Wednesday, February 22, 2012

28 Reader Space: Jill's Joyful Office Closet

Sometimes we get into funks and leave things the way they are, because that is the way they have been for so long already... and that it is all that makes sense to us.  And often times, we forget that we should always be rethinking how we are using our spaces.  For example, a closet that has been a "coat" closet for years... Who says that closet has to be for coats?  Why can't it be a pantry or a craft closet or a combination of all three?    We need to define what we want spaces to become, based on our needs and what works best for us.  Not because "that's the way it was built" and originally intended.


Jill wrote:

Hi Jen!  I'm a HUGE fan of your blog {like, HUGE.  I emailed you many months ago, just to thank you for all the inspiration and motivation}.  I'm a little bit {uh, okay... a LOT bit} of an OCD organizer so coming to your blog is like coming home. 

Anyway.  One of my most favorite features you do is the Reader Spaces and seeing how others utilize their spaces is kinda fascinating for me.  And last night, it hit me that maybe I could just ENTER to BE one of the Reader Spaces.  

I mean, it's nothing mind-blowing {well, it is to ME but I'm continually blown away by the creativity out there!} but it's a space in our home that's totally done a 180 and changed the way we operate.  We went from a cluttered closet that was my dark secret {haha} into a streamlined office-warehouse that I actually WANT to go in now!  We tore out shelves, relocated clothing, hung wire shelving, and then purged and organized and organized some more {my favorite part}.
Here is a link to the project.  Thanks for doing all YOU do!

Jill

Let's take a peek at what Jill began with...


Because Jill was welcoming a little one, her office space was being taken over by a nursery.  So it was time to start thinking of a new solution.  The closet was the perfect answer and it has gone through an amazing transformation!

A new light, an electrical outlet and some updated shelving and she had a whole new room!


Oh yes indeed, that is the same space!

All of her scrapbook paper is sorted in the clear drawers:



The cart is from IKEA and she also picked up some sorters to use within the drawers so she could stash away some smaller craft items!



Some thrifting gave her inexpensive storage solutions as well!


She used photo cases to store all of her prints {that she will use to scrapbook one day}:



The green storage boxes {also from IKEA}, are great for storing her extra kit materials {for her shop} and sewing supplies.

She added some art and a rail of cups to hold more crafting/kit items:



Each component worked together to give her a successful before and after story!



  • She gained new functionality for a closet that wasn't working up to it's full potential.
  • She made lemonade out of lemons!  Loss of her personal space for her nursery meant a super snazzy new closet office space!
  • The closet didn't have a light or outlet, but she had them installed to boost the functionality!  Just because it didn't come that way, doesn't mean it can't be that way!
  • She used storage inside of storage.  The storage baskets for the cart wouldn't work for smaller craft supplies, but by adding simple divider trays, she has a fabulous crafty cart that holds all of her supplies perfectly!
  • She really maximized the space in the closet by adding shelving along two walls and going vertical.  She also used the remaining wall to add additional storage through the rail of cups.
  • Artwork in a closet is simply genius.  A closet can easily be considered another "room" in our home, why not jazz it up a bit?  So adorable!
  • Thrifted or every day items {such as bowls and mugs} are fantastic for corralling small office supplies like paperclips and pushpins!
  • Everything is labeled!  No standing there questioning the contents of each storage bin or box.  She will always know where to quickly grab from!

Pretty fab right?  Who else has been looking twice at how you are using a space? 



ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please send your story and photos to iheartorganizing@gmail.com and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!  More info HERE.

28 comments:

  1. Wow! I am wondering where she put all the stuff that used to be in there? I'll head over to her blog to see if she talks about that. Love the way she thought out of the box (or inside the closet!).

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  2. Hey there! Eek, I'm so excited to "be" here today!

    As for the stuff that WAS in there... Most of it was just poorly organized and found better places throughout the house. The scrapbooks were the hardest sell and now reside in the top of our very tall closet, since we don't access them often. The jackets went in the appropriate closets (we're in California and really only have thin, lightweight ones) and the games got organized into a new, dedicated games closet. I hope that helps!

