An ombre wall (guest room progress!)

<p>Hello all! How was your weekend? Oh people…we’re finally getting summer around here and it hurts a bit. Looks like we have another week of high temps and then things get awesome again. I knew it had to happen…and at least now that it’s hot I’m now completely ready for fall. I wasn’t before. ;) </p> <p>So I’ve had a specific project on my to do list for years – paint the guest room. A fairly simple thing, right? A lot of projects take me forever but this one may win for being on the list the longest. This room was my stepdaughter’s room <em>and</em> our guest room, and I felt sorry for those who would come to stay: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rS5WPHeo7Qe-0T9K1ewcYEZGHTb5Rv2Nl5_nXtCGzuDCcrGtoj2HTlzgDwppD9JJec471cAiYxIS0gaYmGmaomKfhpfOQxUxFNOjYzdkhEGfkC0Q3irkmd5OqRkCOTXYBdAjtg_0hEM/s1600-h/image_thumb%25255B10%25255D%25255B5%25255D.png"><img alt="squares of color on wall" border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwXehz5jxkxMCIjpUS6stgxjKHXqLZxx1fsCZ7r08JsjfVdi893rGI0_713i67nvFfjq31pA5X0QnSfnnAH7V2lQi35b1I-ZlIPBirAsfstHO1dnmx1m9xsZb_OB3hKcEibkm_od71nc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="squares of color on wall" width="350" /></a></p> <p>I mean…I know. </p> <p>It was completely adorable for a 13-year-old (we did this when we moved in more than nine years ago), but it was a little much for anyone else. The wall was actually kind of special to us – soon after we moved in she and about five of her friends did all the painting after I had taped off those squares. There was a paint fight, lots of laughs and they had a BLAST. </p> <p>I got new bedding for the room a couple years ago but still never painted the room:</p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUvkopRrsWEiChlNUdUQijtAqLiEB-TfvP4yOhj_mWAdxzcbJ-Fb1BXffFpnskLCAEvc74jxvgoFIciOXE3VZWk701EKtRPoNI53C0fzTXxy7jX9WH8RXR4wDvPAVtVPzX4aQTyQTgq0/s1600-h/blue-room%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAzrV7cHwV9fuaUJw7pTdQEUP3e1bk1KlNWtXG63myK_iiJR4JK5WrvoCG7pKTPCo4YYQZ3XWBM05USUCr6mvl2GOI5XBOC0CwhF7Z-GU9yW5AJFIWRHGFa2cqNvpEozKr3i5rXeMyuI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFRVywqKitinYt_OxNdRfnsEy2GxcaJUc2tW0hfb_CJBHH0j63bf4MwouT6Tlvkgz4Wham2l6L6Y3zVzkay-skOL0F6e74z1U9obf_VSvqVFv4wbbmXzgi93tnF1T2wE9KErr130-WaA/s1600-h/IMG_5050_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlloQsu8sMXEj1xzdqCao_kO9mt6el3X-IE4VF7uSvQ487X7LUBbpvhOmZy6hj0NQVyQDVVWgTcH_RIRDrKLvYnHlvP6qejEC6R0BDPCnxRGtcTUFPkiyYmlITvOqguLSyW7REhhES4Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a></p> <p>And like most guest rooms this space got the hodge podge furniture that didn’t really work anywhere else in the house. </p> <p>I’m on a house-wide decluttering rampage right now, and it’s taking<em> forever</em>. I keep getting sidetracked by little (and BIG) projects along the way. That’s how this redo started – with the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/using-all-of-closet-space.html">decluttering and organizing</a> in here I shared a couple weeks ago. </p> <p>For some reason I couldn’t handle this wall one. more. day. The great thing is, I already had the paint I needed to change up this pastel wall: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIyPQJPYY8qqixixIlzVr-rJqK-FGA3EmKtfTUnVbNN60jipwGFfBBN8fhoWFGWfqhzObwMkbH1TJ5l_MctscjX7YaGy-jIA4AszVBqpdxTeYTcL0y0fd6nYkhf3xMInPfQf_KSkKOrQ/s1600-h/blocked-paint-wall%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blocked paint wall " border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1olSpghzBsUIgxw0y89kfhShoxIec-5PGYu1IiEkRn8q9y93yGZxplFzJ9_rgZPQXcqF4QMSMyfEc3QZQrMVre62W2iurtnP85_CHzuTbHCHZrZkauBIcu9e_7E5DiaH0qHbrOBjaZQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blocked paint wall " width="550" /></a></p> <p>I bought the paint about six months ago I think? I had a