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Scott’s Closet Redux

Would ya look at that disgraceful closet? It’s a hot stinkin’ mess. Shambles doesn’t even begin to describe the state of this tiny hidden space. But alas, a new job, half a new wardrobe and a swift kick in the bottom finally had me pulling the trigger on a closet redo. Kim’s closet makeover happened way back here, but I’ve been living out of cramped quarters ever since we moved in. With my closet in the office (turned studio – more to come on that front), it was time to step my game up.

This thing was overflowing with messy piles, outdated tees and nasty wire hangers from the dry cleaner.

I mean, c’mon… is this any way to live?! I thinks not.

A quick hour of objective gutting had me to this point:

Kim and I try to do a thorough closet purge once a year or so. Sometimes it happens in the spring, sometimes in the fall. This time a week’s staycation was all it took.

We separated the clothes we were parting ways with into two piles. Donate and Sell. The donate-ables have already been dropped off at our local non-profit thrift store, while the nicer things will end up at Buffalo Exchange or a similar 2nd hand clothing store. It’s a nice way to make a few bucks (hopefully enough to finance the closet makeover!) and it’s certainly better than it ending up in a landfill. By the way, is there anything Ikea tarp bags aren’t great for?

After I’d eliminated all the clothes I knew I’d never wear again and shifted my briefcase, tub o’ random stuff and backpacks to the top shelf, I made quick work of removing the old shelf supports from the left side of the closet. A touch of spackle and quick sanding had the walls clean and smooth.

I won’t bore you with the installation of the supports and shelves as it’s pretty self explanatory, but after some measuring and poking a few holes in the drywall with my trusty Milwaukee drill, things were looking up.

Instead of keeping jeans, sweaters and tees up on the top shelf and wedged behind hanging clothes to the left, I took the logical route of keeping everything low where I can easily access (and keep neat) the stuff that I wear most frequently.

I’ve gotta say, taking Kim’s advice and putting the bulky solitary items up top really does make more sense (although I was admittedly hesitant of her suggestion at first). It’s much easier to reach up to put one thing on the top shelf than literally throwing my jeans on top of the correct pile like I used to do.

So there you have it. A bit of organization takes some time, but it’s very worth it in the end. It’s so nice to open my closet, grab what I need and be out the door without having to shuffle or move anything out of the way. The total for the entire job was about $37, and I hope to recoup that cost by selling back some nicer clothes as mentioned above.

Has anyone else tackled a closet makeover recently? With the new year in (full!) swing, purging and cleaning up shop are always at the top of our list. What about you?

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  • Heather1.5.12 - 9:57 AM

    We recently installed Martha Stewart closet organizers, which were a bit more expensive that your solution but really helped out a shared-closet situation.

    http://www.justagirlwithahammer.com/2011/05/adventures-in-closet-building.html

    Your solution looks great (and I’m a little jealous you don’t have to share). :)ReplyCancel

  • Kirsten Nieman1.5.12 - 11:23 AM

    Doesn’t getting organized feel oh so good?! The closet looks great – and all for $37?! Such a great way to start the new year!ReplyCancel

  • rachael1.5.12 - 12:27 PM

    Way to go- looks great! Where did you get your metal hangers?ReplyCancel

    • Kim1.5.12 - 6:31 PM

      Hey Rachael, those few metal hangers you’re talking about are wire hangers from the dry cleaner – Scott refuses to get rid of them when he swears he cycles through them so fast!ReplyCancel

  • Tamara {Delish Mag}1.5.12 - 3:42 PM

    Nicely done!! Wish I had thought to take pics of our before for a similar post as we bought some sweet Ikea closets and installed them over the holidays – but I don’t know that I’d want people to see the mess! I also have those blue Ikea bags chock-full and am dropping one off for donation in about five minutes!

    Nice closet, good work. Isn’t it nice to look at every time you go in there? Love it.ReplyCancel

  • kaylan1.5.12 - 6:25 PM

    beautiful! i always love a good closet makeover. i love the idea of shelves below the hanging clothes. might have to steal that for myself!ReplyCancel

  • Two Grads1.5.12 - 10:58 PM

    Thanks for sharing! Love these closet redos!ReplyCancel

  • Andrea B1.6.12 - 12:26 PM

    This is great! I completely empathize, having done something very similar last year about this time. (Minus the shelves, that is.)

    Speaking of the shelves … awesome. I’m having a bit of shelf envy right now. I love that you have a shelf for shoes!ReplyCancel

  • michelle torres1.7.12 - 1:05 PM

    Matt and I have been in discussion about how to redo our closet without spending big bucks. I like what you have done here! I need to take a trip to ikea and see if they have drawers i can install easily.

    Great job as always!!ReplyCancel

  • tearinguphouses1.7.12 - 9:47 PM

    ah, in the middle of doing this right now. we ended up taking our shoes out completely and turning one of the bathroom linen closets into shoe storage (all of those built in shelves). kind of a painful process, but so satisfying when it’s complete!ReplyCancel

  • Lucy1.9.12 - 6:34 AM

    The closet redo came out great! I have to say if you are short on closet space, using the joy mangano hangers really helps! My bf and I have to share 1 closet and I have to say once I started using the joy mangano hangers its like we “doubled” the space in the closet.ReplyCancel

  • Kim1.9.12 - 9:08 AM

    Hi Lucy,

    Thanks! I’ve tried to get Scott to use the flocked velvet hangers for years now. They’ve totally transformed my closet and saved so much space, but I think he finds them a bit too fussy and difficult (I, however, do not agree!).ReplyCancel

  • Liliana1.11.12 - 2:12 PM

    Kudos to Scott for having organized his closet! I like to purge more than once a year. Personally, I can’t stand to keep things I don’t use. However, its not easy to make my hubby let go of things. He’ll get rid of socks for example but only after he get a few new pairs, lol! Like that saved any space! Love him though…all his pack rating (is that even correct?!) makes up in other ways = )

    ~ L.ReplyCancel

  • Laura1.18.12 - 10:39 AM

    What brand did you guys end up going with? We’re looking to redo two of our closets in the next few weeks, and I am having a hard time finding anything under $75. This looks awesome!ReplyCancel

  • Scott1.19.12 - 11:33 AM

    Hi Laura! I have to confess that the $37 price tag may have been a bit misleading. I purchased “ready to use” finished white shelves from home depot, which were about $8 each before tax. The rails and brackets are also Rubbermaid from home depot, but were previously installed (inefficiently) in the closet. One additional rail factored into the $37 also.

    I will say though, the rubbermaid brackets were among the sturdiest And cheapest we’ve seen. You could certainly buy plank wood like poplar and cut it yourself to save money on the shelving. if I had to guess, I would say this remodel would have cost between $60 and $70 if I’d bought it all at once. Hope this helps!ReplyCancel

  • Blaire5.11.12 - 12:19 PM

    Ahhh my favorite thing about spring… cleaning out the closets, clearing out all of the clutter and organizing in my home. I recently did a closet makeover and found a beautiful dresser to put in my closet at:
    http://www.simplybeautifulfurniture.com/category/armoires-dressers/

    Not only was I able to get a new beautiful dresser that fit perfectly in my closet but I was able to consign the tall dresser I had tried to shove in my closet and was using before.

    I was also please to consign a few other pieces of furniture that no longer fit into my new home.ReplyCancel

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