So it’s been ages since we first introduced (and then seemingly forgot) a two-post feature where we invite you to tackle a house project right along with us. Last July it was cleaning out our garages, and this time we’re turning our attention to our closets.
Call it nesting. Call it the spring cleaning bug arriving a bit early. Call it whatever you want, but Sherry and I recently got the urge to purge. With the bean arriving in T-minus 10-ish weeks (and loot from baby showers headed our way even sooner) now’s the perfect time for us to donate/toss long forgotten items of clothing and unnecessary doodads that are taking up precious real estate in our closets- and better organize everything else that makes the cut. Plus, my closet has become quite a half-folded mess lately (we men only fold so much…):
So we’re giving in to that urge this weekend, and inviting you to join us. Well, not literally at our house, but to do the same thing in your own home. You get the idea.
And in case you think you’re off the hook because your clothes are perfectly pressed and sorted by color, we’d gonna tackle some other closets this weekend too. Like our hall closet that stores all sorts of memories along with a growing collection of “emergency” gift bags and boxes (nobody needs that many).
Plus, those bamboo blinds that conveniently cover the shelves over our laundry nook?
Um yeah… there’s a reason we conceal this mish-mash of tools, luggage, wrapping paper and what I can only imagine is a lot of dust too…
So now that our less organized nooks and crannies are out there for all to see, we’ve given ourselves a kick in the pants to make it better by Monday. (Do I get 500 bonus points for using nooks, crannies, and pants all in one sentence?). So who’s with us? What could use some purging / re-organizing at your house this weekend? Whether it’s a junk drawer or an entire floor, we’re here to virtually rally your troops and encourage you to take it on. Not only will you gain the satisfaction of a cleaner and more organized place to live, but you’ll actually earn extra square footage (for future storage, or just to allow your house to breathe again). And the self satisfaction of a job well done is pretty nice too (we’re fans of rewarding ourselves with ice cream). We promise to post our “results” next week along with the process that we used to clean house- and we can’t wait to hear how it goes for all of you too. Good luck! And good riddance to all that closet clutter.
Kate says
I’ll definitely be joining you guys! I have quite a bit of spring fever already, and my closets really need some organization. Maybe I’ll do the little storage locker (kind of like a closet, and definitely full of junk that needs to be cleaned out) and at least one of our apartment closets.
Tracy says
I am SO happy to see your cluttered laundry nook. Seriously, you have no idea.
Caryn says
Well, we are a couple weeks ahead of you all! We rolled up our sleeves and took on our studio/office closet 2 weekends ago. It felt so good to finally get it all organized! We whipped out many plastic bins and our handy label maker, and now are ridiculously and amazingly organized to be artsy in there! Tomorrow, we do the final step and take the pile of donations to our local thrift store. Good luck with yours!
Kim says
It’s nice to see that not every square inch of your house is perfect. :) Makes me feel a little better about my cluttered closets. I accept the challenge!
Sarah says
I’ll be joining you guys for sure this weekend, and pretty much every weekend from now on! Since we aren’t able to sell our house, I want to make the most of the space we’ve got and I cannot WAIT to start clearing things out.
Project #1 on the list this weekend is making a tiny “mudroom” out of our kitchen coat closet – my dog broke the door off years ago (trying to get to the trash!) and it’s been an open storage nightmare. Looking forward to purging coats and bags and soda and making a pretty space!
Lisa says
I love this! This morning while getting dressed, I actually said out loud, “wow, I need to clean this closet…” Thanks for the extra inspiration!
Allison says
How positively providential! I started purging items from my overstuffed clothes closet last night (motivated by a recent Oprah episode on de-cluttering) and my resolve was waning, but you’ve inspired me to keep going and get rid of some of this stuff. I just hope my local Goodwill is prepared to handle the intake.
And thanks for posting pics of your hall closet and laundry nook. Your place always looks so pristine, it’s nice to know you have some clutter hiding here and there.
Lauren says
Believe it or not, you guys already inspired me to do just this…last weekend! I got rid of a couple bags of old clothes and shoes and rearranged things in my closet to allow for my hamper and a couple plastic drawers so I could finally add a chair for reading, etc. in our bedroom (as doing anything in bed tends to only result in sleeping). So thanks for the inspiration!
