Closet organizers and specialized hangers are inexpensive items that can improve the functionality of your closets. Several types of organizers fit easily into any closet.

To determine how much room you have for closet organizers (discussed in the following section), carefully measure the empty closet. Round each measurement to an eighth of an inch, taking the time to be as accurate as possible. Be sure to write the measurements down as you take them, and check your work twice.

When measuring a reach-in closet, determine the width of the closet by measuring the inside space between the two sidewalls, determine the height by measuring from the floor to the ceiling, and determine the depth by measuring the distance between the inside surface of the face wall or door and the back wall.

To measure a walk-in closet, measure the width of each wall, determine the closet's height by measuring from floor to ceiling, determine the width of the doorway by measuring the distance from frame to frame, and measure the height of the doorway, too.

General Organizers

Visit any linen superstore or check out almost any catalog or Web site that features closet organizational products and you'll find a wide selection of closet organizers. These component-based storage systems allow you to customize the inside of your closets without the high cost of hiring a professional to do it. After you've measured your available closet space and know exactly what you want to store in your closet, you can design a closet-storage system by mixing and matching modules.

Shelves and Shelf Dividers

Shelves provide you with a place to put all of the things that would otherwise go on the floor or in a dresser drawer. Preassembled stackable shelves are one option. They're available in a variety of sizes and can be customized to fit the dimensions of your closet. You can purchase closet shelving at most home-improvement or hardware stores.

Shelf dividers separate your shelf into small sections that you can use for a stack of sweaters or a stash of purses, without having them tumble over or get creased or scratched. Keep in mind, however, that it can be a bit of a headache to keep these items orderly. If you've ever grabbed a neatly folded sweater from the bottom of similar stack at a retail store, you know how easily these systems disintegrate into chaos. Other divider systems organize socks, hosiery, jewelry, and folded linens.

Baskets

Ventilated baskets serve practically any purpose you can name. Removable laundry baskets in closets serve as portable hampers. Baskets in kids' closets double as portable toy bins. Mudroom baskets provide ample storage for gloves, hats, and sports gear, letting damp outerwear breathe and dry.

Canvas Wardrobe Storage

For storing off-season clothing, canvas wardrobe-storage systems can be ideal. Hanging garment bags, hanging canvas shelves for sweaters, hanging folding drawers for small items such as scarves or socks, bedding bags for storing blankets and other large items, and shoe holders are all available. You can mix and match pieces to create a customized and organized closet. You could also purchase nylon clothing protectors that offer clear, heavy-gauge vinyl windows.

Clothes Hangers

When organizing any clothing closet, you want to purchase a variety of clothes hangers. Large wooden hangers are ideal for heavy clothes such as coats. They will also help these items retain their shape. Before you decide which types of hangers are best for you, purge all bent and out-of-shape metal hangers.

Suit hangers are designed with a special pant rod so that the single hanger neatly holds both pants and a jacket. Cedar hangers absorb moisture and discourage pests (such as moths) from damaging your clothing. Collapsible, multi-tiered hangers save space by allowing you to hang multiple garments in one small area.

Shoe Racks

To improve the organization of your clothing closet, invest in a sturdy shoe rack. If you're stuck with a small closet, you might purchase a hanging shoe rack that you can attach to the back of the closet door. Most stores also sell shoe bags with pouches that you can attach to the wall of your closet. Keep in mind that the pouches built into some shoe racks can also be used to store scarves or belts. Make sure the pouches are transparent so that you can see exactly what's inside them. When storing expensive shoes, consider investing in shoetrees, devices that you place within each shoe to preserve its shape. Cedar shoetrees also absorb moisture and odors.

Another possibility is a compact shoe rack that sits on the floor of your closet. These can be sloped, allowing for a better view of your shoes. As you organize your closets, strive to make everything that you use each day more visible — otherwise, you might be consistently late because of the time and effort involved with tracking down clothes that match and are clean and unwrinkled. The ideal to strive for is that everything be orderly and everything be easy to see. Every morning you want to be able to spot your clothes immediately upon opening your closet door.

Tie and Belt Racks

Although ties and belts are loose items, you can still organize and display them in your closet. Special holders or storage tacks for neckties and belts can be attached to a closet wall or door, or in some cases can be hung from the closet's rod. Some racks also slide out when you need them and tuck away when you don't. Be sure to store tie racks close to dress shirts so that coordinating outfits is easy. Pegs with nubbed tips keep ties in place and prevent wrinkling.

Jewelry Organizers

Jewelry organizers, which are often felt-lined, keep your valuable and delicate possessions cushioned and protected. In some cases, a top tray slides and lifts out, giving you two layers of storage in a single drawer. Combinations of large and small compartments work for different types and styles of jewelry and accessories.