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My Organized Closet

Somehow, I can leave dishes in the sink (instead of loading the dishwasher that’s two feet away), and I’ll let random things pile up on the dining room table, but I am not someone that can shove a bunch of stuff behind closed doors and consider it “put away”. Yes, I DO that (I’m nowhere near perfect), but it bothers me and bothers me until I can go through and thoroughly clean and organize everything. So that’s what I did this weekend.

My closet is a freestanding wardrobe from IKEA. It’s nothing special from the outside, but everything fits inside. Clothes, shoes, hats, purses, jewelry… it’s all in there.

My Closet

My Closet

Here’s the overall layout:

My Closet Plan

I think I got rid of about half of my shoes when I cleaned everything out. I decided to only keep the shoes I really loved… the cute heels, the simple flats that go with everything. All the shoes I had been holding onto that hurt my feet or that I never wore just had to go. Now the shoes I have fit nicely in two drawers.

Shoes in My Closet

My boots go along the back, tucking behind my dresses.

Boots in My Closet

And speaking of dresses, here they are:

Dresses in My Closet

My jewelry and perfume used to be over by the bathroom, but I thought it made more sense to keep everything together with my clothes.

Jewelry

Brandon was a bit shocked at how much I was getting rid of, but I feel so much better. My sister took some of it, and all the rest was donated to charity. And now I’m nicely organized.

My Closet

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  • Ashley S.
    December 19, 2008 at 3:55 am

    Tatyana – i’m sorry, i didn’t at all meant to imply that! i’m sarcastic and it’s not always for the best. i am just so über jealous of her organization! sorry again!

  • Jo
    December 19, 2008 at 5:46 am

    Not being funny (this is a serious and genuine question!)
    BUT
    do the shoes not smell and make the clothes stinky, too?
    or is it just me who has rotten feet?

  • patricia
    December 19, 2008 at 6:07 am

    oh baby baby, that closet and baby are both lucky to have you.

  • Skyzi
    December 19, 2008 at 9:04 am

    Gorgeous!

  • Rachel
    December 19, 2008 at 9:23 am

    I’m inspired! I don’t think this question has been asked yet, but where are your hangers from? I’ve been wanting to invest in good hangers, but my hangers would then collectively be the most expensive thing in my closet! If yours are from ikea, do you find that the wood is smooth enough to not snag your clothes? Thanks in advance, Nicole!

  • Sarah S
    December 19, 2008 at 9:41 am

    Nicole – what’s your strategy for dealing with the cold weather while wearing dresses? Boots, tights, a long jacket?

  • Kat
    December 19, 2008 at 10:08 am

    Thanks so much for the closet inspiration! Any tips on wardrobe purging?

    Hubby and I will be going through our closets this weekend to make more room for the baby. Last time we wardrobe purged was when we first got married!

    Rachel, I use Ikea hangers and the wood doesn’t snag on my clothes.

  • Ester
    December 19, 2008 at 11:23 am

    have a huge wardrobe, and a pile of clothes and shoes. very orderly, nothing to do with mine

  • Making it Lovely
    December 19, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    The hangers are from IKEA (most of them) and Target (the clip-kind).

    Sarah, yep. A dress over tights with knee-high boots and a knee-length coat keep me plenty warm.

    Jo, my shoes aren’t stinky! Maybe because I switch between different shoes so often? I think they only get bad when they’re worn everyday (and if there’s a lot of padding, like in gym shoes).

    As far as paring down and wardrobe purging, I think I still have a LOT of stuff. I do try fairly often to go through and get rid of stuff that I haven’t worn in the last year or so. I found myself keeping things now though for my little girl, when she’s old enough to play dress up! Lots of fabric flower pins and silk scarves… :)

  • Shashi
    December 19, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    I love all your shoes! Fabulous collection. Where are your favorite shoe places to shop?

  • Laura at Emmy Lu
    December 19, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    Nicole – what an amazing way to organize your closet! I pulled my husband over to the computer after I read your post and said “Look! This came from IKEA!” and he was pretty impressed too (he loves organization… and I think he would be quite happy if my side of the closet was that neat and tidy!)…

    I’m very inspired… way to have a place for everything, and everything in its place!

