For some, it’s difficult enough to motivate yourself for spring-cleaning, not to mention the procrastination of getting to the daunting task of closet re-organization. But consider that you may be cramping your style if you cannot see what you own. If it’s time to air out your fashion skeletons, then I’m here to share a few tips with which I solved my most vexing closet dilemmas, just to get you started.

And, since I’m proud to know some stylish women with a creative bent I polled them for ideas, as well as a pinching a few from Pinterest.

This first idea was born out of true frustration with my ever-multiplying collection of tank tops -- I couldn’t get a good visual on what I owned with them stacked in a drawer like all-you-can-eat pancakes. The solution: My husband’s belt hanger. I drape one tank strap over a bar, which allows me to get at least three per bar.  Now, what to do with that empty drawer?

For a time, storing and displaying my necklaces was a particular drag. I couldn’t seem to get it right until I cleared a section of my closet and nailed cork board to the wall, with additional nails for hanging necklaces. My web editor Megan McDonald said she does the same thing, but cleverly wrapped the cork in Anthropologie tissue paper.

I was thrilled when Richard Simpkins turned me on to the idea of using a vintage dental cabinet to store my jewelry!  It is such a chic idea for those who want a jewelry box but don’t want it to look like one. And, it’s a handsome piece of furniture for the boudoir.

The drawers vary in depth. The shallow top drawers house my earrings and watches; the lower/deeper drawers suit my cuff bracelets. Many design styles exist out there, from classic to modern and some still have the drawer inserts/dividers. I found this fabulous Art Deco one at Architectural Salvage. 

You know how those gorgeous investment boots droop over? Well, The Today Show style editor Bobbie Thomas said to put an empty wine bottle in each. Works brilliantly.

Marsha Fottler, a regular Martha Stewart, has a stack of four hatboxes in a corner of one of her guest bedrooms. In the boxes are gloves and winter scarves that aren’t needed very often, old address books she’s not ready to throw away, and other things on the way to the trash, but not yet.

Great use of storage, which would work well with vintage trunks, too.

From jewelry designer and owner of Green Apple Design Talia Famiglio: Flip flops and other 'I don't care too too much about you' shoes land in long flat baskets on the floor. Also, my collection of purses are gently packaged in this type of basket on a higher shelf for safe keeping.

Shelley Sarbey’s suggestion is to put tights and stockings on a hanger, like you would a scarf.  Which sparked my curiosity – so I did a little Googling and found the Hosiery Hanger, $16.99 for a two pack at, where else, www.hosieryhanger.com.

Elisabeth Waters keeps an incredibly organized closet, so her advice was a must for this blog. She suggests labeling with photos. For instance, shoes live stacked in clear plastic drawers with a photo of its contents on the outside. If she has more than one hat in a hatbox, she photographs the hats and labels the box in the same way.

If you have one scarf, you have many. For this, Renée Hamad uses a towel rack. How clever!

A nice way to repurpose those vintage teacups of Grandmother’s is to display your earrings and rings, as Megan McDonald does.

Just a couple of ideas here that I found while rooting around on Pinterest…

You can find many drawer organizers, from mesh to these made of bamboo, which are available in seven sizes. By the way, I have these in my make-up drawer--keeps everything so tidy!  You can find them at www.containerstore.com.  Also, check out the alternate use for those nearly obsolete ice cube trays that can be found at any dollar store:

I thought this crown molding used as shoe storage was entirely too clever. Great for a girl who has more wall than she needs, especially above your hanging clothes.

Speaking of shoes, here’s a well-designed shoe rack that will give you more floor space. Click here for more info.

Hope you found a trick or two to take home with you.  And, if you’ve come up with or discovered a clever organizational tip – please share it in the comments below!

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For even more fashion news and notes, follow Heather Dunhill on Twitter @heatherDUNHILL.

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