January – the beginning of a brand new year. And the best way to start the new year? Out with the old and in with the new…well, mostly out with the old š January is traditionally my clean out time, forget spring time, January is where it’s at! So I decided that it was time to clear out the closetsĀ and drawersĀ and get rid of old, worn out clothes or in Arden’s case, *outgrown*.
Being a part of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas network definitely helped.Their closet organization section in the store is pretty inspiring. So many tools to choose from. In the end though, I kept it pretty simple and flexible, so I could rearrange things a bit later on and I’d still be able to use everything.
As you can see my closet was in major need of an overhaul. My sweaters were piled up on the top shelf like there was no tomorrow. Let’s not even talk about the ground floor: shoe & bag overload. With some handy organizational products from Lowe’s things are looking a whole lot better.
I used a closet shelf turned on it’s side to keep my sweaters in line on the top shelf. I also bought a double shoe hanger to store all of my smaller shoes, similar to this one, but mine has a double row of show compartments. The boots stayed on the floor. I used rolled up magazines to keep them standing at attention. I forget where I learned that tip from, but I love it. I also bought some handy fabric bins (like these) to store things like gloves, scarves, purses, etc when they’re not in use. Oh and I’m almost forgot, I bought some wooden hangers to replace most of my plastic ones. I just need a few wooden pant/skirt hangers and then I’ll be all set! And maybe another closetĀ shelfĀ to add to the other one and that way they can run the entire length of the top shelf. Doesn’t it look sooo much better? It definitely helped when I got rid of all of the shoes I haven’t worn in over a year and the bags that have been sitting on the floor collecting dust. Now the only things in my closet are things I actually use. Great concept, huh? š
Now moving onto Arden’s closet.
Can you see the HUGE pile of outgrown clothing on the left side of that top shelf? Scary I know, extreme earthquake hazard š Not to mention the wine racks…somehow those don’t strike me as being “child-friendly”. So it was finally time to clear out Arden’s closet so she could use it for all of her new things. I have another one of those shoe racks handy for all of the cute shoes she’ll be getting, once she’s a little older. I’m thinking she also needsĀ closetĀ shelvesĀ running the length on the top. I can then slip those bins into the “cubbies” for a even better, streamlined look.
Now it’s time to tackle Arden’s dresser…eep! Her clothing drawer was a complete mess. I had a system down when she was born: I used these compartment trays to organize her folded clothes. But now that she’s bigger, so is her clothing. And they no longer fit into thoseĀ compartments. I decided to take the trays out and there was much more space to fold and stack. I also moved a compartment tray over to the diaper drawer. Just look at how organized it is. Love it!
Now it’s your turn! Lowe’s has offered to gift one lucky reader with a $100 gift card. What’s your most useful organizational trick? Just leave me a comment about it and you can enter for a chance to win $100 to Lowe’s!
Prize
One $100 gift card to Lowe’s
3 Ways To Enter
1. Leave a comment onĀ this blog postĀ (not on Facebook or by email) telling us what your favorite organizational tip is!
2. Head on over to Facebook and āLikeā theĀ Loweās Creative Ideas fan pageĀ and leave a comment here about it.
3. Like the Copy Cat Chic Facebook page and then come on back and leave a comment.
4. Follow Copy Cat Chic on twitter, and just like above, leave me a comment so I know!
Giveaway ends
Thursday, January 26th, 2012.
Winner Announced
Friday, January 27th, 2012.
Ā
Julie says
I like to place a large, durable, yet attractive basket by each door to our house. It serves as a catch-all for shoes, gloves, and dog leashes. I always know where to find stuff, and it helps to give everything a "place" to put away.
I would love this gift card!
Jal_gal
@hotmail.com
Jackie says
Just liked your page & the Lowe's page š Also now following you on twitter as @believenotes. I live in a little condo in Queens, NY and run a small business out of my home too, so organization is super important. My best tip is always to go vertical and use wall space for storage. I have tons of shelves, storage cabinets and so on. I love for my home to look "empty" because everything is packed away and organized perfectly. Oh, and storage ottomans are key!