  • Sandy
    December 19, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    I am in awe of all the awesome patterns you have in your clothes! Those must be some beautiful garments! Love you closet.

  • AmyLucyAbby
    December 19, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    Where do you keep your jeans?

  • ADG
    December 20, 2008 at 12:11 am

    where did you find the white hand & glass head??

    i also have that tree [in silver] and love it!!

  • Asha
    December 20, 2008 at 3:53 am

    ADG – I’m not sure if it’s the same, but Pier 1 sells glass heads similar to the one in Nicole’s wardrobe.

    http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/Products/tabid/260/Default.aspx?task=viewproduct&id=1561&urlname=recycled-glass-head

  • Nicole
    December 20, 2008 at 9:56 am

    Your closet is amazing!!!! I really need some help with mine.

  • Julie
    December 20, 2008 at 10:46 am

    ADG – you can get those heads at Pier One. If you live anywhere near Sacramento I’ll give you one for free.

    Nicole – I love your stuff – you must be fun to look at! Like a walking piece of art!

    Go girl =)

  • Dale Kaup
    December 20, 2008 at 11:13 am

    For me that is just too many clothes. I would be more ok with people having so many clothes if the people who actually make them would see decent compensation. I wish there was a web address of the actual individuals that made the garment so we could send them a 50 cent tip for a job well done.

    Cambodia implemented a great workers rights program that was really revolutionary but now the contracts with a lot of companies has expired and now they are free to move to other places such as Vietnam. Could we do human rights a favor and buy clothes from Cambodia so that we can help lift up the underprivileged around the world?

    Dale

    • snowmoonelk
      June 24, 2010 at 4:11 am

      Oh Dale, lighten up for goodness sake! I think you must be on the wrong web page???!!! Seriously!

    • Ali
      August 3, 2012 at 2:39 pm

      Dale,

      First I’d like to say that I can tell you are passionate about people and care about human rights! Thanks for letting me know about Cambodia!

      Second, I believe “Dale” is a male name. If I am correct of course as a man this would be too many clothes for you! :) But, as a woman I honestly feel like she has less clothes than most women I know. I think she make better choices about the style and really thinks through the things she wears. Females in general have several sizes of clothes as they become pregnant and then as they loose weight after pregnancy.

      Please try to be less judgmental even though you are passionate about human rights and don’t assume that her clothes are not from Cambodia. She may be as passionate about human rights as you are! She may make additional contributions to human rights that you don’t know about.

      ~ Ali

  • Carol F.
    December 20, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    I love your shoes. Each pair.

    And I love your boots.

    This has inspired me to buy more things that I love.

  • rachel
    December 20, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    Is it wrong to drool and be envious this time of year? Because, wow.

  • susannabella
    December 20, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    awesome…i’m going to copy this idea because i’m so jealous of your tidiness. well done!

  • kristina
    December 21, 2008 at 4:24 am

    you sound just like me! I will pile things up to the ceiling on our dining room table but god forbid my boyfriend hang up a sweater in the button up dress shirt section of our closet. I even color coordinate his t-shirts (thank you years of retail jobs). yeah, I know it’s a bit ‘sleeping with the enemy’ but it really is so satisfying to have an organized and beautiful closet. and I feel a bit like an old lady even suggesting this, but should you ever find you need more space, huggable hangers (from HSN) totally changed my life. my mom ordered them for me and I thought she was nuts. they are AMAZING. literally doubled my closet space AND no more sweater nipples.

    • Ali
      August 3, 2012 at 2:43 pm

      I agree I just switched out my plastic hangers this week to Huggable Hangers! They now are sold at the Container Store! I have a teeny tiny closet and they have made a world of difference! Also 2nd the no sweater bumps or sweater boobs as I call them! :)

      ~ Ali

  • Stephanie
    December 21, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    Which closet from Ikea is this? It’s wonderful! I’ve been searching for a wardrobe like this for a long time.

