Simple Organizing

We're getting real here today and going somewhere a blog post of mine has never gone before as a part of the Clutter Confessions tour. That's right, I'm showing you a glimpse at the inside of our junk closet. And by junk I mean, I actually need everything in the closet, but it looks like junk! It's not good and I'm not proud of it, so I'm serving myself a big dose of humble pie and showing you anyways ;) Hoping you guys can relate.
At the entry of our apartment, we have this tiny little closet (but I'll take it because it's a tiny apartment and we need all the storage we can get!) This is one of two legitimate closets in our apartment, so I am grateful for it, but man, it could stand to be a bit bigger ;) In the winter, it's where we keep our winter coats, so it's usually crammed with those. Gotta have options, right?! It also houses my wrapping paper and bows / ribbon, my Beautycounter samples, our filing cabinet which is full of my client projects, supplies, samples, desk stuff and other misc., then the top shelf is literally just things we don't know where else to put. Just being honest! Please tell me you have a closet like this in your house, too. 

Just for a little close up, you can see what a disaster the top is. That basket is filled with who-knows-what, apparently an old amazon box and a bunch of left over swag from the Bloom Workshop. Oh and a pillow for good measure. Ha!

I actually love organizing and I've tried organizing this closet a couple times, but somehow it always finds its way back to this state. I think I'm hyper-focused on what the visible areas in our home look like, that I forget that I need to give a little love to the closets, too. I also think closets and unseen spaces are also daunting to tackle. There's just so.much.stuff! How can I possibly organize it all?! 
That's where my friend Melissa from The Inspired Room comes in. Her new book, Simple Organizing, came out yesterday and it's a great read, friends! It's quick, simple and chalk-full of tons of great ideas. She is always quick to remind that decorating and organizing is about simple steps and simple decor, it doesn't have to be grand or fancy or perfect. I was encouraged to tackle this closet with simple ideas in mind after reading her new book.
There are no reveal photos (yet) of my newly organized closet. I'm sharing it because it's on my April Goals list to tackle, and hopefully showing you the before will be my motivation to get it done!
Here are a few of Melissa's tips that really stood out to me in the book:
- Embrace the Domino Effect. She explains this as being a right (even very small!) organizing decision leading to more right choices that will positively impact your space and its organization. Same thing in the opposite direction. If your mail pile continues to grow and scatter, or your remote control collection (husbands, looking at you!) is getting out of hand with nowhere for them to live, these messes will spill into every place of your home. I simply took from this that you have to start small and you have to start somewhere. 
- Small spaces need a plan in order to stay organized. That's our issue with the above closet! I think if everything had a more defined place, we'd be in better shape. I also think I can get more creative with the space. It's tall and narrow, so I'm thinking an accordion style storage thing that hangs from the rod might be nice. That way we'll have compartments for certain things instead of it all piling up on top. - Set goals for the space.
- Pare down. I always think I've done this (I actually love getting rid of things!), but I think when it comes to the closet, I can throw away or donate even more! 
- Make room for what you love. This doesn't necessarily apply to my closet, but I love the tip in general! And maybe I can try to take it to heart, even in the tiny closet ;) Because now when I open it, I just dread it. 
- Create zones. I always tell this one to my clients and it's proven so helpful in clearing clutter and keeping things organized!
- Increase the amount of storage by putting hooks on the backs of doors or in cupboards. I loved the idea of putting hooks on the doors under the kitchen sink to hold gloves, brooms, and more. All of her tips are so practical, which is something I really appreciate. You can grab the book for yourself here! And it makes a cute coffee table addition with the pretty and spring-y cover :)

Now for the fun part! You can enter to win a $250 gift card to The Container Store over on The Inspired Room blog in celebration of their new Simply Organized book! Click here to enter. Also, you can enter to win a copy of the new book by commenting on this post letting me know you want to win! A winner will be randomly selected next Wednesday, the 11th!

Okay now I need to learn about your clutter confessions ;) Happy Wednesday! xoxo
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Take a peek at other blogger's clutter confessions (I will be just to feel better about myself! Ha!)

TUESDAY

The Inspired Room – $250 Container Store GIVEAWAY

Balancing Beauty & Bedlam

A House with Books

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WEDNESDAY

Michaela Noelle Designs -- that's me!

Today’s Creative Life

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THURSDAY

Thistlewood Farms

Home Stories A to Z

Reluctant Entertainer

Domestic Fashionista