Monday, March 26, 2012

Controlled Chaos Closet


This is the after.

I know that looks like a flippin' mess, but i assure you, it's controlled chaos. Can you tell the bare bones of this closet are pretty much good for nothing? What can you do with something so tiny and oddly laid out?

Clothes can't be hung in here, unless they're smooshed to the right or hung sideways due to the lack of depth on the left hand side.  For storage, you'd just be able to pile boxes on top of each other.  Putting shelving in this was the only way to go, and it turned this closet into a much more usable space.


S installed this adjustable shelving unit from the HD, and now all of my decorating nonsense, candles, holiday wrapping materials, table linens, and presents for future occasions all live in harmony.  And behind closed doors, where i like them.  It helps me forget that i verge on hoarding.


Aside from taking everything out and organizing, the only real tip i have is to get rid of boxes.  They take up unnecessary space, and you don't need the reminder of what you paid for it.  (Holla at the clearance prices!)


I put glassware and apothecary jars on the first shelf, and anything white on the second.  Trying for some semblance of order, here.


This is the left side, that you have to stick your head into the closet to see.  Top shelf is paper goods and napkin rings (that makes sense.)  Second shelf is linens, third shelf is beading stuff and presents.  Can't wait for my "crafting area" to be set up in the basement, which is where i hope to relocate some things.  "Crafting area" always evokes hysterical laughter from the boyfriend...he knows i'm no Martha.  Martha's puppies are probably more crafty than I.


Candles on the bottom, outdoor flags clipped onto pants hanger.  Again, makes total sense to me.


Aaaaagggh!  DON'T look up there, that's a bona fide mess.  I literally throw things onto that spot because i can't reach.


Who else has a controlled chaos closet?  Or maybe you're lucky enough to have an attic?  You're in trouble if it looks like this! 

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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

We lived in a tiny house for 3 years while in transition and one of the things I did was buy lots of the wire shelf racks. It doubled the amount of space I could use. Also using bins for under the bed storage is a good idea.

I think simplifying life is the best but I have the hardest time with that part!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I just need a closet that I can transform. Your space looks amazing and you have everything where you can find it. Great job. Hugs, marty

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I think my home looks like this. Controlled chaos! I like it! hugs, Linda

Debbie @ OtRD said...

I wish I had an attic! But that would just get messy too, right?

Lisa said...

Our entire house? LOL

Our pantry in the kitchen is the worst. Whoever designed it was an idiot and made it really deep. So you have to reach in really far and we have 2 rows of stuff in there. It's such a mess, but we know where everything is. No matter how we organize it, it always looks horrible!

Beth said...

I wish we had an attic or a basement! I do the same thing too with just tossing stuff up on the top shelves because of my height.

I did some "micro" organizing in my laundry room closet a few weeks ago. I needed to do something with my electric cords, paper sacks and light bulbs. Just those few small fixes helped a ton!

Laura said...

As a matter of fact, both the closets in my hallway look like that! Sometimes it's hard to stay organized- especially with small odd shaped closets!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving the sweet comment!

Megan {The Brick Bungalow} said...

My whole house is controlled chaos. Well, for the most part and then the rest is just complete chaos. Like when the dogs get a hold of something and tear it up...

Unknown said...

I'm feeling like everything in in out of control chaos ( is that redundant?) UGH!

Rachel said...

Love it! You're so real...I love your un-staged, normalness! :) Our garage is chaotic! Since we got our floors done(which I still need to write a post about), our garage has housed the old carpet, baseboards, etc. It drives me nuts, but we need a bulk pickup day or to rent a dumpster for it. And yes, I have the shelves where I have to throw things up there. As long as it doesn't fall back down on me, I'm good! lol

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

At least your chaos is controlled, mine is just chaos. lol Great post.

Meg said...

I feel like I wrote this post myself, especially when you explained how you organized things (all the white things on one shelf, flags on a pants hanger). Because that all makes sense to me, too!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

I have controlled chaos all over my house! And we won't talk about the uncontrolled chaos!

The Charm of Home said...

Great organizing! Thank you for linking up to Home Sweet Home!
Sherry