    But your style shows so much through your closet, I bet the rest of your house is amazing too!

    :D

  • ADG
    December 21, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    thats what i thought. i saw that head at pier1 a little bit ago and thought it looked neat.

    julie nope dont live anyway close to there, but thank you gor the gesture!

  • Krystal
    December 21, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    Wow, what a wonderful treat to yourself…..I would love to have a closet like that. I am really loving your blog. You are darling and talented lady.

  • Michelle
    December 21, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    Hi Nicole, I’ve just started reading your blog and love what you do. Even your blog colours are so lovely!

    Echoing the 124 before me – it looks amazing.

    We are moving house and I will have half the closet space (if that)!!! I am going to try and live up to your gorgeous example. =) Not sure how good it will look though. Husband has kindly offered to use our free standing cupboard (which is actually more of a small buffet) so I can have most of the built in closet.

  • Paula
    December 21, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    I wish I had such colorful shoes. They’re screaming, “Wear me in Paris!”

    And the organization of your closet – it’s basically art.

  • Jesse
    December 22, 2008 at 2:36 am

    What about pants?

  • the sassy kathy
    December 22, 2008 at 11:34 am

    oh. my. goodness. this is closet heaven. GORGEOUS! please come fix my closet? and make it look like this? please? PLEASE!?

  • Gem
    December 22, 2008 at 11:43 am

    This is wonderful…I wonder if I can do something like this. I live in an apartment with the built in racks to hang clothes on…I wonder if I can get around that.

  • Adrienne
    December 22, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    This puts my closet to shame!! This is definitely the motivation I needed to organize!

  • euni
    December 22, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    Ok, not that you need another comment, but your closet is just freaking amazing!!!!!!

  • McG
    December 22, 2008 at 2:52 pm

    I was wondering how to organize my closet as well and I love your set up! I definitely need to do a winter clean-up… get rid of all of the old stuff and send them to GoodWill.

  • Melissa de la Fuente
    December 22, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    oh my….oh my! This is just absolutely glorious! So lovely and inspiring!
    All of your dresses are so pretty and I just love how everything is so sweetly displayed and organized. It makes everything so much easier and delightful doesn’t it? Wonderful!
    xo
    Melissa

  • Dewi
    December 22, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Your dresses are the most enviable thing about your closet. I’m gaga over all those nice looking fabrics.

    I know that wardrobe from Ikea, we had been thinking of getting one for my husband , it really does an excellent job of keeping you organized.

  • xin
    December 22, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    I like when you say “keeping things for your little girl”. That’s so sweet. But seriously, how neat are you? You can have a side business just organizing people’s closet! Great, now I have to go to Ikea again!

  • dvlcis
    December 22, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    photoshopped!

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  • teerish
    December 22, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    LOVE your closet! This is so inspiring! I need to clean out mine a bit more.
    I especially love the head for the wig. Must get. =)
    Also, I love all of your dresses!

  • Erin
    December 22, 2008 at 10:11 pm

    I love your closet! How long ago did you buy this from IKEA? Do you remember the name of it? Thanks

  • Rachel
    December 22, 2008 at 10:32 pm

    This is so gorgeous – but at the same time depressingly pretty/organized/fun compared to my junky mess of a closet. I’ll be hanging onto this post as inspiration for when I finally get around to the big overhaul my closet needs!

  • Yarro
    December 23, 2008 at 3:00 am

    OK! How long does it take until You make it a mess again? :-)

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  • Danette
    December 23, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    It’s all really lovely and organized and you have quite the wardrobe……love those shoes, dresses and boots…..but, please, do tell about the wig!! Must be some special story behind that beauty.

  • Lisa Sonora Beam
    December 23, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    Wow! I am so inspired! Thanks for sharing this. I’ve found the secret to getting organized (in whatever area) is to first eliminate everything that really shouldn’t be there.

    It’s challenging to let go of good stuff that for whatever reason has gone unworn. But I find it really helps me ultimately spend less shopping — gotta be ruthless.