Jackie says
I just left a comment, but it doesn't seem to be showing up, so I'll try again:
I just made sure to like both yours and the Lowe's facebook pages, and I'm not following you on twitter from @believenotes.
I live in a little apartment in Queens, NY and run a small business out of my home as well, so storage/organization are super important to me. Going vertical with tons of wall shelves helps me keep everything perfectly organized without running out of space. I'm also a major fan of storage ottomans as coffee tables and at the foot of the bed!
Shana says
Liked Lowe's Creative Ideas on FB
(Shana Hertz Hattis)
shanahertz at yahoo dot com
Anonymous says
With three kids, organization was a given. Best tip, use lots of benches with coat racks to keep school books, shoes and coats handy.
cathycomm@aol.com
Kelly says
I Need this! I have no organizational tips… I'm hopeless.
Kelly says
And I just followed you on twitter!
Maria says
A dedicated junk room is a must or optimal organization! š
Definitely gonna do the magazine/boots thing. My boots may actually look like decor rather than a sloppy mess.
nanazy says
Great giveaway! I just invested in a few fridge binz and they have given us a much more organized space in the fridge. I use one for small jars – mustard, jam, etc on the top shelf and another on the bottom for hubby's beer bottles and other drinks. No more bottles rolling around and taking up space!
Sarah (Mrs. Ruffled Flats) says
I love the before and afters! Thank you so much for the magazine in the boot idea – I've only heard of wine bottles, which I never drink, so my boots have laid lifeless in my closet. We have tons of magazines, though!
My tip is to have a spot for everything, preferably labeled, and to always put things away in that exact spot. š
Sangeetha says
Here's how i organize, beginning of a new season, sort into:
pack away for next season (goes to basement), outgrown clothes in bin (stays in closet until disposal),
clothes to pass along (bags to friends),
clothes to repurpose(in bin basement)
bigger sizes (stays in room in armoire)
and clothes for the current season in closet
It takes some work, but keeps me sane
Lollyblogger says
I recently read a new book on organizing and it completely had me rethink the way I fold clothes. Instead of folding in stacks- you "file" them- and stack them so you can see all of your clothes. LIFE CHANGING. I just redid my daughter's drawers- and it's amazing how much more you can fit, and SEE! We'll see how long it lasts…
domestiCate says
2)Liked Lowes facebook page
Margaret says
I'm not really all that organized, but one tip I do like is to roll your t-shirts and pants in dresser drawers. That way you can line them all up and see what you really have, instead of piling them them on top of each other.
frugalscholar says
declutter first
Priscilla says
Love you, your blog and most of all your adorable daughter!
I've liked your FB page
Priscilla says
I am following you on Twitter
katie says
Awesome giveaway! This isn't really a "tip" but my favorite way to organize is with trays, bins, and boxes. Having a specific place to put something is key for me! Last year, I bought clear shoe boxes for all of my shoes and stacked them on my closets shelves. It is so much more organized! I can still see all the shoes, but they aren't in a giant pile on the floor š
Sarah McCollum Downs says
Estate Sales and yard sales are great places to find organization items, like plastic shoe trees, lazy susans, plastic tubs, etc. If you buy these new, they are pretty expensive and who wants to spend their money on organization? You should be able to pick these items up for less than a $1.00 at an estate/yard sale.
We are expecting our first baby in May and a Lowe's gift card would help a lot!
Suzanne M says
My most important organizational tip is really something that others have mentioned as well, upkeep. Getting everything organized and in its place is a great feeling, but you definitely have to keep it up and be vigilant about it, or everything will end up a mess again.
Amanda B says
My favorite tip is to use velvet hangers in my closet. They are thin and save on space.
Kateastrophe says
My tip might seem a bit OCD but it totally works! I always organize the clothes in my closet by type then color. That way I always know exactly where something I want to wear should be and exactly where things get put away!
