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.
Here’s the overall layout:
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.
My boots go along the back, tucking behind my dresses.
And speaking of dresses, here they are:
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.
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.
Ashley S.
December 19, 2008 at 3:55 amTatyana – 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 amNot 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 amoh baby baby, that closet and baby are both lucky to have you.
Skyzi
December 19, 2008 at 9:04 amGorgeous!
Rachel
December 19, 2008 at 9:23 amI’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 amNicole – 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 amThanks 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 amhave 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 pmThe 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 pmI love all your shoes! Fabulous collection. Where are your favorite shoe places to shop?
Laura at Emmy Lu
December 19, 2008 at 12:40 pmNicole – 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 pmI 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 pmWhere do you keep your jeans?
ADG
December 20, 2008 at 12:11 amwhere 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 amADG – 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 amYour closet is amazing!!!! I really need some help with mine.
Julie
December 20, 2008 at 10:46 amADG – 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 amFor 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 amOh Dale, lighten up for goodness sake! I think you must be on the wrong web page???!!! Seriously!
Ali
August 3, 2012 at 2:39 pmDale,
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 pmI 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 pmIs it wrong to drool and be envious this time of year? Because, wow.
susannabella
December 20, 2008 at 4:41 pmawesome…i’m going to copy this idea because i’m so jealous of your tidiness. well done!
kristina
December 21, 2008 at 4:24 amyou 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 pmI 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 pmWhich 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 pmthats 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 pmWow, 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 pmHi 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 pmI 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 amWhat about pants?
the sassy kathy
December 22, 2008 at 11:34 amoh. 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 amThis 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 pmThis puts my closet to shame!! This is definitely the motivation I needed to organize!
euni
December 22, 2008 at 2:03 pmOk, not that you need another comment, but your closet is just freaking amazing!!!!!!
McG
December 22, 2008 at 2:52 pmI 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 pmoh 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 pmYour 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 pmI 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 pmphotoshopped!
the Fashion Spot - How do you organize your closet?
December 22, 2008 at 5:59 pm[…] MakingitLovely via decor8: Quote: […]
teerish
December 22, 2008 at 7:17 pmLOVE 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 pmI 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 pmThis 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 amOK! How long does it take until You make it a mess again? :-)
The closet « Busywork
December 23, 2008 at 7:03 am[…] December 23, 2008 Filed under: Interiors — lauravw @ 12:03 pm Nicole’s closet (or wardrobe for us Brits) is an inspiration. I consider myself to be pretty lucky, wardrobe-wise: […]
Danette
December 23, 2008 at 12:06 pmIt’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 pmWow! 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 pmwhere are your pants?
sunny
December 23, 2008 at 3:50 pmHow 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 pmPS: 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 pmThis is lovely… but where are all your bags and shoes?
ADG
December 24, 2008 at 12:28 ami 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 pmI’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…
“Making it Lovely” « Living A New Life ….
December 25, 2008 at 1:30 pm[…] “Making it Lovely” Making it Lovely » Blog Archive » My Organized Closet. […]
=O
December 27, 2008 at 9:17 amThat’s it. I’m moving in!
Fortunekitty
December 28, 2008 at 1:56 pmWow, you are really neat!
And I love IKEA too!
Crystal
December 29, 2008 at 12:28 pmThis 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 pmI 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 amthis looks beautiful!!! if only I could copy and paste your closet to mine.
fonz
January 1, 2009 at 11:55 ambeautiful closet! i am dying to know, where did you get that white hand!?
koria
January 1, 2009 at 2:21 pmAmazing!!! I almost cannot believe this is real :) I’m speechless. And certainly inspired.
jesse
January 1, 2009 at 9:11 pmGorgeous! I would love to have something like this! Maybe some day!
Kristina
January 2, 2009 at 3:34 amI 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 amYou 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 amI am going to try and mimic you. Love it :)
Megs
January 3, 2009 at 9:59 amI 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 amHoly 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 pmAbsolutely 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 pmI 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 pmyour closet is amazing! I’d love to get the same IKEA organizer. Which one is it? You Rock!