    My fashion decision rule when in the dressing room: If it’s not a YES!, it’s a no. That leaves no room for “maybe” which is how those wrong purchases end up in the closet in the first place.

    I also own 2 pair of jeans and do the tights, dress thing. Confession: have many pair of yoga pants, which I like wearing underneath as much as tights.

    Now please spill: You favorite dress shopping and shoe shopping haunts.

    thanks!

  • kandice
    December 23, 2008 at 1:01 pm

    where are your pants?

  • sunny
    December 23, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    How on EARTH did I miss this blog post in my google reader last week? I saw it today through Holly’s blog (decor8).

    I wouldn’t even know how to approach organizing a closet to the detail you did. I look at what I’m starting with (piles of clothes on the closet floor, non-clothing-related items in boxes on the floor of the walk-in closet… and get overwhelmed. My brain would explode before I could bring some order to the closet in my mind.

    I love your organization skills, yes, but even more so, I love the way you always add just the right touches to make even the smallest of cubbies quite homey and downright pretty. I quite admire your talents!!

  • sunny
    December 23, 2008 at 3:52 pm

    PS: I’m with you on the “where are the pants?” thing. I own one pair of jeans (capri length) and one pair of black pants. I always wear flats. And I prefer dresses and skirts pretty much daily. My friends have tired of asking me if I own anything more casual than skirts and dresses.

  • Mintie
    December 23, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    This is lovely… but where are all your bags and shoes?

  • ADG
    December 24, 2008 at 12:28 am

    i think its funny so many people are STILL asking. where do your pants go when you have answered it so many times and if they were avid readers [like me] and just look at almost all of your post with pictures you have on a dress/skirt

  • Me? A Mom?
    December 24, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    I’m pretty sure your blog could be just about your closet and you’d never run out of topic ideas.

    now if you’ll excuse me, i need to whip up my drool…

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  • =O
    December 27, 2008 at 9:17 am

    That’s it. I’m moving in!

  • Fortunekitty
    December 28, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    Wow, you are really neat!

    And I love IKEA too!

  • Crystal
    December 29, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    This comment will probably get lost in the pile but I just HAD to comment because I thought I was the only one who thought like this: “Somehow, I can leave dishes in the sink (instead of loading the dishwasher that’s two feet away), and I’ll let random things pile up on the dining room table, but I am not someone that can shove a bunch of stuff behind closed doors and consider it “put away”.”

    The table and counters in my house are always cluttered with little piles, but I never just shove things into a closet. If it’s going to be put away, it’s going to be put away right. I’ve never run into anyone else who thought the same thing.

  • April
    December 30, 2008 at 6:39 pm

    I love love love your closet!! You have inspired me…to do a massive cleanout! My fiance turned an entire bedroom into a closet for me, but I need some… “design = pretty”! Plus, you are right….I need to go through the SHOES and purses…I have more than 150 pair of shoes..and I wear maybe 7 pairs!!! Thanks soo much for the inspiration!!

  • Colleen
    December 31, 2008 at 11:31 am

    this looks beautiful!!! if only I could copy and paste your closet to mine.

  • fonz
    January 1, 2009 at 11:55 am

    beautiful closet! i am dying to know, where did you get that white hand!?

  • koria
    January 1, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    Amazing!!! I almost cannot believe this is real :) I’m speechless. And certainly inspired.

  • jesse
    January 1, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Gorgeous! I would love to have something like this! Maybe some day!

  • Kristina
    January 2, 2009 at 3:34 am

    I think I love that it looks like a Barbie Dream Closet: saturated colors, lovely patterns and funky designs. Mine is all black and gray … boo for me, but yay for you!

  • V Morsse
    January 3, 2009 at 3:24 am

    You have such a colorful palette (*great minds*) — I’m so jealous of your gorgeous dresses, and I want to raid your shoe collection. :-)

  • Verao
    January 3, 2009 at 8:50 am

    I am going to try and mimic you. Love it :)

  • Megs
    January 3, 2009 at 9:59 am

    I am fawning over this. Seriously fawning. I love the cup idea to organize earrings. And the green glass tray? Gorgeous! I consider myself very organized but your display makes everything look so appealing and visually interesting.

