But, before we get started, remember this mess?!
My closet was terrible! There was absolutely no joy coming from this space and I dreaded the thought of getting dressed each day. Thanks to the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, I had the courage to tackle this mess! Let me be completely honest. This was NOT easy! It took me 4 times, yes FOUR times to finally get it right! Yes, I completely emptied this closet four times but I can tell you it was absolutely worth it!!!
*TRUTH STATEMENT - I have WAY too much stuff. I know this and have known this but working through this method has exposed this on a grand scale. I don't share this with you to show how much I have but merely to show you how much stuff accumulates if you don't deal with it. I'm sharing in hopes that someone will be encouraged and begin taking back their life from their stuff. We all deserve to be surrounded by only things that we love and bring us joy!
Here's the before/after pics you have to see to believe!
This was after closet purge #3 and before we painted!
Here is my closet today! And, yes, we painted my ceiling yellow and added a small chandelier. Why?! Because it brings me JOY! :)
After going through my closet and getting rid of nearly 60% of what I owned, I was able to make some changes to the way my closet was set up. I removed shelves that have driven me crazy for years and replaced them with a gallery wall that makes me smile every time I walk in!
This is my FAVORITE transformation! After removing all of the shelves from this wall, I determined that I would have room to add a small desk! This is the perfect place for me to come and truly unplug!
From a mess to a masterpiece! I can't believe I let it get so bad! Never again!!!
When you narrow down your items to those things that truly bring you joy, you are also able to get an accurate feel for exactly what you have and how you want it displayed. Prior to this, I let the existing closet system define how I kept my clothes. Once I saw what I was working with, I made the closet work for me!
This is the area behind the door. So much more inviting! I also attached a magnet board to the back of the door with Command velcro strips so that I could display my StitchFix cards!
Making the switch to matching hangers was an investment - and worth every.single.penny!
I really, really had to pair down my shoes. I would only allow myself to keep the amount in which I had space for. So, so hard! I LOVE shoes but would rather have a nice, clean, organized closet verses a ton of shoes that get lost because I have nowhere to store them!
I originally had a large jewelry chest in our bedroom. It was pretty but I would put jewelry in it and then forget I had it. I needed a way to display my jewelry so that at a glance, I could see what might work with an outfit. This took a little bit of creativity but when my friend, Kim, shared a post on how to transform a soda crate into a jewelry display for cuffs, I knew I had my answer! I have a slight addiction to Farmgirl Paints cuffs and knew soda crates would be the perfect way to display them! I spray painted them Sunburst yellow to coordinate with the ceiling. Mike installed a small shelf to hold my scarves and sweatshirts and it's the perfect height so that my boots fit neatly underneath!
I used a box I already had to roll and store my scarves and belts. SO much better than how I had them before!
Plenty of room to grow my collection! :)
I also love to hold on to and display special notes from the kids or inspirational quotes.
I turned this small black crate into more jewelry storage.
I added hooks to the underside of the crate to hang my necklaces from.
I use this dish as a place to hold the jewelry I wear every day.
I found this chain with hooks at Target and knew it would be perfect to display my dressier necklaces.
I.heart.this.area!!!
These Limoges boxes had been sitting packed away since we moved in this house nearly nine years ago! I finally have a way and a place to display them!
My happy place!
A reminder to only fill my closet with things that bring me joy!
I added a donation basket in the corner so when something doesn't look right, fit right, or has filled its purpose, I just toss it in here!
I absolutely feel like this every time I open the door!
Discarding things that don't spark joy has no adverse effects - it is a strong reminder that we have been living all this time surrounded by things that we don't need. - Marie Kondo
If you would like to see the other areas that I've implemented the KonMari method, please check out the following links:
week 2 - clothes
week 3 - clothes, cond't
week 4 - children's clothes
week 5 - books
week 6 - paper
week 7 - paper, cond't
week 8 - office supplies
week 3 - clothes, cond't
week 4 - children's clothes
week 5 - books
week 6 - paper
week 7 - paper, cond't
week 8 - office supplies
Holly
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on the link(s) and purchase an item I may receive a small commission.