Links Of The Day: January 8th
January 8, 2009 at 10:21 am[…] My Organized Closet – Wishing I had space for an organized closet like this. […]
kayla
January 8, 2009 at 1:07 pmoooh 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!!
Closet Therapist
January 10, 2009 at 10:45 amI 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 pmThis 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!
Hygge House » Blog Archive » links for 2009-01-10
January 11, 2009 at 2:01 am[…] Making it Lovely » My Organized Closet Love. It. (tags: home organization closet clothes design) […]
Cleaning out my Closet! « Harmony’s Nook
January 11, 2009 at 9:07 pm[…] you want to see a REALLY AMAZING closet check out Nicole’s Closet at Making it Lovely! I refuse to post pictures because they are just TOO good and I’d like to […]
tara lee
January 13, 2009 at 11:37 pmOMG, this is amazing! Can I please ask where you got your jewellery holder from? I am DYING to know!
Hatch: The Design Public ® Blog » Blog Archive » In Case You Missed It: Around the Web this Week
January 16, 2009 at 4:57 am[…] IDOL Nicole of Making It Lovely has organized the most amazing closet in the world. It was really fun to get a peak at all of her […]
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.
dress experiment and other musings… « Where Are My Panties?
January 18, 2009 at 3:23 pm[…] take a look at this blog entry from nicole at ‘making it lovely’. she almost exclusively wears dresses and has the most organized closet i’ve ever seen: https://makingitlovely.com/2008/12/16/my-organized-closet/ […]
lovie
January 27, 2009 at 5:36 amthank you.
Lou
January 28, 2009 at 7:41 amGorgeous. Adorable. To IKEA!
Becca
January 30, 2009 at 9:01 amSeriously amazing! I am really wanting to organize my closet too and this is such a great set up
my aim is true » Blog Archive » Friday Link Dump!
February 6, 2009 at 11:01 am[…] could be said for nearly everything pertaining to her house, but I have serious closet envy over Nicole of one and two] from Lifehacker this weekend. One of my goals is to take more pictures […]
Ney
February 10, 2009 at 7:02 pmTrackback: http://naomirichendollar.blogspot.com/2009/02/closet-envy.html
Closet Design Boston
February 12, 2009 at 4:29 pmThat does look very nice and so much closet envy is hard to come by. It’s the power of pictures in action.
cchump
March 15, 2009 at 9:07 amGorgeous, but come on! You live in Illinois? Where are your sweaters?
Make-Do Mondays: Imperfect Closet «
March 15, 2009 at 9:45 pm[…] I think if only I could put all my clothes on wooden hangers, life would be so much better. This lady has a closet like that with cute dresses hanging straight down from rows of wooden hangers (to be […]
Wiggle
March 17, 2009 at 3:49 pmI’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!
The Shoe Crash » Doe Deere Blogazine
April 7, 2009 at 11:35 am[…] the curious: this is how Nicole of Making It Lovely organizes her closet. Nubby explains the art of closet […]
Monica P.
May 8, 2009 at 11:58 amYour 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 pmthis is beautiful
Jenni
May 31, 2009 at 4:21 pmthis is so great! I want this!
Cleaning Out the Closet | Furious Shirley
June 11, 2009 at 8:59 am[…] Nicole Barth’s Closet from Making it Lovely […]
jenna
July 1, 2009 at 12:24 amomg! 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!(:
It’s Time to Clean Out and Organize Those Closets
August 9, 2009 at 7:31 am[…] your closet is not currently organized, it’s time to get started. Making It Lovely’s closet was my […]
Lisa
August 9, 2009 at 8:57 pmOh.my.GAWD. I just love it! Makes me uber jealous! :P
Crafty Mermaid
August 19, 2009 at 10:47 amJust found your site today and working my way through the previous posts – I love the wardrobe – amazing!
Links I’m Enjoying : Keeping the Castle - Housekeeping Tips and Homemaking Advice
September 15, 2009 at 1:51 pm[…] at Making it Lovely has organized her closet. I am so impressed with her system. After seeing this though, I am […]
Sarah
September 15, 2009 at 7:37 pmWow – 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 amThis 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 amWow, 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 :)