  • Dylan
    January 4, 2009 at 12:13 am

    Holy moly! Wow. I really want of those wardrobes now, haha. I tried to think of what the layout for my closet is, and it’s mostly just an explosion. You have a great taste in clothes, by the way.

  • Bridget
    January 4, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    Absolutely lovely :)

    I wear nothing but dresses in the summer, and in the winter things work just fine with tights and a long sleeve tshirt underneath.

  • Jessica
    January 5, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    I am SO jealous. Book marking you for when my husband and I build our dream house :) Years away but hey I still like the idea. :D

  • kristi
    January 6, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    your closet is amazing! I’d love to get the same IKEA organizer. Which one is it? You Rock!

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  • kayla
    January 8, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    oooh I wish I had a closet that looked like that and such pretty clothes :)

    Could you tell me though where you got that branch necklace holder. I have been searching high and low for one!!

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    January 10, 2009 at 10:45 am

    I just did a blog post about your post! I love it and can’t wait to read more of your site.

    Jennifer

  • Dondrea
    January 10, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    This is exactly the inspiration that I needed to organize my closet. I’ve lived in a new home for almost a year, and my closets looks a hot mess to say the least. You’ve got awesome closets! How about we just switch? Lol!

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  • tara lee
    January 13, 2009 at 11:37 pm

    OMG, this is amazing! Can I please ask where you got your jewellery holder from? I am DYING to know!

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  • Amanda
    January 17, 2009 at 2:31 am

    (I’m playing catch-up!) This is SO inspiring. Also, I think I spot a dress I own among your pretty dresses! It’s blue and white and from Target and looks sorta like a DVF wrap dress and I love mine except when I wear it I have to be careful because if a good gust gets it, it tends to expose me! So I keep a hand down on the skirt if I’m walking outside.

    Anywho, lovely wardrobe/closet! I need to clean mine out something awful.

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  • lovie
    January 27, 2009 at 5:36 am

    thank you.

  • Lou
    January 28, 2009 at 7:41 am

    Gorgeous. Adorable. To IKEA!

  • Becca
    January 30, 2009 at 9:01 am

    Seriously amazing! I am really wanting to organize my closet too and this is such a great set up

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    March 15, 2009 at 9:07 am

    Gorgeous, but come on! You live in Illinois? Where are your sweaters?

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  • Wiggle
    March 17, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    I’ve seen pictures of closet organization where they organize their 5 shirts and 3 pairs of pants. But wow, you have craploads of stuff and mangage to pull it off with flying colours.. hmm, there goes that excuse. I’m impressed!

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  • Monica P.
    May 8, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Your closet is to-die-for!!! I love your shoes. and all the organization is just perfect!
    I just came across your blog today and I love it too!!

  • Carrie
    May 8, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    this is beautiful

  • Jenni
    May 31, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    this is so great! I want this!

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  • jenna
    July 1, 2009 at 12:24 am

    omg! you totally inpired me, my dads a capenter and hes building me one(: its cheaper like that! i checked out ikea.com and that most have cost a fortune! well i love it and conrats on your baby!(:

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  • Lisa
    August 9, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    Oh.my.GAWD. I just love it! Makes me uber jealous! :P

  • Crafty Mermaid
    August 19, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Just found your site today and working my way through the previous posts – I love the wardrobe – amazing!

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  • Sarah
    September 15, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    Wow – you have very beautiful things! It is so nice to have such visuals – great job!

    We bought a closet organizer, and I need to get it installed and purge. You are my inspiration!

  • boston
    September 22, 2009 at 8:46 am

    This is an amazing job, thanks for sharing and you have certainly inspired me to go ahead and start organizing my stuff!

  • crusty baguette
    October 16, 2009 at 11:47 am

    Wow, I’m jealous! Not only of the new closet, but of your clothes and shoes! You have so many nice things! The pink hat is adorable. And so many cute prints on the dresses!

    You did a lovely job organizing everything :)

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