    Jill

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  3. Great job! I need to do something like that in my guest room closet. Thanks for the inspiration and ideas!

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  4. Great job Jill!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 I love the ikea storage solutions and the supercute monogram and frame!

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  5. I love this. It's amazing how crafts and art supplies can slowly take over, but if they have a home (here, not in my house) then they can be so organized and beautiful. Thanks for the great feature.

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  6. Wow! Like, "Oh my Gosh!" wow. That is an incredible transformation and I am inspired!

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  7. That is great stuff, how nice to be organized.

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  8. Awesome and inspiring. Now, who has an idea of what I can do with all of those VHS movies that are in MY craft/movie/photo/school supplies/etc. closet that I would like to redo? Is there a way to get them converted to DVD or am I up the creek without permission to copy?

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  9. Are those clear plastic sorters in the wire baskets also from IKEA? My husband (yes you read that right) needs something to hold small pieces like Legos in drawers. An online supplier for those would be great!

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    1. I love it! And yes, those plastic inserts ARE from Ikea. I believe they are $3 each. We have them in almost every drawer in our kitchen, as well. Love them!

      Oh, I found a link!

      http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50043573/

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  10. Awesome! I love seeing you featured here Jill! WTG girl!!!!

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  11. Shirley said:
    OMG you did a great job. Thanks for the post.

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  12. @ Jamie p- I have the same clear photo boxes and got them at Michaels. They go on sale for 40% several times during the year. If not, Michaels always has coupons.

    Love the use of this closet! Very inspiring!

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    1. Thank you!! And, that's good to know about Michaels! Mine were from The Container Store but I would bet money (well, not really, haha) that they'd be cheaper at Michaels!

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  13. Hi Jamie! I got those boxes at The Container Store. They're a little pricey ($30/box) but DO tend to go on sale every few months for about $20. However, I've also seen them at Michaels, where I bet you could use a 40% off coupon! Either way, I love them!

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  14. Wow! I'm impressed! I've been working to organize my home as well. And this closet provides lots of inspiration...I love it!!!

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  15. I think it's adorable and inviting. The art work makes it a room.
    The little plant adds a nice touch. Bravo for all your hard work.

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  16. Jill, I covet your little thrifted blue bowl, cute! Well done!

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  17. I'm totally impressed! Wish I had a spare closet for such a project.

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  18. Wow!! What a great makeover! Gives me some good ideas!

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  19. Awesome job, Jill!! That isn't a huge space, but you just made it perfectly functional. I bet it feels so good to go in there and get what you need :)

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  20. Great job! I'm curious how the green IKEA boxes are holding up? I would like to use them for just about every closet in my house. I haven't bought them because I'm afraid they will fall apart because they are so inexpensive.

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    1. Hi Ivy! I was hesitant too, especially because some of the boxes get pulled out ALL the time. But, I'm happy to report that I haven't had a single one die on me, and they've been around for about a year now. There have been a couple times that a screw has popped off, but I've quickly put it back on and not had a problem. I hope that helps! I was at Ikea last week and these green ones were "Last Chance" and marked way down!

      Jill

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  21. It's absolutely amazing that it's the same space. Super job! Love all the labels and color coordination. She even utilizes unused wall space!

    It's no doubt she loves going in that room now:)

    Colleen Kranz
    www.smead.com

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  22. Great job Jill!! Very impressed. You really made the absolute most out of a small space. I must know where you found the rail and blue cups/containers??!! I have really gotten motivated recently and I am slowly reclaiming my home office and would love a similar rail in my office for my craft supplies.
    Amanda

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    1. Hi Amanda! That rail/cup set-up is from Ikea (the kitchen department). I LOVE them (we use them for art supplies for my daughter in another part of the house) and they are SO affordable. Each little cup is only a dollar and the rod is under $5. I've been trying to find you a link but can't seem to get it! But, they are in the kitchen section!

      Jill

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  23. Perfect work area transformation you made there! Who would have thought that closet would save the day? :)

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