Anonymous says
I use a shoe organizer (the one that has "pockets") to hang on the inside of the foyer closet. Here is where smaller items go (sunglasses, gloves, etc.). No more lost gloves! Rachel – lover your blog! michsiu@hotmail.com
R @ Rebecca's Roundup says
I have a rule that I dont bring something home unless I can visualize what I'm going to do with it. And when I do bring something home, I get rid of something else. I go through stuff to donate regularly and it really helps cut down the clutter and keep things organized.
Gregnjen1 says
I have to put everything away every day or it gets out of hand, so my tip is, do it now, or pay later! And thanks for the idea for making the boots stand up!
Catherine Hansen Peart says
My favourite organisational tip is to keep a big box in the garage for donations and, every time I spy something I want to get rid of, I have a spot for it to go immediately. Purging is the best organisational skill I think!
Michelle says
Um, where did you get that adorable red coat in Arden's closet, and more importantly does it come in adult sizes? š
Hailey M. says
I rotate my summer and winter wardrobes. Whatever's not in season goes into storage bins under the bed and it keeps my closet neat and clean!
Shirley says
The easiest way to stay organized is just to put things where they belong after you use them. I don't let paperwork or anything else pile up so I avoid that overwhelmed state of mind.
Ana Leija says
My favorite tip are the cubbies in the baby's room adds color and provided organization.
ana.leija@gmail.com
Michelle says
I like to take one day a week to rework/declutter a room in my house. Each room gets a month, so that's four days per room. I don't spend the whole day, of course, just an hour or so. But that adds up. Then, the next month, I move to another room. That keeps me from micromanaging or over-thinking things.
Rachel says
My tip is to find a method of organization that works for YOU. Just because it works for someone else doesn't mean it's the best way for you to get–and stay–organized.
Rachel says
I like copy cat chic on facebook.
Rachel says
I follow copy cat chic on twitter.
Angela says
Such a great idea- turning the shelf on it's side! Love it!!
angnehama at hotmaill dot com
Jamie Wright, REALTOR says
I rotate our clothes seasonally and have lots of labeled Rubbermaid storage bins in the basement. Also, an annual garage sale is the perfect excuse to purge items you haven't worn in over a year.
lesliemcc@verizon.net says
If you aren't wearing it/haven't used it in, say 2 seasons, donate it. Fill your closet only with the things you love and make you feel good.
shaddock says
My favorite organizational tip is a place for everything and everything in it's place.
Dana says
My favorite organizing tip is PURGE! The less stuff you have, the less you have to worry about organizing!
Annie says
What is the source of Arden's chevron bins? Thanks!
Emily says
If it hasn't been used/worn in a year toss it! I will typically do this after each season to keep my closet fresh and it also alerts me if I need to replace or stock up on anything during after-season clearance sales.
CorinneM says
I try to stay organized through ruthless purging! The less stuff I have, the easeir it is to organize!
Terri says
I store all of the things I tear out of magazines in page protectors stored in 3 ring binders–it is so easy to flip through for design ideas, recipes, birthday party and kids activities.
Jana Miller says
I'd love to win a gift card to lowes. My closets thank you!
jana
Jenny says
Years ago I heard this tip, before internet so probably in a magazine. When I clean out my closet, I turn all the hangers backwards as I put things in. Then as I wear things I hang them back up the right way. So, the next time I clean out my closet, anything still turned backwards was never worn & needs to go.
I'd love to organize my closet..I'll be cleaning it out again soon.
Jeannine @ Small and Chic says
My favorite organizing tip: get a scanner and use it to eliminate a lot of the paper you tend to hold onto. Do I need a file with four years of vet records in it? Probably not. Since I feel like I need to have the information, I scanned it and saved it on the computer to get rid of the paper.
Liz says
Lots of hooks and storage baskets!
Jenny says
I liked Lowes on Facebook.
