Quick Closet Redo!!!

I belong to a Facebook group called 365 Days of Eliminating Crap. They motivated me to do something I have wanted to do for a long time--identify the clothes I don't wear and remove them from my closet. My closet was mostly full of clothes I have to lose weight to fit in and items needing some kind of tweaking (as in sewing). This daily reminder of not being the size I want to be was just too depressing. Time to purge! (Bear with me--there is a redo!) I decided to document the event:

I gave myself a 40 minute time limit, which did not allow for trying stuff on or eenie meenie miney mo, or anything! Here is the result:

 

 

 

Seven bags of clothes, and later I added a bag of shoes and purses! All got donated!

After seeing the photo I took of my closet, I was pretty horrified! What a mess! Now that a third of the contents was gone, I decided it was time for a quick redo! I headed to Michael's and Bed Bath & Beyond, coupons clutched in hand. Here is the result:

Now, I smile when I walk into my closet! All it needed was some baskets and new hangers. I chose black for it's ability to disappear. The hangers are the flocked kind and don't leave little points sticking out the shoulder of all my shirts. You can buy them in bulk (packs of 50, seen here) and in several styles. I bought the suit ones, because you can hang either a shirt or pants or both on the same hanger.


The baskets came from Michael's. I have purses and hats in mine, but if you intend to use it for sweaters or lingerie, make sure you get a material that won't snag. These are made from a cloth webbing.

 

 

 

 

Simple changes, big results!

 

 

One more thing! I used a tension rod in the back of one side to hold scarves. So convenient to see them all at once when deciding which to wear.

 

 

I hope this motivates you to think about your closet. Have I regretted anything I got rid of? Quite the opposite--twice I've pulled something out and thought "How did YOU make the cut?"

 

I will be joining:

 

Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday 

Thrifty Décor Chick for Before & After

Women's Shelter: One Day Makeovers!

This is my first Metamorphosis Monday. Thank you, Between Naps On The Porch! I wasn't sure what I should post until I saw those magical words "before and after."

Three years ago, I was fortunate enough to hear about a great opportunity. The organization, Volunteers of America, is always looking for companies or individuals interested in remodeling one or more rooms in the local women's shelter. My stager friend, Nancy, and I decided to adopt a room.

We chose a room that had not received an update since 2004. There's no other way to describe it--this was a sad little room. One twin bed, one small table, a built-in table that wasn't much more than a ledge, and one dresser. No closet, as some of the other rooms had, so clothes were hung on a metal rack on wheels. Long and narrow, the room at least had a nice tall window at one end. The walls were a very pale yellowish green, and the only window treatment was a tiny valance hung over white blinds. We picked a date for the makeover, and we were allowed eight hours to complete the transformation. Here is the before and after:

Paint donated by Kwal, bedding and window sheers purchased at Target, art donated by Nancy, and a new lamp shade purchased at WalMart came together to create a room that I believe can best be described as restful and sweet. We also purchased and put together a wardrobe/storage unit, with removable storage bins, and a fabric cover.

We were shocked and pleased, by the praise we received from the staff and tenants. Something that was so easy for Nancy and I to do, because we do it all the time, seemed almost like a miracle to these women. Many of the women begged us to do their rooms next, so Nancy and I decided we would do a room every year.

This shelter represents a haven for women, their children, and even our veterans. That's right. The shelter has a special area reserved for our female veterans. For our second annual makeover project, Nancy and I chose one of these rooms. There were three beds this time. And, being in the basement they were dark and dreary. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

  

 

 

We spent three hours shopping, and less than six hours painting, making beds and placing art. Again, the paint was donated by Kwal.  The bedding was on clearance at Bed Bath & Beyond. We were very fortunate to find three matching sets! The shelter did have some rules (no excessively bright colors on the walls and no area rugs) and their handyman put the nails in the concrete walls for the artwork.

Each of these two rooms was completed for under $200. This included sheets, blankets, and pillows, too! In a couple months, we will go back and choose another room. You don't have to be a stager to do this. Anyone willing to give a little bit of money and one day of your time can make a real difference in someone's life. Thanks for letting me share Metamorphosis Monday with you! I can't wait to see what everyone else is sharing!

Be sure to check out my sister's blog at Robin Flies South...