Cleaning Out My Closet
I had finally had enough of my junky messy office closet this past weekend. I couldn’t even get the doors to close anymore and every time I tried to move something to get to something else…I ended up with a bigger mess. I just couldn’t share the real before picture..it’s seriously embarrassing. Here was my end of the year solution, a little better but obviously still not working.
So, I did what any frustrated and unorganized designer would do…I called my mom. She recently moved and decided to take her existing Elfa storage system from The Container Store with her. There was a random mix of left over pieces so I asked her if she would be willing to part with them. FYI, my mother DOES NOT like to give or throw things away because “one day I will need them”. It drives me crazy that she keeps everything, that’s why she needed the Elfa storage system to begin with!
After she gave me her “I told you so grin”, I headed over to my local Container Store and had them draw up a free design plan to make the most of my space. I gave the designer details of what I needed and she came up with a simple design to help keep me organized. The total parts list was about $500 so I headed over to my Mom’s to see if she had any of the pieces I needed.
Things were looking good, we found about half of the pieces on the parts list. A few of them needed to be cut to size, so I packed them up in the car and headed over to have them cut and pick up the new pieces. So..yes…I was very glad that my Mom had the extra pieces in storage. I was able to save $250 after the 30% discount they are running on Elfa.
If you have never installed the Elfa System, I highly recommend it! The Container Store provides you with drawings, directions and all the parts and pieces to hang the system. Once the main top rail is installed, everything goes together pretty quickly.
AND NOW FOR THE BIG REVEAL!
I’m pretty happy with the end result. I now have drawers to keep my fabric samples organized by color! I am also using the drawers to keep my loose stone and wallcovering samples.
I now have a place to keep my current project files, before they were piled up on the floor and always in the way.
My product catalogues, paint decks, and tile samples now have a real home and area easy to find.
Now can you come and install my Elfa that I purchase last year at 65% off from the Plano location that relocated?
Tonia,
Holy cow, what a snag!! You go girl!!
Abbe
It looks awesome. I’m thinking I could use that for out craft closet!
You’ve inspired me!
Megan
Megan,
Yay, so glad you are inspired by the post! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Abbe
That looks fantastic, and I love how you took the time to figure out whether your mother already had what you needed.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
Kath,
Yes, Thank God for Mom! I appreciate you visiting the blog!
Abbe
That looks awesome! You might have convinced me to do the same with our hall closet.
Hi Elsa,
Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by the blog, good luck with your hall closet.
Abbe
Amazing!!! I bet you are so pleased, not to mention less stressed when you are on the hunt for something. You’ve inspired me to take a trip to the Container Store. My closets are in need of some serious help…
Hi Lindsey,
Thank you so much for the comment. I’m glad you are inspired, the container store is awesome!
Abbe
Good for you! I know that when I’m organized I feel like I can conquer the world!
Thanks Erika! I do feel sooo much better.
Abbe
Perfectly organized 🙂 Mine are all organized by colour too – it’s an OCD thing I have about swatches, plus it really cuts down on searching time.
*Tania @ Passport2Design.com
Tania,
Yes it does, I love having things neat and organized. It makes the day so much better.
Abbe
I couldn’t live without my elfa storage closet! I’m in a teeny 2br cottage and my guest room is also my sewing room. Before I started my business I had a pretty enormous fabric collection that I had to wrangle.
Now that I have a personal stash and a business stash, I’m even more in love with my elfa. Personal stays behind the closet door; professional stays visible (and inspiring) and separate!
Hey Jenni! I’m glad someone loves it as much as I do! Thanks for stopping by.
Abbe