*organization begins with an honest evaluation of your wardrobe

*you should have nothing in your closet that isn't currently wearable

*lose anything that doesn't fit or is out of style

*if you haven't worn it in a year, ask when you will wear it again

*make sure everything in your closet goes with something else

*store nostalgic clothes with memorabilia if you don't wear them

*place baskets for laundry, dry-cleaning, and alterations / mending

  
CATEGORIZING YOUR CLOTHES

*separate by season

*store off-season in another area if short on space

*separate by clothing purpose (formal, work, casual)

*separate by type (jackets, blouses, pants, skirts, etc.)

*separate by style (short-sleeve, long-sleeve)

*clearly delineate categories with labeled rod divider discs

*or assign each section to a different part of the closet

*hang clothes by color from light to dark

*for quick and easy dressing, hang full outfits together

STORING YOUR CLOTHES

*be aware of climate when storing items in an attic or basement

*put in cedar chips to keep out insects

*cardboard crossbars get sticky and leave a line on folded pants

*wire hangers make marks in the shoulders of your shirts

*stick to padded or plastic tubular hangers

*take your wire hangers to the dry cleaner to recycle

*use double-hanging rods for shorter items

*get rid of dry cleaner plastic covers as they clutter up your closet

*store small loose items, socks, stockings, etc. in drawer systems or plastic tubs

*roll up pantyhose to prevent runs

*hang belts, hats, and purses on hooks on the wall

*hang scarves on a hanger or scarf rack

*take shoes out of their original cardboard boxes

*use a shoe rack to keep footwear in sight and organized

*install shelves or bins for folding items

Copyright 2000-2010 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

Content provided by http://www.OnlineOrganizing.com Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and NAPO Golden Circle Member. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile.