Wait-No-More Challenge: Linen Closet Edition

So, I'll let you in on a little secret... I have a Monica closet. No wait, that's a fib. I have multiple Monica closets.

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I really try to keep clutter around the house to a minimum and really try to organize. But our closets are tiny and I've struggled to figure out organizational systems that work. 

I reorganized our linen closet right before Little Girlie was born, but after a year of complete chaos and travel, we started just shoving stuff in there. The problem was, my original organizational system was not working. The baskets were too small or just non existent, so putting things back just didn't happen. In a hurry, we'd just find a spot and plop stuff down. Ugg.

Are you ready to see what a linen closet that has been neglected for a year and a half looks like? I'm super embarrassed to even show you, but hey, keeping it real around here.

Oh yes. It's a beauty right?! This was my face every time I opened it...and every time I look at that picture!

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I couldn't take it any more and instead of waiting until I had time (which is laughable when you have a baby that has a serious mommy attachment), I headed upstairs after dinner while Jeremy played with the kids and went to town. I emptied everything out, purged, shopped the house for unused containers, and put it all back in. It took a while and it isn't overly pretty, but I worked with what I had and it didn't cost me a dime. 

So much better, right?!?! I can breathe again! 

Here's a glimpse into how I organized everything... 

Before, there was one basket of rags that was overflowing in the bottom of the closet. I split the rags up into two bins--one for small rags and floor mops and one for large rags. No more digging to get to the size rag I need! 

The first aid basket was the worst basket. It was too small and every time we went in search of a Band-Aid, we had to tear apart the basket looking for one. I split the first aid supplies into two baskets. One basket is for medicines and such and one is just for Band-Aids, Neosporin/Cleaners, and the thermometer. I slid the Band-Aid basket and a small basket filled with our travel sized items and travel cosmetic bags into a large bin.

I also tweaked my candle storage method. I store the candles in a large plastic bin with a lid so the entire closet doesn't smell like a crazy mix of candle fragrances. I have learned over the years to not let the candles touch or the colors will bleed from one candle to another. I strategically place rags between the candles to prevent color bleed. While those strategies were working, the votives were still a mess since they're so small and fall all over the place. I plopped the votives into leftover Easter egg crates and voila! Organized candle votives!

The cosmetics, cleaners, linens, beach towels, and a couple large decorative/kitchen items that I don't want in the attic were placed on the shelves for easy access. 

Isn't this SO much better?! We've lived with it for a little bit now and it's just as neat as the first day. Yay! It feels so good to be getting our house back in order!

See which projects I'm tackling next here! 

Linking up with Jen from IHeart Organizing, Savvy Southern Style, and many other awesome blogs!