Kate says
Wow! What a relief to see that you guys actually have some “mess” …not after this weekend though! My hubs and I have planned a whole weekend of organizing so we’ll be with you in spirit. Happy Spring Cleaning!
Jen says
I have just one question.. and I may have missed this from a previous post, but I love the idea of having drawers at the bottom of your closet to maximize the space, but where do you keep all of your shoes??
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jen,
There are actually open shelves for shoes on the bottom of both of our wardrobes (you just can’t see them in this pic because John’s drawers are pulled forward and the bottom of the wardrobe is cut off). Here’s an old post that makes it a lot more obvious where we stash all of our shoes. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
heather s. says
That’s already on my agenda for the weekend! I’m also getting rid of 50 things in March. Head on over to my blog to check it out and partake in the fun!
http://athomewithh.blogspot.com
Renae says
Not to get too revved up i’m going to tackle the ridonculous pile o’ papers that my son brings home from K. Sheesh…seriously, I didn’t have that many papers in college and this kid brings them home (sometimes two or three or more) everyday! So i’ll tackle the stack and feel accomplished after doing so! Thanks for the push…can’t wait to feel the inspiration of your afters next week. Have a great weekend!
Brien says
I will definitely be joining you this weekend! We have a ton of extra storage space in our new house so it is tempting to just stick things in the closets of rooms we don’t use, but it feels so good to get rid of things you don’t use or need!
Liz says
We are nesting this weekend too! We have just 4 weeks to go until our first baby arrives and its starting to freak me out! So I hear you loud & clear on the purge-fest. Have fun! (I’m sure I’ll be hitting Coldstone as a reward..)
Angela says
I’ll be joining you. I’m moving across the country in 3 weeks, so it’s time for me to PURGE!!!
Bethany says
Okay. I have to say, it’s a relief to find out that there are places in your house that get cluttered… I was feeling like an underachiever because I can never seem to keep everything as neat and tidy around my house as the two of you. I have found that by putting glass front doors on my wardrobe all of my clothes are always neatly folded and my shoes and accessories always in their proper place… that’s about the only closet in the house that stays that way. I’m excited to join you in the challenge to get the clutter gone. :)
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Please come declutter my closet. It is a disaster!
CarMaj says
tooo funny!! i just had a pep-talk at the beginning of the week with my husband saying that this weekend (and the next 2 weekends!) are going to be devoted to cleaning out our closets, finishing up a huge painting project AND getting ready to revamp the office, so that needs sorted through as well! good luck to you guys and your spring cleaning!!!
danielle says
Thank you for showing us that your closets look like ours!!! Thank goodness!
Lani says
Totally going to be joining right along! I am about the same due date as you, Sherry (I have about 7 weeks left, and snow is finally melting…so the nesting/spring cleaning urge is bombarding our household! I think I’m driving the hubs a bit insane. “One thing at a time” he keeps telling me….so this week it shall be closet clutter! Fab!
Katie Lynn says
This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time! On a normal trip to Target yesterday, I bought some baskets for our coat closet to mask the insane amount of hats, gloves, leashes, and other winter gear that makes its home in there. The small change inspired me to get the rest of our place truly organized! Can’t wait to see how your project goes …
Kristin says
We just started to tackle the “largest closet in our apartment” – the cellar!
So far I filled 3 large Ikea bags with old books and magazines within 2 hours – what a great feeling!
Time to go on this weekend!
Amber says
YAY!! I’m so glad you guys posted this. I decided just yesterday that I needed to clean out my side of the closet. I have way too many clothes and the husband said before I go buying anymore I need to get rid of some first. Plus our foyer closet is a disaster. Good luck cleaning!!
Ashley @ Mutschler Family, Dallas Edition says
I will be joining your ranks too. I have two closets that are in need of some TLC.
Deb says
I have been a purging fool for the last week–ever since we found out we are moving from Dayton, OH all the way to Southern CA!!! Nothing like having to move our stuff across the country to motivate me to do a major purge!!! Our son just turned 4 and I have enough baby stuff for 10 babies! Thankfully my sis is going to store it here in Ohio(hopefully she will need it soon!).
