When Derek and I first discussed the prospect of us moving in together we covered several topics: new living room furniture, my kitchen stuff vs. his kitchen stuff, painting, redecorating, where the heck all my stuff would go, etc.
We agreed on most points, then the topic of closet space came up and I told Derek point blank I wanted the second closet. ๐
It took him a minute to grasp the concept. He sort of blinked his eyes for a minute and said, “You do know I have a large master-closet that we can share, right?”
“I know, but it’s not big enough.”
“Big enough? It’s a huge walk-in closet.”
“Trust me, it’s not big enough.”
Maybe I should have warned him about the little addiction I have with clothes? It’s bad. Really bad. ๐
You see, I LOVE, LOVE to shop and I hate, hate doing laundry, so it all balances out in my head. I prefer to have enough clothes to go well over a month (sometimes more) without doing laundry and then I never have to worry about it.
I, also, hate wearing the same thing over and over again. Yes, I’m one of those weird people who refuses to wear the same outfit twice in a month. It’s an awful habit that dates back to high school when I refused to wear the same shirt twice in a semester. I know.. i know.. but I’m ok with it.
That addiction and habit turned my previous closet into this state.
Yikes. I’m not sure I could have packed another thing in there if I tried!
To me this was a no brainer. Instead of arguing with Derek over closet space, I was just going to take over the second closet. This way he didn’t have to move any of his stuff and I got what I wanted without disturbing the peace (minus a disagreement or two on where the stuff that was currently in the closet should go).
But, just to show you what I mean, here’s a glance at the closet in the master bedroom.
It’s a walk-in with lots of shelves and space. Don’t get me wrong, I knew with a little effort on my part we could make this work, but if you had a second option – wouldn’t you want to give it a try too?
Say hello to closet #2 in the second bedroom.
Still a walk-in, still lots of space, but this one was mine for the taking.
When moving day came it was a rush of just getting everything in the house, the fun of finding a place for it all came after. Though, admittedly, when I first stepped into the pre-organized closet I got a little overwhelmed with the work ahead of me.
This was just the first loot of stuff that had to go in. All my jackets, sweaters, shoes, hats, etc. were still boxed up outside ready for a place to go.
At my old apartment I relied on my closet, dresser, and laundry room for clothes storage. In the new house I eliminated the dresser (there wasn’t any room) and laundry room (which I had used essentially as a coat closet for jackets, sweatshirts, etc.)
The first thing I realized in the new space was the need to eliminate more clothes.
Despite doing one purge over a month ago, another one was clearly in order. I easily found 30 more items that found a new home at Goodwill.
I’m not a very neat or clean person, but I am an organized one (most of the time anyways). I had a color-coded system in my old closet that I fell in love with and had to replicate in the new one.
On the bottom you’ll now find dress shirts, vests, cardigans, long sleeve shirts, and jackets. All separated by style and color.
Above those are my dresses.
Dressier tank tops and short sleeve shirts (can you tell I prefer white shirts?)
And, lastly, my remaining tank tops in the bottom corner.
No dresser meant I had to be a little creative with my undergarments, sleepwear, and work out clothes.
We measured the little cubby space under the built in shelves and came home Sunday with an adorable cubed shelving unit from Target to maximize the space provided.
Thirty minutes of following directions later….
Now, we had more shelves to play around with!
The blue drawers hold all of my work out shirts.
Dark Blue = Tank Tops
Light Blue= Short Sleeve
Tan = Long Sleeve/ Running Jackets
All of my flats and heels filled the bottom shelves
With my favorite boots on the side.
I found these GREAT baskets on the clearance rack at Target for $2.95 each! Talk about a deal!
We have bras
Sports Bras
And Flip Flops
The built in shelves held my remaining comfy clothes and athletic wear.
I found a space for:
Comfy pants
Pajamas
T-shirts
And Running shorts
The three drawers contain my underwear, swimsuits, and socks.
And to finish it off, my hats, belts and scarves are stored in plastic drawers at the top.
All together
๐
There was still the matter of my shorts and jeans. Luckily I had a bookcase from my old living room that could be repurposed.
My sweaters and various laptop bags fill out the middle shelves.
Winter & rain boots take up the top.
And all my remaining bags have a home in the same fabric drawers I’ve had since college. ๐
Whoa! Talk about a lot of work, but it was all fun work and totally worth it.
Let’s just hope I can keep it this neat1
Wow! And I thought I had a lot of clothes…
breakingsilence @ Freshman -15 recently posted..Whoops!
