COPY CAT CHIC

Time for some organization and a Giveaway

· Reichel

January – the beginning of a brand new year. And the best way to start the new year? Out with the old and in with the new…well, mostly out with the old šŸ˜‰ January is traditionally my clean out time, forget spring time, January is where it’s at! So I decided that it was time to clear out the closetsĀ and drawersĀ and get rid of old, worn out clothes or in Arden’s case, *outgrown*.
Being a part of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas network definitely helped.Their closet organization section in the store is pretty inspiring. So many tools to choose from. In the end though, I kept it pretty simple and flexible, so I could rearrange things a bit later on and I’d still be able to use everything.
As you can see my closet was in major need of an overhaul. My sweaters were piled up on the top shelf like there was no tomorrow. Let’s not even talk about the ground floor: shoe & bag overload. With some handy organizational products from Lowe’s things are looking a whole lot better.

 

I used a closet shelf turned on it’s side to keep my sweaters in line on the top shelf. I also bought a double shoe hanger to store all of my smaller shoes, similar to this one, but mine has a double row of show compartments. The boots stayed on the floor. I used rolled up magazines to keep them standing at attention. I forget where I learned that tip from, but I love it. I also bought some handy fabric bins (like these) to store things like gloves, scarves, purses, etc when they’re not in use. Oh and I’m almost forgot, I bought some wooden hangers to replace most of my plastic ones. I just need a few wooden pant/skirt hangers and then I’ll be all set! And maybe another closetĀ shelfĀ to add to the other one and that way they can run the entire length of the top shelf. Doesn’t it look sooo much better? It definitely helped when I got rid of all of the shoes I haven’t worn in over a year and the bags that have been sitting on the floor collecting dust. Now the only things in my closet are things I actually use. Great concept, huh? šŸ˜‰
Now moving onto Arden’s closet.
Can you see the HUGE pile of outgrown clothing on the left side of that top shelf? Scary I know, extreme earthquake hazard šŸ˜‰ Not to mention the wine racks…somehow those don’t strike me as being “child-friendly”. So it was finally time to clear out Arden’s closet so she could use it for all of her new things. I have another one of those shoe racks handy for all of the cute shoes she’ll be getting, once she’s a little older. I’m thinking she also needsĀ closetĀ shelvesĀ running the length on the top. I can then slip those bins into the “cubbies” for a even better, streamlined look.
Now it’s time to tackle Arden’s dresser…eep! Her clothing drawer was a complete mess. I had a system down when she was born: I used these compartment trays to organize her folded clothes. But now that she’s bigger, so is her clothing. And they no longer fit into thoseĀ compartments. I decided to take the trays out and there was much more space to fold and stack. I also moved a compartment tray over to the diaper drawer. Just look at how organized it is. Love it!
Now it’s your turn! Lowe’s has offered to gift one lucky reader with a $100 gift card. What’s your most useful organizational trick? Just leave me a comment about it and you can enter for a chance to win $100 to Lowe’s!
Prize
One $100 gift card to Lowe’s
3 Ways To Enter
1. Leave a comment onĀ this blog postĀ (not on Facebook or by email) telling us what your favorite organizational tip is!
2. Head on over to Facebook and ā€œLikeā€ theĀ Loweā€™s Creative Ideas fan pageĀ and leave a comment here about it.
3. Like the Copy Cat Chic Facebook page and then come on back and leave a comment.
4. Follow Copy Cat Chic on twitter, and just like above, leave me a comment so I know!
Giveaway ends
Thursday, January 26th, 2012.
Winner Announced
Friday, January 27th, 2012.
Ā 

 

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114 responses to “Time for some organization and a Giveaway”

  1. I like to place a large, durable, yet attractive basket by each door to our house. It serves as a catch-all for shoes, gloves, and dog leashes. I always know where to find stuff, and it helps to give everything a "place" to put away.

    I would love this gift card!

    Jal_gal
    @hotmail.com

  2. Just liked your page & the Lowe's page šŸ™‚ Also now following you on twitter as @believenotes. I live in a little condo in Queens, NY and run a small business out of my home too, so organization is super important. My best tip is always to go vertical and use wall space for storage. I have tons of shelves, storage cabinets and so on. I love for my home to look "empty" because everything is packed away and organized perfectly. Oh, and storage ottomans are key!

  3. I just left a comment, but it doesn't seem to be showing up, so I'll try again:

    I just made sure to like both yours and the Lowe's facebook pages, and I'm not following you on twitter from @believenotes.

    I live in a little apartment in Queens, NY and run a small business out of my home as well, so storage/organization are super important to me. Going vertical with tons of wall shelves helps me keep everything perfectly organized without running out of space. I'm also a major fan of storage ottomans as coffee tables and at the foot of the bed!

  8. A dedicated junk room is a must or optimal organization! šŸ˜‰
    Definitely gonna do the magazine/boots thing. My boots may actually look like decor rather than a sloppy mess.

  9. Great giveaway! I just invested in a few fridge binz and they have given us a much more organized space in the fridge. I use one for small jars – mustard, jam, etc on the top shelf and another on the bottom for hubby's beer bottles and other drinks. No more bottles rolling around and taking up space!

