1. Label your shelves.
Closet Labels from realsimple.com
Labeling your shelves is especially helpful for jeans, which tend to blend in together when they are folded. I like Brother Label Makers.
2. Over-the-door shoe racks.
Over the Door Shoe Rack
An over the door shoe rack will free up space on your closet's floor for cubbies and bins. This budget 50 Pair Tower by Whitmor will fit over most closet doors, but make sure to measure before purchasing.
3. Shelf dividers for sweaters, jeans and shirts.
Photo/ Neu Home Chrome Shelf Dividers
Shelf dividers will instantly make your closet (and linen closet) look tidier and more organized. These shelf dividers are budget-friendly and good-looking enough to have in your guest room closet.
4. Shoe cubbies for accessories.
Photo / The Container Store
Shoe cubbies to store more than just shoes; use them for clutches, handbags, accessories and jewelry holders. They are also great for sheets and pillowcases if your clothes closet doubles as linen closet. This 12 pair shoe organizer cubby from the Container Store is perfectly-sized for even a small closet.
5. Expandable shoe rack.
Photo / Container Store
The expandable part is the real winner here, you can make the rack as small or large as you like to custom-fit your closet. This budget option from Whitmor is well-priced and sturdy.
6. Export your out-of-seasons to the dry cleaner.
Thomas Northcut / Getty Images
Have your dry cleaner store your fancy, once-a-year clothes like formal dresses, tuxes. They will charge you for cleaning; but the cost of storage is usually free.
7. Pant hangers for multiple pairs of pants.
Photo / Stacks and Stacks
Pant hangers can maximize space by hanging 5-6 pairs on the same hanger. This 5-tier pant hanger make each pair easier to retrieve.
8. Peg board on inside of closet door.
Photo / Oprah Winfrey Show
A pegboard on the inside of your closet door can be one of the most helpful DIY installation projects you can add to your closet. Hang jewelry, scarves, belts and more off hooks attached to the pegboard. Even better: you can custom fit it to maximize as much or as little of your closet door as possible.
This peg board organizer kit is a great way to get started customizing your closet door.
9. Choose square bins over round.
Photo / Organize.com
Unlike round containers, square bins will help you maximize every little nook and cranny in your closet.
10. Hanging shoe rack to save space.
Photo / The Container Store
Hanging shoe racks can also free up floor space, and can be used to organize both accessories and shoes. This number from The Container Store eschews ugliness for a nice slate, gray color.