Wowzers. I want your clothes! Nice organization. I’m the opposite and tend to re-wear a lot of clothes. Some of my clothes I haven’t worn in months… and months.
michelle recently posted..Old Married Couple
holy crap you have a lot of clothes! I think you have more clothes in that closet than I have over my entire lifetime, baby-hood included!! I am incredibly jealous ๐ (of the clothes and your organisation skills!!!)
Freya recently posted..Huff Be Gone
So organized! Looks like you made great use of the space!
Mark and I have separate [non-walk-in] closets. He won’t even let me put a pair of my shoes on the floor in there! lol! I think I have less clothes than he does. That’s why I’m pretty much always wearing the same thing in my blog. ๐
I LOVE clothes too – but for my own sanity, I had to learn to cleanse. I try to do a “I haven’t worn this in a year” cleanse every month – but I keep those bags in storage for another 6 months, just in case I change my mind, before giving it away!
LauraJayne recently posted..Donโt Wanna Run
You did a great job! I used to color coordinate my closet…but in our new place I have once side with all my work clothing, and the other side has all my fun clothing ๐
I need to buy more clothes! I haven’t been shopping since October! Not good…
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food recently posted..Giveaway! Terra Blues and Moreโฆ
I love organizing things! Weird? Maybe, but I really enjoy it!
We have those cubes in our entryway! ๐
Julie @SavvyEats recently posted..The Little Things 30- Doctors Who Listen
I want that closet. I have a nice closet space but I wish it had more drawers/bins for storing things besides hang up clothes.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..Stretch It Out
Goodness gracious–that’s a lot of clothes! I think I’d hyperventilate if I wanted a month to do laundry!
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life recently posted..To Be Known
I am seriously impressed–there is a method to the madness! ๐ A little bit of shelving and storage space can go a long way, and it looks like you did a great job of getting yourself organized in your new place. Congratulations on the move!
Gavi @ Gavi Gets Going! recently posted..Itโs a celebration!
i think you need to purge again….and then again and then when you are done, purge again.
Nothing wrong with a little clothes addiction in my book. I’m totally with you on organizing by style and color, it makes it so much easier to put outfits together… especially in early mornings!
linz recently posted..Viva Epcot!
1. You have more boots than me and I live in a cold climate
2. I do not have any closets in my 320 sq ft apartment (that I share with a roommate) — yet I probably have just as many, if not more, clothes than you. Can you imagine THAT?
3. I wear the same outfits all the time, sometimes more than once in the same week!
Dori recently posted..DSB Favorite Things & Photo Caption Contest
I’m so glad I’m not the only one that hates wearing the same thing twice in one month! I also organize all my clothes. ๐
Katie recently posted..The Miami Heat Have Flat Out Fizzled
Ok, you give me hope. I am such a clothes hoarder and it is hard to be inspired by people who organize closets who don’t have the billions of clothes issue – but your closet? OMG – I actually have a glimmer of hope that I will be able to tackle mine!
Emily @ Savory and Savage recently posted..Sounds from above
Wow! I am SO impressed by your closet! Can I hire you to come and fix mine?! Great job on organizing and putting everything together! It looks great!!
Hope recently posted..Rainy Sunday- Dentist & PF Changsโฆ
Whew! Man girl! That’s a lot of clothes! At least you have it organized! ๐
Katy (The Singing Runner) recently posted..Back to Reality and Looking to the Future
WOW. That is awesome. I am so impressed! I can’t wait to do this to my closet when I have a bigger one….I too have a shopping problem! I am actually selling a few articles today from craigslist ๐
Your closet looks awesome Meghann!! I love how organized it is. I am totally jealous of how many clothes you had. You are my fashion hero. ๐
Ali @ Ali Runs recently posted..Aliโs ABCs
Call me a huge nerd, but I love closet organizing! You’re lucky you live in a warm state – you can have more clothes that take up less space as opposed to the big bulky winter ones I’ve got! I’m in the midst of spring cleaning my room and the closet clean-out is recommencing this weekend. ๐
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat recently posted..What I learned at Schwinn training
I’m with you … no outfits repeated in a month!
I actually take a photo of my outfit every day and then I have reference to the date I wore something last. It also helps when I can’t think of what I want to wear, I can go back and see the “looks” that I liked best!
Shanna, like Banana recently posted..POM and Kauai weddings are both wonderful!
