Some Really Awful Before Pictures and Finally, An Organized Closet

All righty! To reiterate, this is not the prettiest closet makeover. I am using what I have and I did not paint everything with chalkpaint. This is my closet/laundry room and except for you, no one else will see it.

First, I have to confess, that I broke down and purchased one $19 wire shelf from Home Depot. I couldn't confiscate another bookshelf from my sons or there would be mutiny.

Here are the really awful BEFORE pictures (so you know that I had my work cut out for me).

 I'm not proud of these (I actually cringed when I made these photos larger):

Above: My mailing center where I stored my boxes, bubble wrap and inventory for my esty shops, next to our sock drawers...yeah, that makes sense. I wonder why it took me so long to find everything?

Below: We have a very cool built in ironing board, which I couldn't use because I couldn't get to it.

Below: Wow... clothing, paper, frames and lampshades...let's move on...

Below: My organizing system for future projects --didn't work out too well. 

So, after three huge trash bags and three large cardboard boxes donated to Purple Heart, I FINALLY have an organized closet/laundry room. Here's what I did:

1.  I traded my son a computer desk for a set of bookshelves. He was happy; I had storage. This is where I am storing my inventory of completed projects and my jewelry for Country Tag Sale. Those wire baskets were purchased at a yard sale for $5 each. Pretty doily hides plastic storage for jewelry. Old window used as window treatment.

 2. My sock drawers/junk drawers were turned into a functional packaging area. I have bubble wrap in the lower two drawers, ribbon, wrapping/tissue paper, tags, and notecards all in one place.












3. Scissors, tape and odd shaped items that I need access to are hanging nearby in this organizer.

4. I used antique sewing machine drawer boxes to hold my assortment of ribbon - perfect fit! Ribbon scraps are color-coordinated in clear baggies. On top, an old card catalogue holds specialty ribbons (that are wrapped around cardboard). In case you haven't noticed, I have a lot of ribbon.

5. I used an old baby gate to display/store my collection of vintage linens.

6. For Christmas, I got a Michael's gift card. I used it to purchase some black and white storage containers. I labeled them with my handy, dandy, label maker that I purchased over a decade ago, but never really used.

6. The large dresser stores all out-of-season clothes for myself and my boys. The taller dresser holds socks for my husband and myself, plus long underwear (for ski trips). Notice I have room to use the paper cutter.

I would show you pics of my shelves and my husband's shelves, but it's pretty boring unless you really want to see an excess of Pittsburgh Steeler jerseys...in that case, let me know and I'll email you the pictures.

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