The Strategies

1. Whittle down. It’s a classic organizing principle: If you want a put-together place, you have to eliminate clutter. Samantha donated seldom-used tote bags, old books, and 30 — yes, 30! — treasured coats, along with the mammoth vacuum cleaner, to charity.

2. Reduce bulk. A compact vacuum cleaner replaced the original one. A sizable stepladder was junked for a low-profile wall-mounted version. Dirty mops and dusty brooms were tossed for one tool with three removable heads (mop, broom, duster).

3. Invest in stuff that improves accessibility. An extendable metal hook (shown above) allows Samantha to reach high-hung coats. A collapsible canvas hamper stowed in the closet can be rolled out in a snap come laundry day.

4. Designate a purpose for each shelf. Samantha loves to give presents and write notes, so the Real Simple team turned one of the shelves on the left side of the closet into a gift-wrap station. Two coat hooks mounted to the wall hold rolls of paper, round glass containers store ribbons, and fabric-covered boxes stash stationery. Since Samantha and David travel frequently, a shelf on the right side puts in-flight essentials (blankets, neck pillows, earplugs, eye masks) at their fingertips. Suitcases rest on the top shelf to utilize the empty area between the shelf and the ceiling. This side of the closet also holds David’s toolboxes and an array of caddies for around-the-house must-haves, like cleaning products, lightbulbs, and cords.

5. Use every inch of space. Mounted on the back of the door, a brass rod with sliding hooks offers stylish refuge for hats, keys, or an armful of dry cleaning.