look in mind for those squares. I wanted to try to keep them since I knew if I just painted the wall I’d still see the lines of the squares. And I really didn’t want to mess with sanding it all down – I just went with what I already had. What better time to finish this up then in my no-spend August? I had all the paint tools I needed, so I went after it. </p> <p>First up – taping. This is what took the longest part: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPFuelH7MKyxzMDo9opzvGoZ47Nd3JPBZpFNrghHib0UFKRdpKAQMtszg1Nky0KP7lUOb5Tdy19sj4dQuOASqgxQnSt7T3m1tPEWX_Yd_gVcG67a3y3h-ozY3Y6dAnQpaL8Gi_ZsPrSA/s1600-h/taping-off-squares-on-wall%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="taping off lines on wall" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigO7ZgKaBaLP6Az9CxgPCfrB16gWf7XUrvIcAkm9asTiuRY4F9flB_gu2QyVrp4-ef7qVzyb9Ya3OqZjGiiHSYHwzNwU0MljaTbmMVddbk_pFKKqrMgQyhDVg09lyd2iYVA2ByTfYTFg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="taping off lines on wall" width="400" /></a></p> <p>You can see there how the paint job by the teenagers wasn’t perfect – I never fixed it. ;) </p> <p>I used my trusty Frogtape and had to tape off each side of the squares – years ago when I did this I used a two inch tape but the thickest Frogtape I had on hand was about 1 1/2 inches. </p> <p>It took a while because I was trying to tape off just right so I didn’t see any of the old color. I also had to tape it so the new paint would cover the seepage from the tape I used the first time I did it: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9BKB7WF-ybIXiUNjtl__l_DgBofR0sKNWEZ5paxcsrhfAUhbspZn66lZcEKDYuhjgMebSMNSaSELSzo9cerlDh9GNTNsHAKZX8Zo5tR8Tvg6t7L-zwEQ6XiQyHLQNy3qh43K_zLjE6A/s1600-h/taping-off-paint-lines%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="taping off paint lines painters tape" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq56zBwzKtpm1izXuCT_xt80R2xogQ0NIkoULXNi7wJfX5LNPek6WqL8v-1b_vh70LvEOM1fllRg1yKJVRVBMmvCBUZna3nP1mZQCWaBc6C128QJOrbPT7IP4RBROdLhyphenhyphencF6wEAq3LDCo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="taping off paint lines painters tape" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Like I said, this took awhile. But it was good, mindless, relaxing work. Sometimes not thinking much is a very good thing. ;) </p> <p>And then I was ready: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOMM1J1J-ghPqhdSGzS1TYnCbyHpRw0NI_8Er1yNmPqsoLxA6YoJRoTr46yKE10PBTU7QSU4TTGS_FVl8oM3CVmqdCFOaRBUszJ7KkuUCBXU0-5wkZwDXs3JCG-YDRzN_H0OT15h3Kjg/s1600-h/squares-on-walls%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="squares with painters tape" border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-s-1kTz0F3ueWO2faIUA81sEfaxcMd4p0Y5YhEUkIZsUGcOjbbRIIWkFupTugcy8oChyphenhyphenSN6EjaS0w-wmZWJYSlVSYmWmbslQMrPcEflxR8hI5-x9_hyphenhyphenhUjkGjdSAHhGpOnzVbYw-74M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="squares with painters tape" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Months ago when I picked out the paint I went through a ton of options. Originally I planned to go with a gray in this room but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. This room is SO bright and cheery, and it could certainly take the gray. (Not all grays are dark and dreary.) </p> <p>I wanted it to be light and pretty. I wanted to work with the bedding too, but the green in that is more of a chartreuse color – not exactly something I want on the walls. </p> <p>So I went with something that didn’t match <em>just right</em> and I don’t think the world will stop spinning:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9PmFCkNThwx0jo0RidpCi02VIyUiqmm2bglBzIJYh_te-zGVqROhKdceijZW5iigD2UgmVkSX3ZNZBBmxyi9KgNai6Ie5GvC-lg8hgt0KRAo_83nAAjEDMaJe-uKAt7D9pbXl1hVlko/s1600-h/light-green-wall-colors%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="light green