OK, winter is officially here now! Even though the past two days weren't very cold but we still have snow on the ground and our gas bill was $20 higher this month.
So a few days ago I realized that I don't even know where our winter hats are. Or, should I say, I do know where they are hiding but finding one is what the problem is. And all because until today our shelf in our coat closet looked like this:
To my defense...nah, there is no defense! It was just a mess. We haven't really needed anything on this shelf since last March, I think. But now that I actually tried to find something...well, I was DONE. I needed to organize this place. ASAP! The only thing is that I didn't want to spend money on it. And I didn't! I used what we already had in the house.
A few months ago I stumbled upon a sale at a local Lowes for these fabric storage bins:
Honestly, when I bought them, I didn't know how I was going to use them. Do you ever buy things when you don't know what you will do with them? I rarely (and I mean, rarely) do this but it was one of those times. I guess, I just couldn't pass a price tag of $1.50/a piece. I got three of them.
And when I started to think of a possible storage, I knew they would be perfect in this space. I added tags to each box (made from scraps of my favorite linen fabric and Sharpie):
And that's how it looks right now- TADA:
I love it, love it, love it! Now I know where everything goes. Winter, I'm not afraid of you any more...Umm, maybe, I shouldn't have said that... I still can't stand cold... But here's my little project of the day. I actually added just a little more storage by re-purposing a shower caddy, that was sitting in our garage, to store kid's things that we use all the time and for storing baseball hats:
So here is one more picture of a finished project using what I already had on hand:
Doesn't it look so much better? I'm really happy with a difference just a few simple changes made. And I'm one step closer to having our life more organized. Now I can't wait to finish our master closet. Stay tuned...
Home made storage bins was so cool! Because you can make your own design and you can make your own sizes where you can place it.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and so darn cute!!!I do pick up things on sale for a great price to repurpose for gifts and such.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debby!
DeleteWhat a satisfying activity you must have had--I always love it when I can organize something that has been a mess. Can the kids reach the hats and things they wear all of the time?
ReplyDeleteNo, they are still half-pints :) It's a little too high for them.
DeleteYou are such a wonderful organizing Genie. Come to live with me in Canada ! xx
ReplyDelete:) If my husband could find a great job there...
DeleteLove it! I just love knowing exactly where somethings is supposed to be. Like the shower caddy repurpose! I would put a coat hook (or pretty nail) in the wall to the right and hang the caddy from that once you decide you will continue using it - should provide a little more vertical space & make the caddy lay straight.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was thinking of doing :) I'm not sure if I want to keep a caddy yet. I still need to buy a hook if I decide that it will say. Thank you for a suggestion :)
DeleteLooks perfect!! Your "before" is ours... only ours is worse. lol!!
ReplyDeleteOurs was like this for a while :) Too bad I can't buy and send you a few of these storage bins :) The sale is already over :(
DeleteLena! I LOVE this idea! LOVE the labels! You did a great job with the sharpies!!
ReplyDeleteThat was a great price for those bins. I would have bought a few also! Nice organization :)
ReplyDeleteLooks good. I live in a old farm house. My kitchen is the farm's original log cabin. My living room is the "newest" part of the house, built in the 1870s! There are no closets, so I am a wee bit jealous of yours!
ReplyDeleteBut I bet your house has lots of charm that mine is lacking :) But honestly, all the storage was one of the selling points for us when we were looking for a house.
DeleteLove the re-purposed shower caddy - what a good idea! You are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI am all about organizing and storing stuff so that little hands can get stuff for themselves, so am loving the repurposed shower caddy!
ReplyDeleteA place for everything and everything in it's place.... for now anyway. LOL! Looks so tidy. Nicely done. :)
ReplyDeleteLena you are amazing! Such an inspiration to me!!! Great job on that closet!
ReplyDelete