Closets can be a total nightmare. Many of us use these spaces to tuck away the clutter that we just don't want to deal with, and that means that often, they're totally not functional and completely unorganized.

Flip through the gallery for a guide to keeping your closet clean and organized, starting with a purge of your outdated clothing and deep-cleaning and ending with a plan to keep things more neat moving forward. 

It's arguably the most painful part of closet organization, but definitely the most crucial. Go through your entire closet, and pull out the things you don't wear anymore — or have never worn! — and toss or donate them. 

If you're serious about closet organization and yours is overflowing, it's important to be exacting in what you purge. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven't worn an item in the last year, you can totally get rid of it. 

Once the purge is complete, now it's time to remove all the things you're actually going to keep. Once the space is empty, you'll have a much better idea of how to best utilize all those shelves and clothing racks. 

Now that the closet's empty, this is the perfect time to give the shelves a good scrubbing and remove dust from the light fixtures. Don't forget to vacuum, too — your clothes will appreciate the new dust-free environment. 

Depending on the number of shows you own and the styles you prefer, there are a ton of shoe storage options. If you've got a slew of pricey sneakers, consider individual plastic shoeboxes that can easily be stacked on closet shelves. If you've only got a few pairs of flats and boots, a three-tier rack or over-the-door organizer might be the best pick. 

Nothing is worse than picking up (and re-washing!) clothes that have fallen on the floor of the closet because they slipped off their hanger. Head to a store like TJ Maxx, where you can find inexpensive velour-covered hangers that even the slipperiest blouses and jackets will stay on securely. 

It's possible to double the storage in your closet simply by installing a second rod underneath. Before you do that, though, make sure to measure the height of the clothes you plan to hang in order to prevent annoying overlap. 

Sweaters take up a lot of room in the closet, and in many climes, they're only worn for a few months out of the year. Roll up your sweaters and store them in flat, stackable storage containers to keep them in good shape — and out of the way. 

Vacuum-sealed bags can be a lifesaver for anyone with tiny closet space. Comforters, puffy coats, and bulky garments like sweaters can be reduced to a fraction of their original size and stored away neatly in a Space Bag, and as an added bonus, you won't have to worry about them getting dusty or otherwise ruined. 

Everyone's preferences are different, and that's especially true when it comes to clothing. Perhaps you prefer to group your blouses and skirts by color, or maybe it makes more sense to group items according to the seasons. Either way, once you've figured out the system that works for you, stick to it every single time you've got to hang up laundry. 

With a small piece of wood and a couple of hooks, it's easy to make a DIY belt hanger. Once you've screwed in the hooks, you can hang them on the wall in your closet to keep belts organized and out of the way. 

Handbags, with their irregular shapes and tendency to slump over, can be a pain to organize. Invest in an inexpensive cubby bookshelf to store bags in a way that will keep your closet tidy and make it look a bit more chic. It's a total win-win. 

Hanging organizers are great for storing shoes, scarves, and other small accessories, and they're easy to install on the back of your closet door. Hanging organizers can also be used to store socks, t-shirts, and other garments when suspended from your closet's clothing rod. 

If your closet floor ends up often covered in laundry, it's time to invest in a good-quality hamper. A sectioned hamper, with slots for towels, delicates, and whites, is always a good choice, as is one with wheels that can be easily transported to the laundry room. 

If you've got the space, bringing a small 3-drawer dresser into your closet is an excellent way to add storage. Tuck it into a corner, or choose a lowboy-style dresser that can be tucked under your hanging clothes. 

For closets with open shelves, baskets are essential for keeping everything organized. Clear plastic bins are totally an option, but wicker baskets are inexpensive, last forever, and add a chic touch to your closet. 

Most of us don't think about making our closets look great, which is probably partially why they're messy all the time. Bring more lighting into your space, install a mirror, or hang a few favorite pieces of art on the walls to make your closet more conducive to fashion creativity. 

For items like jewelry, handbags, and shoes, wall shelves can add a ton of storage options to an otherwise empty closet wall. Just make sure to check the weight limit of your chosen shelves before stacking them high with heavy items. 

If you're feeling totally overwhelmed by your closet refresh, it might be time to bring in a professional. Organizing experts literally do these kinds of things every day and can bring an excellent dose of new perspective to your organizing project. It's also not as pricey as you think — many organizers offer virtual consultations that are totally reasonably priced. 

Once the closet is clean, make a plan to keep it that way. Set monthly reminders on your phone to tidy up the space, and keep a shopping bag tucked away for storing items that should be donated throughout the year. 

Amy McCarthy is a Texas-based journalist. Follow her on twitter at @aemccarthy. 

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