Operation: A Place for Everything (and Everything in Its Place)
My organizing mission continues. This closet makeover is still in progress, so there aren’t any polished before-and-after photos yet, but I wanted to share the progress and the practical steps I’ve been taking behind the scenes.
The Closet That Drove Me Nuts
Can you blame me?
This closet in the snug became the classic “we just moved in” catchall. It turned into the delayed decision zone—overflowing with items that didn’t yet have a clear home: family photos, mementos, files, extra pillow covers. All important things, but all without a place to live.
At one point it was full of fluffy pillows that tumbled out every time I opened the door. It was aggravating enough that I finally committed to fixing it.
Why We Chose a Compact Home
We live in what I call a compact home by choice: smaller rooms, a smaller lot, a one-car garage, no storage shed, no basement, and modest closets. After years of living with more space—extra garages, basements, outbuildings—I learned that extra storage often just makes it too easy to accumulate too much stuff.
For someone who likes to decorate, feels sentimental about objects, and admits to procrastinating, fewer storage options force me to stay on top of things. Without good systems, clutter either multiplies out of sight or taunts me every time I open a door.
Even after decluttering and downsizing over the years, I keep learning the same lessons: small spaces need fewer things but they also require better systems. In larger homes I could stash things out of sight and forget them until it was time to move. Limited space encourages decisive choices and practical organizing solutions.
I still find odd things from time to time—like a Donny and Marie album that has moved with me through many homes—but those discoveries are becoming less frequent as I pare down and create better systems. Here’s what I did with this closet.
The Closet Problem (and My Simple Solution)
This under-the-eaves closet is actually one of the larger storage spaces in our home, so I knew it had potential. The issue was the lack of structure—no shelving system or usable containers—so it became a jumble. My approach was straightforward: edit first, then organize.
I started with a ruthless edit, letting go of items that didn’t need to be kept. Limited space made the decisions easier. Once the clutter was pared down, I moved on to practical organizing tools that work without permanent installation.
What I Used:
- White photo boxes: A tidy place for loose photos until they can be scanned, framed, or sorted.
- Blue stackable bins: Soft-sided but sturdy bins with handles and label slots. Some hold files, others corral miscellaneous items. The bins don’t all match perfectly, and that’s fine—function matters more than perfection.
- Navy linen file boxes: Sturdy boxes with metal rails to hold hanging files—great for paperwork that needs a home.
- Blue magazine holders: Useful for manuals, small notebooks, and papers that need to stay upright and accessible.
- Wall-mounted essential oil organizer: I added small wall shelves to maximize vertical space without taking up floor area. They keep my oils visible, contained, and fragrant—this closet smells amazing now.
With these containers in place, everything stacks neatly and there’s still enough room to step into the closet comfortably. The system is simple, non-permanent, and flexible—no need for custom shelves or major changes. It’s a fast, functional solution that fits our needs now and can adapt as those needs change.
Most importantly, I can open the closet door without anxiety. I find myself opening it just to celebrate how much progress I’ve made.
- Buy bins in larger sets when possible for better value and visual cohesion.
- Choose containers with handles and label slots to make maintenance easy.
- Declutter before you organize—don’t buy containers to hide clutter.
- Simple, inexpensive solutions often make the biggest difference in small spaces.
Voila—this little system saved the day and my sanity. It’s not glamorous, but it works, and that’s what matters.
See more of my recent organizing projects on my blog for additional inspiration and practical tips.