I’ve decided to share this How-To Organize Your Closet post by including a glimpse of my own closet. When your closet, dresser, and jewelry are organized it causes less stress, saves you time, and money! You don’t need built-ins or a customize closet. Follow these tips to organizing your own to find out!

My closet is divided into sections. Each section has a category, then a subcategory, and then organized by color. This system is the most useful to me, because it lets me find everything I need, without wasting time.

Shoes. Try to separate your shoes by style. Pumps, espadrilles, flats, sneakers, etc. Then arrange by color. If you don’t have shelf storage, try a shoe organizing shelf, or an over-the-door shoe organizer. An under-the-bed shoe organizer is great when you’re limited on space.

Necklaces. Statement necklaces are a vast part of my wardrobe. I don’t like them to be hidden, or tucked away. I use hangers to organize them. I divide my necklaces by color: gold, silver, multi-tone, and colored. This eliminates using 1-2 hangers where they can easily tangle or brake, and they can all easily be seen.

Jewelry. I separate my jewelry by costume and fine jewelry. Then I organize them by type. Bracelets, rings, earrings, hair accessories, etc. Jewelry drawers really help keep me organized. But these drawer dividers work just as well!

Belts. I organize my belts by style, color, and width. I can view all of my options when looking for something specific. An Over-the-door Multi-Hook is a great option for keeping your belts organized.

Handbags. I organize my handbags on shelves. I categorize by type, style, color, and brand. I keep all clutches, crossbodies and wristlets together. A hanging shelf, or over-the-door organizer are also great options.

Hats. I organize my hats by season, then style. Keeping them in drawers is the most effective solution for me. If you lack drawer space, an over-the-door hat organizer works well, also.

Seasonal Accessories. This is my drawer for Winter accessories. I keep heavy scarves, hats, headbands, and gloves organized together. This makes it easy for me to adjust from season to season.

Seasonal Shoes & Coats. Like accessories, I group Winter boots together. I organize them by type, height, style, and color. I organize by jackets by heaviness, style, and color. I keep my heaviest in the back so they aren’t taking up space when I’m not wearing them. Boot hangers are also a great way to keep boots’ shape.

Travel Accessories. I have a travel drawer, in which I keep garment bags for shoes, laundry, and swimsuits. Included are also wallets, organization  bags and additional handbag straps. This eliminates some of the stresses of packing. An accessory organizer is another option for these items.

Scarves. I own quite the scarf collection, due to the fact that it’s own of my favorite accessories. I have them categorized by color, then by thickness. A multi-use hanger also works well.

Denim & T-shirts. I keep my denim and tees stacked on shelves to eliminate hanger creases. I organize them by color, style, and length. Hanging shelves are another great option.

Knits. All of my knits are stacked on shelving, as well. Hanging knits can deform their shape. This includes, sweaters, cardigans, wraps, and knit jackets. They’re organized by type, thickness, and color. Hanging organizers and sweater organizers are a great way to organize as well.

Shorts, Skirts & Blazers. I hang all of my bottoms on wooden hangers with clips. This eliminates hanger creases, and easily lets me navigate through the items. My shorts and skirts are organized by casual, or dress, then by color. All blazers are organized by color, heaviness, and season.

Maxi Skirts, Pants, & Dresses. I organize all of these items together on a rack where I have the most height. This keeps all of my lengthier items neat. I organize by color, style, and season. A garment rack is a great option if you don’t have the length in your closet.

Casual Jackets & Swimwear. Along with my necklaces, I group casual jackets that I wear for lounging and the gym, and swimwear and coverups together. Divided drawers are another great way to store swimwear.

Sleeveless, Dress and Button-Front Tops. I group sleeveless tops together and organize by color, then strap thickness. Dress, and button-front tops are organized by sleeve length, then color.

Vests, Casual Tops & Casual Footwear. I group my vests, and casual tops together. They are categorized by sleeve length, then color. I have separate shelving for casual footwear, such as tennis shoes and flip flops.

General Tips:

• Keeping the same style and color of hangers throughout your closet, shows consistency and organization. I like velvet non-slip hangers.

• Organize clothing, accessories, and shoes by season. This makes for an easy  transition. If you don’t have the closet space to fit all seasons in at once, under-the-bed drawers, bags, baskets and storage boxes are a great solution for off-season items!

• Go through your closet once per week, and decide whether to keep clothes you haven’t worn in the past month. Make three piles: clothes to keep, clothes to consign or sell on eBay, and clothes to donate. If you’re on the fence, let this aid in your decision-making: If it’s in season, and if you aren’t going to wear it within the next month, choose to consign. This way you’re gaining closet space and making money for future purchases.

• It’s a good idea to invest in wardrobe staples that will bring you from season-to-season. Classic staples include, black and nude pumps, a chambray button-front top, a lightweight utilitarian jacket, a lightweight peacoat, a classic LBD, and your favorite denim. H&M, Forever21, and TJ Maxx are great for purchasing trendier items that you may only wear for one season. But don’t be fooled, you can also find many designer staples at affordable prices at TJ Maxx. It’s my favorite place to find amazing deals!

• A clothing steamer is a great item to have in your closet to eliminate wrinkles, and a trip to the dry cleaners. Travel versions work great too!