Blog - Graceful Order

Master Closet Organization

September 9, 2013 · by Maria · 33 Comments

Getting shelving installed in the master closets has been on the “honey-do-list” since we moved in 9 years ago.

In the meantime, I had a mix-matched “system” of shelves that were on clearance at some point and I tried to do the best with what I had.

Earlier this month, we finally gave ourselves the green light to move forward with my closet. My husbands closet will wait a bit.

Here is a before picture.

The shelves were dark and made the space look smaller and as you can see I didn’t have enough shelves for my things. It was organized chaos. Nothing “Graceful” going on in there!

I got everything out of the closet. The perfect opportunity to get rid of items that needed to be tossed or donated. Needless to say my room was a mess for days.

I knew I wanted to paint the closet walls since I had chosen white cabinetry. My husband tried to “sell” me on the idea that we should leave it white. He is smart and avoids having to pull out the big ladder.

I told him not to worry for one minute. I would paint the closet all by myself. ALL. BY. MYSELF.

So he helped me by patching up the holes in the closet, which were many.

As soon as that dried, I happily embarked on my painting project!

The color that I chose was Behr’s Graceful Gray. It really was my favorite gray and the name was a total coincidence!

I have painted walls on my own before so I wasn’t at all intimidated. I painted the bottom of the wall and then pulled out the ladder and started on the trim.

And then…I ran out of steam with two walls left.

So I did what any sensible woman with a good amount of self-respect does. I walked into the kitchen and sighed (really loudly) for my husband to hear and he immediately turned around and said “are you done already?!”

And that’s when I whined…ALOT. I am not above whining.

And it worked. He loves me. That man loves me.

I kept doing the trim but he helped me with the roller which was great because my arms were hurting so much! So we were done in no time.

We just waited until the next morning when the cabinetry was scheduled to be installed. I couldn’t wait!

I was so happy to see it come together!

I left a big space on top of the small dresser (from IKEA that we had previously to the install) so that I could add a big mirror and bring a little charm to the closet!

The dresser looked like part of the cabinetry that had just been installed. I was so happy that it was a perfect match!

I found this little tray for rings and I thought it was perfect.

And it looked great alongside the little plant from IKEA.

Time to add the clothing!

I added them in a color coordinated manner which is how I had the closet before. It takes a while to do initially but it makes the closet look so much better and its easier to find what you need.

All my hangers are from Crate and Barrel. I am not a fan of felt hangers. I prefer smooth hangers so that clothing slides off easily. These are slim, plastic and really inexpensive.

Shoes that were rarely worn I placed in these boxes from Target. They are from the Threshold line.

The rest of my shoes are in the very center of the closet.

I did have to get rid of some of my shoes in order for them to fit but it pushed me to purge items that had been taking up space in my closet for years!

Am I the only one whose feet have grown after having kids? I used to be a size 7 and now I am a 7 1/2.

I wanted a chair or a bench to sit on while I put on my shoes and this one was large and small enough for the space. Also, it is extremely light-weight and easy to move about.

In the top I have a couple of bins. I labeled the shelf instead of the bin.

One has belts.

Small scarves or fabric belts.

My purses also have their own spot.

I folded over some of them in order to fit more per shelf.

I now have a belt rack attached to the cabinet.

This frame was definitely the finishing touch. I had it for years tucked away behind a couch and I spray painted the frame to match the rest of the closet.

The quote says “One shoe can change your life” by Cinderella. Shakespeare didn’t have any shoe quotes.

In the other end of the closet, I put away boots, chunky scarves…and other things that Miamians buy just for looks. 🙂

That’s the closet! I am so happy with it! I waited to have it for so long and now I am that much more appreciative for it!

My husbands closet is next.

I think he should leave it white.

So what do you all think? Share with me your thoughts on the master closet…

Happy Organizing,

Maria

Narrow Linen Closet Organization

September 2, 2013 · by Maria · 3 Comments

Can you handle one more linen closet? It’s my third post on linen closets and I probably won’t be doing one for a while. I will define “while” at a later date.

I really love to look at organized linen closets. You can find the other two posts on linen closets {here} and {here} if you missed them.

Remember a while back I shared with you all that I was working on organizing a beautiful home and will be working on that home for quite a while. I also will have to define “while” at a later date. This home is huge! Probably 3 times the size of mine so I will be working on it for a long time.

Well, I already shared with you the finished pantry at this home. You can find it {here} if you missed it. Last week I worked on a narrow but very tall linen closet that is adjacent to their laundry room.

Here is the before picture. Actually, I had already removed many things before I realized I didn’t take a picture.

I used two types of baskets to organize this closet. This is one of the baskets. It is from the Threshold brand at Target and I love almost everything that brand puts on the shelf! These baskets come in different sizes. Aren’t they beautiful?

