Closet Transformation

If there is one thing that I miss from our Dublin house, it is the Master Bedroom Closet (and Bathroom). I loved that the light would turn on as soon as you walked into the closet. It was also large enough that Jay and I could share the space. Jay also installed a great light above my shoes so that I could see what pair I was looking for. Oh how I miss the small things that make a closet amazing. Our current master bedroom closet is about 1/4 the size of our last one, therefore, I had to plead with Jay to let me have the whole space. There is just no way that we would have been able to share it. Besides, the closet in the guest room is also a walk in and it fits his clothes just perfect!

I had thought that when I unpacked the wardrobe boxes from the move that I would be able to organize the closet as I went. However, that did not happen. It came to a point where I just wanted the boxes emptied and things away. Now, I am ready to tackle the organization of my new closet space.

Here are the before pictures:





I knew that this would be a daunting task so I started by removing everything from the closet. I then began to organize like items together. While grouping the items, I also removed pieces that were old, worn, outdated (unless it was something that I just could not part with for various reasons) or I was just sick of it. Once the clothes were grouped together I began rehanging them in color order. I know, it is kind of anal, but I like to see all of the same colors together, plus it makes things look neater and it is easier to find things. If I want a black top, I just go to that section instead of hunting through all of the shirts. Since there were rods on each side of the closet, I have tops, jackets and oxfords on one side and dresses, pants, capris and skirts on the other. I also picked up 2 great hanging storage units at Ikea and there is one on each side.

Once all my clothes were hung, it was time to address the growing amount of shoes in my wardrobe. I find it hard to part with them even if they are completely worn out or I don't wear them anymore. I have no idea why. I have a hanging rack on the back of the door for most of them. However, I do have 2 shoe shelves that I am using. The one towards the back of the closet holds my boots and a few other pairs of sandals, etc that are not worn often. I even found a use for my old magazines, (Jay, this should make you happy), I roll them up and put them down in the shaft of the boot so they stand up! The other shoe shelve is home to some of my favorite (and expensive) pairs of shoes (and apparently Arabella's as well). She has already taken them out to play with them and tried to put them back without me knowing, she is a girl after my own heart! I just love the way my shoes look, all lined up and ready to be worn, come on warm weather, melt the snow so I can start wearing cute shoes instead of cute winter boots! I also was able to get my flip flops under control. I have to say that they are a staple of my warm weather wardrobe and I just adore flip flops. They are now neatly organized in one of the Ikea hanging organizers.

After my shoes, I took stock of my purses and accessories. I did something that I never thought I would do. I removed all of my classic/vintage Coach bags from their boxes and stored them all in one clear tote. Jay has been joking (at least he better be) that he is going to start selling them on eBay...I am sure he could make a pretty penny but we are not going to find out. He said that the clear tote would make it that much easier for him to get to them. Don't worry Dearest Jay, I know how they are arranged and even have taken pictures of them for "inventory" purposes so just remove the eBay idea from your mind! I amassed such a collection from working at Coach throughout college and am still in love with the brand. I do not think that I can or ever will part with them. Every so often I break one out and use it. As for the reminder of my bags that I use on a season to season basis, I organized them by brand/season on the top shelves of the closet. All of my "small leather goods" were also organized, with the help of Arabella, and are neatly in a basket. It is a good thing that she cannot reach that top shelf or I would be in trouble, she had a hard time letting me put them away. She was having too much fun and just wanted to play with all of the purses and bags. She even learned a few new words along the way. She can say "purse" and will pick one up and say "bye, bye" as she walks away, it is too cute. I think Jay and I are going to be in trouble when she gets older, at least she and I can share accessories! Thank you Arabella for helping Mommy go through her clothes, shoes and fun stuff - you were such a big help!

In the end, the process took more time than I wanted it to, but the end result is perfect. I love how everything is organized, with the exception of my suits and wedding dress, all of my (hanging) clothes are in "my" closet! I also like that I was able to make some room for some new fashion finds!

And After: