We expect a lot from closets. We want them to not only hold the items we use, but they also must hold the things we rarely need and even some things we just don’t want to see. And we want our closets to do both of these jobs at the same time. Is it any wonder that many of us have closets that don’t look perfectly neat and tidy?

Our poor closets are caught in a catch-22: we need for them to be neat and efficient because of everything we put in them, but because of everything we put in them, they cannot remain neat and efficient.

A disorganized clothing closet is much more than an eyesore-it can cause you to lose time (looking for things), money (buying things you thought you needed but didn’t), and perhaps even lose your mind. Okay, maybe you won’t lose your mind, but a disastrous clothing closet certainly can be a stressful place to begin your day.

If your closet space is very limited (and many apartment dwellers deal with this reality), the easiest option is to rotate your wardrobe by season. In other words, only clothing that can be worn in the current season may claim a space in your clothing closet. Off-season clothing is stored away somewhere else until you need it. (But remember, if you’re storing clothing and linens, place some cedar strips or cedar balls in the container to ward off moths.) Additional clothing closet dos include these:

Try to keep everything in plain sight, and getting dressed will be easier. (One exception to this rule-place shoes in boxes on a high shelf, take a photo of the pair, and secure it to the front of the box so you don’t have to rifle through several boxes just to find your dress navy blue pumps.)

Purge first! You know the old rule: If you haven’t worn it in the last year, you probably won’t ever wear it again, so get rid of it!

Purchase shelf dividers if you’re folding items and placing them on wide closet shelves. This keeps things neatly corralled into their appropriate spots.

Place jewelry, socks, and hosiery in hanging cosmetic travel bags (the ones with lots of pockets and a clear window in front.) Hang these right on your closet rod or from a hook on a wall or on the back of your door.

If you have an empty section of wall in your closet, use it! Attach plenty of hooks (screw in or removable adhesive) for purses, belts, scarves, and other items that often get lost in closets.

2007, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Are you ready to decorate your home more beautifully now too? Shop for beautiful lamps and lighting at StylishLamps.com, discount bedroom linens at StylishBeds.com, or head over to BudgetStyles.com for articles, tips, ideas, DIY Projects and other Home Decorating Fun!