I will admit that last year when we bought my large Ikea closet I was so excited I almost peed my pants.
Until I got it home and realized that those heavy boxes had to be carried in, upstairs, opened up, and then miraculously assembled.
That is when I wanted to cry.
But Robert managed to get it together without killing me or the dog so I consider that a success.
I added extra shelves and drawers later on my own.
If you can't see it…you won't know you have it and you certainly won't wear it.
My new closet changed the way I organize my closet immensely.
Especially my shoes, boots, accessories and t-shirts.
I now roll my t-shirts so I can see all of them at a glance.
I have no photos of the closet before, but it suffices to say my shoes were located in 4 different rooms in the house. Now I can see all of them. I know from experience that if I can't see it, I won't wear it.
As far as shoes go I only display one shoe or boot. The other one is placed behind. A good economical use of space.
When you are in a storage solutions store look around and think of other ways you could use their products.
This over-the-door shoe holder to holds my collection of jewelry and scarves.
I know I have a rather large collection of jewelry, but keep in my mind I make jewelry, so I'm allowed. That is my excuse and I'm sticking with it.
Never get rid of any storage solution pieces. They can always be used somewhere else in the house.
Currently I'm using my old jewelry organizer in my studio for scrapbooking brads.
I'm addicted to the square box organizing system from Ikea for my socks, underwear, belts, scarves…you name it. The compartments always look tidy and I can find whatever I want quickly.
You don't need to use the Ikea system. You can buy wicker baskets or any kind of box to create the same concept.
All of my dresses are hung in one closet in another room.
I arrange my entire closet by item, colour and finally style.
So all of my jeans and pants are on the same side of the closet, hung on pant/skirt hangers.
Then all of my maxi skirts are beside them.
My sweaters are grouped by cardigan, pullover or vest and then grouped by colour and folded.
My shirts and blouses are grouped by colour, then sleeve length and hung on identical flocked thin hangers. Patterned pieces are grouped together.
Leather jackets and blazers are on the other side of the closet on jacket or coat hangers.
All other skirts are hung on skirt hangers that cascade five up allowing me to take off just one at a time. This is a huge space saver that still allows me to see all of my skirts easily.
I have some of my vintage handbags and clutches on a shelf with my shoes.
And the rest I keep behind the door for the bedroom on a nifty purse hanging cord that I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond.
The 2 handbags I use the most I keep downstairs by the door.
I have 3 pull out boxes under our bed where I keep seasonal items that I switch out twice a year.
Winter coats and all other outer ware are stored in another closet.
I would still like one more Ikea closet for my dresses but I am already delighted with what I have.
So that is how I organize my closet. Did it give you any ideas?
Do you have any special space saving tips or organizational ideas that you'd like to share? I'm always curious (polite way of saying nosey) about other people's closets.
The lovely Kristian at Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile has featured me for her series on closet organizational tips. Thanks Kristian! I'm going to hop over there to learn some tips on closet organzing from her other style blogger friends.
Linking up with Citizen Rosebud’s Shoe Shine…check it out! And Thursday's Favourite Things
I’m in awe, so much fabulous clothing and arranged beautifully, I’d be in heaven if I ever came to pay you a visit! xxx
Wow, so inspiring! And the colors of your clothing/accessories play together like a painting. Now I cannot show my closet, out of sheer closet-inferiority complex : >
Wow!! That is a very nicely organized space, and I definitely agree that you have to make sure you can see what you have, or else you’ll forget that you even have it! And I want to borrow some of your shoe collection, but I know that’s very evil of me. And I like that I recognize some of the clothes hanging in your closet!
Love the idea of rolling your shirts! It’s brilliant! How did I not think of that?
Wow! This is fantastic information. Love it!
Suzanne – I love how organized you are – I am in total awe! Please fly to CA and work on my closet too 🙂
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlfie.com
Oooh, lucky you! I always spend a lot of time in the closets of the Ikea displays…you know, just hanging out pretending that it’s my lovely walk in closet. Now you’ve inspired me to better organize my purses!
Nice to see that i’m not the only with lots of clothes!
