While the weather might have some of us shivering a bit at the moment, there’s plenty we can be doing inside to stay warm. It’s the perfect time to pour some elbow grease into those valuable storage spaces and get a jump-start on spring-cleaning. Laurie has been studying up on some home organizers’ ideas and methods for getting the most out of your closet storage. Here are her four favorite theories to help you get started:

1. The 12-12-12 Treatment

Famed minimalist Joshua Becker came up with this concept: while you’re cleaning out your closet set aside a certain portion of time and, “find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to be returned to their proper home.” It’s all about ensuring that your closet is only functioning as a closet and not as some sort of storage limbo. It’s time to make some decisions!

2. The One In, One Out Rule

This philosophy, created by Colleen Madsen, states very simply, “For every item that goes into your home, something else should go out.” While she applies this rule to the entire home, it can more specifically be applied to your closet. Buy a new sweater? Great, then make sure you’re getting rid of an item before putting that sweater away. It doesn’t have to be a sweater, necessarily – it can be any item. Sticking to this policy is a great way to train your brain to defend your closet space.

3. Five-Minute Philosophy

Does the idea of reorganizing your entire closet sound like your worst nightmare? Sometimes the anxiety of the act is greater than the act itself. Leo Babauta came up with a simple solution: don’t do it all in one day. Work in palatable, smaller increments. Instead of tackling your entire closet, just chip away at it for five minutes every day for a week – the results are accumulative. Again, it’s about finding a method that works for you.

4. The Hanger Trick

Sometimes the key to cleaning out your closet is being honest with what you’re actually wearing and, most importantly, what you’re not wearing. Often people say, “I might wear that again, so don’t throw it out.” Might is a powerful word because it gives the illusion you will…when you probably won’t. So, here’s a trick Laurie uses: First, be sure all of your hangers are facing in the same direction. Once you’ve worn and washed something, turn its hanger so that it faces the other way. Continue to do this for six months. Every time you wear something new, turn its hanger the other way. After six months, whatever items are still facing the original direction – probably need to go.

Bonus Tip

Laurie’s good friend, tech-expert Carley Knobloch has a great idea about where to send those unworn clothes. She says, “If you want you put your closet on a diet, fill a bag from ThredUp with all the stuff you don’t wear and they’ll give you cash for your unwanteds. There! Now your closet is ready for the new duds you’ve been lusting after.”