How to Organize Your Handbags (and Other Genius Purse-Storing Tips)

As crazy as we may sound, Holly, Devin, Caroline and I aren't alone. Top-notch organizational experts see everything.

Sara Rogers, Mall of America's Trend Specialist, had a client who built a rotating rack, like the kind you see at the dry cleaner's, just for purses.

Melanie Fascitelli, President and Creative Director of Clos-ette, once built a 6-foot Lazy Susan in a corner space of her client's home for, you guessed it, bags.

Ann Sullivan, President of Ann Sullivan Inc., was working with a client who, after weeks of trying to solve a foul-closet odor mystery, realized she'd left a baby bottle with sour milk in it, in one of her bags. Ewww!

"Most women have anywhere between 30 and 60 bags, but only use one or two of those," Sullivan says.

Sounds like we could all use a little purse organization help, ladies! Here are some tips for keeping your bags neatly stored, no matter your budget:

If you've got a ton of ceiling space... Put hooks at the top of your ceiling from which to hang your satchels and shoulder bags. S hooks ($5.75 for 30 pieces) are sturdy, inexpensive and can hold at least two or three bags.

If you've got good closet space... Try acrylic shelf dividers ($54 for a set of 4 acrylic dividers or $7 for one wire divider). "They'll separate clutches from medium-sized totes, or you can sort them by color, size or style," says Fascitelli (bonus: these also work for clothes and accessories).

If you're looking for easy, cheap ideas... Stuff your bags with tissue paper, craft paper or even old t-shirts and store them in the dust covers they came in to keep them in nearly-new condition.

Have a friend come over and help you purge... "A friend will help you do the tough-love editing you need to do," Sullivan says. Or get creative, and use baskets that would hold throws and extra towels as purse storage.

"Buy clear storage bins ($44.95 for a pack of eight 15 qt. containers), keep the bags in there, and put pictures of the bags on the outside of the bins so you know what's where" Rogers suggests.

"Use a leather cleaner ($10.74)," Fascitelli says. "It's not expensive and will keep everything shiny and clean."

All these great tips gave me the inspiration I needed to get to work on my closet. With help from my handy hubby and the Container Store's Elfa system (pricing varies based on the shelving system you choose), mama's got a brand new bag (or 25... who's counting?). Here are my "After" photos: