It was driving me crazy. First of all, there was not a lot of room for storage. Second, with the constant changing of clothing size, there was no place to put the clothes she was outgrowing. And finally, any time she needed the next size I would have to ask Goose to get in the attic to get another box. No more!
Enter the closet organization makeover. To give you an idea of what I was working with here’s what her closet used to look like.
Blankets falling out every time I wanted to get something. Boxes falling off the top shelf. Lots of miscellaneous items tossed half-hazardly about. And to top it off, a lot of wasted space.
Newspaper
I knew I wanted to create a better system for organizing her ever-changing wardrobe so I began with storage. I had several paper boxes of all different colors and brands. Knowing that having boxes of the same color help to create a unified look, I decided to try my hand at creating some type of cover for the boxes…but it had to be cheap…real cheap…because my budget for this redo was only about $20. The conclusion: newspaper.
Homemade Mod Podge
I gathered my homemade mod podge (1/2 school glue + 1/2 water) and went to work. At first I put the newspaper on whole. I didn’t really like that look especially since it was hard to get it to lay just right. Thus, I changed to tearing the newspaper in pieces and creating a collage affect. I think it turned out a lot better. It helped to hide a lot of imperfections that way too.
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| Completed Paper Mache Paper Box |
Cheap 4×6 Photo Album Pages
I added some colored rope (found half off at Hobby Lobby) for a handle and printed off some labels on the computer. Since I wanted to be able to change the labels easily, I cut the pages out of a cheap 4×6 photo album out and trimmed them to size before pasting them on the box. Now if I ever need to change the label, I can just pull the paper out of the top of the photo cover and replace it with another. Easy.
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| Box labels: 18 months Summer, 18 months Winter, Keepsake, 12 months Winter, Attic, Giveaway |
Using an unused utility shelf on the lower shelf in the closet (which just happened to fit perfectly) I now had room in Teacup’s closet for 10 boxes! I was sure to label a couple boxes “Attic” and “Giveaway” for easy storage of the ever growing pile of hand-me-downs as well as one for her Keepsake items, and each stage of clothing for the next 12 months divided by season.
Shipping Boxes
Next came finding a way to organize socks, shoes, and pants. While I had every intention of finding some cute baskets for the bottom of the closet, I could not find any at the stores I went too that were either sturdy enough, large enough, or cheap enough to meet the need so I ended up going to the local UPS store where I purchased 3-10″x12″x6″ boxes.
I again added the labels and cord, but for a cheap alternative. I think they turned out great. Now as Teacup gets older and starts to dress herself, she will easily be able to access and put away all her clothes.
Homemade Labels
With that done, I then tackled her hanging clothes. For labels I create some 3″ circles on my computer, printed them on cardstock, pasted duplicates back-to-back, and then laminated them. So far they’ve worked well and are sturdy enough for what we need. Our labels: Pajamas, Shirts, Onesies, Skirts, Dresses, and Sleep ‘n Plays.
Hanging Shelf Organizers
Hi! Welcome to Cornerstone Confessions. My name is Kathy Gossen and I'm a full time homemaker learning about what it means to be a godly woman in the everyday. On Cornerstone Confessions I share my adventures in organizing, homeschooling, cooking, parenting, and more as a means to encourage other women in their quest to becoming a Titus 2 model in their homes and beyond.
Looks great! Good job on organizing! I love that you did this so cheap, mostly with things you already had. That is usually my budget too
I also love that you make your own modge podge, I didn’t know you could do that (I only recently found out about modge podge, bought my first bottle a couple weeks ago and waiting for time to make first project)
Thank you. Hope you have fun with your crafty project. Feel free to try the homemade version out too. Seems to work pretty good for most projects and at a fraction of the price.
Great job on the closet Kathy! So many great ideas. I love how you used the vertical space. Also love how you used 4×6 album pages so you can switch out the labels as she grows. I’m impressed with how you used so many things you already had. Did you create your labels? They are so pretty. What program/software did you use for them?
Thank you. I created the labels in Publisher with the use of some free digiscrap found on digiscrap.com. Great resource for finding blog backgrounds and digital scrap booking kind of art. Glad you liked it!
I love the newspaper boxes – they turned out great!
So many awesome ideas! Thanks for stopping by at Show Me What You Got Tuesday’s Linky Party at ODH via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/06/live-show-me-what-you-got-tursdays-19.html
Mrs. Delightful
http://www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
You are welcome. Thanks for hosting.
looks great! thanks for the home made modge podge idea!
I think the newspaper covered boxes turned out great, awesome organising with items you mostly already had.
Stacey-Lee
What a pretty way to organize! Her closet looks great. I think you have inspired me. Visiting from A Glimpse Inside. Would love it if you would share this post at my Make it Pretty Monday link party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/06/make-it-pretty-monday-week-2.html Wishing you a grand day. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
This is simply adorable! You get the prize for the creative gene AND a medal for using it. I love organization!
Holy mama mia, you are a genius! I love the newspaper boxes and I would never have thought to use those cheap little photo things to hold the labels. Using the rope for handles was awesome too. This is a GREAT closet redo!
I love this!! I have been waiting to find baskets for a good price but I never do SOOOOO I’m going to steal your idea but I think I will try cutting some pretty pics (maybe even words) out of old magazines! Thank you so much for inspiring me (a single, out of work mom) and especially for posting that modge podge recipe! I am so ticked that I actually paid $10 for it a while back when that’s all it is! You rock!
That’s a great idea…use inspiring words from magazines for accents. Love it. I may steal your idea back and add them to mine too!
That is one really cute and organized closet!
Great job, Kathy! I wanted to let you know I featured you on Simply Sensational this week. http://www.organizinghomelife.com/archives/3476. Thanks for linking up and have a great week.
Is it just my eyes or do the newspaper covered boxes have a pink tint to them? Was wondering if you put a dash of pink paint in the modge podge or was it just the lighting the day you took the pics? Curious
Maybe it’s just your view…or my limited picture taking abilities. No, I didn’t add any dye to the mod podge…could have I guess. Might have made it look extra fun. Good idea for the future. I will say that many of the boxes were red underneath so that may also leave a bit of a pink hue too. Hope that helps!
Kathy
Featuring YOU tonight! Thank you so much for sharing at {wow me} wednesday!
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/06/wow-me-wednesday-57.html
Love this project! Especialy the reuse of the boxes. Have you linked it up with me yet at Wow Us Wednesday?
Great organizing project….your closet is great! Looks wonderful and you can find things!
So many great ideas! You’re being featured today! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!
Nice work! Don’t you love those little clothes divider tags!? I think they are awesome for those young months when they are growing at an insane rate!
haha I also loved your giveaway box; I need to implement that! Thanks for sharing on Saturday Show & Tell at Cheerios and Lattes last weekend! We love having you join us and hope to see you again this weekend! See you soon! 
Mackenzie
Practically perfect in every way. Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
This looks great! I really need to make clothes divider labels like this! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! And thank you.
Kathy
I googled ‘kids closet organization ideas’ and found this post (via another blog post)— and so glad I did! I have two girls that share a room (3 yrs, 21 mos) and I have such a hard time keeping up with always switching sizes/seasons, etc…. not to mention just putting away laundry. haha. We are doing a major home organization weekend starting tomorrow and we are on a tight budget so these ideas are SO helpful. Cute matching baskets can be a budget breaker for sure — now I will just make my own. And the idea to use a utility shelf in the closet is also something I never would have thought to do. Thank you!
Well yeah. I’m glad it helped. Have fun organizing!
Kathy
This is truly amazing! Thanks for linking up!!!
What awesome storage boxes!