Master Closet Organization {Before & After}

When we moved into our home a few years ago I fell in love with the open floor plan, the four spacious bedrooms and the high ceilings. The one thing I was not too happy about was having to downsize our master closet. To some of you, you might think it is a great walk-in closet! To others you will see what I mean by a small closet. It is all about perspective...isn't it?

Well after five years I finally feel like we have used the space in this closet wisely. We went vertical with the storage which has given us ample space for our clothes. We still don't have a place for our dresses and suits, so they stay put in the guest closet. I figured since we don't wear those items all that much, is was okay they weren't joining the rest of our clothes. We both have dressers as well for our T-shirts, shorts, workout clothes and PJs.

I would have loved to get a whole closet makeover with EasyClosets or the Elfa Closet solutions at The Container Store, but it wasn't in our budget. So instead I am going to share with you how I created an organized closet using a few easy solutions and products.

First I can't share my solutions without showing you where we were a few short months ago.

(Yes, I am hanging my head in shame at the moment) We would literally just throw our clothes on top of the shelves and run! I hated this closet and I am sure my husband was sick of me saying so. 

And now the pretty picture.....

This is a "walk-in" closet, but on the left side of the closet is a full window. This leaves two very small walls for clothes. And if you remember there was a little nook to the right where we added some vertical shelves for my shoes. Definitely one of my favorite things about this closet now!

The other major solution for this closet were the cube shelves. We really needed something to organize all of our sweaters, jeans, etc. I found these shelves at Target and they fit perfectly with even a little space on top for hats and purses. 

You can see I even added a little gold touch mimicking a campaign style with washi tape. I just had to make it a bit more exciting!

The hanging rod below my clothes was another necessity when it came to our dress pant situation. I found this closet rod at The Container Store. It is adjustable and fits perfectly in the lower corner of the closet. It really expanded our hanging space without having to add a permanent lower rod. 

See Two-Toned Ikea Dresser Hack HERE

We also made use of the space behind the door by adding some hooks for hanging my bags and an outfit inspiration board. I also added some 3M hooks on the back of the door for the Hubs baseball caps. 

I am also in love with my new wooden hangers! I found a box of 24 for $12.99 at target! They add a bit of texture to the space and bring that cohesive feel to the closet. I also used them in my coat closet makeover. Can't say enough amazing things about them. Gone are the days of plastic hangers for me!

I am so very happy with how it turned out. It might not be the biggest closet, but it now has big function! I am not scared to walk in my closet anymore!

How about you? What have you been organizing on a budget lately?

Related Projects:
DIY Home Depot Shoe Shelves
DIY Tufted Striped Ottoman
Outfit Pinspiration Board
Two-toned Ikea Hack Dresser

Playroom Design Plan & My Go-to {Kid Items} for the Home

Ever since I designed this reader's playroom and this reader's family room , I have received numerous emails about needing ideas on how to organize kids spaces while making them feel cohesive, fun and family friendly.

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So today I am sharing a couple of design boards filled with my go-to items for kids. Remember that it doesn't have to be pricey to be fabulous!

A Few Tips:
1. Look for items that have lids or covers to hide toys when company comes over.
2. Find fabric that it easy to clean.
3. Mix and match high-low items so your space doesn't feel like a fisher-price house.
4. Add pops of color and texture to keep children engaged when playing in the space.

White Shelves, ABC Art, Pendant Light, Tree Shelf, Teardrop Bean Bag Chair, 123 Bins,
  Rug, Wicker Basket, Tassel Bins

The space above was inspired by the ABC art print. Lots of vibrant colors to pull from! This space could be for any age child. I especially love the bean bag chair that gives that chartreuse pop to the space. 

Animal Print Art, Pendant Light, Kids Wicker Chair, Striped Tent, Art Organizer, Supply Cart,
White Dipped Baskets, Campfire, White Cube table, Gray Bins Organizer

The second space is a little more subdued with calming black, white & grays with pops of turquoise and coral. Those animal art prints are hands down my favorite art for kids spaces. There are so many different animals to choose from and the 8x10's are only $25. Can you believe that the kids wicker chair is only $20 at Ikea!? Loving all the organization the bins, cart & art caddy can bring to this space as well. 

