Avery's closet cleanup

Recently, I've been trying to ignore the huge eyesore in Avery's room - her closet. She has a really great walk-in closet in her room, and it's pretty big for a kid's room. However, because of its size, it's easy for me to just throw things in there whenever I don't have another spot for them. I also like to keep her closet door open, because there is a heating vent in there. Her room tends to stay on the cooler side, and when the closet door is shut, it heats her closet, but not her room! I decided to tackle this project today, and have Avery 'help' me.

As you can see, it was a mess! I actually can't believe that I let it get to this point, but it's pretty easy  to do when I have a two-year old who wants my constant attention! Most of the things in here that  were in need of organization were clothes that she's outgrown, baby products that she no longer uses, and things I'm saving for her future (American Dolls, haha.) I also keep a lot of paperwork in here, such as product warranties and information, and her handouts from the pediatrician.

On of the problems was that I wasn't utilizing the space on the shelves (because they are so high and not very accessible.) I decided to box up all of her outgrown clothing, and put most of it up there, since I'm not needing to access it anytime soon. I also put her baby bath and jumper up there.

Before                                     After

The other problem is just the lack of storage solutions in general. I decided to wander through my house to see if I could find some shelving/storage solutions. Recently, I have realized that it's better for me to 'take inventory' of what I have before I go out and purchase something. I can almost always find some type of solution that will work. Maybe Pinterest is good for something, haha...I do seem to be a little more creative these days.

Anyway, I took Avery to the basement and found a few plastic containers, and a coffee table that wasn't be used. I dusted them off, and carried them upstairs. Then I emptied out her entire closet into her bedroom. Avery was a little unsure of what we were doing, so she just kept picking things up, and handing them to me, or pointing at things and looking at me like "pick this up mom!!" Her room was a disaster, which kept me motivated to finish this project before her nap today. Avery has a little "OCD" haha like her father - not me - and I KNOW she wouldn't be able to nap if her room wasn't cleaned up.

I also used a filing container to store all of the product warranties and paperwork. I put the coffee table in her closet, and stored some bedding in and under it, in order to contain it, and overall it closet looks much better!

   

Before                                 After

Now I can walk all the way into her closet, and I know where everything is. I also have space on the coffe table to put some other things, like maybe some of her toys. I love days when I can actually be productive...because let's face it...they don't happen all the time!