31 Ways to Make Over Your Closets

Proper clothing care calls for appropriate hangers: satin padding for more delicate items and sturdy wood hangers for tailored jackets.

Pegboard mounted inside a closet door creates an inexpensive mini-dressing station.

Slim plastic shoe boxes stack compactly, while hanging canvas shelves offer an inexpensive alternative to built-ins.

Clear plastic drawers make perfect storage quarters for neatly rolled scarves, underwear, and belts.

One smart solution to a storage crunch: a customizable unit of wire drawers.

Durable hooks keep large bags from slumping and losing shape on shelves.

Even tight closets can be kept in check with helpers like bins and hanging shelves.

A slanted plywood platform lets you take in your shoe collection at a glance.

A shorter version of the traditional hanging shoe shelf is perfect for double-hung closet rods.

Use large canvas boxes to store away neatly folded winter sweaters.

Canvas shelves, like this set with drawers, hold sweaters, T-shirts, and other clothing items that might stretch on a hanger.

Gain extra space in small closets by using slim hangers and stackable bins with pull-out drawers.

A walk-in closet becomes a dressing area with the simple addition of a mirror.

Employ gold plates and a label maker for the ultimate closet organization.

Shelf dividers prevent leaning towers of cashmere and keep unruly items in their place.

Group clothing by category―dress pants, jeans, casual shirts, work tops―to make putting together outfits easier.

Another take on organizing: Arrange clothes by color, from light to dark.

An armoire provides extra storage space in the bedroom; use baskets to collect odds and ends.

For little legs, stow a collapsible step ladder just inside a closet door, and place high-wear items―like baseball caps―in easy-to-access spots.

Keep toys in low drawers so they’re easy to take out (and put away).

Up-to-the-ceiling cabinets, offering maximized storage space, are reached with a library-type ladder.

An over-the-door rack makes the most of the unused space behind a closet door.

Another use for it: Store bats, balls, helmets, and other sports gear.

A neat way to store clunky rain boots off a closet floor: a metal shoe rack that affixes to the wall.

A simple strategy (store less-used items up top and popular outerwear in a grab-and-go locale) and well-chosen hardware (like back-of-the-door hooks) streamline a coat closet.

An organized broom closet allows you to quickly find the cleaning supplies you need―saving you precious time on a Saturday.

Keep mops and brooms corralled in a holder attached to the back of a door.

Shaped like oversized magazine boxes, canvas bins bring order to an overpacked closet.

Use an upright plastic bin―tucked into a closet corner―to harbor your umbrellas.

Position your vacuum cleaner so it’s easy to get to, hanging the hose on a hook to free up floor space.

Closet Nirvana? To streamline your space, constantly eliminate clutter: Every three to four months donate unused items to charity.