A closet makeover you have to see to believe!

Have you scrolled through Pinterest and admired all the beautiful homes and think to yourself, "does anyone really live here?!"  Recently, I purged my closet and went to Pinterest for inspiration on a closet makeover.  What I came across were gorgeous closets that looked like no one used them (who only has 10 items hanging in their closet?).  So, today you won't get Pinterest pretty pictures, heck, you won't even get pictures off my big girl camera, but you will get a real before/after closet reveal of a real person who goes in her closet daily!

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!

Here are a few more after pictures that I wanted to share!

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 1 - seasonal/holiday

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

If you are still wondering if The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing book is right for you, I urge you to at least read it and give it a try.  I was at the point where I knew my current method wasn't working and thought I might as well give it a try.  I've got a long way to go but I know it will be worth it!  Join the journey with me!

Gig 'em and God bless! 

Holly

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