Are your hall closets stuffed and overflowing? It’s time to tackle closet organization on the 52-Week Home Project journey. Simple tips and tricks, as well as a look into a real hall closet organization project.
This year let’s create a haven at home with the 52-week home project. Small, managable weekly tasks and challenges to create a space that promotes peace, inspires creativity, nurtures your family and is not only more organized but also runs with more purpose and intention.
To catch up on all the previous projects, head here.
Last Week’s Project
Hall closets are those closets that aren’t in bedrooms but are usually stuffed and overflowing with random and miscellaneous stuff. I know I am more than guilty of just throwing items in a hall closet that I don’t want to deal with at the moment.
Out of sight out of mind, right?
The problem I have, and maybe you do to, is that I have more than one hall closet. Our house has several hall closets, 4 to be exact, and each closet is beginning to get a little OK a lot out of hand.
It’s embarrassing when a friend or family member comes over and I can’t even hang their coat in our closet! It’s also pretty bad that I can’t even see the floor in our main hall closet because there is just so much stuff in it.
I figured it seemed perfect to tackle these closets early on, especially since it’s mid-January and freezing. We need to be able to get to our coats, gloves and scarves quickly!
Project # 2: The Hall Closet
- Pick your main hallway closet to focus on this week. If you have more than one hall closets, pick the one that gets the most traffic, is the most in need of a little TLC. If you have extra time and motivation to tackle other closets, have at ’em, but don’t feel like you have to clean out all of them either.
- Pull out every single thing in the closet. While you are emptying all the items, group them together in similar categories, such as all coats together, all mittens together, sheets and towels together, etc.
- While the closet is empty, clean the inside. Start with the top shelf and ceiling and dust. Wipe down the shelves and walls. Sweep or vacuum the floor.
- Ruthlessly purge the items. Don’t just put all the items back into the closet with a little bit more organization, think about whether or not the items are needed and if they really belong here.
- Place the items back in the closet. Depending on whether your closet has shelves, a hanging bar or both, place the items back in the closet in an organized way. Use small containers to house mittens, gloves and hats. Drape winter scarves with the coats so they are already together. Fold sheets, towels and other linens so they stack nicely and fit on the shelves.
- Relocate, giveaway or throw away the remaining items. Relocate items that are still of value to another location that makes sense for them to be stored. Giveaway items that are still in good condition but you just don’t have any use for. Throw away trash and other items that aren’t worth keeping.
Hall Closet Organization Tips
- Hang coats on a sturdy, no-slip hanger.
- Wrap coordinating scarves on the actual coat hanger so coats and scarves are ready to go. Keep matching gloves in the coat pockets so you always have your gloves handy.
- Hang purses and bags on hangers to keep them off the floor.
- Use small baskets or containers to house extra gloves, hats and mittens.
- Use a safety clip to keep gloves and mittens together in containers.
- If you can, keep shoes and boots in separate closets in bedrooms. This keeps the closet floor clear and less cluttered.
- Use your space wisely. Take advantage of top shelves or even attach hooks or a shoe pouch behind the door for even more storage options.
- Label baskets, containers and storage totes clearly so everyone knows where to find and return items.
- Don’t have the budget to purchase pretty, matching containers? Wrap large diaper boxes, file boxes or shoe boxes in inexpensive, decorative wrapping paper.
My Progress and Results
Our home is unique, we have four hall closets on the main level. One in the entryway then three at the end of the hallway around our bedrooms and bathroom (it’s a little overkill but I’m convinced that when our home was built back in the late 50’s, it was custom built because there are several unique and quirky things around our home.)
For time sakes I focused primarily on the main hall closet. In a few weeks we will tackle the linen closets.
As you can see from the photos below, our hall closet is a jammed packed mess! Currently it houses our coats, scarves and gloves, along with exercise equipment, photo frames and some other “junk” that really doesn’t need to be there.
Hall Closet Before
Hall Closet After
I began by emptying everything out and sorting. I started with the coats and hanging items first since I didn’t want them lying around to get dirty. I made sure every coat hung up was one we still wear and still fits. Along with coats, I rearranged all the hanging bags and scarves. Head here for more inspiration on sorting through your coats and winter gear. It’s always a good idea to leave several empty hangers that way when you have visitors come you can hang their coats rather than just have them flung over couches or placed on chairs.
On the top shelf of the closet, I organized the gloved and placed my small handheld weights. I also sorted through my small basket which houses at-home exercise gear, including a small binder where I have clipped magazine articles on workout tips and exercises.
The floor area is the main place for clutter to collect, after all it’s so easy to just throw something down and move on. My goal is for there always to be floor space… in other words, it’s best to be able to see at least some of the floor.
Finally the other items that are not going back into the closet are being put away in other spaces, placed in the giveaway box and there are a few small items that just need to go in the trash.
Need More Closet Organization Inspiration?
Real Tips to Organizing Your Closet
6 Tips to Organize Your Closet Now
A New Project for a New Week
Each week I’ll share a new challenge to help us tackle one small area of our homes.
Some weeks it might be a deep cleaning task, some weeks it might be a decluttering task, some weeks it might be a challenge to help you create a space you love, and some weeks it might be a combination of a few different challenges.
The goal for the 52-Week Home Project is to have a home that is not only more organized but also runs with more purpose and intention and just feels more peaceful and calm.
The Next Project
The kitchen or dining room table serves many purposes but the main being a place for the family to gather around to share meals together. Often times those tables can become dropping zones for any number of different things, none of which actually belong on the table.
Paper piles including bills, homework, mail, craft supplies and random books can quickly pile up taking precious space. Toys or children’s items can be left behind. No matter what it it, the kitchen table easily attracts the clutter.
What if instead of having to clean off the table before you actually sat down to eat, it was already simply set? What if instead of being a cluttered, uninviting mess, it was transformed into a welcoming spot that invites you to sit down and enjoy a meal, or a pot of tea, with those you love?
This week we are going to focus on creating a welcoming spot to gather around each day, whether it’s your kitchen table or dining room table.
Project # 2: Set the Table
- Clear off the table. Remove everything off the table including clutter that doesn’t belong as well as centerpieces, table linens and other items would normally keep on the table.
- Clean the table and chairs. Using warm soaping water, or a gentle cleaner (make sure whatever you use is safe for the wood or materials your table and chairs are made of), wipe down the entire surface. Get under the table and clean there as well. Don’t forget the table and chair legs too! You might just be amazed at all the hidden gunk!
- Launder any table linens. If you use tablecloths, placemats, chair cushions or any specific table lines on a regular basis, clean them. If they are safe for the washer, throw them in on the gentle cycle. If the table lines are worn, stained or heavily used, make a plan in your budget to replace as needed.
- Do something with the clutter. If you had to remove a large amount of clutter, sort and organize those items. Put them back into their proper location and throw away any trash.
- Create a tablescape. If you use a tablecloth, place it back on the table. Same with any placemats, seat cushions or table linens that you use on a regular basis.
- Decorate with a seasonal centerpiece. Make your table feel warm and welcoming with a little decorative touch of the season. It could be as simple as a small candle with a few embellishments or an elaborate centerpiece. Shop your home for simple accents that can grace the center of your table.
Next Sunday I’ll share my progress, some simple tips for creating a welcoming table, as well as give our next challenge in the 52-Week Home Project so be sure to stay tuned.
Missed a project in the 52-Week Home Project? Head here to see the complete list of all 52 projects!
How did you do with your 52-Week Home Project this wee? Share your results in the comments below, including a link to your blog post or photo you shared on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtags #The52WeekHomeProject
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