If you've moved recently, when's the best time to get the closets in your new home organized? How about when you're finding more clothes on the floor than on hangers? How about after the one-thousandth time you couldn't find your favorite pair of shoes or pinstriped work shirt? Or, how about the day you admit your closet should officially be declared a national disaster area?

Recent movers, don't fret. Whether it's the first day in your new home or six months after you've moved in, your new, made-over closet -- that special place to hold all your stuff, keeping it neat and organized and bring a sense of harmony to your home -- is just a few easy steps away.

While a dream closet does require a little project planning, sorting (and weeding out), cleaning, designing and labor (installation), it's well worth the effort!

Here are the 12 steps to help get you there:

1. Set a date -- mark on your calendar a date when you can set aside more than a few hours, say a full day, to declutter the problem closet and dream about creating your new sense of order.
2. Get some boxes and bags -- sort and categorize items as you remove them from the closet. Weed what you don't need: most of us wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Take the ones you can live without to a local charity, a friend's house, the attic or the curb.
3. Determine how much space you really need for your clothes, taking into account the size of your closet.
   • How many pairs of shoes do you have?
   • How many long garments?
   • How much space for stackable closet or pantry items?
   • How many baskets or drawers do you need?
4. Remove the existing shelving. Clean the closet. Patch the small holes with spackle. Sand when dry. For bigger holes, click here for Repairing Walls.
5. Vacuum the closet. Paint.
6. Take your measuring tape and measure your space. Measure the length of the walls, ceiling height and width or depth. This measurement will impact the depth of the shelving you can use.
   Measure your door. You might consider replacing the door to allow for greater access into the closet.
7. Design your closet. PC users can use the new Visual Storage Planner at www.closetmaid.com. This 3-D tool will help you design the perfect closet. There's also a "live chat" feature on closetmaid.com where you can ask for online help or suggestions.

   Typical shelf heights are 71.5" from the floor for long hanging space and 85.5" and 42" for double or short hanging space. You can also determine your long hang height by measuring your longest piece of clothing.

   Consider using upper storage shelves for seasonal items; long hang shelves for dresses and coats; double hang shelves for blouses, shirts, skirts and folded over pants; stacks of shelves for other folded items, clear boxes and other containers; shoe rack shelves; tie and belt racks; hanging storage, and a valet rod or two.
8. If you want a "professional closet design," check out the Professional Design Serviceat www.closetmaid.com.
9. Closetmaid.com can also help you find out where to buy the systems and accessories you'll need if you're doing it yourself, or an installing dealer who can do it for you.
10. If you need additional instructions or tips on how to install your closet system, you'll find How-To Guides, Animated Product Demonstrations and more atwww.closetmaid.com.
11. Organize or put your closet together. Click here for Tips for Organizing Your Closet. Once you've organized your closet, it will be easier to maintain your sense of order. After changing out of your work clothes, put them away or hang them on the valet rod in preparation for getting ready for work that night or the next day.
12. Weekly, when you're putting your laundry away, get into the habit of putting things back in order. Put shoes back on the shelf, belts and accessories on their racks or storage bins.

You're there. Enjoy your dream closet! To keep it that way, periodically go through your closet and eliminate the worn, the torn and the ugly. The golden rule for maintaining the perfect closet: Remove one item every time you add a new one.