The Office Closet
So I mentioned that I'm taking things slowly when it comes to cleaning out, organizing and decorating our office, right?! I got a little more done this weekend. Really, we're focusing on the cleaning out stage now, because well, the floor was covered in supplies and other stuff, the closet was jammed full of...well, you'll see...and the room is just not very functional in its present state (probably why I do most of my stuff at the kitchen table instead, oops).
I think first I need to get rid of alot of junk in here, while figuring out what I need to keep, then sort of put it away and lay out the room, then worry about making sure everything looks "pretty" (the mason jars are a good start, but I'm going to need a lot more boxes and jars and shelves and containers). Know what I mean? Baby steps.
This weekend (and ok, a little bit of last weekend - see, I work slow) we tackled the closet. Uhm, this is what it looked like before (drops head in shame, wondering if I should even show you):
Yuck! (Please tell me you have a closet that looks something like this in your house!!) Not very functional, more just like a dumping ground. And yes, I need all those empty boxes and bubble wrap...for shipping.
After a little work and some purging, it looked like this:
Yay! Much better. I mean, its not going to win any awards, but for now it does the trick. Look, I freed up the whole top shelf! Still managed to fit all the boxes I need. And moved those 2 ugly black filing cabinets (taken from work when we were moving offices) from in the room to in the closet (this means way more floor space in the actual room). We tried to fit the 2 cabinets next to each other, but they were too big and only one cabinet's set of drawers cleared the doorway and could open.
Now that I had that upper shelf free, I was able to move a bunch more of my stuff/supplies from a closet in another room back into the office where they belong:
So this after looks a bit less amazing because of all the chaos on the top shelf, but at least now everything belonging to the office is actually in the office. This is a big step for me:)
How do you guys go about organizing and getting lots of clutter to look good? Do you run out and buy tons of cute containers and then try to fit everything in there? Or do you lay out all the stuff you have that needs to be contained and then run out and buy storage for them? Is there some other strategy that I don't know about? This part seems very intimidating to me.
I think first I need to get rid of alot of junk in here, while figuring out what I need to keep, then sort of put it away and lay out the room, then worry about making sure everything looks "pretty" (the mason jars are a good start, but I'm going to need a lot more boxes and jars and shelves and containers). Know what I mean? Baby steps.
This weekend (and ok, a little bit of last weekend - see, I work slow) we tackled the closet. Uhm, this is what it looked like before (drops head in shame, wondering if I should even show you):
Yuck! (Please tell me you have a closet that looks something like this in your house!!) Not very functional, more just like a dumping ground. And yes, I need all those empty boxes and bubble wrap...for shipping.
After a little work and some purging, it looked like this:
Yay! Much better. I mean, its not going to win any awards, but for now it does the trick. Look, I freed up the whole top shelf! Still managed to fit all the boxes I need. And moved those 2 ugly black filing cabinets (taken from work when we were moving offices) from in the room to in the closet (this means way more floor space in the actual room). We tried to fit the 2 cabinets next to each other, but they were too big and only one cabinet's set of drawers cleared the doorway and could open.
Now that I had that upper shelf free, I was able to move a bunch more of my stuff/supplies from a closet in another room back into the office where they belong:
So this after looks a bit less amazing because of all the chaos on the top shelf, but at least now everything belonging to the office is actually in the office. This is a big step for me:)
How do you guys go about organizing and getting lots of clutter to look good? Do you run out and buy tons of cute containers and then try to fit everything in there? Or do you lay out all the stuff you have that needs to be contained and then run out and buy storage for them? Is there some other strategy that I don't know about? This part seems very intimidating to me.
Baby steps...great job! :)
ReplyDeleteWith 4 active (and growing kids!), organizing is definitely a must in our home, but I've still got lots to learn! My strategy is as unoriginal as they come- I limit the junk that comes home, toss the things I dislike and don't need (everyone else's that is, ha!), and keep ample boxes and cubbies around. It isn't perfect, but I don't have the budget or the time to insist on a perfect system anyway!
Keep up the good work!
Um.... IS THAT AN UGG BOX I SEE?!?!?! Sarah, I am very, very disappointed in you.
ReplyDeleteWell done Sarah! You are making great strides! Take your time, better to do it right the first time around is my way of looking at it! :) Hope you had a super weekend!
ReplyDeleteUgh, the closet in my guest room totally looks like your before. It holds all the accessories that haven't found a permanent home (and may never...), luggage, gift wrap...etc.etc.etc.
ReplyDeleteMajor props for tackeling your closet! We have a room that needs to get done that's really going to shame me if I decide to post before photos. It's that bad. :) I used to try and get the cute containers and then organize. But awhile ago I realized that sometimes that just leaves me paralyzed - meaning I don't organize until I have the containers. So I am just going about organizing my house and purging - and once that's done, I know what I'm working with. I can then buy the right containers - and cute ones at that - for the job. Always go through your stuff first because then you know how many and what to buy.
ReplyDeleteI have gone overboard on clear plastic storage, but I buy it in 3 standard sizes, large and pretty flat, medium, and shoe box size. As our things expand and contract we organize into the clear storage and then put the extras into the attic when we don't need them.
ReplyDeleteI purchased them when all the lids were white, which goes with everything, but with the Krylon plastic spray, you can paint your plastic to match any decor.
We all have a closet of shame, actually I have several, I am so baaaaad!! I try to be organized but I think I have to many lamps and pillows, if you know what I mean. Good for you , your after looks great!! Keep it up you might inspire me yet, Kathysue
ReplyDeleteKudos for being willing to put it out there!
ReplyDeleteI think storage solutions have to be a combination of what you need to store and what ultimately works in the space.
I had an issues with boxes too...until I discovered the US P.O. offers many for free!
cute ones at that - for the job. Always go through your stuff first because then you know how many and what to buy.
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You are making great strides! Take your time, better to do it right the first time around is my way of looking at it! :) Hope you had a super weekend!
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I think storage solutions have to be a combination of what you need to store and what ultimately works in the space.
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Take your time, better to do it right the first time around is my way of looking at it! :) Hope you had a super weekend!
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