We've all seen the classic sitcom situation where a kid is told he needs to clean his room before going outside to play, only to shove everything on the floor into the closet. Of course, when the closet door is opened, the massive pile of toys and games comes flying out. For some of us, this scenario is not too far off from the state of our own closets. Fortunately, there are some fun and creative ways to get those closets in order. Here are some ideas to get you thinking!

Use Old Suitcases

Don't use cardboard boxes to store unused items. Instead, look for old suitcases at garage sales and antique stores. They're made to store a lot of items in a small space, so they're perfect for closet storage. Add an artsy touch to this organizing tip by making personalized luggage labels to mark what's inside.

Post-It Flags

Put a post-it note on every piece of clothing at the beginning of the season, then take them off when you wear that item. At the end of the year, you'll be able to see at a glance what you haven't worn in months. This makes de-cluttering a breeze. At the end of the season, just pull out all the unused items and donate them or sell them. If you really think you might use them again, you can always put them into storage.

Pictures on the Box

Here's a fun tip for storing footwear: Keep your shoes stored in their shoe boxes, but tape a photo of the shoes to the front of the box. When you want a pair, find them in a heartbeat!

Use Vertical Racks

A simple vertical coat rack on the wall can be used for all kinds of items that are difficult to store. Hang ties, belts, and purses on the hooks to keep them from getting tangled up with each other in the closet. Storing things on the wall will also give you more space on your shelves.

Presto! Your closet is clean, sassy, and best of all, organized.