I'd recommend reading Marie Kondo's "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up." It's a game changer. Not only will you get that closet organized without spending a dime, it will stay organized.

http://konmari.com/

Well, I live in Montana and my winter clothes take too much space to hang in the closet, the summer ones not so much, but when I was renting it was actually ok. Last year I bought a 1940 house and the closets are 2.5ft x 4ft... I have to switch between boxes of folded up clothes every season. I also use the fact that most of my work days I use the clothes that are appropriate for my work, and this is a handful. If I either feel like or need once in a while to go out in a different attire, I just pull that combo out of the respective box. It all depends on which clothes you use at what intervals. You could set the ones you use most often in the middle of the closet (easiest access) and then the ones you use less often at the extremities of the closet (harder to reach). Then the ones that you only use on occasion, set in boxes for safekeeping until needed to be used. Also, if any clothes do not get used in a year (for example, in my situation, an evening gown long to the floor), set them in vacuum bags and only get them out if you really need to. That's my two cents worth.... Oh! Also, when I moved I realized I had clothes I had not worn since I was a teenager. Those went to donation!

If there are winter clothes you can't part with, do what I have done--purchase a couple of cloth under the bed storage systems. That's where my extra clothes have gone. They are out of the way until I need them! I purchased mine for very little money at Amazon. If they are still too much for you, you might be able to box or bag your extra clothing and find somewhere else in the house to store it.

Do you follow Young House Love blog? She has just written a blog about having a minimal wardrobe and not buying anything just because it is on sale or because it "will do". She has figured out just what she likes to wear and that is all she buys. Everything she owns goes with everything else. It really spoke to me because I have bought a ton of clothes for all the wrong reasons. I have a closet full of clothes I don't really like and very seldom wear because I can't pass up a bargain. I'm going to try to change my ways but it will take some time and effort. I've been clothes shopping once since I've had this realization and I came home empty handed. I tried to be proud that I didn't buy anything that was going to need a little tailoring that I would never do, or that wasn't flattering but would "do". It wasn't fun but I'm going to keep at it and until I get the knack of it.

Good luck with purging your closet. Can't wait to see pictures.

After taking everything out return items you love - put all like items together (pants, skirts, blouses...). Organize them in rainbow color order, makes it easy to find things and helps you find new combinations- as well as making the closet more appealing visually.

After the purge, then turn all hanging clothes you rarely use hang the hooks backwards. When wear put back in closet the correct way.

That way you can track what is being worn & avoid feeling overwhelmed doing it all at once.

After a year, try getting rid of the ones the coat hanger hook is still backwards.

Donate. if still in question about a few pieces, then repeat, If it is not worn within 2-3 years, chances are it will never be worn. Donate to someone who will.

Hopefully, it's organized by now..

Maybe we'll get after pics...

Oh gosh... old thread.