I have a very small closet - it's also not very tall. Thankfully I don't have to share it with DH. I used to organize by like item but recently re-organized by color instead, mixing seasons. I am finding I like this organization MUCH better, as it helps me think outside of the box when putting together outfits. My closet goes like this from left to right:
1. Formal/holiday/occasional wear -- tucked in the farthest most reaches, which is basically behind a wall so I can't really see what is in there.
2. A few camel & olive items -- not my best color, so I don't want a lot in this category. My burberry is in this section.
3. Solid black items -- no matter what season; summer mixed in with spring and fall and winter. My black puffer is in this category. This is the biggest category. I do not bother to organize by type of item.
4. Solid grey items are next.
5. Whites & creams. My white jean jacket is in this category as well.
6. Expansion items -- this is what Vivienne Files calls it. These are items that mix neutrals together, so for example, a black and white patterned top would go in here, as would a grey and black striped top.
7. Accent colors -- organized by color. Patterns & solids are mixed in here. Plum, cranberry, blue, navy, blush, green, purple, etc. Having them altogether helped me parse out the colors that just don't mesh well with anything else, like yellow. Gone. Capping off the end of this section -- and end of my closet -- is my denim jacket and my cobalt wool coat.
Sweaters that can hold up to hanging are hung up. The rest of my sweaters are folded in two rolling carts below the hanging items, organized also by color.
Shoes -- the closet has two doors, on the back of each is a hanging shoe holder with pockets (enough for 24 pairs total -- I try to keep my shoe population within this number, not counting sneakers).
Boots & booties -- are lined up on the top shelf, organized by color as well.
I have a straw beach bag on the floor of my closet which holds bathing suit and beach gear and flip flops -- just in case I have a last-minute trip where they might get some use.
Jeans, tees, loungewear, gear, undies etc are in a dresser.
Scarves are rolled in a basket.
Shoulderbags are hanging in an organizer on the back of the hall closet. Clutches, hats, gloves are in a dresser in the front hall.
I now have most of my coats hanging in the closet, or at least, my favorite, nicest ones. It takes up room but I find it helps me plan what coat to wear with which outfit. I have a handful still hanging in the back hallway. The bulkiest or most "gearish" ones or ones that probably will get pruned soon. Snow boots are back there too.
I also have clothes tucked away in storage bins, but over the years, the amount has been drastically reduced. It's mostly now just a box for way-out-of-season stuff, i.e., summer items. And items that don't fit right now but I suspect they may again.
I reorganized back in the fall and I'm pleasantly surprised that my closet has stayed organized this way. Also find it helped immensely to see wardrobe holes that needed filling.
