It’s that time of year again, and even if you’re not heading back to school it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a couple of fabulous new outfits (and maybe a new pair of shoes. Make that two). But when you’re living in a tight space, Stuff Overload can be a very serious affliction. Avoid the mess (and the invitation to appear on TLC’s Hoarders) with a few special decluttering tips.

4 Steps to More Space in Your Closet

Out with the Old, In with the New

Tried and true, this technique is the go-to for people with a serious case of Pack Rat: for every one item you purchase, you have to donate, give away, or trash one item you already own. It ensures you never start accumulating a collection of forgotten fashions, and keeps you looking fresh and un-faded. No ratty sweats here!

Seasonal Selections

If you live in a place with drastic seasonal changes (I’m looking at you New England), there is no choice but to keep your wardrobe well-stocked with both wooly long-johns and linen shorts. It can wreak havoc on anyone’s closet – do you know how much space winter jackets take up?! Your best bet is to have a seasonal rotation of clothes in your closet and the rest packed away. Invest in a couple of plastic storage tubs or those nifty vacuum-sealable bags, and turn under-your-bed into a hideaway for off-season apparel.

Every time the weather changes, have a massive “spring” cleaning and evaluate your new wardrobe. What has gone out of fashion during the year? What no longer fits? Get rid of the stuff you won’t wear, and go have a little shopping spree.

The Hanger Turn-Around

For guys and gals who are already elbow-deep in accessories, serious intervention is required. The Hanger Turn-Around goes like this:

1. Go into your closet and hang your clothes so all the hangers are facing the same way.
2. When you wear something, flip the hanger around to face the other way.
3. After some amount of time (3 months, 6 months, a year) gather the garments that have not been flipped and get rid of them.
4. Don’t cheat and flip something around that you haven’t worn. That’s not the point.

Disclaimer: This technique really only works if you are fairly organized. There is no way to flip hangers around when all your clothes are in piles on the floor.

Kiss Sentiment Goodbye

A small apartment is no place for ex-boyfriend’s sweatshirts and the pair of sneakers your uncle bought you when you made the high school basketball team. Seriously. If you don’t wear it on a regular basis, donate it or rent a storage locker. Just get it out of your closet so you have room for those NIKE kicks you’ve been eyeing.

Can’t bear to part with everything? Consider transforming old clothes into new apartment accessories. Sew gorgeous fabrics into throw-pillow covers, or combine all your sweat shirts into a cozy camping quilt.

Do you have any other tips for living Carrie Bradshaw style? How do you stay on the cusp of fashion forwardness, but don’t get buried in Burberry? Let us know!

About the author:

Emma Thesenvitz writes for PadMapper.com, a web application that makes hunting for apartments for rent suck less. She lives in a tiny room in Seattle, and has a fabulous collection of rain boots in her closet.