Master Closet Simplified

I'm popping in for a rare burst of blogging to join in on Simple Mom's Project : Simplify! She'll be leading us in tackling 5 hot spots of clutter in the home. I'm full-on nesting, so the timing is perfect.

I almost didn't participate in this week's hot spot, thinking that my closet is already in pretty good shape. A few months ago, I bought nice hangers and brought in some baskets and tags I already had to give it a more cohesive and sophisticated look, since the bifold doors stay open pretty much all the time making it part of the master bedroom decor.

But then I started thinking about how it's getting warmer and it wouldn't hurt to go through the box of summer maternity items that have been lent to me, and how the dust build-up is so severe that if an item falls from its hanger, I have to put it back in the dirty clothes. (I don't know if it's the wood floors or the age of this house, but gets incredibly dusty. I seriously just dusted my closet a few months ago. Who dusts their closet??) I'm thinking maybe a little unpacking, tidying and dusting and this project will take me 30 minutes or so...

Two hours later and I am thrilled with the results! Here's what I started with:

What I did:

- Today was laundry day, so job one was to put away all the clean clothes you see piled up there.

- cleared out everything on the floor and the shelf above the hangers

- dusted and cleared cobwebs and sneezed 50 times

- went through the hanging items and shifted them around so that the ones I use the most are near the middle. Jackets and coats are tucked back on one side; scarves, belts and extra purses on the other.

- next up, I marched all the random objects (pillow pets, little pink crocs, matchbox cars, etc) back to their proper homes

- went through the summer maternity clothes. I didn't try everything on, since it was getting late, but I was extra picky in making sure I only hung up the ones I was fairly certain I would get use out of. (For example, I have no practical need for maternity dress slacks, and I already know I don't look good in scoop neck t-shirts.) I packed up the rest to give back or donate.

- found some non-maternity clothes and running clothes I won't be needing for several months and packed them up for storage in the basement

Here's a picture of the out-takes (minus dustballs and the kids' stuff which I had already put away):

I put back on the floor my shoes, work clothes (for painting or yard work), a basket of mending, and a basket of shorts.

(Looking to the right)

(Looking to the left)

Now the top shelf:

On the top I had only my suitcases and a sleeping bag off to either side, so I added the small trunk, which was in need of a home, and two now-empty baskets to stash items that I outgrow later on in the pregnancy.

I took the 3M hooks from the garage wall, where they hadn't been working out as grocery bag hooks. I re-hung the hooks in the middle of the closet for my most-often worn jewelry, so they no longer have to sit in a little bowl in the linen closet. Love those little 3M pull-tab hangy-thingies!

Last but not least, I asked Mark to tie a new string from my light which had broken months and months ago.

Let's take a step back to see the end result:

Much more functional and roomy. The clear floor space makes the master bedroom feel like it extends another 18 inches and seeing all those tank tops lined up gets me excited that warmer, sunnier weather is on its way!

Total time: 2 hours

Total expense: $0

Glue Gun Therapy

Yesterday was a hard day. I hesitate to even describe it as such, because when I think how blessed I am, I realize that many people would gladly trade one of their good days for my bad one. Aside from the children being off on their sleep, and therefore a little cranky, the day as a whole was actually pretty successful. We learned a lot, ate well, did a few chores and even had a fun outing. But I had forgotten that Mark would be gone for the evening, and when I realized it, exhaustion hit me like a freight train. I fought back tears until every last child was asleep. And then I settled in on the couch with my hot glue gun and made this:

I love it. I am not crafty, but I thought I could pull this one off without someone sweetly sweetly mistaking it for one of my children's works. Also, super cheap. $2 wreath form from Hobby Lobby + 2 x $1 coffee filters = $4. With extra coffee filters left over. Hmm, maybe I should turn something else into a giant snowball tonight?

Directions and inspiration from The Nester. I did not trim it. It would look cute with natural colored coffee filters too.

A peek

In just 12 days if all goes well, we close on our first home. Want to have a peek?

Here are some of my favorite parts...

Mark is parked on a part of the driveway that curves around to allow extra parking. If you turned to the right, you'd see the walking paths along Riverside Rd and the Chattahoochee.

Entryway and stairs

A yard - with real grass!

This bright sunny room is a Formal Living Room. But since there's not much that's formal about the way we live, it will likely be a play room/school room.