#Organizedin2013: Total Closet Make-Over

I’m not going to lie… this was my biggest project to date: in time and money.  And I have what most would consider a small closet.  I am fortunate, though, to have my own closet… that’s my silver lining.  This is week 8 for #Organizedin2013, and there’s no better time for a total closet make-over.  Our organizing skills are getting better, and we’re getting good at sorting and tossing!

Before we get started, let’s start off with a little tease (and motivation).  Here’s a quick peek at my closet’s before & after photo:

So, here’s what I noticed wrong with the first picture(s):

Before doing anything, I pulled EVERYTHING out of my closet.  It didn’t go back in unless I really wanted to keep it.  This also made it easier for me to evaluate the space.  And, made it hard to navigate my bedroom for a few days….

As for my clothes, I pulled everything off of the hangers.  I sorted out the tees and items that didn’t need to be hung.  Then, I re-hung my clothes that I wanted to keep on basic white hangers.  I found them at Target, 10 for $1.17.  I considered getting the velvet hangers or wooden ones, but honestly, it wasn’t in my budget.  And, the white ones are perfect.  Target also sells clips to attach to the hangers to hang pants and dresses.  I got plenty of those too.

When putting my clothes back in the closet, I separated them in spring/summer and fall/winter, then sorted them by type and color.  It has made such a difference in the general appearance of my closet!  I kinda just wanna go hang out in there now.  Where’s Katie? Oh, she’s hanging out in the closet.

Here are some additional shots of my newly organized closet:

1) First up, I tackled the shoe mayhem.  I built two sets of closet maid 31″ long shoe organizers that I purchased at Target.  They were a breeze to assemble.  The top row is perfect for my boots, and the other racks fit my flats and running shoes.

2) Next, I moved the shoe rack that I already owned, and moved it behind the door.  This is where my heels go, and let’s be honest – they just don’t get worn as often as my other shoes anymore, so it made more sense for them to be in a less-visible area.

3) I got a hanging storage rack for $9.99 at Marshall’s.  This is where I decided to store my collection of tees and tanks.  Previously, I hung some and had some in my dresser, and I never knew which was where.  Now, I can pick a color for layering with my outfit and all of my options are in one place.

4)  Remember how I had just two boxes of shoes on each shelf of my closet?  Well, now that they are properly stored in shoe organizers, I found that this was the perfect place to store all of my jeans that I had been cramming into my dresser.  Perfect.  In fact, this is one of my favorite elements of my closet-makeover.

5) I got an over the door hanger from Target for $19.99.  I got the one with the most hooks I could find to maximize this space.  I’m using it for my lingerie, slips and robes. (Yep, I’m even showing you my lingerie.)

6) I liked how I had been organizing my necklaces, but I just moved where I was storing them.  Instead of behind the door, where I couldn’t view them, I moved it to the wall of the closet where I had been stacking hung-clothes.  Now, I can look at it for inspiration when picking an outfit.

7) I also got a little step-stool from Marshall’s.  My closet has a lot of high storage.  May as well be able to reach it!

8 ) Finally, I put all of my travel bags and totes into one large bag, and kept my small suitcase at the ready (and accessible) with my step stool on the high shelf in my closet.  After my cleaning session, there’s also now plenty of space in my closet which means….

TIME TO GO SHOPPING!

And, if you’re still reading, here are a few things I found AND removed from my closet:

• one barstool (remnant from my old kitchen from my single days)
• two flutes, a music stand, and sheet music
• knitting supplies: needles and yarn (I don’t knit)
• A devil’s trident
• Purple snakeskin cowboy hat
• Jeweled button covers that I wore in my 6th-grade band concert.  Oh yeah.

If you’re just starting with our #Organizedin2013, don’t miss out on our past weeks:

Week 1: #Organizedin2013: Beginning with the Refrigerator and Pantry

Week 2: #Organizedin2013: Time & Toss Kitchen Organization

Week 3: #Organizedin2013: Organizing Routines

Week 4: #Organizedin2013: Linen Closet Makeover

Week 5: #Organizedin2013: Coat Closet Re-Do

Week 6: #Organizedin2013: Laundry Room Makeover

Week 7: #Organizedin2013: Create an In-Home Bathroom Retreat