Cleaning out the closet …

Well I know I always feel like cleaning things out with turn of the New Year.  My closet has been something that has been out of control for awhile.  However, within the last two weeks my belly has popped out and everything that was just kinda tight is now just not even getting over my tummy.  So not only did I need to get it reorganized – I also needed to get everything out of it that just didn’t fit anymore. 

Are you ready to see the “before”?  Brace yourself – it is a little more than messy.

Doesn’t look so bad?  Let’s continue.  This is supposed to be a walk in.  It is more of a lean in right now.

Hmm… oh this is just embarrassing to share but let’s just go there together shall we.

Ok – so obviously we need an intervention here.  So here were my steps for tackling the chaos. 

1.  Went piece by piece and decided if it either a still would work with a pregnant belly or if I wanted to keep it in storage.  Everything that I decided I didn’t care to keep for another 9 months went to a donate pile.  Everything I wanted to keep but just couldn’t wear went into another pile.  Everything that I decided I could keep and still wear (hello my beautiful cardigan collection) was hung separately to be organized on its own.

2.  Cleaned out and refolded everything else.  I also reorganized my shoes and put everything 3 inches and up in the corner and left all my comfy flats and kitten heels closer to my reach.  Put all my scarves in a basket and all my belts in another.

3.  Hung up all the maternity clothes that my sister-in-law loaned me (now that there was actually room to hang things up) .  Added those back into the closet and ended up with something like this.  Ah – looks so much better!

Now if you are looking closely you may notice two things.  One – I am only using white hangers.  (All of the colored ones were banished to the hubby’s closet!)  Two – they are all flipped the wrong way.  This is useful in two ways.  Using hangers that are all similar or the same color helps present a more unified look.  Flipping the hanger the other way is a way to keep yourself honest.   The next time you clean out your closet – if the item is still sitting there flipped around – you know you haven’t worn that in the last however number of months.  You then have a good reason to put that in the donate/yard sale pile. 

Ah!  And look!  You can see the floor.  Not only that, you can actually walk in there!

I am not finished yet. I still want to put some little Command hooks in over top of my little storage unit to hang up some necklaces and makes a jewelry station.  But it is still looking a lot better.  And yes that is a bait box – those things are awesome for storing jewelry and earrings. 

Now for all the clothes I kept – I went out and got the 40 gallon under the bed boxes.  Use these smaller ones instead of the longer (60 gallon) ones on wheels.  The way a lot of bed frames are made now – you can’t get more than two of the long ones under them.  I got four of the 40 gallon ones (which is more storage space than the two long ones) and I still have room to get at least 2 more under my bed! 

So – there you go!  Those are my favorite tips for cleaning out your closet!  Did you learn any new tips?  Have any you want to share?  I would love to hear them!

Linking this to

Metamorphosis Monday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch