It happens to the best of us.

Perhaps it’s not too long after the holidays or our birthday or we’ve been on a recent shopping trip and now we find that our poor closet can, unfortunately, bear no more. If it’s bursting at the seams or you’re finding it next to impossible to organize, here are a few tips to help you get back on top of things.

Start with the big clean

First thing’s first, you have to start with a spring clean localized entirely to that closet of yours. It’s time to take a look and rediscover items that you haven’t worn in years (and probably won’t wear any time soon.) It may be time to get rid of or sell a few of the space wasters.

Sort, sort, sort

Before you start looking at any organizers or additional accessories that you’re considering to add to the closet, consider how to organize your closet to maximize the space as it currently exists, instead.

You might find that a few “categories” of clothes don’t really need that much space at all. You may, for instance, fit into a relatively small and underused drawer before. This could open up more space in the other sections of the closet.

Add a few space-saving tools

Once you’ve made the most use of the space as it stands, then it might be time at what you can do to further enhance its storage capabilities. Now we’re talking about look at the custom closet’s most popular accessories.

This can include additional rails that attach to the side panels, ties that can hang from the roof the closet, and hooks that can hang on the interior doors as well. A few smart choices and you can not only add space to the closet but free up space that’s no longer used thanks to the smarter organization.

Make use of exterior space too

The space around the closet could be just as useful as the actual closet itself. For instance, if it’s next to the wall, then the corner right beside it could be the perfect place for a wicker hamper. Don’t forget about underneath or above the closet, either. Beneath it might be the perfect place to slide a tray that contains your jewelry for instance.

Find longer-term storage options too

Lastly, make sure you’re not cluttering up the closet with things you’re not planning to wear for some time. For instance, your weather wear like coats, thicker scarves, and woolly sweaters might not need to be looked at for months to come.

So, you could easily store all that stuff in a big basket and tuck it away somewhere that’s less readily accessible until you need to open it all up again. Then you can do the same with your summer wear.

Every closet has its limit. Yours may well have reached its own. However, before you opt for a replacement, take a look at the tips above and see if you can’t keep things a little manageable for now.