Control Closet Clutter - How to keep your closet organized in the winter

Alas, winter is approaching yet again. And the return of cold weather also means the return of sweaters, coats and boots. If your closet was already filled to capacity with flimsy sundresses, shorts and flip flops-it's probably bursting at the seams with the addition of all your bulky winter gear.

It's time to regain control of your closet clutter! These 10 tips are designed to help you not only organize your closet, but keep it organized throughout the winter.

And you might even find that holiday sweater you've been searching for-since last year.

1) Start with a clean slate.

First things first. You need to start fresh. That means pulling everything out of the closet. Yes. Everything. It's often said that people use 20% of the wardrobe 80% of the time. By pulling everything out of your closet, you can see what you actually have so you can figure out what you items you really need.

2) Categorize

Separate your clothes into three piles. A pile to trash, a pile to donate and a pile to keep. In your keep pile, separate spring and summer clothes from fall and winter clothing.

3) Store summer clothes

Now it's time to put those tank tops and shorts into Space Bags and store them until the return of warmer weather. I promise, you are not going to want to wear that sundress when it's below zero and snowing outside.

4) Take advantage of the inside of the door

Over-the-door shoe racks can hold more than shoes-they'll also hold your hats and gloves. Even scarves can loop around them. Now you won't have to worry about losing one glove or your favorite winter hat.

5) Under-bed storage drawers

Even with your summer clothes out of the closet, sweaters can still take up a lot of space. Under bed storage is a great way to get more room and your closet but still have easy access to sweaters and other clothing.

6) Multi-purpose hangers

There are a ton of specialty hangers designed to give you more closet space. Wonder Hangers will allow you to "triple the space in your closet." Getting a scarf hanger or a revolving tie hanger is another way to save some space and keep you organized.

7) Install an extra shelf

The space above the top shelf of the closet is often wasted. Installing an additional shelf is not only easy to do, but will enable you to take advantage of the space all the way up to the ceiling.

8) Invest in a great shoe rack

Use a shoe rack to keep your favorite shoes close at hand (or foot). Also consider keeping your expensive shoes in their original shoe boxes and storing them under your bed or on a top shelf of your closet.

9) Storage Boxes

Use storage boxes to store similar things together. There are a million different varieties of storage boxes (or containers, or drawers) that you can use. Find the type that works best for what you need it to do. You can use these to store everything from socks and belts to jewelry and photos.

10) If all else fails...

Consider getting a garment rack and storing it in your basement or attic. But if it comes to this, you may want to consider sleeping in the living room so you can turn your bedroom into a closet.

Hmm...now there's a thought...