This new year my favorite word is ORGANIZE! Especially my closets! I have a love/hate relationship with closets! When they are well organized and neat and I can find what I need… they are wonderful! But when they are a messy dumping ground for all things that will never be found again… they are a huge frustration! And in my house we have both! The last couple of days I took a very much needed mini blogging vacation, but I was busy…busy working on ORGANIZATION… busy transforming one of my guest bedroom closets from horrible to fabulous! Here are a few tips to make any closet neat and organized and totally transformed!!!
This post is part of a social shopper marketing campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Newell Rubbermaid. All the opinions are mine. #pmedia #HomeFreeLowes #http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstVHere is a standard, run-of-the-mill, bedroom closet. From the outside it looks very ordinary…
But there is nothing ho-hum and ordinary about the inside…
This closet is now organized and has great shelves, baskets and space for lots of clothes, handbags and shoes! YEA!!!
Here are a few tips that I used and LOVE to turn this once messy closet around!!! I’m also using these tips to organize other messy areas of my home!
Take EVERYTHING out of your closet. I know!!! I really do! JUST DO IT! It may take a couple hours or a few days, just keep working on it!
Put then in 3 piles: Put them in 2 bags and 1 pile
- give away
- throw away
- put away… this one is the pile
If there are things in your closet that need repair, make another bag for them! DO NOT put anything back in your closet that does not fit, or is worn out or too out of style or that you have not worn or used for 2 seasons! BE RUTHLESS!!!
Put the “giveaway bag” into your car right away and take it to your favorite charity or friend or somewhere that you will never get it back!!!
Take the “throw away” bag right to the trash or dump!
SERIOUSLY, DO IT! Just think… your closet could look like this! Yes, it could!
Now, let’s talk about your closet. Does your closet system work for you? The closet I was organizing was a mess! The closet system was installed 19 years ago and had broken pieces. It could not be reconfigured and changed as my closet use changed! So I had to make a change!
I got a new, easy-to-install, no cutting involved closet system at Lowe’s. Rubbermaid HomeFree Closet System was my choice. The very nice people at Lowe’s are a great help in finding this very sensible and reasonably priced closet system (VERY reasonably priced!!!!)! And Rubbermaid HomeFree Closet System expands to fit any size closet!
And here’s the part I love… I can easily install shelves and baskets and expandable poles almost anywhere and in any configuration I want! SCORE!
Yes, that is a pull-out basket!
Once the old closet system was taken out and THROWN AWAY I got a good look at the closet walls. They were disgusting! Full of dinks and marks and and dirty smudges. I decided to patch the holes and paint the closet. Yes, it took an extra day but it was worth it! This was an easy job! I used a creamy yellow paint from the basement to give my closet a fresh look.
So, here’s the tip! Don’t organize a closet and put a new closet system into a dirty closet!!! This is my almost freshly painted, 55 inch long closet almost ready to get organized! I just need to finish the paint near the baseboard. Easy-peasy!
NOW is the time to install a new closet system. I installed my Rubbermaid HomeFree Closet System in an afternoon! No cutting involved! Just measure, level, drill, install!
Yes, that’s me! Sporting a drill and my leopard work shirt (ha-ha)! I’m making sure the vertical bars are level before I drill!
Bobby was my photographer!
This was the very first time I installed a closet system! Thanks goodness all the mounting hardware was included. Very easy instructions… even I could do it! Talk about a self esteem booster!
I chose the configuration that made sense for the closet use. Our children, who live in Washington DC, visit regularly. So I configured the closet to suite their needs. Jacqueline likes to hang up and put away her clothes when she comes home. I added shelves for her sweaters and some great cubbies for work-out clothes and a pull out drawer for purses.
Here’s a tip… think through how you will use your closet and design it with your needs in mind. Isn’t it amazing that you can actually design your own closet?
Once my closet was installed I put back only the things that were left in my “put away” pile. In the case of this closet, I got rid of all the clothes Jacqueline left in her closet since high school and only made room for the clothes she often wears when she comes home. She also added what she brought for her Christmas stay with us.
