Spring Cleaning/Closet Organization

Photo credit: Who what wear

Its that time of year again when its best to spring clean.  I figured my closet is always the best start since I am looking to add some new spring/summer items to my wardrobe.  If I am adding some stuff in, might as well clean some old stuff out that is no longer being used.  While I am in total violation of all of the tips I am going to list below to closet organization, I plan to follow these guidelines to have a better well organized closet and better yet, keep it that way.

Closet Organization Tips:

1.  I saw this great quote on Instagram and I think it perfectly sums up how one should clean their closet.

2.  Bulkier items that would take up more space if hung such as sweaters, jeans, etc should be hung.  This can conserve a lot of space.  Plus in terms of sweaters, they maintain their shape more if they are folded rather than hung.

3.  Try to set up your closet in a way so that you can view everything.  Its my belief that people, especially women, get constantly caught up in the "so many clothes and nothing to wear" mode because we can't see everything in our closet.  What attracts me most in shopping and buying new things at stores is because everything is set up so nice and organized.  If our closets were set up this way, getting dressed would be that much more fun.  Plus after cleaning, you would get more use out of everything you own.

4. Try to organize by color, season, fit, pattern, etc.  This can help when getting dressed daily.  This may also help with shopping, if you are trying to add more variety in your closet, you can clearly see what colors, patterns, etc you are missing.

5.  Take dry cleaning clothes out of the plastic garment bags before placing in the closet.  That garment bag just makes the closet look bad.

 

And finally...

6.  Invest in some containers, hangers, dividers, etc. that will help better organize your closet. The container store, Target, Ikea and other places have great finds to help display everything in your closet.

What are some of your best closet organization tips?  What did you discover when you spring cleaned your closet?

Weekend Project: DIY Vanity/Desk

I have been wanting and needing a desk and vanity forever.  I have seen pictures on Pinterest that inspired me to build one myself.  After seeing a particular picture on instagram with the details of where the desk and everything was purchased I went straight to Ikea after work yesterday with a mission...BUILD MY VANITY.

And without further ado, here it is.

I spent all Friday evening and some of Saturday afternoon putting this together.  It would not have taken as long if I didn't mess up a few times and had to redo certain parts.  I happen to love putting things together so this was a great project for me.  Everything was purchased from Ikea.

The desk is called Micke.  I purchased the version with integrated storage on the side.  This desk is very simple and functional and also cute.  It is large enough to hold my makeup, laptop, iPad, etc and also small enough to fit into the extra bedroom.  I just love it!

I have seen this chair years ago at Ikea and always wanted it but never had a reason to actually buy it.  Figured now was the best time to get it.  This chair is called the Tobias.

I love the extra storage space on the side of this desk.  I can place all of my extra makeup, nail polish and other things and since it is open I will be able to see what I have.  I don't know about you but I am an out of site, out of mind person so often when I store things in places where I can't openly look at them, I will forget that I even have something.

The mirror I purchased is called the Kojla.  I didn't want a mirror for the entire length of the desk but big enough where I can easily do my hair and makeup.  The lights are called Musik. Oh these lights, I can have an entire blog post about these.  After opening the lights I saw that there is no plug with them but 3 loose wires.  So I paused and thought CRAP! The directions required to connect them to a fixture on the wall.  I can't go around making holes in the wall and wouldn't anyway so I went to good old Youtube and found a video on a different way to connect them to a plug.  That approach required me to make a run to Home Depot thus turning this into a 2 day project versus one day.  I have a degree in Electrical Engineering so this didn't frighten me in the least but trust me, you don't have to have a degree to do it, lol, its very simple.

This desk also includes a huge drawer which I definitely needed since the one in my bathroom was completely full.  And I didn't even know what all was in it until I transferred the stuff to this drawer.  I "found" some stuff that I had forgot about. :-)