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.