In a fit of rage and frustration, I took everything out of my closet last Friday.
YES.
EVERY. SINGLE. THING.
Half way through I couldn’t decide whether it was a smart or crazy move, but now I’m certain it was brilliant!
You see, last summer when we moved in to the new house I just dumped everything in on moving day and never took the time to go back and organize it. Sure, I have gotten rid of things and attempted to do some little organizing here and there. But over the past year it has become an overwhelming monster (picture Christmas wrapping paper shoved in the corner that had been sitting there since December) and it was time to take control!
In our previous home, my closet was a typical 50’s ranch closet. Not terrible but not large. So I found lots of ways to get creative. Things were in tubs, under beds, and even scattered in the boys closets. In this home, I am so super fortunate to not only have my very own closet, but one that is quite large. One that with a little organization can easily hold everything. I regret now that I didn’t start this project sooner so I could really start to enjoy this space sooner.
OK guys. Promise we will still be friends if I show you the befores? They are awful.
You’ve been warned.
I am having an anxiety attack just looking at these photos. Now can you see why I had to take such drastic measures and take everything out? I mean, really. I cannot even believe I let it get so bad.
Here is the blank slate!
Now let’s make a quick list of the major tasks I hope to tackle over the next four weeks:
- LIGHTING– currently, the lighting looks like a spaceship is landing. It was literally the first thing I wanted to take care of when we moved in. Yet, here we are. Spaceship.
- PURGE. Be ruthless. Purge. And then purge some more.
- PAINT the WALL. Change the wall color. I don’t love this beige color, particularly in a closet!
- PAINT/STYLE THE BUILT IN DESK- the existing built-in desk needs a fresh coat of paint as it is scuffed up pretty bad. It also doesn’t have drawers or baskets so I need to figure out a solution for that. I’m hoping to make it feel more like a closet “island” than a desk.
- ORGANIZE. This one is obvious, but I really want a place for everything and everything in it’s place. Organization for jewelry, purses and accessories. And of course, the clothes are getting a serious talking to!
- STYLE. Add some fun and feminine touches. Since I don’t get to decorate a girl’s bedroom, I love using opportunities to add some feminine touches when I can. This closet is definitely one of those excuses. I’m thinking some fun art and fabrics.
- And here is the big one…….
SPEND LESS THAN $100.
Yep. I have given myself $100 budget to whip this closet into shape. I intend to use what I already have, scour thrift stores for what I need and of course purchase a few new things along the way.
Because I love working from a mood board to get motivated and keep me on track, here is a vision of what I hope the space looks like:
I will be sharing updates over the next couple weeks with the reveal at the end of the month. After a hot summer of lazy days and little routine, this project is really giving me new life and already having a ripple effect on getting organized around here! It *might* even be getting me more in the mood for fall.
And pinky promise you are not judging me on those closet befores. We are in a safe zone here, right?!?! 🙂 But I am truly sorry if I gave you an anxiety attack as you were drinking your coffee. Alright, now let’s see what I can do over the next few weeks with some determination, my big girl organization panties and a hundred bucks!
xoxo-
Heather
So exciting!!! It’s gonna be awesome
Well, It isn’t going to be QUITE as amazing as your boutique you added to your house but def an improvement. ha ha ha 🙂
I cannot wait to see your after photos!! It really isn’t THAT bad before!
It was BAD sister. I mean I have no idea how I looked so good all of the time with those conditions. Bahahahahahahahahahahah
There is no better feeling than cleaning out our closet. It’s like shedding 10lbs!!! Can’t wait to see the after photos!
SOOO much truth. Now only if I could actually shed 10 pounds?!??!??!??! Oh well, I’ll take the closet makeover for now! 🙂
I’m inspired to rip everything out of my closet and start over. Not totally sure when I’ll tackle that, but I will….. Can’t wait to see your after pics.
Girl, it truly is giving me all kinds of new life. I didn’t realize how much the closet was stressing me out, but I’m now finding myself just walking in there. And I seriously “found” lots of good stuff hiding in all of the stuff I didn’t like.
Love your plans! You are going to be one happy girl when you have your closet all purged, polished & put together!! Hello, new wardrobe!! 😉
Hello new wardrobe is right! I’m finding all kinds of gems tucked away in the nooks and crannies. Now I can also tell where the gaps are. But I still need to decide what to wear to NYC!!!!!!
Yesss!! I love the mood board, you had me at Audrey!! P.S. Anything you want to give away, right here! 😉
Isn’t that Audrey just so perfect?
Can’t wait to see it!! We moved a little over a year ago as well, and one of my projects is to finally tackle all the closets!! 🙈 maybe you’ll give me inspiration! Oh and your before pics look good compared to my current state. 😫
It really is such a major task, but I’m finding it super rewarding. Just take everything out and pile it all over your bedroom!! Then you’ll have to deal with it ha ha. 🙂 Good luck and I hope I inspire you too!
Oh man I am jealous of the size of your closest. I can’t wait to see the after such potential. Good luck with the purging!
What a great project! I’m sure you are motivating a lot of people! Me too! I just keep adding to my closet and once in a while
do a small purge! Good job!
Ok, this is going to be fun to follow along and see what you do! You had me with the chandelier, pops of gold and Audrey!
Ok the….come back to FL and tackle my closet like you did your mama’s rooms!! You are amazing!!
Seeing and hearing your design plans is getting me all kinds of inspired to tackle my dysfunctional, messy closet! Can’t wait to see the end result! And don’t feel bad about your before pics, I was hyperventilating as I posted mine 😉
Fun mood board and great size closet!
I look at the blog and think I must take everything out of my closet and start over! Its a daunting job….so it does not get done.
But you do inspire me to at least do a little at a time!