wall colors " border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99T5lDkJBeI4uOJSWVFe-wnA-EvBSglYBnU8rSgghoWU1FXU65335b1XlRhO6n1HJBquLhIeDYlhnrLOBGL-iylDYrePvFkho2bzC3kHku_K6-lgyf9NEqqe3YBIcKq-lFbU_OHPyi-k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="light green wall colors " width="450" /></a></p> <p>Yes, all of those colors. </p> <p>I went ombre: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh586QVHfcmhkWv23OCuN3btgJBLhKXdPqjFXANFLRu85U6q6jtKuGh3HrNhrNQCHEP1RA_xwxxIgGuxIwEpQStkF5PqLdEWBl3K3o2-6x3kYLmejwvkEXscfaD4AHc9i4zEOgLrB1GjiY/s1600-h/ombre-paint-wall%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ombre paint wall " border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuXtU4x1nHDjYcU0gr4LAThwxNdIKqcbd8nwJaUtRuUiI2_7rESY9Lf0G3CTaUyXgOo7_OAPgrs2IoUXVyjJROc5z3zaFaiB_nkSlyBdu2vEGZ1w3IQZGVkpqpKScz_M2yYA_SMFdup4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ombre paint wall " width="500" /></a></p> <p>Obviously I went darkest (Pond Reed) on the bottom and moved up. All of the colors are from Porter Paints (I had them mixed them in a cheaper paint): </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhyphenhyphenE-GUH4Z2Z2QQ3cC3ZQHtGpvSFNoUSH7y7hzYRZSYpg63ul19p4of4BfxrHYHJ8VayDpJgnUjKJ-1jwHLM9h3DJgL8pw99fjbrP2MRV0xhFX8A-yiRAjRXRA5OKf3vINY394hxNmos/s1600-h/ombre-squares-on-wall%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ombre squares on wall" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLpaDSRSHH-HMquhp89Tao3mX3sCz45aWqGmYs760AM-XBX2wbd53-IHoV3J9yY7IzIL0RxBqfG_1EI20F4y-hucMNGxmXLE6xBSRpM6gLuUBKGyT8vcEkuGEuCOqHqki5KQcGSnRSJU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ombre squares on wall" width="500" /></a></p> <p>(See the story of that nightstand-from-the-trash <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/07/when-fab-happens-by-accident-and-for.html">here</a>.) </p> <p>I REALLY love it. Keep in mind nothing else is done in the room so you are seeing this <em>way</em> in between, but I like sharing progress as it happens. </p> <p>The rest of the room got painted as well, but first I had to remove my horrible trim idea from years back: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBRC4GJv_B5BDM4-yCPtsOzfolQL0J6te5hj8L30vWoo7K7eH1QfH1UTWYXNQdNlZuiPM2n0fGK3vFws1PTc1_pa5KcMYOa30WM5bj8o9ZF8hZjcEh_d1GL6aW2iHCz06mx5eQg4KSuE/s1600-h/removing-trim-from-wall%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="removing trim from wall" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvucYeiN1ykmqTLMAXyC4tuBEQnEF7qrRm3EE_CJVjxu_CuYgC8PjL6CYYM6dkpovvDY5jI6l_kDSRRpgeCb0kQuGVvxfMBwgqHt9ap6UNYuFY7pbd60Y9342ZMzxUtNOitLfh7UiYc7I/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="removing trim from wall" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I was trying to do an easy crown molding look all those years ago, and it FAILED.  I’ve learned a few things over the years -- one, don’t use two inch nails to install trim. Two, don’t use Liquid Nails, ever. Ever, ever, ever. Did I mention ever? Unless you are SURE you will never change your mind. 3. Thin, inexpensive molding doesn’t look like crown molding, no matter how hard I try. Ever. </p> <p>I just painted over the glue for now but I’ll have to do crown or something to cover it up later. Nice. </p> <p>I painted the rest of the room the lightest color on the ombre wall, Dew White: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8h5mMwOHWpqwVbg2mwMWIKh9E-SXFiE5gFIC2oy1a4RdtQnHK38vap8Wv3WbsU_7zMi7Tl64FUbjgP0p31jMACjaUrSL-rabJ9vE1SUf5D-9gqzsZ6ShP5Rjpg1Lu5hGdv_npG8fGr0/s1600-h/IMG_6310%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="dew white porter paint" border="0" height="717" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjK00R7uMNd7Re3QZdZ5kc8M71lroFD867F-Uq9U0L_uNhuRsFVTMl_bJReuoBofMBg_UjA8zxnrH8W_63U7EHQmRU-xBTKLHI6E_Jw_Hm8WkoHhOCtFCKtw8mrVPQROET4eWrqtya_A/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dew white porter paint" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Here’s another tip – covering blue walls with a light paint will take two coats. Get enough paint. ;) I didn’t and will need to get more to finish up a couple of the smaller walls. </p> <p>There’s lots left to do in here, obviously. Drapes for sure and paint the old dresser: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aP9_wxiSuz2TATa2bTZ8qZgIHJiMa_9IpMqRRf7WVC_1iWxVyXLyVMKvO7bbaD9dy56V0YE80PSGnjLhEDKYRlPXj6lvAi2ErRg8F0g-bKAa21-CXoDxUwdilzacdW96xVPuZ4pILJ8/s1600-h/IMG_6328%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dew white porter paint" border="0" height="704" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfBemqGAUsswyDCzMAIaD_Mgm70YJzSGYPNeaS8kMHqP2Xqt6GaOmUrMwYnf0x03gylMZDr10-WlVdTRfONGMC_VpZiZ3jX8kaAFKkQV7ERJMEG4eaC7Xo0WmsUQYFletNm5v35lKH04/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dew white porter paint" width="450" /></a></p> <p>The nightstand that matches that dresser <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/80s-nightstand-redo.html">got a redo</a> a few weeks ago. </p> <p>The room as is is very…dewy. :) But drapes and art and accessories will help to tone that down a little. Thing is – I probably wouldn't use this color elsewhere in the house, but it’s just so dang pretty and light in there. I fall in love with it more every time I go in that room.  </p> <p>I’ve had this little garage sale chair forever, and I don’t know why but I love it: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeeyXZRyOGIMLqu832K4KUe-IdBwnbluwEuoD-IGm90u1DkJDw5ZoB0gsTT2UHJvAeI_nspbJ0YtmogzNCMCgXNLCQV3YMk_pQMROJUkRQcOT0oStIExWxg8UVBI-VnCkjtM1Z_sHkPQ/s1600-h/IMG_6326%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ombre squares on wall" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj6Rx6uzctqn1plYztA_Dgqfkn4Bad30GJOpSVoaSfFrVEpAgSRsxEX2G9baDT3iTlq1qtf6EwVcmWpyBgWWV-_wiLms17fQH8L1rSctwDT3M-wGbzMbYYVL2C7CbUpdN68-qEmPQXiM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ombre squares on wall" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Well, the shape of it I love. Not the 70’s fabric. I was sitting there yesterday thinking I could <em>totally</em> recover this myself. I have <em>totally</em> lost my mind. I’ve done it before and said never again.</p> <p>That little foot stool thing won’t stay, it’s just here till I figure out what to do with it cause I love it. I’ll also DIY a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html">simple headboard</a> at some point too. </p> <p>My list is long but at least I finally painted!! HUGE project done. Even if I get nothing else done in here for awhile it looks SO much better: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49hwBwKxDtIkQCuay2aZglTQGnWAsUm2GOuxqrz1EO5hF4HeIc8B60tslnrLbV-lmNBDGhFi1TXKwT9OY4_YyOhu684epyuadqJwvxRyrh_mBqQwRdgQEm-JR5osGZiihAMBJb01dCwI/s1600-h/ombre-wall%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ombre paint wall" border="0" height="758" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow96wEPXbHZno0GRCN9l8J5h2kBSSOflF6LQWJrQ13XF1TT2SF2DZkuF8rsFoSMbeyk3KNa1be9Dx7K1K-XBoSugC_jzouRWwuFqE64S5cUXgO1JBOCCHLsue8qzP3HSnGs2NaHjfF8s/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ombre paint wall" width="500" /></a></p> <p>My plan is to still add some dark gray/black in here to play off the light green and black combo that I love. It will also be some nice contrast. I think it’s such a fresh look and I hope I can make it work. </p> <p>Can you believe I finally got this done? THIS is why I need to do no-spend months every year. I’m getting <strong>so much</strong> done. I do have a short list of things I can’t wait to go out and buy on September 1st though. Is this month taking longer than most or is it just me? ;) </p>

An ombre wall (guest room progress!)