My husband and I have been married 13 years and have lived in our house for 10, so we are overdue for a major overhaul!
Meredith V says
To Renae,
As a former Kindergarten teacher I would recommend to parents that at the end of each week they select with their student two of their favorite pieces of work from that week. You would then scan those and make a shutterfly (or your internet photo site of choice) book. If you are super crafty you could have the student scrapbook them. By the end of their kindergarten year you have a small book with all of their school treasures and you don’t feel guilty throwing away their finger-painted treasures.
Hope that helps.
Jen Z. says
I actually just did this last weekend. I tackled our junk draw in the kitchen and our very small pantry that is in our hallway. I’ll try to remember to take pictures. It was very rewarding and everytime I one either one I smile now because everything is nice and neat. :-D
Lisa says
Hi Youngsters,
I’m definitely up to the challenge this weekend – and every weekend lately. I’m due just two weeks before you Sherry and I’ve had a crazy nesting bug. Thanks for the extra inspiration. It makes me feel good to know that although your rancher looks fabulous, there are still some areas that need a bit of help.
~Lisa
Meghan says
I am in. My closets are out of control. So glad you guys have some mess too.
Elyse says
With the same 10ish weeks before my baby is due, I have defiantly heard the “tick-tock, tick-tock” to get little projects done. I’m going to try to tackle the closets and dressers today. I also need to organize all my seasonal decor and office nick-nacks. Nesting is hitting hard, but I also love to organize. Organizing clothes by color and shape is just so satisfying to me!
I broke the news to my husband that I want to re-do the guest bathroom before the baby comes…we’ll see if he gives in to my nesting needs :).
Thanks for the extra inspiration to get organized! And good luck!
Amy says
I definitely need to purge my junk drawers (yes, there are 2), in the kitchen!
On an unrelated note, I wanted to thank you two for posting so much detail in your bathroom tiling project…it’s been a great help to us as we tackled tiling our bathroom (we finally finished it off with the grout last night). It was our first time tiling and I’m sure I would have freaked out with the little obstacles we ran into if I hadn’t read your posts on what to do! That dry paper towel trick is like magic! Unfortunately, we made the same grout mistake with buying a “mocha” grout from Menards (which looked nothing like the package showed after it was mixed). Thankfully, we didn’t use it because we found out it was sanded grout after we mixed it up- the package didn’t say, and the Menards associate said it was unsanded. So we blindly followed you and bought the mocha grout from The Tile Shop and I’m soooo happy we did! What a perfect color!
Anyway, aside from rambling and back to the point, thanks for your detailed posts! You two are such an inspiration!
Jen says
Oh my goodness you guys, this is so super good timing! The hubs and I just went on our annual trip to the outlet mall to snag a couple of new clothing essentials, and decided when we got them home, that they were not going into our closet until we went in there and completely organized, donated and tossed out all the non-used clothing and other “things” taking up precious space. So, as with you, we will be spending our weekend cleaning and purging! I can’t wait to see your results! It’s always fun to know when someone else is enduring the same fun tasks, even if it is across the country!
xoxo,
Jen
Kara says
Someone already said it but this challenge of sorts comes at the absolutely most perfect time. We just had the pitch of our roof raised (raise the roof!? – awful!) because of some massive leaks and thus also had some huge patches of wet ceiling in our master bedroom fixed (it was much too big of a job for us amateur DIYers so we took your advice and called in the pros)… so as you can imagine, our house is in a bit of disrepair but the spring cleaning bug has definitely bit me so tackling the closets this weekend while ceilings and walls get repainted (thank you husband!) will be just what the doctor ordered.
Rachelle says
Oh, I’ll definitely be joining you this weekend! It’s finally sunny out and the spring fever hit me HARD. I’ve been cleaning the house like a mad woman… :)
Rachelle
Amanda in Boston says
We just de-cluttered closets! We had an open house on our place, so that was reason enough! We bought canvas zip boxes from the Container Store, and it really made our closets look put together and modern. Here’s the link to the boxes:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/closet/storageBoxes?productId=10019531
Carol Ann says
Purging is so liberating! I have been purging for a couple of weeks. Another blog I follow shared a “40 bags in 40 days” idea and I committed to doing the same. Good luck everyone!
kara says
#1 on our to-do list is to clean out the closet and dresser in our guest room. It has been our place to stash stuff that we need to donate. Since we’re moving our son to that room to make room for baby #2, it’s time to get that stuff outta the house!