Maria says
I just liked your facebook page! Also my organizational tip is to never put off an organizational task that will take less than a minute from start to finish.
pickledseeds says
organizing tip: Go through the mail as soon as you get it otherwise it has a tendency to pile up.
ksgillmore at yahoo dot com
Kami says
My favorite tip is using the slim velvet lined hangers takes up less space in the closet than the wooden ones I have now. I am slowly moving over to the velvety ones!
Deidre Miles says
Excellent job! My favorite tip is adding shelving in closets – especially way up high. Use clear, labeled tubs to put away items you won't use during the summer or winter and keep them on the top shelf for later. Keep a little stepstool in the closet to reach things – I'm short so I always need it!
katie@tulsadetails says
My favorite tip is to use an old map stand to organize your wrapping paper!
kathy says
I always keep a donation bag handy and I like to use smaller boxes, bins, or organizational trays inside bigger drawers/storage areas to keep like things together. It's so much neater looking as well
Lindsay says
I love using cute containers to help keep myself organized…I guess that's my tip. When it looks cute I want to keep it that way and it helps me stay on the right organizational track.
Lindsay says
I like you on Facebook!
kathy says
I liked Copy Cat Chic on FB!
megan says
I asked for, and received, a closet organizer for Christmas (from Lowes, actually) and it has made all of the difference in the world!
megan says
Like CCC on Facebook!
megan says
Follow CCC on Twitter! (@charlestonmegan)
AmyeToTheRescue! says
Thank you!
I like their page and I never knew about it.
Your best tip was putting the shelf on it's side for your sweaters!
mirabelle says
something in then something has to go out!
mirabelle says
i follow you on twitter
Amber says
Love the magazines/newspaper in tall boots. I hate how mine always fall over. It looks so messy even if they are lined up!
Veronica says
Liked the Lowe's Creative Ideas page not just for the contest, but for the magazine that I love! I love the ideas they provide and wish I had their and your organizational skills.
Big fan of the this blog too!
K8 says
i would like to win
pallavi says
wow, you make it look easy! my sweaters do the exact same jumbled mess on my top shelf! i am going to buy the exact same shelf tonight! no more excuses!
teampr8 says
i follow lowes on facebook.
teampr8 says
I am a label maker, I label everything which helps the hubby and 4 kids put things away. I also am adamant about cleaning up at night and in the am, a few minutes with 6 of us makes a huge difference.
Brittany says
I think my favorite organizational tip is now putting rolled up magazines in boots. that is genius! Can't believe I'd never thought of that before. thanks for the tip!
jerri says
My favorite organizing tip is purge. Without purging, it's so hard to be organized. My philosophy around here is, "Everything has a home." That means put things away and back in there home. Love your blog & Lowes.
jerri says
I liked Lowes Creative Ideas on FB
http://www.facebook.com/lowescreativeideas
Lindsay says
I have a tip similar to what you did with the newspapers. I use empty, cleaned wine bottles. I have plenty of those lying around š
Anonymous says
I throw away junk mail immediatly after bringing the mail into the house so i never have a pile. I open the bills and put them in a basket. Keeps paper clutter under control.
Jen
jenellendesign@hotmail.com
Kryss Shane, L.M.S.W. says
use egg cartons to organize jewelry!
Nicole Young says
I save all kinds of plastic containers for drawer and shelf organization. Ice trays work organizing jewelry. Mushroom containers rinse nicely and store all my kinds of tape and ribbons.
Betty says
IHanging clothes by color helps me, as does using see-through bins. I have a very large closet which isn't good in a way as I don't feel the need to purge as often as I should. Great giveaway!
Tamie says
I double tier my closets so I get double the hanging space. It helps that my husband is over 6' tall.
Sarah says
This may not be a big deal for some people, but it helps me to stay organized when everything is labeled, especially if it is something that is not in its original container/box/bag, etc.
Sarah says
Liked Lowe's Creative Ideas on FB.
Sarah says
Liked Copy Cat Chic on FB.
