If you are anything like me, then you have probably salivated over the “closets” of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  If you have never seen their closets, then allow me to explain…they are usually larger than your average NYC apartment.  Sigh.  To add to that, these closets are fully equipped with center  accessory islands, vanities, and more shoe-storage space than Neiman Marcus.  And, of course, they are packed with beautiful things.  It is simply amazing.  I am always brought back down to the “Real Life of Allison” when I open my own closet…slightly less impressive.  Huh.

Okay, so I may not have a closet room…hell, I don’t even have a walk-in closet (yet….positive thinking, positive thinking); however, that does not mean that I can’t have a well-organized, functional closet which is also pretty!  Regardless of closet-size, you need to work with what you have and you may as well make it look great too!  Here are some simple tips (you will see that I have used them in my own closet, above):

1. Paint the inside of your closet to match your room.  Painting is one of the most effective yet inexpensive ways to freshen up any space…by taking the extra time to paint the inside of your closet, it will look prettier and feel cohesive with the rest of your space.
2. Cover your closet shelves with a liner that coordinates well with your paint color.  This may seem silly, but it can make a big impact in the overall esthetic of your closet.
3. If you are lucky enough to have a walk-in closet, you can never go wrong with replacing a boring light with a small chandelier.
4. Purchase coordinating baskets/bins in order to sort out your accessories.  My closet floor used to be a mess of items.  Now I have three identical bins…one for extra bags (my designer bags go on a shelf), one for extra shoes, and one for random items.
5. Purchase a smaller coordinating basket/bin for the purpose of holding your small accessories (scarves, sunglasses, belts).
6. Install some nice hooks on the walls…these provide a great place to hang hats, yoga straps, scarves, etc.
7. “No wire hangers!”  Purchase matching hangers…they will look great and will help to hold your clothing’s shape.
8. Use hanging cedar blocks to protect your clothing from unwanted visitors such as moths.
9. Store your off-season items elsewhere…if space is tight, a queen-size bed has enough space beneath it to accommodate up to two large under-bed storage bins.
10. Let your creativity flow…utilize whatever space you have and make it your own.