I would love to have you link up at the Waiting on...Wednesday link-up - a place where you can link up what you are waiting on, going through, making, anything - as long as it's family-friendly! :)
check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where else I'm linking up today!
Big fat puffy heart LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Great job friend! You bring me JOY!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks! You sure know how to make someone's day! :)
DeleteI love what you have done with your closet. My closet looks like someone set off a bomb . I have the book by Marie Kondo and know what she says about getting rid of things but still find it hard.
ReplyDeleteIt is SO hard!!! For me, just starting is the hard part. Once I'm in it and see the light at the end of the tunnel, then I'm good! I did find it much easier to make my closet work for me instead of me fighting with it! You can do it!!! Come join me on this journey!!!
DeleteYOU DID IT! Everything looks amazing and so much more space for the things you love! Perfect little wall box for the Farmgirl cuffs you love so much! I knew you could complete this.
ReplyDeleteI did!!! And I LOVE it! I thought the little box was the perfect place for my cuffs too! And, every time I walk into my closet, I think of the quote you sent me! :) Sending love your way!
DeleteWow... that is an amazing transformation! Your closet is a very generous space. I bet you are breathing much easier every time you walk in there now. I have a small walk-in closet that is stressing me out. I utilized the Kondo method a year ago and purged a lot of stuff, but know in my heart of hearts that I didn't purge enough. I am planning purge #2 for next month once school is out for me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you! Your space is inspirational!
It's hard to believe but this space is only 7'x7'! Granted, that's still a very generous space but it looks a little bigger in pictures than it actually is. Good luck with your next purge! You can do it!!!
DeleteYEAH!! And you have a war room :) Now come help me tackle mine!
ReplyDeleteI promise! I'll come help you soon!!!
DeleteI love this! I recently decluttered my closet and now walking in it gives me such joy. It's amazing how much stuff we accumulate! The most difficult part for me was getting started. Visiting from Freedom Fridays! So happy to find your link there!
ReplyDeleteI 100%, absolutely agree with you - getting started is the hardest part! Once I start, I'm good to go! Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll come back soon!
DeleteI love your little space and love how adorable you have been looking in all your favorite clothes! I definitely need one of those boxes for my cuffs. As soon as I come out from under the dust my closet is on my list...a little more purging and I think I can get there.
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet! I definitely need more spring/summer clothes!!! I'm about to weed out some things I saved for winter that I never did wear!
DeleteWhat an amazing project you took on, it looks fantastic! What a great post to
ReplyDeleteshare on the Oh My Heartsie Girls Friday Features this week!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Karren
Thank you so much, Karren! It truly was a labor of love! There were so many times I wanted to throw my hands in the air but I'm so glad it's finished! I love it so much!!!
DeleteHolly this is AMAZING. I'm truly inspired by it all because my closet looks worse than your before pics. Seriously. And I clean it out twice a year (guess that's not enough times, huh?) But my favorite? The little desk space!!! So cool - you are so good at this! Keep it up, girl, we need your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ruthie! It was so hard showing the before pic! Why is it so easy to take care of everyone else but when it comes time for us, we just keep putting it off? I wish I had done this years ago!!! The little desk space is my favorite part too! Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me!
DeleteI love it! We literally have almost no closet space in this house. It's frustrating. I love your "new" closet and will definitely keep joy in mind when we build our new house.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Kristy! That's got to be tough. One thing I learned from this is to make your closet work for you - don't just make your closet work because that's the way it is! You've got this! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you're having a great start to the week!
DeleteThis came out really well! Such a good use of available space. I can't tell you how badly i need to do this to my closet!
