Welcome to the Blog, today. I’m sitting here on the screen porch with a glass of wine in very pleasant weather for the first time in what seems like months. It’s been a very busy week as we sort through things, clearing out and generally making more space in the house. It’s time for a big clean out. I’m often asked where I store all the things I thrift and it is definitely a valid question. The answer…anywhere I can find a nook or cranny that will hold something. I’ve decided to change tactics. So, to that end, I did some closet refresh this week. In the picture above you can see the closet in question. Now this was filled before with everything you will see but not in such an organized fashion, I had boxes where chargers were stored on the floor, tablecloths hanging down and pillows piled on the top shelf. We took out the top shelf, all the hanging tablecloths, the boxes and pillows and started over.
You can see that this is not a huge closet but you can also see nothing on the floor which is a big improvement. We purchased a 72″ high, 48″ wide and 18″ deep shelving unit from Lowe’s that fit perfectly in the coset. After a thorough cleaning I began to separate the chargers, pictured here, into piles by color or texture and began loading them into the closet. The shelves hold a lot of weight so I am not worried about them bending or collapsing. Now I can see exactly what I have and easily get to it for a tablescape. I cut the chargers down by about half. I had not realized how many I actually had. I guess you never do when it’s a bit messy.
The next task was to go through the tablecloths and cut them down by half. Then I put the folded cloths into piles according to season with one pile for whites and creams. They were then loaded onto the shelves and you can see from the picture that it is easy to tell exactly what I have. I can also co-ordiante the tablecloths, placemats and chargers just by looking in the closet. What a wonderful situation. No more digging.
The last part still needs a little work. These crates are filled with napkins that go with the chargers, placemats and tablecloths. I have them organized by season but need to go back in and straighten them out. A project for this next week. Again, I’ll be cutting back by half on the napkins. The final piece will be the cloth placemats which are stored in a chest of drawers in the same room. When you are only paying 25 or 50 cents a napkin it’s really easy to acquire way more than you need.
This next week, I plan to thoroughly clean a room at a time going through the closets, packing up and getting rid of things I no longer use. Fall decorations and Christmas decorations are definitely on the list of things to cull. I’m already beginning to feel a lightness that I haven’t felt for awhile. Cleaning is good for the soul and a feeling of Zen.
Such a good feeling to organize a closet. Have a great week Everyone.
I want to also welcome everyone to Tuesday’s Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop. I’ll be joining some wonderfully creative bloggers as we share ideas for decorating Halloween tables. Hope you’ll join me.
I love organization! I have a 10 x 10 storage unit with four of those shelving units like yours, 2 on each side. Mine are full of tubs (labeled) from our first downsize in 2019. I have things for resale, as well as still a lot of dishes there. I have cabinets in this cottage home that are getting pretty full of my dishes and other table elements. I will need to get them better organized soon, or else I’ll be sorry. I know the feeling you’re experiencing, it it WONDERFUL.
It is wonderful, Rita. The more organization the better and I still have a long ways to go but am determined to get there before the holidays. We’ll see how it goes. Envy you your storage area but then I’d just have more stuff.LOL Have a great week.
Lynne
It Is always a good feeling after reorganizing and culling items that aren’t used. Know what you mean about having many napkins since they are so inexpensive when thrifting. My napkins are all color coded in 10×11 inch covered Amazon boxes standing up on closet shelves.
Sounds like a great storage strategy, Jan. You just have to find something that works for your situation and then keep it organized. Thanks for visiting and sharing. Have a great week.
Lynne
That looks so lovely all organized!
Thanks, Joanne, it gives me a great feeling when I open the closet door. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.. Have a great week.
Lynne
Now, that is a genius idea! I don’t think I would have thought to put a shelving unit inside a closet. I did have a cube organization unit in a closet for all my yarn. But, I actually needed it as clothes closet space. So, for now, my yarn is in those flat tubs under beds. I’m crocheting as fast as I can to use it up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thanks, Marsha, the shelving units fit perfectly and offer so much room for storage that you can easily see. I have done the under-the-bed thing with all sorts of items but I am trying really hard to break the habit and only keep what I have room for now. It’s a bit daunting. Thanks for sharing and have a great week.
Lynne
In your earlier post I asked for your methodology but I see it in this post. Thank you. Does this closet contain everything that you use for your dining table? Or do you have a ‘different’ area for this type of storage? Where we are moving I opted for a dining room with service for 12. There will be no kitchen table so those tablecloths will be eliminated (which is a partial closet).
This closet holds things for the Dining and Morning Room tables, Robin. I keep them all together. Makes it a little easier to co-ordiante colors.. Sounds like you have a big move ahead. Best of luck. Have a great week.
Lynne
I can’t imagine keeping all those napkins on hand. I appreciate all the tablescape posts, but can’t see keeping SO much on hand. Kudos to you for weaning it down. Great organization tips! Sandi
Thanks, Sandi. It is a lot of stuff but when you post several times a week you need stuff. I am cleaning out big time and after this first purge will probably do another. Also giving away lots of stuff and selling some. It’s a process. Thanks for stopping by.. Have a great week.
Lynne
So fun to see how you store your things Lynne! It’s about time I did the same thing, and you’ve inspired me to start making a plan. 🙂 Thanks for the great ideas!
It’s always great to share organization ideas. I know I get lots from your blog. Looking forward to more clean out in the weeks ahead. Good luck organizing. We’ll compare notes. Have a great week.
Lynne
Thank you for linking up at Gma’sPhoto LinkUp party!
It would be lovely of you to also comment on my post when you link up. I appreciate that sometimes we forget!
Take care and best wishes.
Thanks, Debra, will do. Always a pleasure to link up. Have a great week.
Lynne
It looks so wonderful all organized! Thank you for visiting Tell It To Me Tuesday. I hope to see you again this week!
Seeing things so neat makes my heart go faster in pleasure. It makes choices so much easier, if you can see what you have. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a great week.
Lynne
I love the wooden crates you used to keep organized. The space looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us at Crazy Little Love link party #9. Always a pleasure having you join us!
Thanks, Stephanie, it feels great to be more organized. love your Blog, always a pleasure to post there. Have a great week.
Lynne
Thanks, Marsha, always a pleasure to post on your site. Have a great week.
Lynne