The other baskets are the BENTO boxes which you know I use quite a bit in my home as well. They are great for corralling smaller items.

In the baskets without dividers I placed light bulbs.

Surge protectors, flashlights and extra outlets.

In the baskets with the built-in dividers I placed batteries.

Medicines. One for children’s and one for adults.

In the very top I put the largest size baskets. One is full of rain coats and the other travel gear for the kids.

Here are all the smaller baskets back in the closet.

And the rest of the other boxes that hold band-aids and sunscreen.

Here is the after shot!

Side to side for drama. I’m all about the drama!

I like sharing different ideas of items that you can store inside linen closets besides the obvious.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you so please share your ideas as well!

Happy Organizing!

Maria

How to Fold Towels

August 29, 2013 · by Maria · 1 Comment

That sounds kinda silly right? I mean we all know how to fold a towel quickly and put it away but don’t you love the way they fold them in the department stores? Beautiful white towels with no seams visible…Sigh…

It’s actually pretty easy to fold them like they do in the stores and they look so nice that its worth the extra step.

First, you lay out the towel. I actually just hold the towel under my chin while I fold but that series of pictures was not flattering AT ALL. I opted for the couch approach.

I always have your best interest at heart.

Then fold one side towards the middle.

Then the other side towards the middle.

Then fold in half.

If it’s a small towel then you are done. If it’s a bath towel, give it one more fold.

You are done! The department stores have nothing on you. Except a full staff to keep things tidy of course…

I want to start doing some mid-week short posts on simple ideas that you can implement right away. Last week I did the one on “how to fold your sheets” which you can find here.

What do think about that idea? Are you enjoying these shorter posts as well?

Until next week! Happy Folding!

Maria

Organizing under the Kitchen Sink

August 26, 2013 · by Maria · 11 Comments

Everything but the kitchen sink. That’s my motto for organizing under the kitchen sink. As you already know, I do not keep any cleaning products under the sinks to avoid my curious toddler from spraying his face with a cleaner. Although I am purchasing green cleaners, they aren’t exactly supposed to be gargled so I still try to keep them away from his reach.

So this is what my cabinet looks like. In order to photograph the items that were tucked away, I took them out of the cabinet to give you a closer look.

I am using every inch of space. In the very back I have a ceramic crock that holds all my sieves and giant spatulas. They used to be in my drawers taking up premium space but they were seldom used and so cumbersome!

I use all those sieves for different purposes, some for straining stock and others for sifting flour. The point is, I need them all. I just don’t need them often. The crock was a good solution.

All my cutting boards are placed inside a tiered file holder that is meant for office use. I love how I can see them all and they are easy to pull out since they are separated by the built-in dividers.

You probably already have one of these that you are not using lying around the house.

I tuck the boards into the very edge of the cabinet.

On one side of the cabinet I have a pull-out plastic drawer that is full of kitchen towels, aprons, garbage bags and small zipper bags.

On the other side of the cabinet (right under the garbage disposal) is a wire divider that I use to place all my glass food containers. I switched to glass years ago to avoid having to worry about all the chemicals that were possibly inside some of the plastic ones. I still don’t mind plastic for food items that don’t get heated up.

In the very back are really large bowls which I rarely use and in the front are all the frequently used containers. The dishwasher is right next to this cabinet so they are easy to put away.

On one door I have extra grocery bags. I have 4 reusable grocery bags in the car. I sometimes remember that I have them when I am in the store with a full cart on my way to checkout. I’m pretty good about it but I still need to work on that habit.

On the other door I have an organizer that holds foil, parchment, plastic wrap and large zipper bags.

That’s it! I couldn’t fit anything else under there! I hope I gave you some ideas.

I look forward to you sharing with me what items are under your kitchen sink…

Until next time,

Happy Organizing!

How to fold your sheets

August 21, 2013 · by Maria · 8 Comments

If you are one of those people who can perfectly fold a fitted sheet then you are worthy of my admiration. I stand in awe. I simply cannot. I have tried. I technically know how to do it but it still comes out looking weird.

Last weekend I released a post on {linen closet organization} and I wanted to share with you how I get the bedding to look neat in there. Here is a picture of the sheets in my linen closet.

Its pretty easy. First, I fold all the sheets except for one pillowcase.

Then I insert all the sheets into the remaining pillow case.

I then fold the remaining flap over and I have one lovely bundle.

Before using this method, I was always looking for the one pillowcase that had fallen in the back of the closet. We have 4 pillowcases per sheet set so this would happen often. Not a real problem but it was easily solved with this method.

How you fold sheets is not a big deal as long as you fold them. I do this extra step because I like the way they look inside the linen closet and its practical for me to grab the one bundle instead of separate bedding.

I hope you find this tip helpful…unless of course you are one of “those” who already knew how to perfectly fold the sheets. I admire you.

Until next week fellow lovers of organization!

Maria