The spare room closet used to be stuffed with suitcases, wrapping paper, gift bags, and a bunch of other clutter that needed to be cleared out so the room could function as a playroom and a proper “big girl” room for Clara.
We emptied everything out (except for photo albums and yearbooks up on the top shelf), and then—poof—the clutter disappeared.
Okay, not really. Most of it ended up in the guest room closet.
That actually made practical sense: we’ve been in this house for three years now and haven’t noticed guests using that closet, so putting our overflow there felt reasonable. There’s even a little room to hang items on the closet rod if needed—just slide the bags to one side—and we’ll do that when company is expected. For everyday use, though, spreading the gift bags out so they’re easy to grab is far more convenient.
And the best part is that once the guest room door is closed, visitors don’t have to see what’s stored inside.
After adding a few of Clara’s things, the closet in her room is now functional for games and for storing some clothing that she’ll grow into. It’s fun to think about painting the closet walls a playful color—coral or teal, perhaps—so that may be a future project.
For now, we added a friend or two for closet ambiance—like her stuffed monkey who loves to hang out.
Adding a few toys created another cozy play zone. Clara already spends lots of time in her big girl room—at her play kitchen, at the little table for stuffed-animal tea parties, and taking pretend naps on the daybed—but the closet is another small hideaway she can slip into and enjoy.
On the closet floor we placed a couple of items I picked up for a thrift-shop challenge. Remember the $1 chair that used to be a faded yellow-brown, and the little cradle that had scorch marks, scratches, and a musty smell?
They both look and smell fresh now.
Both pieces were easily revived with cleaning, priming, and fresh paint. For the chair I used a gloss red paint-and-primer, and for the cradle I used an all-surface gloss spray paint that includes primer.
I do have more plans for the cradle—something more playful than plain white—so I’ll share updates when it’s further along.
Even with the cradle only halfway finished, the cleared-out closet is already getting plenty of use.
As Clara grows, I’m realizing it’s helpful to create small activity zones throughout the house instead of dumping every toy into a single basket in the living room. Moving toys between rooms gives her new things to explore and helps avoid one giant pile of scattered toys. By designating a few focused spots, toys tend to stay put and tidying up becomes quicker and less overwhelming.
So that’s the quick closet overhaul—clearing out clutter, repurposing space, and adding a little play-friendly storage. Have you been clearing out closets lately? Do you leave a guest closet empty for visitors, or use it for everyday storage since guests rarely need it? We were surprised to remember we only have five closets in our four-bedroom house, so it makes sense to make the most of each one.