  10. I love the before and afters! Thank you so much for the magazine in the boot idea – I've only heard of wine bottles, which I never drink, so my boots have laid lifeless in my closet. We have tons of magazines, though!

    My tip is to have a spot for everything, preferably labeled, and to always put things away in that exact spot. šŸ™‚

  11. Here's how i organize, beginning of a new season, sort into:

    pack away for next season (goes to basement), outgrown clothes in bin (stays in closet until disposal),
    clothes to pass along (bags to friends),
    clothes to repurpose(in bin basement)
    bigger sizes (stays in room in armoire)
    and clothes for the current season in closet

    It takes some work, but keeps me sane

  12. I recently read a new book on organizing and it completely had me rethink the way I fold clothes. Instead of folding in stacks- you "file" them- and stack them so you can see all of your clothes. LIFE CHANGING. I just redid my daughter's drawers- and it's amazing how much more you can fit, and SEE! We'll see how long it lasts…

  14. I'm not really all that organized, but one tip I do like is to roll your t-shirts and pants in dresser drawers. That way you can line them all up and see what you really have, instead of piling them them on top of each other.

  18. Awesome giveaway! This isn't really a "tip" but my favorite way to organize is with trays, bins, and boxes. Having a specific place to put something is key for me! Last year, I bought clear shoe boxes for all of my shoes and stacked them on my closets shelves. It is so much more organized! I can still see all the shoes, but they aren't in a giant pile on the floor šŸ™‚

  19. Estate Sales and yard sales are great places to find organization items, like plastic shoe trees, lazy susans, plastic tubs, etc. If you buy these new, they are pretty expensive and who wants to spend their money on organization? You should be able to pick these items up for less than a $1.00 at an estate/yard sale.
    We are expecting our first baby in May and a Lowe's gift card would help a lot!

  20. My most important organizational tip is really something that others have mentioned as well, upkeep. Getting everything organized and in its place is a great feeling, but you definitely have to keep it up and be vigilant about it, or everything will end up a mess again.

  22. My tip might seem a bit OCD but it totally works! I always organize the clothes in my closet by type then color. That way I always know exactly where something I want to wear should be and exactly where things get put away!

  23. I use a shoe organizer (the one that has "pockets") to hang on the inside of the foyer closet. Here is where smaller items go (sunglasses, gloves, etc.). No more lost gloves! Rachel – lover your blog! michsiu@hotmail.com

  24. I have a rule that I dont bring something home unless I can visualize what I'm going to do with it. And when I do bring something home, I get rid of something else. I go through stuff to donate regularly and it really helps cut down the clutter and keep things organized.

  25. I have to put everything away every day or it gets out of hand, so my tip is, do it now, or pay later! And thanks for the idea for making the boots stand up!

  26. My favourite organisational tip is to keep a big box in the garage for donations and, every time I spy something I want to get rid of, I have a spot for it to go immediately. Purging is the best organisational skill I think!

  28. I rotate my summer and winter wardrobes. Whatever's not in season goes into storage bins under the bed and it keeps my closet neat and clean!

  29. The easiest way to stay organized is just to put things where they belong after you use them. I don't let paperwork or anything else pile up so I avoid that overwhelmed state of mind.

  31. I like to take one day a week to rework/declutter a room in my house. Each room gets a month, so that's four days per room. I don't spend the whole day, of course, just an hour or so. But that adds up. Then, the next month, I move to another room. That keeps me from micromanaging or over-thinking things.

  32. My tip is to find a method of organization that works for YOU. Just because it works for someone else doesn't mean it's the best way for you to get–and stay–organized.

  36. I rotate our clothes seasonally and have lots of labeled Rubbermaid storage bins in the basement. Also, an annual garage sale is the perfect excuse to purge items you haven't worn in over a year.

  37. If you aren't wearing it/haven't used it in, say 2 seasons, donate it. Fill your closet only with the things you love and make you feel good.

  39. My favorite organizing tip is PURGE! The less stuff you have, the less you have to worry about organizing!

  41. If it hasn't been used/worn in a year toss it! I will typically do this after each season to keep my closet fresh and it also alerts me if I need to replace or stock up on anything during after-season clearance sales.

  42. I try to stay organized through ruthless purging! The less stuff I have, the easeir it is to organize!

  43. I store all of the things I tear out of magazines in page protectors stored in 3 ring binders–it is so easy to flip through for design ideas, recipes, birthday party and kids activities.

  45. Years ago I heard this tip, before internet so probably in a magazine. When I clean out my closet, I turn all the hangers backwards as I put things in. Then as I wear things I hang them back up the right way. So, the next time I clean out my closet, anything still turned backwards was never worn & needs to go.

    I'd love to organize my closet..I'll be cleaning it out again soon.

  46. My favorite organizing tip: get a scanner and use it to eliminate a lot of the paper you tend to hold onto. Do I need a file with four years of vet records in it? Probably not. Since I feel like I need to have the information, I scanned it and saved it on the computer to get rid of the paper.