So are you convinced that you can have a fun kids space that says fabulous!?

Tell me...what are your go to items for organizing your kid's toys?

Baby Girl Nursery Plan

A couple of weeks ago I spent some time with one of my dear friends, Lisa. She is expecting a little girl in March and is really trying to get everything ready for her baby girl's arrival. She was unsure of what route to take when it came to the nursery. All she knew is that she loved neutrals and wanted a room that was very soothing and classy. She loves soft grays and linen fabric.

Taking all of this into account, I created a little mood board with some ideas.

Two wonderful gray paint colors are: Moonshine by Benjamin Moore or the above one Collonade Gray by Sherwin Williams. Both would be great options for a soothing neutral nursery. 

Sources: Glider- West Elm; Crib- Pottery Barn; Rug- Joss & Main; Dresser- Ikea; Chandelier- Shades of Light

Lisa recently sent me a picture of her fabrics. They are so beautiful! White eyelet, linen and cotton. Don't they just scream whisper classy? Her sister-in law is going to help her make her bedding as well as the window treatments.

I can't wait to see how she uses them in the space!


I was thinking that above the dresser/changing table should be a beautiful gallery wall with frames in different sizes and finishes. I love these ideas below:

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If she wanted to add some "pops" of color in the space she could do that with some artwork, rugs & pillows! 

What do you think so far? I can't wait to share some before and after pictures in a few weeks! Stay tuned..

Reader's Question: Toy Organization in a small space

Last week I was reading through my facebook page and came across a reader who asked this question:
"I need organizing tips. While renovating and being pregnant we have no space to make playroom for the boss man. Any suggestions for keeping his toys organized in my living room?"


She also sent me a picture of the toy area in her living space:

Sorry not a great pic from her phone.

Normally I tell everyone to go with Ikea's Expedit shelves like these. 

They are great to organize everything! I have one in our closet at home and also a very large 5x5 cubby in our home office. BUT...she doesn't have that much space in that corner. 

So here are some better options that she could get at her local stores.

1. Home Depot Storage Bench: Would be helpful if you need some extra seating as well. There are small little shelves directly underneath the seat for books and then you could store away some toys in canvas bins below.  http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization-Closet-Storage-Cube-Storage/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc1wy/R-202040744/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UOsTvm872Ag

2. Home Depot Cube Storage: This one is similar to the ikea storage except it is a little smaller and might fit her corner space better. They have a six or nine cube shelf unit. These can be mounted vertically or horizontal depending on the space needed.  http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization-Closet-Storage-Cube-Storage/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc1wy/R-202040803/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202858034#.UOsT2W872Ag

3. Home Depot Fabric Cube Drawers: Here is an example of what the storage drawers look like. They come in a range of colors to coordinate with your living area. http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization-Closet-Storage-Cube-Storage/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc1wy/R-203616074/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UOsUEm872Ag

4. Target Cube Storage: Target also has similar products with kid friendly colors. However, this one is only an online product, they don't have them in store. http://www.target.com/p/riverridge-kids-6-bins-storage-unit-espresso/-/A-11300498#prodSlot=large_8_25

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5. Spice Rack book shelves: I know this is a little odd, but if you go and find some wooden spice racks and spray paint them a color, you could use them to store some books.  You can also get these at ikea for only $3.99. Aren't they adorable? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40070185/

6. Target Pocket file for books: This might also be a cheap option to store some books against a wall at a child's reach. http://www.target.com/p/real-simple-pocket-file-and-organizer-8-5x11/-/A-13533166#prodSlot=medium_1_14&term=file

7. Martha Stewart Stack boxes: The coffee table in the before picture was debatable she said. If she were to keep it there she could always use some organization for paper & crayons and create a craft nook. I know that Martha Stewart has some great little drawer and file organizers that she could put on top to store art products and they come in a few colors. http://www.staples.com/Martha-Stewart-Home-Office-with-Avery-StackFit-Shagreen-Inboxes/product_SS1063534

The picture below gives my reader an idea on how she could label the bins and baskets in order to keep the toys organized in that small corner. You can use clip art from your own computer and paste it on some card stock.  I am also thinking that if she decides to keep the coffee table in that corner for the time being, that two large baskets with labels would be another fantastic place for more toys! They would be tucked away neatly below the craft area. 