I am seriously impressed right now. Seriously. I wish my closet looked like that! If you ever get tired of your current job you could go around and organize people’s closets!
Erica recently posted..Duty Calls
Your carpet arrived ๐
Kiran recently posted..ABCโs of Me
Woah! That’s a lot of clothes lady!!! Our closet situation is so pitiful right now. I can’t wait until we get a bigger house with TWO closets someday!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey recently posted..orange-date breakfast bake
Ha, I don’t repeat outfits within the month either! Actually (nerd alert!) when I was in high school, and all through my first job, I kept a list of outfits I wore to make sure I didn’t repeat a pair of paints until I’d worn all my other pairs. I organize my closet now by worn and unworn, with worn in chronological order!!
emily recently posted..Meat Lovers for the Veggie Lover
I cannot believe you own all of those clothes!!! Wow. I am super jealous! And everything is organized and has its own place — I love organizing!
Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete recently posted..Back to Normal Life
I don’t wear the same outfit very often and am always mixing it up. I have two closets, one for pants and sweaters and the other has dresses, skirts and dress shirts plus a full dresser. I have way too many clothes!
Mellissa recently posted..Duplex
Nicely done! I’m impressed with the amount of clothes you have and all your organization!
That is a lot of clothes! I’m amazed at your organizing skills. Loved this post!
You really are a clothing addict!!
I love it!
Nice work on the organization!
Wow! Great organization job! When my bf and I moved in together, the closet space was a big issue! I commend you for taking the second closet so you can have your own space!
Katie G. recently posted..Rainy Day Sunday
LOVE the blue drawers and the wire baskets. Organizational stuff makes me so happy!
WOAH you have a lot of clothes!
I’ll admit that I can go about a month without doing laundry: but that’s because I have a lot of underwear! Lol.
Best of luck with your closet: I second what others have said: purge! I bet you could make a couple hundred bucks with some of the stuff you haven’t worn in a long time on Ebay or Craigslist! Maybe have a clothing swap with bloggers?
I wish! I tried making money off of my first two purges, but my problem was most of the stuff I already purged was too old and worn to do any good. (The two places I took the stuff wouldn’t give me a dime.) The thing is I actually wear all my clothes! I wear them until they’re unwearable. I also have a system to make sure every piece of clothing has a fair turn being worn. ๐
I think you’re doing better than me, actually! I love to shop too and spend way too much money on clothes – I keep trying to cut back, I really think it *IS* an addiction. In fact, yes. Epiphany. I just realised that while some people are stress/emotional eaters, I’m a stress/emotional clothes shopper! The problem is, though, that I *d0* end up wearing the same few outfits a lot, particularly in winter, and heaps of my clothes just end up sitting there. At least you wear all of yours! I forced myself to sell a bunch this month, though, since I’m moving house soon, and made over $500! ๐
I still, however, have scarily packed closets too!
Well that is always good! I totally agree with you about wearing things as long as possible. I’ve gotten to the point where I know what years I bought/received clothes and just about everything I own is at the 2 year mark, I still have a pair of shoes from 2001 or 2002!
And yea, those places where you can sell clothes almost never give you any money. Thanks for sharing your organization tips though! I really do like your set up.
wow, you have a lot of clothes… it was fun to see how you organized it all!
damn girl, you have a lot of clothes ๐
I am pretty much the opposite of you – I have a very small closet in a small apartment so I keep my wardrobe small. Plus, accumulating laundry driving me mad, I would have a panic attack if I had a month’s worth of laundry to do
LOL Me too! I feel like if I have clothes in my dirty clothes basket then my room is dirty, too. It gets expensive doing 2-3 loads of laundry per week for just me!
Ha. Me, too, actually. I sometimes only do laundry once a week, but I probably couldn’t leave them sitting there much longer than that.
Out of curiosity, Meghann, what you do with all of the dirty clothes? Do you have an absolutely massive laundry hamper? ๐
I have three hampers. All of them are pretty deep and wide. And clothes are separated by Colors, Darks&Jeans, and Whites in each hamper. I’ve also been experimenting with a tiny fourth hamper for all my running clothes because they really smell.
You have inspired to me organize my closet! It is a total MESS!
Damn! You do have a huge closet. You would be appalled at how sparse mine is. We have a HUGE walk-in closet and I don’t even have one side filled. Don’t get me wrong, I love to shop but I always seem to end up spending my money on something for the house instead of on me. Oh well!
