10 steps to your dream wardrobe

We know there are only so many hours in a day, and sorting out a messy wardrobe may not be top of the household chores list, but time spent organising clothes means time saved in the morning. Our 10-point guide to your dream wardrobe will help you de-clutter your life, and get smart. We guarantee it's worth the effort.

1. Buy decent hangers; it'll make your clothes look better and last longer. Trouser hangers may not look very attractive but they're the ultimate space-savers. We love The Holding Company ones; tel 020 8445 2888.

2. Save space by rolling belts up - put them in a drawer and hold them in place with an elastic band (or neatly fold delicate fabric and suede).

3. Keep shoes in their boxes, or invest in some clear Perspex containers. Not only do shoes stay dust-free, they look neat too. Check out www.muji.co.uk and www.lakeland.co.uk (tel 015394 88100) for some top-notch storage solutions. Lakeland's quick assembly boxes are stackable and open at each end, so that you can remove your shoes without disturbing the rest of the stack.

4. Sort out your underwear drawer. Fold bras at the centre front and keep them in a neat pile; and be ruthless with knickers - be sure to throw away any old greying pairs. Store underwear carefully - line wooden drawers to avoid snagging delicate fabrics.

5. Organise tights and socks. Ball tights up to save space and avoid annoying leg tangle, do the same with socks and throw away any random singles - their other halves have gone to the Bermuda Triangle of laundry land, never to return.

6. Pack clothes away at the end of each season. Fold them flat and place in boxes, or vacuum-pack. Check out www.lakeland.co.uk for great storage options.

7. Store similar clothes together. Finding a favourite style is easy when you know where to look. Keep one end of the wardrobe for shorter garments like skirts and jackets (with shoes stored neatly underneath), the other for longer dresses and coats. No need to hang T-shirts, jumpers or sportswear, fold neatly and place on a shelf or in a moth-proof storage box.

8. Protect delicate clothes, and keep moths at bay, with garment bags. Try www.johnlewis.com (tel 08456 049 049) for a selection of garment bags, and for sweet-smelling moth protection, or use Lakeland's lavender anti-moth sachets, available from www.lakeland.co.uk. Moth's hate them but you'll love them.

9. Dry-clean coats and jackets at the end of the season. Replace missing buttons and carry out any minor repairs, then store them in your new garment bags till next time.

10. Have a ruthless clear out - clothes that haven't been worn for six months or don't fit, must go. You need the space for new things.

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