Monday, May 12, 2014

40 A Little Coat Closet Refresh

In spirit of the High/Low challenge, I thought I would take things a step further and do a zero cost project.  Those are always the best anyway right?  The ones that require you to use the things you already have and pull out your creativity... I love 'em!

So although this post won't go down in history as the most exciting, it is still fun to see the difference a little closet cleanup can make.  Here is what I was working with.


We have this odd shaped closet located above our stairs; which means that we lose about 2 1/2 feet of space.  This closet typically houses our coats, and with the spring season finally making an appearance here, it was time to swap out the closet inventory and give it a good cleaning at the same time.

As I began to empty the closet completely, I was shocked at how easily things had gotten lost in the back of the closet.  Everything was placed on the table behind me.


I discovered a couple of jackets that our family didn't wear at all during the previous season so straight to the donate bin they went.  I also found home accessories, small appliances, returns, totes, etc...  A lot of eyebrow raisers.  After sorting and sifting through the contents of the closet, I was left with a blank slate.


Although the wallpaper was fun, it was from years ago and our style has since changed.  The walls in our kitchen and living room have been updated to a beige with a grey undertone color {Glidden's Smooth Stone}, while the paint and wallpaper in the closet definitely remained in the creamy ivory territory.  It completely clashed and the trim needed to be touched up as it was looking a little rough.

It was time to give the closet an update, so I dove right in and started stripping the wallpaper {just pulling at the edges}. 


For the rest of the paper that was giving me a harder time, I sprayed it down with a very hot vinegar/water combo, let it sit for a minute, and then peeled.  It worked great!  I then gave the entire wall a good cleaning.


The wall was in pretty sad shape, so I filled all of the holes from the previous shelves and patched any other rough spots.  The entire closet received two coats of the Smooth Stone and the white trim was also touched up.

My hubby doesn't typically like to purge or get rid of anything {which may cause us to clash from time to time}, and that includes our leftover building/project materials.  However, that is one thing I completely agree with keeping; wood scraps, extra trim, sheets of wood... our scrap pile has come in handy for us so many times. 

I asked Bryan if we had enough materials to create a new shelf and closet rod so he went to our pile and came back with a yes.  Some melamine board and leftover closet rod {from this project}, and we were set!

Bryan started by screwing in a few ledger boards on either side of the closet.


I stained the dowel with some leftover stain from our recent bookcase makeover, and he installed that as well.


I just love a blank slate!  SO much better and much more fresh and clean feeling.  It now blended with the walls in the surrounding areas as well.

I had recently spotted these baskets from Serena & Lily, so I decided to do a similar treatment with our existing baskets and some paint.


All of the winter coats were stored away in a bin and brought out to the garage.  The spring jackets were hung and the closet was complete!



Of course, the main thing the closet now has going for it, is that the jackets are much slimmer for the season.  We have been using these inexpensive wooden hangers from IKEA and really love them.


I had found the hanging shoe pocket organizing on Zulily last year, and it has worked well to give each member of the family their own pocket.  Everything from hats & mittens to baseball caps and dog leashes are stored there.



One of the upper baskets holds extra winter gear, such as hoods, ski masks, thicker gloves, extra mittens, etc... The other basket holds all of our old towels and rags for spills and bigger cleaning projects.


The labels were created out of some subway tile samples we had.  I printed out labels I created in Microsoft Excel {following this tutorial here}, and used decoupage to affix them to the front of the tiles.  The tiles were attached with heavy duty velcro.  Tiles may not be the most practical labeling solution/item, but I thought I would give it a whirl since I had them on hand and the baskets are not necessarily used on a daily basis.  I sort of love the results.


We have always had a few baskets installed on the inside of the closet and I didn't change them up at all.  We use one to store our frequently used home/budget binders, the other is used for water bottles and outdoor potions.


Things that were found that didn't necessarily make sense in the closet, were moved to where they DO make sense and extra totes were hung up with the jackets.  By assessing how we wish for the closet to function, were were able to free up the floor and give the closet a clutter free result.


The entire project was pretty quick.  Just some hurry up and wait time with the painting; but overall really worth the time.  And 100% inspired by spring!

Have you taken on any completely free organizing projects lately? 


40 comments:

  1. Closet organizing must be on the brain today! I just posted my tips for changing the season in your bedroom closet.

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  2. So pretty, Jen!

    Sarah

    www.sarahsdaybook.wordpress.com

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  3. Love it!! It all turned out really great!!

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  4. Very nice update! Easy but effective.

    You said those baskets have always been there - did they come with the house? Just wondering where I could maybe find something similar. That looks like the perfect solution for our utlity closet.

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    1. Hi Mandy!

      We actually installed them quite a few years ago, they were the bottom two baskets of an over the door pantry organizer we purchased. The organizer was too long for our pantry door, therefore, we used the bottom two baskets on the wall in our coat closet.

      xoxo!

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  5. Love the idea of adding paint to the top of wicker baskets for a pop of color. Looks fabulous!

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  6. Wooow, this is so inspiring, I want to put all the things from my cupboard away... but my mom doesn't - lol! :P I love your blog!

