Wednesday, April 4, 2012

24 Reader Space: Kate's Organized Clothing Closet!

Once again your sweetness has left me in awe.  Today's reader space was actually nominated by another reader.  How amazing is that?  You all really look out for one another, and it really shows me what a great sense of community there is in blog land!


So I checked out the nominated space, and it didn't take long to see that the reader was right.  It was a great closet project to share!  It also didn't take me long to realize that Kate's blog was one that I already adored and checked frequently since Kate has so many great fashion and hair styling ideas!  Love her!

Kate blogged:

 "By nature, I'm a slob. In all seriousness--I'm naturally a messy person. This is not news to my mother, husband, or any other person who knows me well. I usually work in chaos in my office. And my closet.

But I had had enough. It was time to force a change upon myself. And maybe have access to clothes that I couldn't get to through the madness. 

So I spent about 4 hours one Saturday sorting through and donating clothes & other accessories in my closet & my drawers. And it felt really good to purge. 

The whole idea came to me when I saw these hangers at Costco:


Each box was $10.00! I could have a neat and organized closet for only $20.00? I'll take it. {of course I didn't NEED new hangers. But I love these flocked hangers, and my sad white plastic ones were snapping in half.}

So here is what I began with: 




The first thing I did was transfer all the hanging clothes to the new hangers, and in the process I filtered through what I wanted to keep and what I should donate. 



The following photo is a perfect example of how I am naturally a messy person. Wouldn't it have made sense to just keep the old hangers on the bar, instead of throwing them into a hanger pile of tangled disaster? Yes. What did I do? I threw them over my head from the closet and let them fall into a mess.


Shoes and a pair of slippers went to the donation pile.


I believe I donated approximately 15 pairs of pants/jeans. Some I have had for 4+ years.


And then the rearranging began.

Mainly, my goal was to be able to see the hanging clothes that I have. So I wanted those to be placed first.


Color coded...



I used baskets that I already owned to sort smaller items above the clothes.


We don't have a linen closet, so we keep a few toiletries in our closet. I had to keep that wire storage in there for those. Plus, we have a darks, lights and "special" hamper. The "special" hamper is for my clothes that need to be washed and hung, or washed a certain way. *Lights/Darks Hamper came from Target


I'm so thrilled with the result. I really believe it has taken some element of stress away from me in the morning since it isn't a battle to try to find a shirt!"


I asked Kate to give me a run down of what she loves about her updated closet, and how her life has improved since.  Here is what she had to say:

"What I love about my new closet: It is so much easier to find clothes! I don't "forget" about shirts like I used to since I can see them all. I also feel like I can be more creative with my outfits now that I can see all my options.

It's very easy to maintain because there is a place, and a hanger, for everything. If I buy something new, I can usually find something that I won't wear for that season and move it to another spot. 

Since I organized my closet, I'm so much better at keeping it organized. It's no longer a fight to squeeze sweaters, two to a hanger, into the space I allowed for hanging clothes.

Some tips: Really think hard about what you want to keep and what you want to donate. As you are cleaning out, place clothes in two piles, keep & donate. Then, hang up all the clothes you are keeping and move the donate clothes to another spot in your house. If you find yourself missing certain items, add them back in to the closet. And the ones you forget about? It's probably time to donate them!

Thanks for sharing my closet makeover Jen! I've loved your blog for years and am happy to be featured on it!"


  • This shows that inspiration comes in many forms.  Sometimes it takes seeing a new product or item to ignite that organizing flame.  The hangers Kate found were her inspiration to update her closet.  
  • The hangers were a really great choice for the space.  Kate loves fashion {and she has an eye for it, that is for sure}, so it is important for her to maximize the space she is given for storing all of her clothing.  Hug-able hangers are the best way to make the most of your hanging space.  They also allow clothing to hang really nice and even which is easier on the eyes.
  • The project allowed her to review everything being stored in that closet, and go through the Yes/No process.  She was able to donate a variety of items and keep only what she loved!
  • She ensured it was something that was easier to maintain going forward, that is always an important thing to consider in every single organizing project you take on.  
  • I can feel her mornings becoming easier.  I love that feeling.  Knowing that she isn't fighting through cramped clothing and can now see all of her options at a glance.
  • She color coded.  Different systems work for different people.  Some individuals hang by type, sleeve length or color.  I do a combo.  It's all about what makes sense to you personally.  Sorting by color allows you to easily assemble your attire.
  • I really love that Kate is openly admitting that organization doesn't come easy to her.  Or that she is a self-proclaimed "messy person".  That's why I think I fell so in love with this story.  Because she was able to do such a great job and give herself something that she can maintain and be happy about going forward.  You don't need to have that "organizing, clean freak" gene to create a workable system.  High fives to you Kate!

