Organizing the catch-all closet in my office was one of the tasks on my 30 Before Thirty list (item number 12).
It’s hard to tell, but one of those bookshelves was already there along the back of the closet. I put it against the right side instead and brought up one more from the basement. All of my copies of Lucky and Blueprint (along with a few other magazines and catalogs) fit along one shelf.
Winter gloves, hats, and scarves are in the pink box on top of the bookshelf. There are also hooks above the shelves to hang a few things.
I gathered my many IKEA shopping bags into one big bag (the red one), and corralled the rolls of vintage wallpaper into a big plastic container. The green and white bag holds some random decorative knickknacks.
The coats are still hung along the left wall, along with my wedding dress at the back.
The end result isn’t as pretty as my bedroom closet, but it’s so much better than it was. I didn’t spend any money either, though I would have liked to have all new, coordinating storage boxes. Some day I do plan to replace that bare light bulb, but that can wait for now.
Have you tackled any similar projects lately (or are you going to now)? It’s not fun while you’re in the middle of working, but it’s so nice when you’re done!
54 comments
Carpet Queen
What an amazing transformation – love the before/after shots! Congrats on getting this item off your list of to-do’s. It’s incredible how much a place can change after de-cluttering. I am on the process of renovating my bedroom, and we are starting with replacing our carpet. Can’t wait for the finished product, and like you said, it’s all worth it in the end ;)
Stephanie
A fantastic example of using what you have (plus lots of elbow grease) to create a calm, useful, pleasing space!
Franziska
I like the befores and afters and nice shot pictures. *sigh*
Katja Nina
Am impressed, nice job! Shows organising should be done frequently… should be doing mine now!
PriscilaPetersDecor
It looks amazing. What I love about organizing a space is to see the result, that’s the best part.
sunny
ACK. my bedroom closet looks identical to your “before” photo. I need to put the work in and get it looking more like your “after” photo. Love how you organized it. And a kate spade bag! Benita (of Chez Larsson) has one on her new desk. I found hers lovely and now yours as well!
I actually started a blog to document the paring down process of stuff from my closets and pounds from my body. am doing better on the “stuff” than the “pounds”.
http://justdaisy.wordpress.com is the “other” blog.
copywriterLiz
I covered my bare bulbs with a cute printed shade from Ikea – It makes me excited to turn on the lights.
alexismaia
Looks lovely! I like the plain bulb as it is. Maybe a red cord would jazz it up a bit? Something about a bare bulb hanging in the closet just seems right to me.
Rachel Ripardo
Nicole, believe me, those coordinating storage boxes aren’t that great. Your closet, the other way, says “you” all over it. Congrats!
kisses from brazil
Holly
Want to do mine? Haha! Yours looks great.
Holly Marie Gibbs
It looks so great! I’m sure it’s a huge relief to have that crossed off the list. Projects like that kind of weigh on me until I’ve finished them. Speaking of closets, my roommate and I just moved into a new apartment with a under-the-stairs storage area, and right now it’s sort of functioning as a catch-all. Any suggestions for storage solutions in an oddly shaped space?
Laurie
I have a whole room that looks like your “before” photo. I am gonna tackle it starting next week when my daughter leaves for camp.
I love your pink boxes. Where are those from?
anne
Your closet looks so nice! I love little ‘no-cost’ projects like that. Do you read Small Notebook? She just overhauled one of her storage closets too. Reminded me of this…
Amanda
My husband and I have a little notebook that we use list our goals under “this month, 3 Months, 6 Months, and 12 Months.” Some of the goals are simple like “trim landscaping in the fall” and some are more complicated “This month decide on tile for kitchen” and in “3 months-get tile installation estimates.” These goals keep us motivated and moving forward as a family.
Jacinta
I recently got a new bigger pantry cupboard so I reorganised that. Now I can see everything and get to stuff easily.
And right now I’ve been trying to tidy and move my sewing/craft table and bits from the lounge room to a backroom…. but I need shelves in that room which hubby is suppose to make/buy … still waiting…. i can’t do any major organising til i get those shelves!
http://www.modelmumma.blogspot.com
sarah haslem
I love the whole thing. But I really like the lightbulb thing. Kind of vintage-y.
Thanks for the inspiration. Just what I needed to tackle a few things!
m @ rambling musings
nice! totally inspirational
Linley
I’m gearing up to reorganize my brothers room into our “DIY den” when he leaves for college in the fall. Right now we have all sorts of craft things stuffed into this short, narrow, deep, hard-to-access closet in my room as well as scattered in crannies around the room. I’m pumped for the run to IKEA that this will require :D
Mercedes
Just recently converted our office into a gym….took the large long closet in the office and turned that into the office! Much better use of the spaces & quite pleased with the end result!
missy
awesome!! i’m inspired!!
Stacey
I recently cleaned out an organized one of my closets. It left me with such a sense of accomplishment. I am sure you are feeling the same way right now.
