Suzanne Carillo

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