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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.

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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.

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

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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!

DSC07371 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. 

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

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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. 

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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

15 frugal friends said ...

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said... @ January 16, 2011 at 8:50 PM

don't you just love cleaning things out! :-) great job!

Tys said... @ January 16, 2011 at 9:24 PM

You did good! If it makes you feel better I'm pretty sure our master closet looks worse! It's on the agenda to get organized this month though! Glad to see you post this, it helps remind me to just DO IT!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said... @ January 16, 2011 at 10:10 PM

I, too, get into an organizing, clean out mode after the new year! It must be a woman thing:) Thanks for the tip about the underbed storage things. I am writing that down so I get the right size!!!! I don't know if I will have the guts to post MY closet:):) XO, Pinky

Abramyan Avenue said... @ January 16, 2011 at 10:19 PM

Very nice!! I did a closet clean a couple of months ago. I still need to tackle my husbands side though. You probably can't believe it but his side is much worse than mine was!! You may have just given me the push I needed to go ahead and finish it up!
-April

Anonymous said... @ January 17, 2011 at 5:53 AM

Well done! I love the backwards hanger tip.

dee dee said... @ January 17, 2011 at 10:50 AM

How inspiring! I'm getting ready to put the house on the market, so not only does my closet need clean out, but every closet in the house needs this treatment! Are you for hire? Excellent job!
Dee Dee

Erin said... @ January 17, 2011 at 11:49 AM

I need my closet cleaned out, thanks for the motivation!

Keisha Lynn @ Project Campbell said... @ January 17, 2011 at 12:39 PM

Oh you have inspired me to clean out closets!!! It's such a great feeling!!

fafner said... @ January 17, 2011 at 1:11 PM

I'm a little ashamed that your before picture is basically what my closet looks like after I've taken a good stab at cleaning it. Tiny New York closets mean I think my only hope would be getting rid of a bunch of stuff.

Unknown said... @ January 18, 2011 at 12:08 AM

Wait a minute! How did I miss that you're preggers!?! Congratulations!!! I'll email you directly on that.

RE: your closet - great minds think alike! I just started Clean in 15! on Feng Shui Savvy. 15 minutes a day, girlfriend! Seriously! Drop by if you get a chance so you'll know I'm not crazy . . . not THAT crazy. http://fengshuisavvy.blogspot.com

Unknown said... @ January 18, 2011 at 10:54 AM

Wow! Way to go! And I love the trick for flipping the hangers around the wrong way... I'll definitely have to try that the next time I go through my closet!

~Chelsea

Making It Work Mom said... @ January 18, 2011 at 8:51 PM

I think it looks great. And just so you know you will now be endlessly cleaning our closets and dresser drawers. I feel like with my children it is a never ending sort and organize job!!!

Anonymous said... @ January 19, 2011 at 5:48 AM

I so love the under bed storage containers. They are my savior. storage which is hidden is perfect.

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