Lou
It looks fantastic! As for the bare light bulb, perhaps a rice paper lantern from ikea? It’d look cute spraypainted pink or green.
Amara
wow! What did you do with all of your “stuff”? Did you give a lot of things away?
Jessica at Lavender and Lilies
All of our closets could use a once over. Great inspiration!
Kim@Living with Little People
I’m inspired by how much progress you’re making on the list. How long til your birthday? How many items left to go?
Trishna
I am looking forward to organizing my shoe closet. I need need need to have matching shoe boxes, it’s haunting me in my dreams now. But it’s so hard to find reasonably priced shoe boxes that hold boots as well as shoes. Any suggestions anyone? I am in Canada. :)
Audrie
Wonderful job of tidying the closet!! Everything always seems so much nicer when things are tidy. I do have a little corner in my kitchen area that needs tidying… and my studio is an constant project hehe
Bren
I need to to this to my whole office! At the moment it resembles your “before” photo. Your “after” looks great Nicole!
Mrs Soup
Oh it looks wonderful!!
Claudia
I have that same hat on top of the pale pink box!
Great job!
I had just gotten my stuff organized and my dad passed away a couple of weeks ago so now I have all his stuff to go through. Dad was a pack rat :D
Martina
I feel like I’ve been doing storage organization a lot lately! Converting my office into a nursery meant moving my office into the hall closet which meant moving closet items to the nursery closet, the attic and the laundry room … it’s a process. The hall closet is not entirely converted to my office yet but the storage areas are almost done. Thankfully, I really like organization!
Two Lovely Spaces
You are inspiring me to clean
Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife
Yay! Excellent job! Nothing is more beautiful than an organized space!
Stacie Bloomfield
Oh I have that yellow scarf from the Gap! I wore it so much this last holiday season and keep trying to work it into outfits now even though it is 90 degrees outside!
Nice job on the closet!
http://www.gingibersnap.com
Erin
I recently reorganized my “pantry” and put everything into pretty glass jars. It feels so great! I wrote about it here: http://luckybydesign.blogspot.com/2010/07/pantry-reorganization.html
Allison
It looks great! Turning clutter and mess into organized and tidy is SO satisfying. Having recently done a MAJOR declutter to move overseas, I’m working hard to maintain it now that I’m here by thinking more carefully whenever I keep or buy something.
Elena @ Breakfast for Dinner
I recently redid my craft/sewing closet and got all new bins so they’re all the same size. I even labelled everything! It makes all the difference!
Jules
It looks great. You know, I kind of like the bare bulb. I imagine it makes a satisfying clicking noise when you turn it on. I am lucky enough to have enormous 1950s closet and fairly good storage space throughout the house. The problem, of course, is that it allows me to toss things in willy-nilly. I’ve been wanting to purge and organize, and this is just the kick in the pants I needed.
patricia
Looks great! I’m in the middle of attacking our closets too.
Clearly Composed
It looks great! I recently did my linen closet and the stacks of neatly folded sheets and towels brings me oodles of joy. :)
calliope
Actually, the really funny part for me is the “while”. All the sorting out, dusting, decluttering, organising is the butter on my bread!
Last week, I tuckled the pantry by adding an old Expedit-like bookself that added tons of storage and function. I love the uncluttered feeling and the fact that everything now has a designated space
Jujube
It is joyful for you to have a closet like this. Comparing in Hong Kong, where space is limited, we just have to vacuumed all garment into plastic bags for storage. And tidying up closet is a seasonal thing :)
Kelly
Wow! You did a great job! I’ve been thinking about tackling our hall closet…thanks for the inspiration!
liz @ bon temps beignet
I just finished organizing our closet a few weeks ago. Here’s mine:
http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/2010/06/keeping-my-ocd-in-closet.html
I know it’s weird but I LOVE to clean and organize things. It’s so nice to clear all that clutter especially when you leave the house for a few hours and come back and see it again with fresh eyes.
Erika
I know you’re glad to have that little project behind you! I have to tackle my shoe/purse closet soon; I plan on weeding out a LOT of things.
Lauren
Ahh, stacking Rubbermaid bins are my crack. And you have to take before/after pictures, just to prove all the pain worth it. I might tackle my desk later today…. if I can find it.
Abbey
HA! I did the same thing a few months ago and my before picture was basically identical! I love what you did.
xo Abbey
Christine
AH-mazing. You’re right organizing/cleaning sucks while you’re at it, but feels sooo good once you’re all done!
I kind of like the bare lightbulb! It’s got a cool retro vibe :)
Cindy
It looks awesome! I should be doing something similar with my office area, but the motivation bug has not bitten me yet. The lazy bug, however, has taken one of my ankles.
Kris
Inspirational; thanks for sharing. I worked on my pantry over the weekend and need to tackle my purses in the master walk-in next. I’d love to see how everyone organizes purses, bags, and luggage — especially if you don’t have a garage.
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