I have an Ikea wardrobe as well, i try to keep it tidy but i’m not as disciplined as you – I like the over the door shoe rack and what you have behind the door for your purses, real clever –
Arianexo
Um, super cute shoes! I’m absolutely jealous. SO darling
I am so impressed with your organization! That is definitely not my strong point! I need to do better!
creamystyle.com
I’m sure you must have a pretty amazing closet too : )
It really does demonstrate my love for colour.
Well believe me I waited years and years for this closet. So don’t hate me because of my closet ; )
Totally normal to want to borrow : )
When I got the new Ikea drawers they are nice and shallow. I started layering my t-shirts in as usual and realized I wouldn’t be able to tell any better which was which. I knew I needed to come up with a better solution and that is when I thought of rolling them. I love it now.
Thanks for inspiring me to do this post Kristian : )
Deal.
This little strap thingy is very efficient. You could also store hats on it I think.
Eeek. I wondered how many people would mention the fact that I may have too many clothes. Now you know why I’m preaching to myself on a daily basis to slow it down.
I’d love to see your closet Ariane! When can I look forward to seeing that post? ; P
Thanks for popping by Meg : )
I do like to be organized. Nothing worse that not being able to find what you’re looking for.
Thanks for stopping by!
This. is. amazing. I am so jealous of you right now. You do not want to see my closet.
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
Swoon…I am hoping to get a new closet for Christmas and cant wait to organize it!
I have found my tribe!! your shoe collection is FANTASTIC!!
As a total OCD person I am DROOLING over your closet. It’s beautiful! I love those square box organizers and they way you display your shoes is perfect. I am still having issues figuring out how to store them and this totally helps. I too have a separate closet for my dresses, there’s just too many of them to be shared with anything else 🙂
xo
Ashley
Southern (California) Belle
Oh but I do! : )
Ikea? I don’t care for too much of their other stuff but their closets are pretty sweet.
: )
I really need to take photos of my husband’s closet and his clothes. You want to see OCD? You need to see how he organizes his collection. Puts me to shame.
He is patiently waiting for his own Ikea closet and currently has his items in 3 different rooms.
Good Lord woman! Now I have a serious case of closet envy!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
Yes… it totally gave me an idea: I need a new closet (haha)! Actually, I love the idea of your over-the-door shoe holder being used as a jewelry holder. Fantastic idea!!!
xo ~kim & chloe
Wow, Suzanne. First of all: you have a large and beautiful collection of…well…everything. To be honest: I am the same;-). You seem to have a spacious house with rooms and all. That’s where it goes wrong with me. I lack space. Especially in Singapore.
Fortunately, like you, I am very creative in the use of space and in storage solutions. I make jewelry as well, AND have a lot of it, with the same excuse as you…hahaha…and I have hung up Ikea Antonus flat wire ‘shelves’ against a wall. With these thin metal xmas tree s hooks, I hang all my jewelry against the wall on the many, many rods of these racks. Works perfect! Although one of my friends considers it too much exposed to dust. I guess I’m not such a dusty girl. Cannot be bothered too much by it;-).
Wow- I’ve never had such a hard case of closet envy before! Or rather
Closet organization envy! I’m inspired. I agree it makes a difference to
See what you’ve got to know what to wear. Ill return when I’m at
A bigger screen (right now it’s late not bed reading on the iPhone) and
See your closet in wide detail! Thank you for linking up to
Shoe Shine!
: )
Thanks. I was stumped before as to how I would organize all of it.
Another jewelry maker! Yay! Those looks almost like the grid panels that I used at my shows. That is a great idea for jewellery.
I am definitely jealous. Big time. I even showed your post to my husband and said “look at this!! And compare that with the way we throw all our stuff in the cupboards.” He answered: “well…. All that stuff….., I only have 1closet and two shelves”… Haha. He is right.
I am very organised… Up to the closet door. Behind the door it is crisis. Always have been like that since I was a child. And my mother is sooo neat, tidy and organised. Like you. It must be a flaw in my genes.
Greetje
I am constantly doing my craft room as I learn better ways. thanks for this help.