I live in the snow belt of Northeast Ohio, so I need my coat closet like you wouldn’t believe. A practical closet that keeps everything we need in immediate reach, neatly organized so we don’t need to search is what I had in mind when I first set out to makeover my closet. Well, I’m over-the-moon to finally put everything back into my closet, and add the final organizational touches! And not a moment too soon, this week has been a cold one. *pout* I should have moved somewhere warm.
Make A List, Check It Twice…
The first step to getting the most out of my closet was to make a list of all the things I expect of it and organize accordingly.
I’ve gotten off to a great start by creating a practical layout, adding lots of hooks, building cubby shelves, and even making a key organizer, now on to the final organizational touches!
Purse Hangers
Remember these handy babies? I first used them in my middle munchkin’s closet to wrangle her little purse collection. Boy they start young! *tee hee*
Not only do they work wonders in her room, but I can keep my frequent use purses in one place, right by the front door. Trust me, I need to do this. If I don’t I am the one running frantically around the house looking for the purse with my wallet, and of course it will be 5 minutes after I should have already left for an appointment. *hands thrown up in the air* I don’t do late…I hate late.
Basket Storage
I love baskets. I think they make for the prettiest form of storage! *happy sigh*
Before I even finished this coat closet I put in my baskets and tried them out to see what the best most convenient use of them would be. After a week of use, I discovered the ideal use of these baskets fitted to the way we live.
Basket #1 will sit on the floor under the shoe shelf to hold all our reusable grocery bags. Before a trip to Aldi I let the girls gather up the bags into one bag, and after our trip they know just where to fold and put them away! My darling little helpers! (Please excuse my proud mama moment).
In addition to the basket below that stores bags, I keep three baskets on the shelf above.
Basket #2 serves to catch all items that need to be returned to the store, or to a person. Every time I have a guests someone inevitably leaves something behind.
Basket #4 holds special occasion winter gear. This isn’t every day winter gear -that is stored in easy access in an over-the-door shoe organizer. Nope, I keep the kids extra nice winter gear up high so they aren’t tempted to use them for muddy outdoor snow fights. These babies only come out for church or events!
Over-the-Door Storage
Every winter day we do the same dance…every. single. winter. day. *grimace*
Just as I am ready to head out the door, after asking the girls for the fifth time if they have used the bathroom, gotten their shoes and coats on, have all necessary cold weather gear, someone inevitably says “oh mom, but I couldn’t find my other glove!”. *ugh* Then we spend 20 minutes searching for this munchkins hat, and that munchkins missing glove, which we won’t find. WHY??
This over-the-door organizer serves as a much needed sanity saver! Each family member gets two spaces. That leaves two spaces that are used for special occasion items and generic gloves for visiting guests who didn’t anticipate our outdoor winter antics. *mischievous grin*
See the coat closet reveal here.
Great ideas and explanations, especially love the purse hangars. But, what are the “flipped shelves” exactly???
Thank you! Haha, yes that sounds a bit vague doesn’t it? Usually shelves have the brackets at the bottom, by flipping it, the brackets become useful as dividers! You can learn how to make it on my blog here: https://homemadebycarmona.com/diy-flipped-shelves/
We loved the over-the-door organizer. You have some great storage solutions. I got great ideas I can use for my coat closet. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you could get some ideas! It is my pleasure to share, so thanks for reading! 🙂
Where exactly am I supposed to put the coats?
Lol! Yes, I suppose these pictures don’t show the hanging area very well. Thanks for asking… I organized our coat closet to the exact size needed for our family of 5…each of us stores a winter coat in there, and when summer comes an additional lightweight jacket.
You can see the finished product here: https://homemadebycarmona.com/2013/09/coat-closet-reveal.html
I love the over-the-door organizer. I could have used this when my kids were little. Having a box for returns in the coat closet is also a great idea.
You have some great storage solutions. I got great ideas I can use for my coat closet. Thanks for sharing.
I’m in Northeastern Ohio too! ……..and sooooo not ready for this cooler weather. I miss the sunshine already. Do you have any hints for staying motivated during the dreary days of winter? Heather
Hee hee! I complained the last two winters, and they were so mild in our neck-of-the-woods (you know)! Decorating and organizing indoors was, and IS my only sanity saver! 😉