Ah, the sweet smell of Spring. It’s time to throw open the windows, uncover the backyard pool and relish in the extra hour or two of daylight each evening. While you’re shaking out of your cold weather hibernation, you may begin to notice the bits of clutter that have invaded your home over the year.

Like other mammals, it seems humans have a tendency to stockpile junk during the cooler months – only to end up drowning in a mess by the season’s end. One such area of concern is often the closet space. If you’re having trouble dealing with your unorganized mess of a closet, here are a few steps to help you get started with your Spring cleaning endeavors:

1. Gut it. Take everything out of your closet and start from scratch. Spread everything out on the floor and separate everything into piles. If you’re cleaning out your bedroom closet, put clothes into one pile, shoes into another pile and so forth.
2. Toss it. Every one of us is guilty of being a pack rat at some point or another. While some items may hold a special sentimental value – your Grandmother’s wedding dress for example – other items are simple space takers. Anything not used or worn in the past two or three years can most likely be donated.
3. Clean it. Before you put everything back, take time to do a little cleaning. Vacuum or sweep out the floor and run a damp cloth over each shelf. If it’s been awhile since you’ve cleaned out the space, it might be a little grungier than you’d hoped. However, your mind will be at ease when your closet is clean and clutter free.
4. Sort it. When it comes to closet organization, containers are your best friend. Invest in a few tasteful boxes or wicker baskets and begin to sort things. This is especially helpful for kitchen pantries and bathroom closets where tons of items are pushed to the back and never found again. Containers with labels on the front are an especially smart decision.
5. Enjoy it. Once your closet organization is complete, you will have a much easier time locating the things you need. Feel free to reward yourself with some time in the sun.