I bought great, inexpensive hangers so they would look neat and be gentle to the clothes in the closet… another great tip! Hangers don’t have to be expensive to work great. I chose a fuzzy, tan hangers. Clothes don’t slip off these hangers.
(Sorry about the picture. You have no idea how hard it is to get a shot in a lighted closet pointing the camera upward… but you get the idea)
More containers from Rubbermaid HomeFree Closet System! They are on the top shelf and hold things that overnight guest might forget and extra things they might need during their stay. I tried to use every inch of this closet!
Here are a few other ideas for organizing and transforming a closet:
- Hang only the clothes you use right now in easy reach. If you have a big closet, put out-of-season clothes and other things in the back of your closet.
- Group clothes by color. My system works like this… whites, beiges, yellows, oranges,
- Pinks, reds, greens, blues, browns, blacks.
- Group clothes by kind. Again, my system starts with tank tops, sleeveless, short sleeve, long sleeve (all one color), short skirts, longer skirts, shorts, capris, pants, jeans, dresses, jackets, coats.
- Clip decorative scarves to a hanger with a universal clip. I can get 5 neatly folded scarves on one hanger.
- If you have a lot of shoes, and who doesn’t, use a shoe box.
- Fold sweaters on shelves.
- Put purses in bins
- Put sneakers in their own cubbie or basket or box.
- Edit you closet every season. Keep it current and neat! The more you do this, the easier organizing gets.
- When your closet is transformed and organized decide right then how much is ENOUGH! When your closet is full, don’t put anything new in it without taking something out of it! Only put things in your closet that YOU USE.
- Your new mantra once your closet is organized… MY CLOSET IS NOT A DUMPING GROUND! I WILL ONLY PUT THINGS IN MY CLOSET THAT I USE. Memorize this and say it often!
- When you have a neat and organized closet that is configured just for you, take the time to keep it that way! Put things away NO MATTER WHAT! Well, almost NO MATTER WHAT!
Here is my newly transfigured closet! I hope this inspires you to get organized!!! The next closet I’m organizing is my big master bedroom walk in closet!!! I’m heading back to Lowe’s for another Rubbermaid HomeFree Closet System! I can honestly say that this was a great project!
Do you have any closet organizing tips? Please share them!!! Let’s get organized together!
Click HERE to see all the different configurations and accessories and add-ons by the Rubbermaid HomeFree Closet System as well as lots of ideas and inspiration!!
Rubbermaid HomeFree Closet System facebook page is HERE and twitter HERE.
Follow Rubbermaid on Pinterest HERE to get tons of organizational ideas!
Remember to pin this to your Pinterest ORGANIZE or DECOR boards. You can follow me and see all the organization ideas I am pinning HERE!
m commented
January 25, 2015 at 12:56 pmI use the same color organization that you do except green is to the right of blue. That way purple goes between red and blue; turquoise goes between blue and green.
Stefanie commented
January 11, 2015 at 7:36 pmThanks for all the great time saving tips. I live in Northeast Missouri where it’s very cold. One of my favorite go to warmth accessories are scarves. Even in the warmer months they can transform an ok outfit into adorable. I had them in my coat closet and would scramble on which one to wear as I was leaving. About two months ago I realized the better place for them to be was our bedroom. My mother-in-law had this big beautiful hand weaved basket that I couldn’t part with and has been on a shelf in our basement. It’s now in our bedroom holding all my colorful scarves. It has organized them and in turn helps me pick out what I am going to wear. Plus it’s an interesting charming accessory in our bedroom. It also touched my husbands heart when he saw what I had done. It’s a lot of fun for me to read and share ideas. Thanks Yvonne!
bobbi duncan commented
January 9, 2015 at 7:25 amI am an organization freak! I feel depressed if I am surrounded with clutter, so I am always thinking up ways to make life simpler. I organize my clothes the same as you do–it is SO easy to find things that way. When we downsized (for the second time, 14 months ago) I thought I had eliminated everything we could no longer keep, but some things just didn’t look right here so now I’m purging even more. It’s difficult to get rid of the things you really like, especially if they were expensive, but storing things you’ll never use just doesn’t make any sense. Now, I have so many ready-to-sell items in our basement that I can’t wait to get rid of it all—e-Bay, here I come! Winter has arrived to our little part of the world…..