Carole says
We are overdue for a complete closet makeover, thanks for the inspiration to get going! we live in a 1950’s split level, and I’m amazed how shallow the closets are. Did no one have broad shoulders in the 50’s? Men’s suit jackets are smooshed against the sliding doors.
I’d love to do something similar to your beside-the-bed closets. Why-oh-why is there no Ikea in Columbus, OH?!
Rachel says
This is my weekend project also. We live in a one room studio apt with one small closet we share, and there’s simply never enough room for everything. I couldn’t fall asleep after waking up at 3am, so I got a head start this morning.
Leah@storybook ranch says
I just sat down, to take a break from closet organizing, so count me in…!
Bri says
Guess I’m ahead of the curve for once! My husband and I spent three weekends in February working on our closets. This whole thing was spurred by a gift card that needed to get used up and the best thing I could come up with was a closet organizing system. :) I know, I need professional help. Then, of course, since we’d done one and it was so lovely, I just couldn’t stop. Back to the store I went for more closet organizers!
We cleared out, fixed drywall, painted and installed the organizers in one closet per weekend and I couldn’t be happier. Everything is in its place, we have tons of extra room and I have a huge pile of stuff to donate. Yay decluttering! I can’t wait to see what you guys do! (Maybe I’ll work on the bathroom cabinets as a solidarity thing. Those could use a bit of sprucing.)
Sarah says
I am so in. I have 2 closets that need some love. But I am counting the trunk of my car as a 3rd.
Kellie R says
Thanks for letting us know that you have clutter too :) You guys are human after all. What great motivation for all of us! I definitely have some closets [and a few cabinets] that need to be tackled. This is just the motivation I need. Can’t wait to see how you guys get everything organized. Good luck :)
Sarah says
It must be a nesting thing…I am also due in 10ish weeks and I completely reorganized every closet in our house a few weeks ago! I also organized under bed storage and our Den. Every room in our house is getting deep cleaned and organized! I think the baby has taken over already!
Lesley H says
I’m in with both feet! Weeks ago I bought a stack of those really thin flocked clothes hangers that promise to give you more closet space. I’m finally going to transfer my clothes to them and see what happens! Good luck and be sure to enjoy your ice cream!
Natalie says
Oooh I definitely need more help in this area!
Also…in regards to your post the other day about stain-fighting…do you {or any readers} have any tips on removing dish soap from carpet? Our somehow spilled and now there is a large {baseball sized} yellow/green splotch on our brand new carpet! :(
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Natalie,
Hmm, we don’t have any ideas off the top of our head, but maybe others can weigh in? Otherwise googling around might yield some solutions. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kate says
I cleaned out our hall closet and pantry last week (and just posted photos) and I’m planning on tackling my bedroom closet, my daughter’s closet and maybe the office if I’m really feeling that urge to purge. Maybe we could start a group to post everyone’s before and afters?
YoungHouseLove says
Definitely! We always invite everyone to post their pics on our Facebook page (of course we’ll include a link in the follow up post this week). Stay tuned…
xo,
s
priscilla says
Funny you post this because those were my exact plans this weekend! I’ve held back the last two weekends because I was anticipating a downfall of snow one last time (its a MN thing) before spring arrives, but I can no longer resist the urge to purge! :)Its definitely spring fever. My plans this weekend: to clean out our closet, the porch, and the garage! I’ll be sure to take before and after photos!
Jennifer says
I have to say, it’s refreshing to see that not every single inch of your house is perfectly coiffed :) Closets are my nemesis! WHERE does that stuff come from??!!
Kim at Yellow Brick Home says
I’ll be there with you guys! Just last night, (perhaps in one of those random, mad fits) I started pulling clothes from my closet that I haven’t worn in a year. They all got tossed in a “For Goodwill” bag, and boy, I am so relieved.
The hubs and I usually do this at least twice a year, but with the winter blues and spring wishes, we’ve been in sort of a funk about getting off our duffs and just doing it. Here’s hoping my man follows my lead this weekend…