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you would share this on my weekly link party, Peace, Love, Link-up : )
http://www.twentysomethinginthe2010s.com/peace-love-linkup-004/
Hi, Ashleigh! Thanks so much for stopping by! Getting started is the hardest part! You can do it!
DeleteThanks so much for letting me know about your link-up! I popped over and linked up!
Thank you for sharing on Peace, Love, Link-up! Be sure to stop by Friday at 6 for the next round of sharing awesomeness! : )
DeleteWhat an amazing transformation. I know you smile every single time you walk into your closet now. I love that you have a donation bin in your closet so you can maintain your happy, neat closet. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link party.
ReplyDeleteI do smile each and every time I walk in there! Before there was this sense of dread - never again! Thanks for hosting and for stopping by! Hope you have a super week!
DeleteThis is my dream closet! I can't believe how much your closet transformed and opened up! I love how it has your personality all over it too. I am pinning this for when we buy a house so I can try this with my future closet! Thanks for sharing. I found your link on Motivational Monday Linkup.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy?! Never in a million years did I think my before could turn in to this after! I'm so glad you found me at Motivational Monday! I hope you'll stop by again soon!
DeleteThis is great and it seems bigger because it's organised.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree! I would get almost claustrophobic before - but not now!
DeleteI love your wall of inspiration! There's so many things I love about this space. The ceiling color, the chandelier, the inspirational wall, the desk, the jewelry display and getting rid of all those unneeded/unnecessary/old and tired clothes!
ReplyDeleteI love the space! You did such a great job! Want to come over to my condo? ;) lol! jk
Thank you so much! It really was fun to finally create a space - just for me! You can do it! I promise!!! The hardest part is just getting started!
DeleteThis is a phenomenal transformation! My sister is reading that book, and she's been purging, too. I may have to borrow it when she's done! This looks wonderful, and I love your little desk and gallery wall. The jewelry displays are great...love the hooks underneath the shelf unit! Amazing!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Martha! I was blown away too! Definitely borrow the book from your sister! It's not rocket science - she just said things in a way that finally made sense to me. I'm so glad you stopped by! Hope to see you back soon!
DeleteI absolutely LOVE your closet! This is so inspiring because I have my own closet that I need to purge and have been dreading do so for so long. I love how you simplified everything and made it so pretty! Thank you for sharing and linking up with us over at the Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party!
ReplyDeleteHi, Lisa! Thanks so much for hosting and for stopping by! This was definitely a labor of love but SO worth it! You can do it! The hardest part is just getting started!
DeleteIt looks amazing! Love that you added a gallery wall. Inspires me to do a thorough cleaning of my closet.
ReplyDeleteThe gallery wall is one of my favorite parts! So many things I wanted to hang but just didn't know where to put them! Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a super day!
DeleteI love this...a real closet!!! It looks great now and I love how you are storing all of your accessories! It is easy to accumulate tons of stuff and you forget what you have because its such a mess! I am pinning this for later.
ReplyDeleteYes!!! A real closet that I actually use! I would get so frustrated seeing all these beautiful closets with six hangers in them! :) You are right - it is SO easy to accumulate tons of stuff but less is truly more!!! Thanks so much for pinning!
DeleteLooks awesome! I love seeing organizing-related posts. I'm obsessed! Lol... Thanks so much for linking up with The Alder Collective! Hope to see more of your posts soon! Have an awesome weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi, Christi! I'm the same way - give me all the organizing-related posts! I just wish I had more time to devote to getting our house all purged and organized! I'm in survival mode right now! :) But, when the going gets tough, I just head to my closet! :) Thanks for hosting and for stopping by!
DeleteI love how you got a little desk area! So awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favorite areas too!
DeleteGood Morning!! I wanted to stop by and let you know that your post has been selected as a Feature for the Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party!! Stop by this morning to see you post linked up and to grab your Featured Button too! ~Lisa~
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for featuring my post! How fun is that?! Thanks also for hosting! I'll see you guys again this week!
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