Janelle@The Peaceful Haven commented
January 6, 2015 at 11:47 amSuch a great post! You have inspired me…I live in a 1903 Farmhouse and my closets are challenging! I actually think that the kit would work for my closets! Yea!
Shelly commented
January 6, 2015 at 10:39 amLove this post! I am in the same organizing mode right now. I have already gotten all the dressers done and am moving on to the closets! I love January for making me feel like I have one month dedicated to organization and cleanliness! This year, I have also added new bedding to my organize list. Another tip is that I often donate old worn out blankets to a local animal shelter, along with pillows and such. Animal shelters often run out of old blankets and pillows for the animals and it really makes me feel good to know that something that I would throw in the trash can be donated to some fur-babies to keep them warm and more comfortable! Thanks for the inspiration, again! Happy New Year!
StoneGable commented
January 6, 2015 at 11:02 amGreat tips, Shelly!!! THanks!
Nanci commented
January 6, 2015 at 8:36 amThis is great!! Organized closets make me feel better too. I’m anxious to see your masTer bedroom closet. This is something sorely needed in my house and one I keep procrastinating on. I need ideas and inspiration. Can’t wait for that post!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way commented
January 6, 2015 at 8:32 amThat is on my to do list this year. We have three closets with just a rod in them. What a waste of space. I’ve been complaining about them for years!! I will get rid of the rod and put in some kind of system. Thank you for the ideas.
Tina Garner commented
January 6, 2015 at 12:18 amThank you for the invaluable information on closet organization. This year instead of making New Years resolutions I decided to just choose one word to live by in 2015. That word is ORGANIZATION…..I’m praying that being organized in my home will filter into all areas of my life. After reading your post today I am convinced this one word is the perfect one for me this year.
Keep inspiring us Yvonne…:)
Lea commented
January 5, 2015 at 10:36 pmWell, I hired a professional closet designer to design our Master Suite closets for our new house. I’m an organizational enthusiast and I can hardly wait to have a place for everything and everything in it’s place when we move. I have done a good job with organizing the closets in our current house with a lot of the organizing gadgets from Lowe’s. Great post and good job!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs commented
January 5, 2015 at 8:04 pmYou always have such great organizing tips….the closet looks amazing!…..
Heather C commented
January 5, 2015 at 6:45 pmNicely done, I feel liberated when I declutter, I find that it actually allows the creative juices to flow more freely. Thanks for this idea of compartmentalizing a little better than what I had done.
kathy commented
January 5, 2015 at 6:41 pmI have a trick that helps me keep my closet organized. When I take something off a hanger, I have a spot that all hangers go, that way its easy to rehang quickly because there are always handy hangers right there. Its such an easy trick but it really works.
StoneGable commented
January 5, 2015 at 6:56 pmSUCH A GREAT IDEA, KATHY! THANKS!
Eileen commented
January 5, 2015 at 3:38 pmLove closet organization systems. I recently redid my closet and made it boutique style (https://houligirl.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/walk-in-closet-boutique-glamour-makeover-diy-2/.) So much easier and less stress when you can see everything. I have another closet that needs a makeover and this post is surely getting my creative juices flowing. Happy 2015!
Joanne A commented
January 5, 2015 at 2:21 pmIt’s so hard to throw many articles of clothing away. I keep thinking I may want that one day. Perhaps, in my case, a friend who would be more ruthless could help. I helped a friend who moved & downsized to rid herself of many items, so her new space was not cluttered. She was very happy with the result.
Ellie LaJuett commented
January 5, 2015 at 2:17 pmThanks for the post. I did not know that there were so many organization products out there, so Lowes here I come!!!
