You can buy plastic vacuum bags. ONce you filled them up you can suck the air out with vacuum cleaner making it really small. Put all your clothes in them which you do not wear here and put them in suitcases/boxes. I also keep bags/shoes/etc in suitcases which I do not use. I keep a couple of suitcases empty that we use when travel. I put these suitcases on the top shelf of the wardrobe.
I also bought storage boxes in Ikea and hanging drawers that can hang in the closet where you don't have shelves.
The bathroom in the maids room is also a storage for me as I don't have a maid.
I had the same issue but I couldnt let go of my clothes (think I have hoarding issues) DH had been nagging me for months to sort out the wardrobe because his space was decreasing and I think my clothes were like bunnies and kept on multiplying. The thought of chucking clothes from my fav shops at home, stuff never worn and just good old favourites was terrifying. I ended up booking Kelly Lundberg to do a wardrobe review she helped with the decisions on what to get rid of, what was the best for my shape its the best thing I have done. Now my clothes are organised, all the stuff that wasnt flattering has gone and I have some awesome outfits and only had to add with some accessories.
if you cant stand the thought of tossing clothes that don't fit, or you dont wear, go and buy a few large plastic containers, see through. Be brutal and go through your closet, fold everything and put in container. Label it and put it at the top shelf of your closet. Only keep those things in your closet that fit and you wear and like. Everything else in the container. In 6 months, take it all out, try it on, see if you love it. If you dont love it and dont feel good about it, donate it or throw it.
<em>edited by SueB on 23/01/2011</em>
My wardrobe is full of clothes that dont fit me, but I really dont want a clear out, always praying that I will get back into them. Funny enough today I thought I would be brave and try on some stuff I havent worn in a long time, and found jeans to fit. I am on a diet, so it must be working.
Maybe just take a good look at your clothes see if you want to recylce some to make room for some new ones.
i just bought a whole other wardrobe that takes over my entire wall (so if you include the closet I already have+the new one, then I've got two whole wall to wall closets).
manage the darn thing? i can't, it looks like I need two more wall to wall closets.