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These are just a few basic products I recommended that would hide some of her son's toys, but also keep them accessible and help momma from going insane! 

For those of you with kiddos...how do you organize all of their toys yet keep a neatly decorated home?

Weekend Trip to Hot Atlanta....shopping & house drooling

This past weekend we took a quick trip down to Atlanta to see my Aunt and Uncle. They live in the very wealthy area of Buckhead. I always love going there to see the fabulous homes and my Aunt is an amazing cook and always knows the places to take us shopping!





Take a look at some of the homes in their neighborhood:

Quite Unbelievable Huh? I just love how each home is unique and has such great architectural features.
I sure would hate to clean these places, but I guess if you can afford to live in a place like this, you don't clean yourself!


We also ventured out to do some shopping....and where else to start but IKEA!!

New Chair...just in! I love the clean lines and chrome legs!

How about this fabulous closet! YES PLEASE!

How about these new rugs? I love the colors and patterns. I am totally kicking myself for not getting one!

We then stopped at a fabulous fabric outlet!! Let me tell you I was in my glory....I was so overwhelmed by how many fabrics were in this building that I literally didn't buy anything! WHAT? I couldn't make any decisions, so I walked on out with Nada! Have you ever done that?

And...Look what store I found while shopping around.....

I love me some Jonathan Adler! I will have to give you a little glimpse of this store tomorrow!

It was a fantastic weekend and I can't wait to share some of my upcoming projects that I will be working on because of a little shopping in Hot-Lanta!

Finally Friday! {Office Organization}

While I was up North this past Christmas, I went to my Grandparents house to open gifts. My Husband's uncle came with a big box wrapped in what I thought was a map, but when I looked closer it wasn't a map I had ever seen before.

I asked him where he got the cool wrapping paper and he said it was a bunch of flying charts. It finally clicked after he told me. You see....he is a pilot. He reads tons of these on every flight over seas. He said once the trip is over they just throw them out. They also won't be using them too much longer because they are using more technology than paper.

I asked him if he had more of these flying charts. He did look at me funny (I guess he didn't know about my blog or my creative DIY projects!) and asked what I wanted them for. I told him I didn't know....but I would find something to do with them.

And I DID!!

I was looking at my small office space in the guest room and noticed that it just looked disheveled, disorganized and frankly.....BORING!

Sorry for the bad pic...I took this when we first moved in.

I also was dissatisfied with all my books just thrown on the shelves in no order whatsoever. And you all know my 2012 Resolution....must I remind you? Simplify and ORGANIZE!!



So I started with deciding which books I was going to keep and which would go to the "Goodwill" pile. Then...the light bulb kicked on! I wanted all the book covers to be the same. What better way to make them fun then to use Flight Charts from my uncle!

So I wrapped about 25 books and here is how they turned out.....

Not perfectly wrapped, but I like!

So once that project was finished....I didn't stop there. I needed to make this office space usable, especially because I work from home so much.

Next up was a pin board for all of my upcoming projects.

I used an old frame, cork matting (from JoAnn's), and flight chart paper.

I really like how the funky old frame looks with the newer map!

I added some file and drawer organizers as well as some family pics.

And the rest is history.......

What a transformation huh? I really love the mixture of old and new in this room.

And to think ....this change all started with flight charts!!

Before:

After:



Sources:

White and Green Organize files and boxes- The Container Store

Magnetic organizing strip- The Container Store

Y & Z metal letters- Restoration Hardware

Lucite Chair- Ikea

Fur Throw- Fabric from JoAnn's

Paintchip Artwork- Previous DIY

Small Space Link up: The Inspired Room & Thrifty Decor Chick