Jayne commented
January 5, 2015 at 2:04 pmOrganizing is my word for the month, too! I need to organize my sewing room and a couple of closets. My husband is going to roll his eyes at me when I tell him my plans. I do want him to build custom shelving for our master closet. I want to be able to use every inch of space with stacking things on top of each other and having them fall on my head. The boys closet need rethinking as does the linen closet. I’m thinking of keeping the sheets needed for their beds in their closet, freeing up space in the linen closet for more seasonal storage. Your closet looks great! It does feel good to learn to do something for yourself! You go, girl!
Lila commented
January 5, 2015 at 1:03 pmI must confess I have way more clothes, shoes, and handbags than are shown in that closet!!!! LOL
Pat commented
January 5, 2015 at 12:49 pmYvonne,
Amazing closet transformation, dear friend!!!
I so~o~o need to re~organize the Guest Room Closet!!!
A few minutes ago, I had “Mr. Ed” take some measurements. . .
then I opened your post. . .perfect timing, I’d say!!!
My Guest Room closet is used more for home decor storage than clothing.
I, totally, agree on emptying out the entire closet!
Thanks for the great tip and information on Rubbermaid @ Lowe’s!!!
I’ll check it out with our measurements!
Fondly,
Pat
Kay commented
January 5, 2015 at 12:42 pmOh, one other thing I do is use shower curtain hangers for belts and scarves.
Kay commented
January 5, 2015 at 12:41 pmLove the Rubbermaid system! I purge my closet twice a year, October and May. When I finish the purge, everything goes back in my closet with the hangers facing the “wrong” way, when I wear a garment, it goes back in the closet with the hanger turned the “right” way. This makes purging a bit easier because you can readily see what hasn’t been worn since the last purge. I also arrange my clothing as you do, by catagory and then color. All this makes it much easier to choose what I will wear. Your tips are very timely as I have started cleaning in an attempt to downsize before moving into a smaller home. I enjoy your blog very much and appreciate your talent.
StoneGable commented
January 5, 2015 at 3:48 pmGREAT IDEAS, Kay!
Design Chic commented
January 5, 2015 at 12:39 pmWe’re on the same wavelength today – closets on our mind too! Someone once told me to take all of your clothes out of your closet, reorganize and hang each hanger backwards. As you wear the clothes during the year, hang them the right way. At the end of the season, you see all of the clothes you never wore and that made it easier to rid of those items…trying this year!! Happy Monday, Yvonne!
Nancy commented
January 5, 2015 at 12:33 pmYou are my “new best friend”. Your ideas are practical and easy! I love your organizational skills and the way you write it for all to follow. Good one!
Happy New Year!
Nancy
Sharon Schmidt commented
January 5, 2015 at 12:19 pmI love January, it is my closet cleaning month. Could you please show us how to do your plate closet? I actually have a closet in my dining room for dishes etc. But can’t seem to get it organized and keep it that way. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful ideas. Happy Healthy New Year.
Sharon
Linda in Lititz commented
January 5, 2015 at 11:18 amYvonne,
My words for the New Year are “Purge” and “Organize”. Kevin is working on transforming an old bedroom into a sitting room/library for me. The first thing he did was to empty the closet (and the closet of our guest room) and clean and paint them!! So we are on track and doing things the Yvonne Way!! Yay! Now comes the tricky part. Putting in shelves that meet my needs. Your blog is so timely. Thanks so much!
Linda
Sheila@MyKentuckyLiving commented
January 5, 2015 at 11:12 amHow appropriate this post is for me. I started on my closet a couple of days ago. A closet system was already installed when we bought the house. But, it was still a mess because I poked things here and there. I have worked for a couple of days so far…The closet looks better…but I have piles in the bedroom to deal with. I will work through it eventually. Ha!
Sheila@mykentuckyliving
June Gerstner commented
January 5, 2015 at 11:09 amYvonne, what a great way to start the new year! I purge my clothes twice a year when transitioning the seasons, and you’re right, you need to be ruthless. But it works! The best part is how good you feel when you donate a big bag of clothing to a thrift shop or homeless shelter. I now have one of my daughters-in-law doing the same thing and she loves it too. Okay, back to the basement and Christmas decorations!
StoneGable commented
January 5, 2015 at 11:12 amLOVE the idea of purging twice a year, June! YOU GO GIRL!