Use a sturdy hanger to hang more than one item.
Even the most diligent people can have trouble keeping closets organized without some kind of system in place. Reducing clutter is the first important aspect of organization, and it costs nothing more than time. Sorting what remains doesn't require an expensive closet system. A number of inexpensive and do-it-yourself options will accomplish the job.
Hangers
Purchase sturdy plastic hangers or hangers with clips to hang paired items on one hanger, such as a jacket and trousers that are always worn together. For very full closets, use the same color hangers for like items. For example, hang jeans on black hangers, skirts on red hangers, dresses on blue hangers and so on. A variation on the idea works for closets with many similar-looking items: hang all black pieces of clothing on white hangers and all navy items on gray hangers to avoid a wardrobe mishap. Hang short items vertically by looping an 18-inch length of 1/4-inch brass chain over the closet rod; hook the hangers into the links.
Vertical Space
Make use of the closet's vertical space, starting below the closet rod. Vertical shelves designed to hook over the rod are inexpensive and will hold stacks of folded shirts and sweaters. Milk crates turned on their sides and stacked from the floor to the rod serve a similar purpose but are sturdy enough to hold stacks of folded jeans and other heavier items. Above the closet rod, install another rod or shelf, space permitting. Use the highest shelf to store off-season clothing or little-used items. Instead of buying plastic storage bins, store items in suitcases, and stash them on the top shelf.
Repurpose
For walk-in closets, use old bookshelves or inexpensive new ones to achieve the same look and organizational capacity as expensive custom-made closet systems. To organize small items, such as jewelry, use ice trays, egg cartons or muffin tins on shelves or in drawers. Ice trays work especially well because they stack without slipping. Use shoeboxes without lids in drawers to keep jumbled piles of undergarments more organized. Hang an inexpensive shoe organizer on the inside of the door to store odd items you use often, such as gloves in the winter and a bathing suit in the summer.
Hooks
Use over-the-door hooks to hang purses from. In closets with free wall space, install one row of hooks at shoulder height and another row at waist height. Hang reusable cloth grocery bags from the hooks, and store lightweight items inside, such as socks, pantyhose, scarves or ties. In a deep closet, install hooks behind the rod to make use of the empty wall, and hang off-season items on them, such as heavy winter coats.
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