  49. I just liked your facebook page! Also my organizational tip is to never put off an organizational task that will take less than a minute from start to finish.

  50. organizing tip: Go through the mail as soon as you get it otherwise it has a tendency to pile up.

    ksgillmore at yahoo dot com

  51. My favorite tip is using the slim velvet lined hangers takes up less space in the closet than the wooden ones I have now. I am slowly moving over to the velvety ones!

  52. Excellent job! My favorite tip is adding shelving in closets – especially way up high. Use clear, labeled tubs to put away items you won't use during the summer or winter and keep them on the top shelf for later. Keep a little stepstool in the closet to reach things – I'm short so I always need it!

  54. I always keep a donation bag handy and I like to use smaller boxes, bins, or organizational trays inside bigger drawers/storage areas to keep like things together. It's so much neater looking as well

  55. I love using cute containers to help keep myself organized…I guess that's my tip. When it looks cute I want to keep it that way and it helps me stay on the right organizational track.

  58. I asked for, and received, a closet organizer for Christmas (from Lowes, actually) and it has made all of the difference in the world!

  64. Love the magazines/newspaper in tall boots. I hate how mine always fall over. It looks so messy even if they are lined up!

  65. Liked the Lowe's Creative Ideas page not just for the contest, but for the magazine that I love! I love the ideas they provide and wish I had their and your organizational skills.

    Big fan of the this blog too!

  67. wow, you make it look easy! my sweaters do the exact same jumbled mess on my top shelf! i am going to buy the exact same shelf tonight! no more excuses!

  69. I am a label maker, I label everything which helps the hubby and 4 kids put things away. I also am adamant about cleaning up at night and in the am, a few minutes with 6 of us makes a huge difference.

  70. I think my favorite organizational tip is now putting rolled up magazines in boots. that is genius! Can't believe I'd never thought of that before. thanks for the tip!

  71. My favorite organizing tip is purge. Without purging, it's so hard to be organized. My philosophy around here is, "Everything has a home." That means put things away and back in there home. Love your blog & Lowes.

  73. I have a tip similar to what you did with the newspapers. I use empty, cleaned wine bottles. I have plenty of those lying around šŸ˜‰

  76. I save all kinds of plastic containers for drawer and shelf organization. Ice trays work organizing jewelry. Mushroom containers rinse nicely and store all my kinds of tape and ribbons.

  77. IHanging clothes by color helps me, as does using see-through bins. I have a very large closet which isn't good in a way as I don't feel the need to purge as often as I should. Great giveaway!

  78. I double tier my closets so I get double the hanging space. It helps that my husband is over 6' tall.

  79. This may not be a big deal for some people, but it helps me to stay organized when everything is labeled, especially if it is something that is not in its original container/box/bag, etc.

  82. Using clear containers and labels works for me. Also having a good clear out of clutter every few months keeps a track on what is being stored.

    Victoria C
    pipkins66(at)aol(dot)com

  83. I think the easiest thing for me in organizing is LABEL, LABEL, LABEL!! This way I know where and what EVERYTHING is, even when I can't see in the box, file, crate, etc. Thanks for the great giveaway!:)
    missashleigh at juno dot com

  89. My favorite organizational tip is to do a sweep of the house putting away clutter every night before bed. Just takes a few minutes and I sleep much more soundly.

  90. Easy- I put things where I got them RIGHT AWAY! This ensures that I know where everything is all the time!

  91. one of my resolutions was to finally quit putting off organizing my closet. This prize would definitely help.

  92. I think that tip about the magazines in boots is fabulous. I've never heard that before and it's way cheaper than buying the boot forms to stick in them.

  94. I find it hardest to organize when I have too much stuff. So my advice is first, get rid of anything you don't use or no longer need. Then, the task of organizing only the things you really use is much simpler.

  95. My organization tip is to use an over-the-door rack to hang your collection of scarfs and purses. I used one in my small hallway coat closet and it has worked like a charm!

  98. The less clutter you keep, the less you will have to organize :0) If you won't really ever use it, donate it and it makes organizing a lot easier.

    junerlisle at gmail dot com

  99. The trouble I have with my closet is finding ways to save space so that I can more readily see what is in there. I love tiered hangers for skirts and pants to save room, and then organizing my tops and dresses by color. I also use the tiered pants hangers for all of my scarves, and I have a hanging thing with clear sleeves for all of my handbags. I'm also trying to employ a "one in, one out" rule so that my clothes don't keep growing! Thanks for the giveaway!

    xo,
    Laura

  103. My favorite organizational tip is to use multiple types of hangers to keep clothes organized. I used to just throw skirts over a regular hanger, but no more! And my closet is a lot easier to work with now.

  104. I have been addicting to organizing this year! I feel like when my house is in order I'm much less stressed. One tip I found on I Heart Organizing was to make school paper bins for the kiddos with a file folder for each year… I put mine together last weekend and LOVE it!

  113. I store off season clothes in the attic and LABEL everything! Before we store things for the season, we go through everything so we can donate or trash.