Hello all! How was your weekend? Oh people…we’re finally getting summer around here and it hurts a bit. Looks like we have another week of h...

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Using ALL of the closet space

<p>So remember last week when I said I was going to decrapify all weekend? Well, I did. Most of the weekend anyway. I got two rooms done – the Bub’s bathroom and our guest room. </p> <p>It’s a little weird that I would start there – probably the two least used rooms in our house. But I started a painting project in the guest room too (I can’t wait to show you – still not done!) so it just kind of tumbled from there you know? One things leads to another? </p> <p>Well, it led to some major decluttering and a little DIY. I’m SO happy with how it all turned out. </p> <p>So here’s the thing – bedroom closets stump me. I think they are huge chasms of wasted space. You with me? I just think that unless you have a built in closet system, there’s SO much space that isn’t used well. So for years I’ve been trying to use these spaces better – and until I can put something fancy in there I think this solution helps!</p> <p>Let’s check out the befores of this closet shall we? It’s not pretty. I warned you. </p> <p>On the one side I had installed some pull out bins (that used to be in the Bub’s closet) awhile ago, then we had some boxes of photos and a pile of luggage: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQX3gqKWq7AlzY2vH2A3CBia2s7yZFWqir6PI_g5mvvUGnS9PSL3JHhGjQ7NBTqH1bEQS7rLeOi_d3urlarDTa-ek6QIEse5ovGHCfA2sDGHY7nBOmy_p4rU_9qDvxhu6BaM-bATAaw6Y/s1600-h/organizing-messy-closet%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pull out bins in closet" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIY3MlXeMHfE78uu48RzifvnXl_2Ym0ce0nAWdv2quqqTHHPbr-VIFaAM_4l8aWB3vBcAHO1C-6wax5HotGthuVG8T01v_eA1_GaSEcJmZStOFLvOnj5w9HLiqWOf6WaKAOlZzqsYndM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pull out bins in closet" width="450" /></a></p> <p>You can’t see there but there are always a stack of random pictures on top of those boxes (because I’m usually too lazy to organize them <em>inside</em> the boxes) that come fluttering down every time I move something up there. :) I found a bunch tucked into the suitcases.</p> <p>And speaking of, that pile of luggage was a little ridiculous: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYrWNnuRwxOQ44ODw-DHFDyhqBIuCanvPR4evgfq9p-HsCz1PIv_mYPA3081qchvmEU2et5qF_irgIsP0XITu1UxvTgsJ_BVI1AsWvcwwQLKvbveAXiEwG4b_19uqEHgn74eSyeZT-pE/s1600-h/messy-closet-organization%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlApOkwJ2aAIUwff75am4EHgdzHHFe7axZfIO339CPfK6DqgG-A48hQJyQ-riK6KsiIffw8w5fwTnjN99ClBUSLSbyc0NTDHuCQB27JXeJMkLMLwJp-OafmgeJNSD8bczzav9bMelR8U/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a></p> <p>The placement of all of that was less than brilliant on my part, since it became impossible to pull out them out when we needed them. Duh. </p> <p>And other side was waaaaay worse. A few weeks ago we had company staying and the Bub and I did a cleaning spree in here and quite literally <strong>stuffed</strong> things in this side of the closet: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpP_SCPlN7uzghKputhFWGe7zOAnD2J60jjTFrH6IAyXaaqzco6jClcyjwIcPAyhtkW1ZY6Waf6_MaZ_wZiWsNYzo0rqXp5QD-w5KhXWJfAzBIMg_8ZMQfIMvu6FVgP5J-kTGczvyZUE/s1600-h/organizing-bedroom-closet%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing a bedroom