snap. Plus you’ll be saving space and making room to store more of your odds and ends.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Just go ahead and empty everything out of the closet. There may be more junk in there than you realize. Separate everything into piles as it comes out. You will definitely need to begin by making some tough decisions about what you want to keep. If it’s questionable, go ahead and put it into a box. Store it in the garage, basement or attic for a while. If you don’t miss what’s in it after a year, donate it to charity. Sometimes a trial run of living without something will help you realize that you don’t need it. In the meantime, you can enjoy the increase in closet space.

2) Make special places for everything. If you have old year books, photos, computer equipment, luggage, and other items in your closet, then you need to either make a place for it, or get it out of there. Sometimes a trunk at the foot of the bed, an armoire, or a wardrobe can house these items and help you clear out space for your clothes in the closet.

3) Donate what you can to charity and then prepare for future donations. This will help you to keep your closet organized over time. You may decide to hang a bag on one side of your closet labeled “charity” so that you can toss things in it throughout the year. If you wear something and then decide that it just didn’t fit right, throw it in. If you swap out your winter wardrobe for your summer wardrobe, donate what you never wore that season. Keeping it in sight will keep organization on your mind all year long.

4) Once you’ve really thinned out the heard, you may still find that your closet is crowded with the things that you want to keep. Utilize specialty hangers to make up to three times more space on your hanging bar. Cascading hangers, skirt hangers, pants hangers, and other specialty hangers can allow you to hang up to six garments on one hanger. Cascading hangers can help you to get your outfits ready to wear by pairing up tops and bottoms. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, for everything else. These non-slip hangers are great space savers, but are sturdy enough and attractive enough to provide you with years of closet bliss.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

You will first want to thin the herd. Many people have way too many possessions, and especially clothing. If you’re living in a small space, it is best to adopt a minimalist attitude. Try to set limits for yourself on how much stuff you are allowed to own. Organization is much easier if you don’t have way too much stuff.

It is important in small living spaces to create storage around the home. You’ll need to find hiding places for things, so you may want to purchase furniture that doubles as storage. For example, instead of a standard coffee table, you may want one that has storage inside, more like a chest. You can do the same with end tables and ottomans. Many chairs and couches now have arms that lift up to reveal secret storage. Instead of a decorative table at the entrance of your home, you can use a table with cabinets underneath. You can add a wood medicine cabinet to the wall for things that don’t fit in your kitchen cabinet, like spices.

Now for your closets. Try to maximize the space by using space saving hangers, like velvet hangers. They come in many different styles to accommodate your wardrobe. There are cascading hanger hooks which allow you to hang tops and bottoms in the space of one slim hanger. Velvet hangers grip clothing without damaging delicate fabrics. They have a flat design that makes your clothing hang very close together. Ordinary slim hangers are often flimsy and bend or break under the weight of heavier things, like coats and suits. Flat velvet hangers offer slim design and strength that you will love.

Other types of velvet hangers include skirt hangers and pants hangers. They will hold around five pairs of pants on each hanger, so you can essentially hold an entire wardrobe of pants on two or three hangers. You can eliminate the need for drawers and shelves in about three inches of bar space! Finger clips and other accessories make it possible for you to hang just about anything on space saving hangers, freeing up the closet space that you so desperately need.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Finish clearing out the summer clothes and get them into storage. You will need containers or boxes for summer clothing. Shallow containers are great for storing things underneath beds, where they will be out of sight, yet accessible for the next season. You can use bed leg lifts to make extra space under the bed. Don’t forget to get beach towels, floats, and other summer accessories out of your closets, too. Get all of this stuff out of the way and you can make room for your winter clothes.

2) Thin out your winter clothes and try to leave room for new clothes that will be coming in. Coats should be kept in a coat closet so that there is room for your bulky winter clothes. A small shelf can usually be installed in most closets to make space for your sweaters to stack. You don’t really want to hang them, because they can get stretched out at the shoulders. They are also more likely to get snagged when hanging, because you’ll be pushing them around while you’re looking for clothes to wear. Many people ruin sweaters because their rings snag the sleeves while they’re hanging.

3) Make room by giving as much as you can to charity. This is definitely the time of year for giving, so be generous and give away usable items that you don’t wear for one reason or another. Make limits for yourself on what space each item is allowed to take up. Only allow so much room for pants, so much for long sleeved t-shirts, sweatshirts, thermals, etc. If you discover that you have way too many pants, try to get rid of some. Shoes are notorious closet space robbers. Be selective about which ones you want to keep.

4) When the closet is thinned out, come up with a design that will allow you to make the most of the space. Vertical space is often ignored. How much empty space is available up by the ceiling? That top closet shelf is usually too low for what you need to store there. Consider installing a second shelf above it for items that you don’t use much, like suitcases. You’ll be surprised how much room this makes! You can then use your regular top shelf for bins or baskets that hold smaller items, like gloves, scarves, socks, underwear, phone and camera chargers, or whatever you need to store out of sight.

5) Update the rest of your closet by investing a little in space saving hangers, like velvet hangers. Velvet hangers are flat and can save more space than you imagined. The velvet hanger surface grips clothing without damaging it. Using space saving hangers affords you the extra space that you need for hanging all of the new clothes that you will be getting for Christmas!

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

1) Traditional closets waste a lot of space. Consider removing the old “rod and shelf” and put up some inexpensive shelving. There are so many options on the market today and most are very sturdy and easy to install.

2) Donate what you can to charity. Most people report having a lot of the same clothes in their closet that have been there for ten years! You really should go through and get rid of out of date clothes. You probably rotate between your favorite outfits and ignore the rest. Slimming down your belongings is a quick and easy way to make more room.

3) Store sentimental clothing outside of the closet. If you must keep your prom dress for twenty years, consider having it heir loomed. Most cleaners offer this service. They will clean the dress and then seal it in an acid free container that will keep your dress in great shape. Plus you can store that box in the attic, under a bed or in the garage without worrying about the dress.

4) Store out of season clothing rather than leaving it in the closet. A rolling garment rack with a cover is a great way to store clothing without taking it off of the hanger. Your clothes will be protected from dust, wrinkles and musty smells. You can keep the rack in a spare bedroom, garage, basement, or even just in a corner of your room. But, getting those clothes out of the way will be priceless when it comes to creating some space and staying organized.

5) Create a system that will help you keep things clear. Hang all of your clothes hangers backwards on the bar. As you do laundry and hang up things that you have worn, hang them the right way. When the season comes to an end and you are ready to switch out your wardrobe, give away the clothes that are still hanging backwards. This will help you to get rid of things that you don’t wear without wondering if you’ll ever use them again. If you didn’t use them this year, chances are you won’t miss it.

6) Use clever ways of making space. Using space saving hangers is a quick and easy way to create a lot of space in a very short amount of time. Space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, are very slim, yet sturdy. They grip clothing to keep it from ending up on the floor, help clothing keep its shape, and fit closely together to make a lot of room. You can even add specialty hangers like pants hangers that hold a lot of items on one hanger. Cascading hooks and other closet accessories will help you to create even more space as needed.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.