I'm sort of an obsessive closet cleaner.
Since I started keeping my own blog about home organization and decor, I have cleaned out almost every closet that I own- several times over. Every time that I get writer's block, I know that all I need to do is open up a closet and I'll find a post in there somewhere.
I've made the closet that holds my washer and dryer into one of my favorite spaces in the house simply by painting it a vibrant shade of aqua. I've turned an under utilized linen closet into additional master closet space. I've created a designated craft storage space out of a hall closet, and I've re-organized my kitchen cupboards more times than I care to admit. When I was trying to decide what to share for my guest post as a part of this blog swap, I was immediately drawn to the idea of posting about closets. But I didn't want to just show you a before and after shot of of one my closets- I wanted to tell you all about why I spend so much time writing about them.
No matter how many closets your home has- it is a finite number- at some point you have to make choices about how to use them. Yes, there are always ways around storage issues, and countless ways to increase the efficiency of any space, but at the end of the day- you have to decide what makes the cut so that the door can shut. The size of the front hall closet affects the size of your coat and handbag collection, the size of your pantry dictates your shopping habits. There is no situation that is non-negotiable- because you can always turn a broom closet into a shoe closet if you so desire- but priorities must be realized and the choice must be made.
When you get married or move into a new house, closet space is a hot topic. Negotiations are made about how many inches of hanging space and how many shelves each spouse will get. And let's face it, a man who is unwilling to surrender at least 50% of his closet space might as well call off the plans he has for his girlfriend to move in with him. Being able to put your stuff away plays a significant role in your ability to feel at home someplace.
When I was a kid, I tried very hard to get away with "cleaning my room" simply by taking everything that was out of place and throwing it into my closet before quickly slamming the door. (And as an adult, I will admit to occasionally regressing to this behavior in a pinch). But in general, I try to avoid using a closet as a hiding space because I try to enjoy every inch of space that I have. My closets are organized in order to give me access to the things that I use most often and they are filled with only things that I love and need.
If you feel like your home is a little more cramped and cluttered than it should be, or like you're always running all over the house to collect the things that you use on a daily basis- I challenge you to open up those closets and take a good hard look. If space is being wasted, put it to use. If stuff is collecting cobwebs, get rid of it. Take control over your closets and watch as it slowly transforms your home to a place where you can feel organized and be proud to leave the doors open.
Alexis resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA where she authors the blog Clean, Smart, Simple Style. Two kids keep her life full of lovely chaos, but she dreams a home full of organization and design. She strives daily to find the perfect balance between simple and simply fabulous, and hopes that the topics covered on her blog will help you to do the same.
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This is so true. I strive to make our home clutter free. I feel like that flows into so many other areas of our life :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the layout of your blog. I like the ideas for the laundry room. I have a very tiny laundry room and we had to get the stacked kind. We bought a utility cart with a hanging rod from Cosco. I always wished i had a bigger laundry room though. I guess you have to use what you have.
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