closet" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAjpqls2WK5i4JVMpxYlOHMcDiizMoH2Ibu28twQ1hOXGfLHIYUdsfXzrt76iwVdYVx7mwlUnV0PDauRLJV3BeAiVFUM_AngFs_3-31OJsTm-FtdmHlBSeSPB5RZezAsvHDEIHvQRsks/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="organizing a bedroom closet" width="450" /></a></p> <p>On my last trip to IKEA I picked up a few (or seven) feather pillow inserts to use for a future project – and I just dumped them on the guest bed. So they had to go somewhere…of course stuffed into the closet (along with some others) made the most sense: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcwP0t30ARs1tI1mm0prJZb_ZYxAoEuTeveZfr-ggxyDjvnNUEPgxC9O5j2It7PyVB4WM-TtVtMi_gGeHCPwIQhuXoh1Jw46TTjZeaBCeqB5a87-3raSM1hRCPkPTKcB2wFL3HfxhEtU/s1600-h/messy-closet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scary" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFz8euhxKiEvQCEDo03dtQk6EQOwy_2BhWsXrqxDOphqo2giHIJLs_8ztbwwEX50seRba7H6X8oFEeji_tXOUbsfoXmsY7_qU1y-woaqlR62-ufRbhB0-GZO4zQe6qzK4mnrRZr3ByJ8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="scary" width="450" /></a></p> <p>So I started pulling things out and organizing. The stuff in those pull out bins was mostly travel stuff (a few of the bins were empty) and I got rid of half of it. I disassembled the drawers and will be putting them into our closet next but that’s a whole other post. :)</p> <p>My hubby used that steam machine a lot before, but now that he doesn't have to dress up for work every day he doesn’t need it nearly as much. So I closed it up and put it our closet for now. </p> <p>Then because I was planning on rearranging the bed in there, I started pulling stuff out from under there too – I have the bed up on risers so there’s a bunch of space underneath. I keep other pillows and extra foam and stuff like that under there. </p> <p>By the time everything was pulled out this is what I was dealing with: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9znXypugz8Oj7DKwqPMjjEgHMwfy5DJ5fllfBlnENFQST5RmErovFzOYks3vPhaJdD58eflANhmXu2gGAYhF850Awn-TvMrSDMiPG-1mN671pL3oNBm-cgV2ziSrY3cXibwn0mwS7G3M/s1600-h/organizing-bedroom-closet2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TSwXw7ocU8JDWysaxJM4ntaceZXeVUZytsmhc4BqVcwJ_HJ16l5iH6NBn3AjkLoO2YftpeTmvK4vUwyXz0clPi8-4iztGkXxbVBDmLtsO0tdcUiRS_lEyvHSWnEBkfxEvJHCIwaDBTU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="452" /></a></p> <p>Well the lamp shade wasn’t under the bed…but again, one thing led to another. :)</p> <p>My husband came up the stairs at one point, stood there and said “<em>Whoa</em>.” Exactly. I’m pretty amazing that I had all of that in a closet and under the bed. I think anyway. Or something. </p> <p>I counted 23 pillows that I found in that room – TWENTY THREE! Old decorative pillows, filler pillows and bed pillows. Twenty…three. I haven’t cleaned out this room in a long time, obviously.</p> <p>So after the purging it was on to the next phase. I kind of hate that weird space to the sides of the closets – if you’ve got a lot of clothes then obviously that’s prime space, but in a space like this with no clothes it’s wasted. </p> <p>To use it better I grabbed scrap wood from the garage and made some shelves: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFduEnH8ZvPFJHuWaUmJftNMQ8qLFdHu_ACOdpxKkaQ5zmcV6TW8m5nm426-BZKPqtE6-Cjhukv4Y5lgQYPGv6b2SiR1BrdUdGMlyu3yVWF5PJnE5OiZzhKTOu8eum0mL3HA6tO2_8L4c/s1600-h/building-shelves-in-closet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building