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  7. Basket-painting has become one of absolute my FAVORITE crafts! Seriously, no basket is safe in our house!! It's amazing how a little paint and creativity makes a boring basket look so unique and quality!! LOVE!! (The subway tiles were a stroke of genius, BTW. What a great look!). :)

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  8. I moved some furniture around my home recently and it made such a difference and it cost nothing! Sometimes the free projects are the best ones :o)
    http://perfecthappyhome.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/furniture-move-in-bedroom.html

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  9. I love a clean slate, and the freshness that a simple project like this brings. I have been putting off cleaning out our master bedroom closet for weeks now— thank you for the inspiration and reminder that a little bit of time can make a big impact!

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  10. Love the painted baskets! I have some similar and might have to give it a try.

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  11. Love the paint on the baskets and the labels! Turned out great!

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  12. Closet cleaning is definitely a twice a year activity. I always find crazy things pushed in. No one ever fesses up to actually putting it in there.

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  13. I like the blue trim you did on the baskets.

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  14. I love that pink water bottle with the green lid! Do you remember where you got it?

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    1. Hi Brittany! I purchased it at Old Navy a few years ago. xoxo!

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  15. How lovely! I do love a good de-clutter and a fresh blank slate. It's Autumn here in Australia, but I seem to get the de-cluttering bug year round. ;) Always love seeing one of your updates pop up in my inbox, as without fail you always leave me feeling inspired! I really like how you stained that dowel rod!
    Karen | a house full of sunshine

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  16. Completely droo!!!! So you *did* have a Monica closet eh? Great job! I LOVE it!

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  17. I love your Blog! Organization is so important and easy and makes you organized and clean. It's very good to see the difference we can make just giving away what we don't need and reorganizing the some space...
    o on with more ideas we like to see...
    Teresa

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  18. Painting the baskets is such a nice idea! ♥

    xo Maria | marygoesround.de

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  19. Great blog spot, I am looking for sturdy baskets like yours that are all the same size. The ones you linked to are various sizes so they can nest. Any ideas where I can find some? I would love to do what you did and put them up high in my closet to hold out of season clothes. Thanks :)

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    1. I would check HomeGoods. They always have a huge selection of baskets at reasonable prices.

      xoxo!

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  20. Fantastic result … I especially love the baskets and you know I'm a big fan of labels … love those!

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  21. This is a really great project! Question: My hall closet is in very close proximity to my kitchen. I've been seriously considering turning this closet space into an additional pantry. I will be loosing closet space for coats (obviously) but I need more pantry space in that area than anything else. Any low-cost ideas on how I can convert this closet (it looks a lot like the one in your pictures) to a 2nd pantry? It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, just functional. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Sandra!

      I would just install a few shelves {inexpensive boards from the home improvement store}, down the length of the closet. Wood shelves are most likely less expensive than wire, and you can cover the inexpensive wood with a pretty contact paper for easy cleaning.

      Best of luck!
      Jen

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  22. I have a closet JUST like this - it's above the stairs, so it's basically cut in half. The coats drag on the bottom and it's just a pain to deal with. You've inspired me to do something more with it! I see a little project in my future!

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  23. Looks really great Jen! The floral is so perfect for spring and summer. I have to do the closet switcharoo every spring/fall...the blessing and curse of living in the Midwest ;) xo Kristin

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  24. I have a closet exactly like that - I love the tile on the floor of it. Only problem with my closet is that the attic access is cut out in the back. I would love to add more storage, but still need to access the attic. I use the wire baskets like you on the sides to store upstairs cleaning supplies. Thanks for sharing your closet makeover!

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  25. Hi
    What do you have in the binders that are in the closet? How did you patch the walls? Love your blog. Jane

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    1. Hi Jane!

      The binders are for managing our Household and Budget. I have posted about them way back here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/01/our-budget-binder.html

      and here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-challenge-project-household_9757.html

      I just patched the walls with regular drywall spackling and a putty knife.

      xoxo!

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  26. I love a good makeover, especially a free one! I need to do this to my own coat closet, thanks for the inspiration!

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  27. What a great job! I love seeing a closet transformed with few organizational pieces

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  28. Do you typically paint inside your closets, including the bedroom closets? I'm not sure if it's worth painting them, but it does look nice! Also, was there just drywall behind that wallpaper, and if so, then did you add texture first or just paint over the drywall?

    I loved how opening a messy door inspired a great makeover. Thanks for sharing! And inspiring!

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    1. Hi Angela!

      YES! :) I am a huge fan of painting the interiors of closets. I think it gives them new life and really inspires us to maintain order within them. The interior of the closet was already painted previously a few years ago and so when the paper came down, there were already painted walls behind the paper. I gave everything a good scrubbing and did two coats of a paint/primer combo paint and it looked brand new.

      xoxo!

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  29. Great job! Good makeover!

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  30. Such a wonderfully simple project but it does the world of good! Great job!

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  31. Jen, you always amaze me with your energy to tackle every little corner of your home and make it so pretty! I wish I had half of your energy. Love your closet!

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  32. It looks good!

    I just did my closet in the start of the month. It is not as stylish as yours since the bins don't match. But I can live with that and it is so nice have it all sorted.

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  33. Love easy and FREE projects that have a huge impact!! Awesome job lady:)

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