Closet Organization

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.

Can you believe these pretty little things are cheap shower curtain hooks from a thrift store? Here it is in it's original condition, but a simple twist of the thin metal hook and it becomes an ideal purse hanging hook. (And no, it did not require my husbands muscles to bend. *grin* Mine were good enough!). It is better than using extra sturdy non-bendable shower curtain hooks. It allows my purses to face to the side rather than forward, so the straps aren't twisted and they store more conveniently while taking up less space.

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.

In basket #3 I keep our special occasion scarves, wraps, and purses. They are so rarely used I was loath to allow them to take up space in my tiny bedroom closet, so this serves as the perfect home for these guys!

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*

Each child has their frequent use hat, gloves, and scarf set in one space, with an extra alternate color set and/or heavier glove set in the second space. When we leave the house, they can reach in and grab the desired trio, and when we come back the first thing they are required to do is put them away immediately. No more frantic searching!!!

All it takes is a few practical organization solutions to make your winter outings easy and stress free! I am officially ready for cold weather...well, no - no I'm not. But at least my closet is! *flex* BRING IT winter!  (no, I'm sorry, don't bring it...don't)

See the coat closet reveal here.