shelves in closet" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCY7BOofNLaU4ZadF09QpKgqjhbBUoGVNDzhvlGAzDNQJyhRs1o_7rPSrCnDPb4QFxhjtsmXQMgi9kn99no-9nksxgPqTeW7NI6-Bczuw2Y7g1O5Zy2QaCb7dSl4hxHWR8xkcPmhUBUo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="building shelves in closet" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I knew I wanted to keep that bin in there so I started right above that and just eyeballed the height of each shelf. This is so easy to do, really! I just used random pieces of wood as the ledge and screwed them into studs (mostly at the corners). Then I cut down pieces of wood for the shelf part and nailed them in to the supports. </p> <p>You can see the how-to more in detail in my kitchen pantry post <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-more-wire-shelves-pantry-redo.html">here</a> or the wood shelves in the basement bathroom <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-floating-shelves-bathroom-progress.html">here</a>. </p> <p>I put some contact paper down to cover the rough wood – it’s easier and faster than paint in my opinion: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLnusZepPmqvEb7ZYy2mZsbCOT_2qe9S28rh9RCzjOVOP1ZuzwUoYhBI6OvZQZ1KQdzq_RIjKEO1XRallgLZUTG-AdcAu4PXKbPds5EvM3NZTiZEdC5vvyTJi696QA5oYnT1OY8i2z4A/s1600-h/DIY-shelves-in-closet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY shelves in closet" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4EDN5rJt-WAcZprIN5P5YICELZ-9clQ7WDFuIL1bvDo0rI2mWbfdiX-yLiPvx3IRc9ELJ2Y_qRQcDhdKCsgnTe3OCG_uVYJQ9TWRUudYlBCl4qjvJAFrxUpTDo55ifmKbS84DkzlxLM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY shelves in closet" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And then started filling them up with blankets!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJh45Am2WJOwy5OYeKO6BnmpRAisY0ODL39Mx-XzdH-I6RUYWk4fLY_kSMZeIlucf8rQ0zOCuR2W4n7kYfROEXwIiMOt-GnMCgROOgigxT1AJOggm84kf4r3MqXLC9EA_tO_2mCiWEIc/s1600-h/using-wasted-space-in-closet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="using wasted space in a closet" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL1NxMgRbfNU1OhKq-BvQYxZvS0ygPSMxwnGEsy26GCq2gwtTxkNFD1fgPu7bi96XHw1UlJEX-ZxRLG21siJnkihOJVe40T4BPLow4oFGiTtAY8MS9ZxRGZ0xPD4QTX8vpLcc-RrwlWI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="using wasted space in a closet" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I could never get those blankets to stay up on the wire shelves above, so this is a GREAT solution. (Especially for that huge fluffy blanket!)</p> <p>The other side looks better too – I only kept enough luggage for the three of us:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sb0gAVwiXuHAACNL1xNeY_2Rs1dbvtQsGAEZf98HB8mnaFsatULN39-eN0pFAEE1bhWEoq-S_dyHKx1hiG3d7_fbnDLYXaWwJllVEaQ0PikUCes5sWZEaYhtyCSPzlF5NPpJaA3gI4M/s1600-h/storing-luggage%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="storing luggage" border="0" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQE0qMTGQvOsiETHvglrqtRkVxSexBg-FyQhk6BLBKNFl4UJSOwCHX4rmpg22CEyJ07siVBvdJH85ZIAEIDlJv6wk_09TWVAN2T3IkDPS1KPiCWrWKz59yaGMdHnXsSTN6Y-76EFIRtQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="storing luggage" width="450" /></a></p> <p>That bin in the middle is an old toy box from the Bub’s nursery and I put my extra fabric in there. I put it in that spot so we can still easily access the luggage and shelves.  </p> <p>Here’s how it all looks, with before and afters!: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_ZjyKXJ-F1CKk_OwhmoFYHmQGHI2yySRGGOIsHb8KYGHT6Cc53TrHVWmoESzvthJMIb5zCZ69QgNTDfQW7oB7sx-XrypJnZHnhHhjKcenO3AqIUQzL9zvD8HlKN1AW2gAO-sQokbPiU/s1600-h/organizing-messy-closet%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing a messy closet" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjRgF07GUbgJRSge09okeRILbZvdY5LrQgRLyoZyNtPgnasZzDgHs78NAH1EFS1Uk1PQ1tEWC4oQTWlVRhTnKUnd6B5MIqRjKilLOkOoZggUXuWEJYj3KwAtW2nGpSrQfTsDbuZClByI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="organizing a messy closet" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UvBBiGZxU5W7Y9NtuDX_wWTyxsTzZ3o0Ux1KnpdMQsY2lTRkNJycxEr2vsnsixjEzGGHwkgF1Fy3r68oWwYkTugyeiQWWe_gKoP5YhgIVahmGKwr4NZ25nQc6Y1RG0Xrz4T8NCpMOHE/s1600-h/organizing-bedroom-closet3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organized bedroom closet" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMag9rChdhFtVVwVA6djrKxz2mZBY-Y_qPEleA3lShBTh6R8z0HvUFxHPsr66MzNUh3X9x5yHMCL81G6f_0s9xP3kspOjNoEK3pSI8BBuvNnJq7Z3M-ZNGS3AgKYNet-syXrZMkQm9fM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="organized bedroom closet" width="290" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdfmiaD8BQdaxRKDBPvWDoart9As38P0LGvRjpMClz8P1VjMJBu0RRRXCKgIKv6BHwgn9EjbvFtlS6M9JO3xQazqac0CsA6nDdlCLxnN1akQDOK9lwSvG-O2KuO78wqongqiQg92sVoQ/s1600-h/organizing-bedroom-closet%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing a messy closet" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWcBdZy931b-3LGrRX4fT2_hUH8sTszi1FlRQrKxFsZzx8pjHmCAQA1_sEpYhEo_5Qo-18YiLQkhoAevxyjlL6Aw73tHR62-yk9nrVfoNALASJdKg0jX_n1y9I0T4DqmrnRMISO9CQfg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="organizing a messy closet" width="285" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6Q8ujrCaqnkF8Vt13Nl6Nl9Fcf60d7wr505j1Q3cYgSJNb4qey-1Issy6FkeDUTb0YO-NzCWg-MBucXhW-MT1CKRQS67hlbWAl8_Clp_OQwnJ2N4SmIHiTVkLwzBsBd3dDyrVKrYvhs/s1600-h/organized-bedroom-closet%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organized bedroom closet" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1s2x9lUAzGKNvHzIbp4cqtM8H0XpKWBPn2ZH9LD5jyNKWAnTTNtuU9tFrizNk8UIpSUUo3lQqYT8zonr0VsUO6RIh6qRO_T5GOwe6xIei9UMhXRyy4Ae4Ihyphenhyphen4edqd-0owtkudA5zUJ0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="organized bedroom closet" width="285" /></a>    </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>SO much better!! Ack. The great thing is, the fabric in that bin and the photos will all move to the loft when I get those built ins done. Which will be…??? But eventually there will be good spot for all of that too. </p> <p>And did you see the EMPTY space on the upper shelf?? Totally awesome. </p> <p>Oh, and the pillows I did keep (I took most to consignment and kept the fillers) I put back under the bed. :) </p> <p>I’m off to work on my next room…trying to decide if I want to tackle the Bub’s room or not. It’s a little scary. (Shiver.)</p> <p>No spend August is still going well – I can’t wait to show you what else I’ve been up to! Hope you have a <strong>great</strong> weekend! The weather continues to be amazing here so we’ll be outside quite a bit! (In between decluttering of course!) </p>

Using ALL of the closet space

So remember last week when I said I was going to decrapify all weekend? Well, I did. Most of the weekend anyway. I got two rooms done – the ...

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