Closet space is a finite resource that there never seems to be quite enough of. If you're like me and live in a small house, your closet might double as a storage space as well. That doesn't leave much room for unnecessary clothes. You may have heard of the recent trend dubbed "capsule wardrobes." A capsule wardrobe is, at its core, a way of simplifying your wardrobe while still enjoying the selection of clothing you have. Since it went viral on the internet, however, many people have taken this minimalistic idea and overcomplicated it. Let's face it, none of us are about to throw away most of our clothes to try out a method that we might hate. So, let's take smaller steps toward creating more space in the closet without feeling like you're throwing out things you love.

Step 1: What do you wear?

Before you throw away anything, set aside the articles of clothing you wear the most. That includes your work clothes, night clothes, and your favorite outfits to go out in. There's a good chance that you'll be left with a lot of clothes, shoes, and accessories that don't match your other clothes or you have outfits for special occasions that hardly ever get worn.

Step 2: Asking the hard questions

It's time to get real. With the clothes that you don't wear on a weekly basis in front of you, ask yourself these questions:

• Does it fit?
• Is it still my style?
• Do I have something similar that I like better?
• If I saw this in a store right now would I buy it again?

If you have clothes that don't meet those criteria, there's a good chance they won't be missed.

Step 3: Versatile clothing

There are certain colors and fabrics that are just more versatile than others--neutral colors that match just about anything, khakis that can be worn casually or business-casual, and so on. Choose the clothes you have that you can make the most outfits with. Try them on and find out which combinations you like. You might find that some articles of clothing, while they look great on their own, just don't really have much potential for creating outfits.

Step 4: Plan outfits you get excited about

To really feel confident moving forward you're going to need to be excited about your selection. Spread out your outfit combinations on the floor and take some photos. This will help you remember which combinations of clothing you love so you don't get cold feet when it comes time to part ways with your old clothing.

Step 5: Don't be wasteful

You'll feel much better about getting rid of that pile of old clothes and shoes if you feel like it's for a good purpose. Sure, you have the benefit of more closet space, but in addition you can sometimes get even more out of the deal. If you have a consignment shop or second-hand clothing store in your area, you could get money or a tax write-off in exchange for your items. Or, you could always donate your clothes to a thrift store that uses their profits for a good cause.