So who is inspired?  Anyone else purge down and organize your bedroom closet lately?  Who else has found an item or product that has driven an entire organizing project?


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.

24 comments:

  1. DYING for pretty nonslip hangars! I'm still rocking the white plastic ones I bought back in COLLEGE [omg omg I KNOW!!! so ridiculous] and dream of someday splurging on wood or velvet hangars.

    Off to check out Kate's blog! love her closet!

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    1. If you have a Marshalls/Homegoods near you, you can find them super cheap! Also sometimes at Walmart or Target. I am buying them slowly, so when I have enough, I can redo my closet. Currently, I am rocking the wired hangers! I am so fed up with them falling and hooking on other cloths, I break them and throw them out. My hubby thinks I'm nuts

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  2. Hi Jen, there is this book called "I don't have anything to wear" I've just read it and it gives you very simplified clothing options that will make you look great all the time with just couple of good pieces. Check it out....Deniz Eugene, OR

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  3. What should you do with the old plastic hangers? Donate them or throw them away?

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    1. I donate mine to charity shops as they always need them to hang their second hand clothes on x

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  4. I bought those same hangers at Costco a few weeks ago and switched all of my clothes to them. I don't have tons of clothing... the one thing I am good at getting rid of is clothes that I don't wear/don't fit. My issue is that I *HATE* hanging up laundry, and so when I finally do it, I am insanely frustrated at finding clothing that has fallen off the hangers the next day!! I hate grabbing one shirt and having the shirts on either side fall off the hangers. I donated my white plastic hangers.

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  5. There is just something so refreshing about matching hangers!

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  6. Where did she go with her pants and jeans?

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  7. Old hangers: You could also offer them for free on your local Freecycle or Craigslist.... or offer them to a friend with a 7-8 year old kid. Usually by that age, their clothes will fit on adult hangers which usually means the household needs more adult hangers :)

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  8. another comment: I'm in the process of flipping my hangers for my husband and my clothes in the closet. Last fall, I reversed all of them, hanging them backwards on the bar. Since we have major climate changes here in MN, by next fall, it will be obvious what we haven't touched in a year. It's already pretty obvious what I can purge! Some people do this a certain time every year so they never have old stuff hanging in their closet. ....and for pete's sake - get rid of the old bridesmaids dresses, no matter HOW much you paid for them!!

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    1. Or figure out a way to reuse the material if it was very expensive.

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  9. I am in the middle of full-on spring cleaning right now. This has given me great ideas for my closet! Thanks! Any tips on a good place to buy hangers?

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  10. I am so going to get those hangers tomorrow!!! LOVE them for that price!! :)

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  11. Jen -

    I am one of those chronically cluttered ADD folk, and your page was at the top of the list of a google search for "organizing blog". I am so glad I found you!! It's only been two days and I've been scouring your project gallery, just soaking in the inspiration. Luckily, I derive a lot of pleasure from organizing, projects, AND creativity, and you have all three! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your life to share your ideas with the rest of us; it's very helpful and thoughtful of you. I will keep reading!!!

    Thanks again! :D

    Emily

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  12. Now I need to find someone I know who belongs to Costco to buy me those hangers! I have 3 comments... One, I don't think she is that messy - the before wasn't that bad. Two, I love her bedroom with the gray/yellow combo. Three, I went to Target this week to buy a hamper with 2 sections and couldn't find any. Never thought to look online, so thank you!

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  13. I swear, the invention of these hangers was brilliant. Even better it was by a woman. No wonder they work so well =)

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  14. Love those hangers! They're going on my wish list! I think she did a fabulous job on her closet. The only problem, is now I want to go tackle mine! lol

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  15. What is your favorite go to design software for your projects?

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    1. I personally love Microsoft Excel and Photoshop.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  16. It's incredible how different (and organized) the closet looks by simply changing out the hangers. Love this!

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  17. Just wanted to let you all know that if you have a Bed, Bath, & Beyond near you, they have sets of these hangers on sale right now - 50 for $29.99!

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  18. Walmart has non slip space saving hangers : $2.97 for 5. normal price. No need to rush towards any other store. Walmart is gud enough

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  19. I'll certainly be looking for some of those hangers the next time I go to Costco. I've been collecting ideas for closets since we moved into our home about a year ago. We have a very large walk-in master closet, but it needs a revamp to create a good workable space. I truly appreciate any and all ideas.

    I'm not sure if you would be interested, Jen, but I wrote some posts about my craft room -- small but well organized space. Here is the link to the first which also has links to 2 & 3:
    http://cas-anoasisinthedesert.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-magical-mystical-tour.html
    If it's not what you are looking for, I'm perfectly fine with that. I blog strictly for fun and just love sharing.

    Carol

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  20. I love this post! I plan on organizing my closet tonight/tomorrow, and I'm exactly like Kate - this post was definitely inspirational.

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