Anonymous says
Using clear containers and labels works for me. Also having a good clear out of clutter every few months keeps a track on what is being stored.
Victoria C
pipkins66(at)aol(dot)com
andyashleigh says
I think the easiest thing for me in organizing is LABEL, LABEL, LABEL!! This way I know where and what EVERYTHING is, even when I can't see in the box, file, crate, etc. Thanks for the great giveaway!:)
missashleigh at juno dot com
andyashleigh says
I liked Lowe's on FB!
missashleigh at juno dot com
andyashleigh says
I'm a fan of Copy Cat Chic on FB.
missashleigh at juno dot com
Krista says
Liked Lowe's Creative Ideas.
Krista says
Followed you on Twitter.
Krista says
Liked Copy Cat Chic on Facebook.
Krista says
My favorite organizational tip is to do a sweep of the house putting away clutter every night before bed. Just takes a few minutes and I sleep much more soundly.
Vel Baricuatro-Criste, MD says
Easy- I put things where I got them RIGHT AWAY! This ensures that I know where everything is all the time!
Karen A says
one of my resolutions was to finally quit putting off organizing my closet. This prize would definitely help.
Megan says
I think that tip about the magazines in boots is fabulous. I've never heard that before and it's way cheaper than buying the boot forms to stick in them.
Christine says
I organize closets by color – ROYGBIV – and by season – it makes finding what you need so much easier.
Traci says
I find it hardest to organize when I have too much stuff. So my advice is first, get rid of anything you don't use or no longer need. Then, the task of organizing only the things you really use is much simpler.
Cathy says
My organization tip is to use an over-the-door rack to hang your collection of scarfs and purses. I used one in my small hallway coat closet and it has worked like a charm!
Cathy says
I liked Lowe's Creative Ideas on FB.
Cathy says
I liked Copy Cat Chic on FB.
June L says
The less clutter you keep, the less you will have to organize :0) If you won't really ever use it, donate it and it makes organizing a lot easier.
junerlisle at gmail dot com
laura @ so alaurable says
The trouble I have with my closet is finding ways to save space so that I can more readily see what is in there. I love tiered hangers for skirts and pants to save room, and then organizing my tops and dresses by color. I also use the tiered pants hangers for all of my scarves, and I have a hanging thing with clear sleeves for all of my handbags. I'm also trying to employ a "one in, one out" rule so that my clothes don't keep growing! Thanks for the giveaway!
xo,
Laura
June L says
I Like Lowe's Creative Ideas on facebook (June Lisle)
junerlisle at gmail dot com
June L says
I Like Copy Cat Chic on Facebook (June Lisle)
junerlisle at gmail dot com
June L says
I follow @CopyCatChic on Twitter @Battle_Cry87
junerlisle at gmail dot com
kpotter19 says
My favorite organizational tip is to use multiple types of hangers to keep clothes organized. I used to just throw skirts over a regular hanger, but no more! And my closet is a lot easier to work with now.
Malissa says
I have been addicting to organizing this year! I feel like when my house is in order I'm much less stressed. One tip I found on I Heart Organizing was to make school paper bins for the kiddos with a file folder for each year… I put mine together last weekend and LOVE it!
Christina says
I hung a peg board in my closet to hang all my jewelry from…I love it!!
shermi says
I like the slim velvet hangers in my closet and organize by type and color.
shermi says
i like copy cat chic facebook page
Dacia @ Lemon Drop Life says
My favorite tip is simply labeling things..have a place for everything!
Sarah Roads says
Don't keep what you don't love.
Sarah Roads says
Followed Lowes on FB
Sarah Roads says
Followed CCC on FB
Sarah Roads says
Followed CCC on Twitter
Lori says
I store off season clothes in the attic and LABEL everything! Before we store things for the season, we go through everything so we can donate or trash.
aeriel26 says
Labeled glass containers for pantry food stuff. Hands down one of the best organizational things I ever did.