Just as with my pantry, I find that having disorganized closets can cost me money. Two weeks ago, I went shopping at a big consignment sale. Since I hadn’t been through my kids’ summer clothes, I had no idea what I needed to buy. You know I can’t shop without a list! When I shop without a list, I overspend, usually on things we don’t need. You, too? I came home feeling like I should tackle the closet and get organized so I’d be prepared for the next sale.
I followed the same three steps I shared with you before:
- Take everything out.
- Sort like with like and with a place in mind.
- Put the items back in place.
The only thing that was different with this big closet space as opposed to the small pantry space was that I needed to add some containers to hold all the extra clothing. I collect hand-me-downs and buy ahead at consignment sales for my twins, so I have a lot of clothing in the next 2 sizes up. I sorted them by winter and summer and left a bin empty so I could throw outgrown clothes in it as we get there.
Here are my before and after sorting piles. I got rid of a lot by Freecycling a bunch of clothes and giving away clothes to friends having girl babies.
And then I needed containers. But I didn’t have any money to spend…so luckily, they just fell in my lap. Last week we went to a playdate, and one of my friend’s neighbors had half her house out front, waiting for the garbage truck. I asked the lady if she was moving, and she was, but she was completely overwhelmed by her clutter (four grown kids’ worth), so she was putting it all out for the trash. There was good stuff in there! Like these IKEA containers, lots of them, and plenty of clear bins, all clean and in good shape. So I took them! Hee hee! And I was a little embarrassed, but apparently not much because here I am telling all of you that I was trash picking.
So here’s my cleaned-out closet, though maybe you can tell that it’s still a work in progress. I’m testing out that grid thing in the bottom; I’m considering moving the twins’ dresser into the closet when they move to “big girl” beds. And that big blue container is filled with all the wall decor that hasn’t been put up in the two years we’ve lived here (sigh). Now I’m waiting for the new bed placement to figure that out.
Hey sometimes you get the best stuff trash picking or “dumpster diving” as we called in college. I totally have a sweet end table, flower painting and huge white board that I got when people moved out and didn’t want to take it. I still use them and BRAG about it to people.
Great finds! If there’s something on a curb, my husband drags it home. We now have a little Tykes plastic outdoor picnic table, a sandbox, a kitchen set for our daughter and many other fun finds from curbside!
Heather
that looks awesome, I’m preping my self for the seasonal clothes change!!!!