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me recently posted..Much Mad Men and the ABCโs
OMG! You have so many clothes! I am now one very jealous girl ๐
doesn’t this make anyone else sad? such excess!
maybe sadness isn’t the word i’d used, but i definitely have pity. there’s so much more to life than hoarding clothing.
Honestly, what is up with poor Meghann’s readers today? :S She has a lot of clothes. She’s also a beautiful woman with a career that she loves, a great relationship, a huge, loving family and a very full, active life.
(a) I don’t think she’s exactly sitting at home by herself with no life beyond accumulating clothing, all dressed up and nowhere to go!
(b) She wears all of the clothes. Everybody here will have bought a lot of things that they wouldn’t actually die without. How you spend your money is your own business.
and (c) I don’t think there’s much to pity here!
Looks great!!! Very impressed! ๐
Kelly recently posted..1-2 Ironman Training- The First Brick
Haha, I feel ya. In my current apartment I have two dressers and two closets that house my clothes. When I move to D.C. I’m sure I won’t be able to afford all that space and I am already stressed about where I’ll put all my clothes. I have a problem.
Good job with all the organizing!
Kacy recently posted..I Want Candy
Love the closet. I had the same need – have a ton of wearable clothes to last me months without doing laundry. I over compensated for not having a lot growing up. But after 4 cross country moves in 10 years and a house with little storage, I took a long look at my stash and weeded them down. Who ever goes to our local Goodwill will get some great stuff.
I’m so jealous of all your closet space. My fiance’ will be moving in with me after our wedding in July into my tiny little apartment. The closet is already so small with just my stuff, I have no idea what I’m going to do when we have to share! Your closet organization has me thinking of ways to get creative though — so thank you! ๐
Linzi @ beyond Destination 26.2 recently posted..When life hands you lemons
I love little (or big) organization projects like that! I’m actually impressed by how relatively small your t-shirt collection is!
Mimi recently posted..This isnโt masochismโฆ
don’t laugh but I’m OBSESSED with organization! I think it’s stemmed form 19 years of living in very small spaces. beautiful job!
Emma (Namaste Everyday) recently posted..6K Coastal Challenge!
Way to work your space! Glad everything found a home:)
I LOVE the feeling of having a cleaned-out and reorganized closet! I just did that a few months ago. It’s also the best feeling to donate all of that clothing to people who really appreciate it!
So organized! I’ve never had a closet that big, mine now is a tiny one (typical College Park home) – that’s the drawback with an older house!
Kim @ Kim Lives Healthy recently posted..ABCs!
how did i not realize you had so much clothes? hahaha! i want to SHOP in your closet!
Melissa @ TryingToHeal recently posted..Hilly Help
Nice closet! I love how organized it is. I hope to get a place w/ a walk-in closet sometime in the not too distant future. I’ve always wanted one. Now you have given me future organizational inspiration! ๐
Amy recently posted..Take the train- tell a story
So great that you and your boyfriend have embarked on this new adventure! I just think you should stick to writing about how you’re an awesome runner and know all about portion control rather than go into the world of organization. Stick to what you know!
Wow, that’s kind of patronising! Like Meghann has no interests beyond running or lacks the intellectual capacity to grasp more than one concept, or something. I love getting glimpses into the three-dimensional, well-rounded person behind the blog; this isn’t running101.com. It’s a healthy living blog, ostensibly, which to me is about how to live your life as healthfully and happily as possible in all its facets.
Oh my god, Laura, is your life’s ambition to defend Meghann to her readers?
Jen recently posted..Run in the New Year
*shrug*
Honestly, one of the things that came out of the whole Marie Claire debacle that I tended to agree with was that it’s very difficult for anyone to voice a critical opinion on these type of blogs without getting jumped on. I still agree that there is sometimes a very ‘clique-y’ feel about them. However, in this case, I felt that it was both uncalled for to tell someone else how and what to write in their blog, and I also wanted to express an opinion that I personally like to see a wider range of topics discussed and I’d be disappointed if Meghann let a few comments like that dissuade her from ever venturing from the topic of running.
I didn’t mean to set myself up as Meghann’s watchdog or anything. I just felt that a couple of the comments were a bit unfair and insulting, and wanted to point out that not every body feels that way. I apologise if what I said bothered you.
Laura, Thank you for coming to my defense. These comments are open for anyone who wants to voice their opinions and I promise to never let comments like Flora’s stop me from breaking from the topic of running and food. This blog is more of a diary of my life for me more than anyone else and I’ll continue to write about what makes me happy. I just hope you will continue to read. ๐
Jen, I’m sorry Laura offended you. Her thoughts are always well intentioned and I appreciate her opinions just as I respect yours and Floras.
