So, I’ve been decluttering my closet and some junk drawers this week, bagging up the excess to haul to the thriftstore. Let someone else enjoy what I’m not wearing anymore, share the blessings. Even though I had several bags worth removed from the closet, it is still plenty full. At least now I can see most everything and that’s good.
Excess bags-o-junk going to the thriftstore. 
You’ll remember these scary photos of my closet from a week ago.
Lettin’ it all hang out, the ugly and the messy, completely out of control from lack of attention. I’m now happy to report it looks a lot better now.
After removing a bunch of clothes from both sides, it’s a lot easier to find things now. That cute little stool was a yardsale find that I’ve never taken time to paint. It helps me reach up high to get something down from the top shelves. You’ll see a compact dirty clothes hamper there to the right. I love having the hamper in the closet and this one takes up just a little room. And it was a yardsale find too. 
Sweaters on the top rack. Having that top rack up high helped to add more storage in this tall and skinny closet. 
On the right are purses up top and a big basket that holds all my flip-flops. Great way to get them off the floor and out of sight until I need them again this summer.
A simple folding hanger helps corral the belts, purses and scarves, making them easily accessible. These cheapy drawers are great to have around too, these hold my undies and nightwear and I can grab them easily.
I can’t brag enough on these shoe organizers. You can find these 25 pair cubbies at Target or Lowes, a good investment for keeping those shoes in some sort of order. I’ve now managed to get my shoes down to about 25 pair, with a few still in boxes.
That’s a major accomplishment for a shoe-aholic like me. 🙂
So, that’s what I’ve been up to this week. I won’t win any awards for the world’s most beautiful closet, but it sure feels better now.
For your viewing pleasure, here’s an eye candy closet from the movie, Something’s Gotta Give. I loved everything about that house, didn’t you?
I’m joining Traci at Beneath my Heart for her organizing linky party. Hop on over there if you want to get even more organizing inspiration. I have a feeling you’ll see some pretty nifty containers and ideas to use for yourself.
How about you? Did you do any organizing this week? Feel free to share.
Good for you! It is my New Years resolution to declutter my house one room at a time. I have made a little progress, but I still need to get my Christmas decorations put away first! ha, ha.
Isn’t that just the best feeling?!? After I finish a big make over like that, I could just sit and stare at it for a crazy amount of time…just soaking in the fruits of my labor! Glad that I am not the only one that swings back and forth from a mess of a closet to a perfectly organized closet occasionally! Looks great!!!
Woohoo! Great job. 🙂 Love the tip on using a basket for flip flops. I have a lot of pairs of flip flops. A. lot. A basket or bin would be put to good use in my closet.
Love, from a fellow Shoe-Aholic. 😉
Love the flip flop tip too. I have lots of flip flops and lots of baskets too. Sounds like a marriage made in heaven!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Yes, I did! I managed to declutter our bedroom closet, and have accumulated a pile not unlike your own. Still need to finish going through my old purses — want to bring the number waaaaaay down. The ridiculous thing is that when we moved last year to the PNW, we knew everything we owned was going into storage for at least a couple of years, so we got rid of almost all our clothes and shoes, only keeping what we could pack into our suitcases. So, how is it I have this enormous pile of stuff in my entryway, waiting to be taken to Goodwill??? I happen to know it’s a much bigger pile than would fit into our luggage, and of course, there are still clothes in the closet 😛
~Amanda
It feels so good to have a clean closet. Or at least that’s how I remember it! It’s been a year since I dealt with mine, and right now things aren’t so pretty.
p.s. Can you imagine having glass doors on your closet??? Or wait…is that whole room the closet? Nice!
Hi Rhoda: It looks great now! I used to work for a closet design company and I hope you don’t mind a suggestion (or unsolicited advice!) – wooden hangers or thin velvet hangers that take up a lot less space – look great and are better for your clothes. When I redid my closet, I tossed all those plastic hangers – I found that they ruin your blouses because they don’t hang right and they’re not big enough. It is well worth the investment and your clothes will look great on them too!! :))
Rhoda,
Your closet looks great! Doesn’t it feel great?!
I love being able to get things cleared out to give away. It makes me feel good.
Plus, we need to make room for the goodies we find during Garage Sale season, right? 🙂
Thanks for linking up to my party!
See you soon!
Rhoda, I know that feeling of making it feel all neat and tidy. It does feel good. Congrats and now you might have a little more room for an extra sweater or two 🙂
I didn’t get any thing organized. I played in the snow/ice with my 8 year old girl friend. Unfortuantely, hurt my shoulder so getting things put in the attic hasn’t been done either. The snow is melting and the saucer put away for another time. Wouldn’t trade that for anything.
It feels SOOOOO good to organize and purge areas in our home. I have decided that THIS year is the year we will go through EVERY room in this house and GET RID of what we don’t use or want anymore. We have WAAAAAAY to much STUFF!!!, LOL! I am realizing that we probably are not going to MOVE (like I want) so I want to make our house as comfortable and functional as possible! I did a VERY mini clean out yesterday morning. I hope this weekend to get alot more done and next week I have BIG plans:):) XO, Pinky
Rhoda, do I spy a pair of white shoes with green spots on???? They are to-die-for!!! Great job,
Suzyq
Rhoda,
You did a great job of purging and reorganizing. I think the hardest part of that job is getting started because it all seems so overwhelming at first (at least for me). I like those shoe cubbies and will have to keep my eyes open for some the next time I’m shopping. A place for everything and everything in its place! What a great feeling that is.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Maybe that closet from the movie “Something’s Gotta Give,” will make you feel better knowing it was a set, and not a real house. The exterior was a real house, but all interior shots were scenes from a designed set. Sorta sad, huh? Architectural Digest did a whole feature on the set and the designer, and there’s a post about it on the “Hooked on Houses” blog. http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/05/04/the-beach-house-in-somethings-gotta-give/
It looks great, Rhoda! I got in on Traci’s party, too, but haven’t posted yet. I’ll write about why when I get it up hopefully tomorrow. I do feel so much better being able to actually see what’s in my linen closet. I was so inspired by the feeling I organized my pantry, too! : )
Looks a lot better! I LOVE your shoes and how they are stored.
I think you could add a little style to your closet with a picture over the folding hanger and some pretty sachets. More hints: get rid of the wire hangers, Bette Davis; group like colours together; bring empty hangers to the front of each rack; and check out the new ultra thin non-slip space saving hangers.
What a great job! I love how a space can feel so “happy” with a little (or a lot…!) of work. I consider it such a blessing to be able to do clean out a space! I always love to see what you are working on – you are very talented!
I’ve been up to the same thing! Feels good that decluttering in the ole closet! I’ll have to check out that shoe organizer. I could use one of those for sure!
The closet looks great. I bet it felt good to clear out all the extra clothes. We just took three bags to Goodwill this week.
Great job Rhoda! Doesn’t it give you such piece of mind to go into your closet now. I wish I had that same feeling. Thanks for the inspiration! Love the shoe organizer. It’s just what I need.
Marie
http://www.sisterpickers.blogspot.com