organizing a coat closet on the cheap

Here is a client's neglected closet. It is used every day and serves more than one purpose. This system might have worked at one time but it got out of hand and was no longer working.
It was obvious that the canvas storage unit had to go. It was re-purposed by laying it on it's back with the pockets facing up. We used it in the playroom to store toys! It was clear the horizontal space in the closet was not being utilized. And everything needed to be sorted and de-cluttered. It's that last part that takes so long but is actually the most rewarding.
We did not throw very much away but by sorting everything and condensing it all we were able do this:
Doesn't it look like we just threw a bunch of stuff out? The client purchased a $20 shelf at Walmart.com. Everything else is what she already had. Yes, we could make this closet look more pretty. Yes, we could make this closet more stream-lined. But the client was on a tight budget and using what she already had, after the purchase of the shelf, was necessary.

The client takes this woven-handled basket (on the right) with her once a week to trade coupons with a friend, so this is a nice home for the basket and its contents.
The homeowners store screws, nails, hammers, screwdrivers and the like in here. They don't like going out to the garage when they want to hang something on the wall or they need a screwdriver to change the batteries in a baby toy. Less-used tools are in the garage in a tool box.
This closet also stores lightbulbs and batteries.
The key to making this work for EVERYONE is labeling everything.

Not pictured is an over-the-door pocket organizer. We de-cluttered it, and discovered a large amount of winter gloves. After the cold is over the family's assignment is to get rid of the abundance. They know what they haven't worn in years and what can easily be donated. We organized the pocket doors in a way that makes sense with like-items together and yes, there were a few things that we threw away.

The client had also been storing the toilet paper on the top shelf of this closet but it was a pain for her to reach it, so we relocated it on the floor and she loves it there.

Our client learned a big lesson in the value of de-cluttering by sorting and condensing. While it takes time to go through everything, that's what made the biggest difference.