I have a large closet (11 feet by 5 feet). The best part is, it’s all mine! I don’t have to share it with anybody! This is the first house we’ve lived in that has “his” and “hers” master bedroom closets. My husband’s closet is about half the size of mine (still a good size).
When we first moved in, more than just my clothes went in my closet. Extra clothing, craft supplies, books, picture frames…just about everything that didn’t have a permanent home had a temporary one in my closet. It got to the point where I had to squeeze in to my closet to get my clothes every morning. Finally I decided to make some changes.
I used my Room Worksheet (if you don’t have a copy yet, sign up for my newsletter and you’ll get my free downloads) to determine exactly what I wanted out of my space. I decided I wanted to turn it into a dressing room!
First, I had to take every single thing out of my closet. I sorted through every item, every box, every folder…everything! I threw away trash and filled a bag for Good Will. Out of season clothes when into Space Bags (I love those things). Craft things were taken to a closet near the kitchen where I actually do my crafts. Extra blankets (also put into Space Bags) were taken to a hall closet. This sorting process took me two days.
After the sorting was finished, it was time to paint. I painted the closet a pink color called Tropical Smoothie in satin from Behr (I got it at Home Depot. If you use this color it’s best to get it with the primer in the paint. It covers better this way).
Once the paint was dry, it was time to bring things back into the closet. I wanted this to be an area where I could do my hair and put on my make up, as well as get dressed in the morning. When we first moved into this house there was a junky looking white desk in the garage. Upon further inspection, I realized it was sturdy, just stained. I scrubbed it down and put it in my closet. I couldn’t get the stains off of the top of the desk so I did some decoupage and viola! I have a one of a kind desk that I love. For information on how I did it, check out the “Make It” section of the website here http://www.borderhoarder.com/how-to-decoupage-a-desk-or-dresser/
Here are other things I did in my closet to keep things organized and handy:
* I installed hooks on the far wall to hang my favorite purses. These hooks are called Ook Hooks and I got them in two packs at Home Depot for $2 a pack. They just screw into the wall, no tools needed.
* I installed more Ook Hooks near the door to hang up my scarves and necklaces.
* I took out my bulky dresser and bought black canvas bins from Walmart ($5 a piece) to hold my smaller clothing items.
* I stacked my sweaters (which had been in the dresser) on the shelves.
Here is what I spent in my closet:
$35 paint
$20 black canvas bins for clothes
$20 Ook Hooks
$15 lamp
Not only do I have a bright and cheerful dressing room, I can find everything I need in a matter of seconds. It has also kept the bathroom counters clean because I no longer do my hair or make up in there.
My next project is my husband’s closet. Check back soon to see how I organize and liven up his small space.