Friday, August 29, 2008

round-up time!

Updated to add on 3/5/09: This post is part of The Masked Mommy's Closet Pow Wow! Head on over for some closet makeover inspiration!






For The Organizing Junkie's August Round-Up, we were challenged to tackle our mudrooms or entryways. Seeing as we don't have a mudroom (oh, how I wish!) and the entryway to our house flows right into our living room, I chose to organize our coat closet.

I chose this space for a few reasons:

1) It was as close to an entryway or mudroom as I could get and I really wanted to participate in this month's roundup! I've gotten the urge to organize lately!
2) I wanted room to hang our guest's coats in the closet, so it was time to weed out all of the ones we don't wear.
3) I was tired of seeing all of the wasted use of space. The more stuff we own, the more room we need, so there had to be a better way!
4) As the kids get older, we hope to be able to play more games as a family, and I didn't want all the games to topple down on us when we wanted to play one.

BEFORE
left side of closet

AFTER
I added a bookshelf and found some other storage items already in the house to help organize the space a little better...the best part - I didn't spend any money to do this!

BEFORE
right side of closet...terrible waste of space

AFTER
after weeding through the coats, I chose to move them to this side of the closet and I stored my husband's guitars under my son's crib to get them out of the way


BEFORE
left side of closet-notice all of my husband's Poker chips!? Is that really necessary?? He says, yes it is.

AFTER
BEFORE
right side of the closet

AFTER

I spent quite a bit of time configuring the game space to make them fit in perfectly. I only got rid of a couple of games. I just couldn't bear to part with some of them...even if we haven't played them in years. We'll see how long this lasts, but our new rule is if you take a game down, you put it back in the EXACT same spot. Now, we just have to start playing more games together!!

The same night, I organized, we got out Connect Four and Mikayla enjoyed "playing" with her daddy, while Austin, with snacks in hand, watched from the sidelines. I can't wait to see more of this family time as the kids grow older.



Catch the organizing bug and visit The Organized Junkie for more August Round-Up participants and see how others have re-organized their spaces!

18 comments:

Amy V. said...

Very nice! Don't we all want to make room for guests' coats! So cute that your organizing brought about some family game time. ;)

Unknown said...

Very nice job! Especially with all the games, and I love to see your hubby there playing with the kids, that's great!

Annie Schilperoort Photography said...

You are SO inspiring me to attack the closets and shelves/drawers!! Everything looks beautiful Heidi!

Susanne said...

Over from Laura's links. Great job! I love the shelving you put in. And for free?! You are speaking my language!

Sandra said...

It looks wonderful, you did a great job :)

Alicia said...

You did a great job! It looks fantastic!

jen@odbt said...

You did a great job organizing the space. I like how your games are close by. I need to rethink where our games are kept. Right now it's not really convenient to get to them and I'd like to try to have more family game time too.

Amanda said...

awesome job at organizing the space! love how you spent some time playing a game afterwards

Anonymous said...

You did an awesome job with that closet! And wow! You have a ton of games...I wish we had more...we probably only have 5 or 6 games. :(

vicki said...

The closet looks great! I am sure that it will be easier to keep clean. Mikayla looks like she was having fun playing Connect Four with Dad. Pretty soon Austin will be right there too.
Love,
Mom

"Intentionally Katie" said...

Great job! I wish they'd come out with a board-game-organizer...I'd totally buy it. I don't care how much they charged!

Anonymous said...

It looks real nice.

boosmom said...

Ok, I get it...life is easiest when you can get at it!
I took your inspiration, and re-organized my entire kitchen today, and it took, ALL day. I found things I didn't even know I owned..

Thanks!

Jessica Rae said...

As if you need yet another comment on this post...I didn't know Ryan played guitar. Maybe it's time for our husbands to meet? I wish Devlyn would let me keep his guitars in the entry closet-oh wait, we don't have an entry closet! ;0

Controlling My Chaos said...

Heidi,
This closet looks great. I'll bet you get a lot more use out of those games as the kids get older.

I checked out your creative blog and looked at some of your photo cards and invitations. I've been doing a lot of that lately as well, although I haven't sold any (just made them for family and friends). Your cards are gorgeous.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

The Masked Mommy said...

I've seen this post before at the Organizing Junkie's site! I remember thinking you made such good use of space! I love the left side of the closet- quite a transformation! Good job with the games, too :-) Thanks again!

Jess @ Just a Blink said...

Super!

Jen said...

Looks great! Please come over and organize my closets now!

 
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