Operation: Organization – Christy’s Closet

*Don’t miss the TWO giveaways at the end of this post!*

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Well, guys, I’m the anchorman (anchorwoman?) for Operation: Organization, which is a little intimidating. I’m sharing my closet, which is funny since we’ve had so many great closets in this series (Shand’s, Abby’s, Melissa’s, and Becky’s), and mine is definitely not in competition with their gorgeous spaces.  A big thank you to all of our participating bloggers for sharing their time and talents with us all!

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I’m thrilled with how neat and organized this closet is, to be sure, but just know that it’s still not done because of a last-minute issue with lighting (I was planning to put a chandelier in here but changed my mind because it just didn’t look right).

Also, I decided not to “stage” this space at all, so my real clothes are hanging out in here with all of their colorful happiness on display.

Have you ever noticed how in staged closets, there are usually only ten items of clothing, total, and they’re all white and black or something similar?  I love that look, and I promise you that I have given away about five big trash bags of clothes since the New Year, but I still have too many things for that to work, plus that’s not real life.

I started with a great closet; there are two in the master so this space is just for me.  And there was already a custom closet unit in place and my nemesis–the hated white wire–was nowhere in sight.  No complaints here!

There are shelves and clothes rods on three walls, and the shelving is adjustable.

Since I’ve painted the rest of the bedroom, I wanted the closets to match.

| Paint color:  Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray  |

You can read about the master bedroom here, here, and here. Closets are a pain to paint, we can all agree on that.  The reason is basically this:

Even if it was neat in the closet, it looks like a hot mess when you pull it all out, and it always gets worse before it gets better, doesn’t it?

The taping took longer than the painting, since that closet system wasn’t coming out for me to paint.  But it still only took a few hours, and what a difference it made!

It really was fun to move everything back in with those beautifully unmarked walls.  Closets always get so scuffed, don’t they?

I’ve used the same system to organize my shoes for at least seven or eight years, plastic shoe bins with chalkboard labels.  The boxes are only about $1 each and I try to have a strict one-in, one-out policy so things don’t get too overwhelming in there.

| Plastic shoe boxes  |  Chalkboard labels  |

Also, I will admit that I keep my running shoes and flip flops on the shelves. I might have a boot addiction (don’t judge), too.  Remember, we did live in Nashville for several years; cowboy boots are kind of mandatory there!

During the summer, the really nice ones go into their dust covers and back in the original boxes.  Right now, those dust covers are rolled up and stashed into the boots to give them shape while they’re on the shelf.

Jeans, sweaters, and the aforementioned running shoes and flip flops live on the shelves.

My purses are stuffed with tissue so they keep their shape in between wearings. I used to put my scarves in there, but then I could never find them when I needed them.  Now they hang on hooks on the back of the closet door.

Clutches, wristlets, wallets, and evening bags live in this little basket:

(I need those darling plexiglass clutch holders that Melissa made for her closet, don’t I?)

I really do have a lot of evening bags–there are a lot of sequins in that basket!!–but five of them were my mom’s and thus very precious to me, and of course we do attend a ton of military formals, so they all get quite a bit of use.

By the way, my long gowns and coats aren’t in this closet, but pretty much everything else is.  I do have one chest of drawers for lingerie, pjs, and jewelry, but I really have been getting rid of stuff.  Madame Chic and Marie Kondo have both taught me that I should only keep what I absolutely love.

If you have room in your closet, a valet rod is so helpful for hanging up the day’s outfit.

I was lucky enough to get to try out the same closet spacers by Xangar that we’re giving away at the bottom of this post, and the verdict is definitely two thumbs up.

They are made of featherlight foam (mine are silver) and they’re compatible with any kind of closet rod, even my rectangular ones.  They ensure that your clothes are evenly spaced and not smooshed together in your closet.  They come in a mesh carrying bag and they are very nice quality.

I’ve used these slim black velvet hangers for years and love them, but they’re perfect coupled with the spacers.  Now everything is so tidy and I can see my clothes!

I’m not sure if this was an intended function of the Xangars, but I felt like they did prompt me to clear out a few more things.  I simply couldn’t fit as many items on the rod as I used to be able to, and so I evaluated all of my clothing with a more critical eye than usual.

I used one pack of fifty, but in a closet this size, I’d recommend you start with two packs of fifty because I need another set to be completely finished! (Enter the giveaway below to win your own set of 50, or shop them here)

The last thing I did was add a little artwork to the walls–why not?

| Shoe print | Monogram | Frames: thrifted  |

| Download Coco Chanel quote here |

Like I mentioned at the beginning, I had plans to hang a chandelier in here (Shand’s inspired me), and I spray painted an IKEA Kristaller chandelier gold just for this project:

But since I have the swagged chandelier just outside of the closet door, it was redundant to have another one just inside.

So, now I’ve got my eye on a cute flush mount light fixture:

|  Source  |

You’ll be the first to know when I hang it up!

Now, for the giveaway:

Xangar is giving away a 50-pack of their clothes hanger spacers to one lucky reader (a $79.99 value!) so that you can tackle your closet and make it simply beautiful and organized. {Shop for them now here}

  We’re also including one of our 11 Magnolia Lane calendar pads to help you keep your week on track. Read more about how to best use them {here} or shop them {here}. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Our second giveaway includes the 31-Day Declutter Challenge Printables from Mary Organizes, a $40 credit to Polished Habitat’s Etsy shop, and a chalkboard wall calendar from our Etsy shop (it’s perfect for renters).  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway  Follow our group Operation: Organization Pinterest board {here}.

Operation: Organization 2016

Monday, January 11—Lisa from Organize 365

Wednesday, January 13—Erin from Sunny Side Up

Thursday, January 14—Shand from Quarters One

Friday, January 15—Abby from Just a Girl and Her Blog

Saturday, January 16—Morgan from Morganize with Me

Sunday, January 17—Heather from The Heathered Nest

Monday, January 18—Mary from Mary Organizes

Tuesday, January 19—Melissa from Polished Habitat

Wednesday, January 20—Becky from Organizing Made Fun

Friday, January 22–Samantha from Simply Organizing

Saturday, January 23–Amy from 11 Magnolia Lane

Have a beautifully organized day, and thanks for stopping by–