Flora, This blog is more around running and portion control – it’s about living life. Feel free to ignore these posts when they come up. I won’t mind. ๐
Wow, what a neat and tidy closet! Gotta love Target ๐
Semisweet Courtney recently posted..Courtneyโs Feelinโ Crafty โ Workout Book
I’m a big believer in separate closets even if the master bedroom closet is a huge walk-in closet like you showed above. I like my clothes organized (work clothes, short sleeve, long sleeve, jeans, etc.) and by color. And then I have a dresser with my undies, bras, socks, tanks, sleeping shorts/tanks, and workout shorts. And then I may or may not have a random storage closet/shelf thingy from Target that contains all my PJ pants, sweats, bum around tees, and two fabric containers with gloves/scarves and winter socks. But I’m a lot like you said above, I wear my clothes until I wear them out, so I don’t really see it as having a problem.
omg come organize my closet please!
brittany recently posted..And on that dayโฆ
I’m jealous of all of that closet space! My fiance and I share a walk in closet but it’s rather small and inefficient. Just three racks and shelf. I’m thinking I need to talk him into tearing those out and getting a built in!
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life recently posted..Who Needs Rules
Wow…LOTS of clothes:) I also greatly dislike doing laundry, so I try always keep enough clothes so I don’t have to do laundry for at least a month. However, I will also re-wear clothes…
Karolina recently posted..Comfort in the Crock Pot
Whoa. That is a whole lotta clothes. Um, I have an address of goodwill you can send those too. It’s located in Massachusetts. ๐
Alaina recently posted..I Heart March
I’m impressed by your organization here. And I need a bigger closet.
Lee recently posted..9 Cold Miles
well done! i plan to do a similar closet organization when we move to our new house in a few weeks…and my hubby and i are definitely going to need separate closets. we BOTH have too many clothes ๐
natalie (the sweets life) recently posted..Birthday Cake Batter Ice Cream Cake
All I can say is, OMG. My closet is gigantic and I need some organization like that going on in there. It’s a hot mess in my closet. I think your closet is my new closet inspiration. I love all those storage tote things. Hmm. I feel a re-vamp coming on.
Jena recently posted..4636 times
Your closet looks so awesome!!! I color-code my clothes in rainbow order. Is that beginning stages of OCD?
Kelli @ Howdy from NYC recently posted..Nakedness
I love your bookshelf-cum-dresser. I used this old tall bookshelf (it was already in my room when I moved in!) as a dresser all year. I kept books on the top shelf and everything else below. Anyone who came into my room could see my underwear, but it’s not like I was wearing it at the time! Great organization job. My boyfriend and I moved in two months ago but we still have no dresser which is driving me up the wall. I hate having underwear and socks stacked on top of the closet shelves because I can’t see them all and they get all messed up.
Wow, I am impressed by your organizing — I definitely could learn a thing or two from how you’ve organized your closet!
I’ve never had any qualms about wearing the same thing twice in a month…I do have a lot of clothing, but I doubt I could go a solid month without reusing one piece! Does that mean that you won’t wear the same skirt, etc. (let’s say a black pencil skirt, for example) twice in one month? Or does that mean that you won’t wear it with the same shirt? I’m curious! (This coming from someone who wears her favorite black pencil skirt once a week). ๐
Hope you are acclimating to your move!
I have a ‘wear it twice’ rule for skirts, shorts, and pants. I’ll wear a skirt once, set it aside in a different pile so I know it’s been worn, and then it gets one more wear before throwing it in the dirty clothes.
I swear I don’t have OCD. At least I don’t think so…
ha no that doesn’t strike me as OCD, just a personal preference. Makes sense!
Lauren @ Running Examiner recently posted..Run in the New Year
Wow! Your closet is so organized! I am so jealous of how big it is! ๐
xoxo
Kathleen
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner recently posted..Does Your Breakfast Make You Amazing
When I moved in I took over 2 closets in our house (i have the whole second bedroom closet for my ‘other’ clothes). I love your organization with the baskets. What a great idea! Good luck with the transition. After living on my own for so long, I found it to be tough!
Whoa. When my bf and I moved in together, the closet space was a big issue! I used this old tall bookshelf (it was already in my room when I moved in!) as a dresser all year. I have a problem.
Lizzie Cummings recently posted..Heather Penko
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