Tackling the Master Closet
New beginnings, fresh starts and a time to get life in order is what I think of in January. Two years ago I did a major sweep of the master closet and it was a thing of beauty.
But 24 months later, it’s just a mess. Why is it so difficult to keep things in order? It didn’t bother me until our recent houseguest asked to see the upstairs of our home. When she went into our closet, she said she was happy to see I was normal and it was unorganized. Wait. What? Have I been looking at my closet with rose colored glasses for the last 2 years?
And then it happened. I REALLY looked at my closet and gasped. I’m almost embarrassed to share some of these photos.
I’d like to report that I have organized the entire closet but it has just taken me two days to clean up my scarf collection, shoes and a few drawers. I am not only tidying up, but I am assessing each item to save, toss, or donate. When you make progress, you need to share!
I decided to sort my scarves by category first: Snow/winter outdoor activity scarves; winter casual; winter dressy; silk; cotton; head; bandanas; neck warmers, large wraps and ponchos/shawls. And then I organized by size and color.
Scarves
The large wraps/shawls are hung on a trouser rack now that is tucked into an unused corner. Big improvement.
I have a lovely collection of silk scarves that were the height of fashion back when I was in corporate America. These scarves are inside a brown fabric box that is labeled and sits on a shelf.
My husband was such a dear to give up one of his drawers for most of my scarves. I am sure he is happy not to see them scattered all over the place.
Snow/winter scarves and my neck warmers are in a basket on a shelf.
Lastly, the cotton/summer scarves, because they have less bulk, are hung on a circle scarf holder and hung on a rod.
Underwear
Other closet organization progress. This was my underwear drawer before:
This is AFTER!
Socks
I don’t understand how you can put two socks in the washer and only one comes out. Where do they go? In cleaning out my sock drawer, I put all my athletic socks in one container since I wear them the most. All the orphaned socks will be discarded when I go through the laundry baskets and dryer, in one last attempt to find their mate.
I will be spending the rest of the weekend making progress on the balance of the closet. Hopefully there will be a full closet reveal soon!
Have you completed any organizational goals this month? Happy Saturday and enjoy your weekend!
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Keeping a closet neat & organized is a never ending project. Here is a tip for hanging blouses and jackets, instead of grouping by color, hang by sleeve length. Makes like much easier!
Maggi, Since I a knee-deep in cleaning out the master closet, I tried this today. Surprisingly, I don’t have a lot of sleeveless or short-sleeved blouses ~~which is a bit odd living in Phoenix. Perhaps because during the summer we are in and out of air-conditioning. However, I did hang all my sleeveless and short-sleeve shirts/blouses together and by color. Then I did the same for the long sleeves. Thanks for the tip. Will definitely share that one when I do the master closet reveal blog post!
I really does make looking for a top a lot easier, if you are looking for a black sleeveless shell, it is a nightmare to look through all the black blouses, easier to just be able to go to the style (sleeves, sleeveless short sleeve) that you want. This can be applied to jackets, dresses and even pants!! Anything to make our lives easier.
Hi! And now your are the stimulus for me to tackle MY closet!
Enjoyed this post! And I smiled when I saw your scarf tying booklet. I have the same one from many years ago!
This looks awesome! I’m inspired. I need to do this, too — especially since I need to cull out a whole lot of my old corporate lawyer stuff. What a project! Kudos to you! It’s very peaceful to have a tidy closet.
I don’t know why but I am still having problems chucking my old business suits-even those with the shoulder pads! I’m sure after 3 children the waistlines probably don’t even fit anymore. That’s a future section of the closet to organize. It is very peaceful to have a tidy closet….I’m slowly getting there.
I think the daily clothes closet is prone to be messy. We dress in the morning when all our other responsibilities are calling. Kids, schedules, pets, breakfast, and our brain is in high gear reminding us to put a load of laundry in, take the roast out of the freezer, call the repairman and all the rest. No wonder we shortcut the closet time. Years ago I formed this habit: EVERY TIME, I am in the closet whether dressing or putting laundry away, I do two extra things. Such as, pick up the hanger that is on the floor and put the shoe that fell off the rack back in its place. Only 2 things, no more. If it were more I would put it off. Anything counts, a laundry tag or stray Kleenix qualifies. Just Two Extra Things. Linda
Linda, You are so right. Since the master closet isn’t in my daily foot path, it’s “out of sight, out of mind”. And when I’m in there, I’m rushing to get ready. I love your tip on doing 2 things. Will definitely try that! Thanks for sharing.