The Victor's Organized Closet

Before, I started with an unfinshed closet and dresser.

During

After!

Thanks to Laura and her awesome Challenge we now have another organized closet! (The Fall Challenge) Don't you just want to sit and stare at it all day? Ok, probably not, but I do!

Some of the features I built into it are (and when I say built, I mean with power tools and my own two hands):

1. A spot for the dirty clothes basket with enough room above it to throw the clothes in.

2. Shelves for toys. I bought the containers before I started so I could get the width and height of the shelves right. There is just enough room to slide them in and out of the closet. My nine year old doesn't play with these toys. He is just storing them for his little sister. Isn't he so sweet?

3. A spot for the dresser. He doesn't need space for long hanging clothes but I made the dresser space a little bit wider and added a bar for company to use since his room is where they always sleep. It made a perfect spot for the guitar to slide next to the dresser. If one of my daughters ever move into this room she can move the dresser out and have more space for hanging clothes.

4. I built around the secret door that leads into his sisters' closet. When he gets too old to use the door and wants more space for clothes then he can use the lower rod.

5. I put a storage container on top of the dresser to put outgrown clothes in. Its empty because we just sent clothes home to his cousin this weekend. Hopefully the container will keep him from piling junk on his dresser.

6. A high shelf for long term storage of clothing and suitcases.

Now for the questions.

1. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?

The hardest part was just commiting to the design I've had in my head. We've lived in this house for a year without closets and the reason I didn't build them sooner was because I didn't want to make a mistake! I knew I would have to live with it forever so I wanted plenty of time to think about it. I had to get over thinking it would ever be perfect and just do the best I could.

2. Tell us what kind of changes/habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?

Since this is my nine year old's closet I don't know how well it will stay organized but Victor has been taking time to clean his room every morning as part of his Personal Time. He has a couple containers just for "treasures" so he will need to work on keeping his treasures in the boxes instead of all over his room. And of course I will help him re-organize as its needed.

3. What did you do with the "stuff" you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?

He didn't have a lot of stuff to begin with so we didn't get rid of much but when we went through it he was able to give a lot of out-grown clothes to his younger cousin.

4. What was the biggest lesson you learned from this experience?

That I should have finished this closet sooner so we could enjoy it! Also that I know why it is so hard to do projects like this. I had to neglect my kids for a week to get it done. I'm lucky that my son is a great baby sitter.

5. Now that you have completed the PROCESS, do you think having and keeping your space organized will make a difference in your life?

I know it will make a huge difference in my son's life now that he has a place for everything. It has been frustrating for him to try to keep his room clean when he didn't have anywhere to put anything. I am so happy that I was able to do this for him to relieve some of his stress!

Now his room is almost completely finished. Thanks again for the motivation Laura!!!