Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Life's Messy, Clean It Up!

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When our kids were little I used to grumble and complain about the house getting messy every day. I know, I know... you're thinking I was a crazy lady. 
It took a Bissell commercial to set me straight. When I heard their slogan; "Life's Messy, Clean It Up", it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was a big "DUH" moment in my life.
Now that I look back, I think it's silly that I expected our home to stay neat and tidy all the time, especially when the kids were little.

Things can get messy even in my own personal space such as the linen closet in our Master Bath and it needs to be cleaned up at least every couple of months.

Here's what the linen closet looked like before:
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After taking everything out of the linen closet, I sorted through it all and took out what I didn't need or want to go back in. I had a few new lined chicken wire baskets  I wanted to use to make things more organized, but it wasn't enough, so off to HomeGoods I went. I found six lined baskets that were perfect.
organization, organized linen closet, organize it, baskets, storage, cottage, cottage style, farmhouse, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com


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organize, organization, linen closet, linen closet organization, diy

Each basket holds a different category of "stuff". My baskets are organized by first aid, pain relievers, nail care and skin care. The clear plastic boxes are organized similarly.
organization, organized linen closet, organize it, baskets, storage, cottage, cottage style, farmhouse, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com

I found my baskets at HomeGoods, but you can also find them on Amazon


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I'm really loving how organized everything looks and how functional the baskets are. Do you have a space in your home that could use some organizing?

Pam

47 comments:

  1. Looks fabulous. I just did our bathroom, and it makes it so much easier to reach what I really need. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Yes I do! I'm sitting in my creative room trying to decide how to best re-organize and decorate! Oh, you should see it! There are watercolors, partially made jewelry, mixed-media, art supplies, a sewing machine, camera, computer, 2 desks, TV and a dresser!!! Help!
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    -Lynn

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  3. Looks terrific. Wish I had a closet that could be done that way.
    Beckie in Brentwood, TN

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  4. So easy on the eye to find everything. You did a wonderful job!

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  5. I have multiple spaces that could use some organization. You've inspired me to get at it. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  6. Looks great Pam! Seeing this is going to make me organize our linen closets, thanks for motivating me! Martina

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  7. I think the key to having/buying baskets is to buy lots at one time...I've tried buying, say, three then a few months later realize I need more. Of course,t he same ones are no longer available, and then the closet looks a mess again! This looks great. Ah yes, the linen closet is always a challenge!

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  8. Great job Pam! I love organized spaces and this looks beautiful! Nice job finding the new baskets too.

    Have a great night.
    Pam

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  9. Oh, what an awesome solution for so many of us moms!

    I would love for you to link up and share these tips with my readers on my solution and resource meme!

    http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/07/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions/

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  10. This looks so great. I have a closet that I need to organize (and a whole laundry room!) and this gives me a great idea what it should look like when I'm done. I love your baskets and how you grouped everything together.

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  11. Just found your blog, I love it!
    And I love what you did in your closet, organized anything makes me happy :)

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  12. Looks so great Pam! I just reorganized our linen closet too but now I'm thinking I could even take it up a notch since I've seen how fantastic yours look! :-)
    Vanessa

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  13. Your reorganized closet is pretty and functional.
    I occasionally deal with balancing my efforts of being with the ones I want and keeping my "nest" pleasant & clean for us to live in.

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  14. I am inspired to get organized ..It will be a big job my whole house needs it
    KAT

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  15. This looks great! I love everything to have it's own space and I absolutely love the look of the baskets and even the plastic totes. Great job!

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  16. I'm a new follower from HOH and would love for you to stop by and say "hello" when you get a chance...

    I love what you did to the closet and those chicken wire baskets are so adorable....Isn't it a great feeling when you open a closet and aren't overwhelmed with a mess??? You did a great job!!!

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  17. it looks great! i love using those baskets to organize... makes everything so much prettier!
    xo dana
    thewonderforest.com

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  18. How pretty your closet looks now!! I have some mighty messy ones around here that need sprucing up! Love the look of the baskets!
    bee blessed
    mary

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  19. Ahh, that's great looking! I love baskets they have today- they sure are attractive and offer a great way to organize things!

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  20. Looks great! I need to do that soon but we don't have a typical linen closet- just cabinets - think kitchen cabinets only not as deep. Crazy!

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  21. What a great job! Gorgeous transformation! Thanks for sharing:) Love your creative space.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  22. It looks great!! I have a couple of closets that need to be orgnaized. I'm kinda hoping it will rain all weekend so that I'm forced to stay inside & get some of these projects done!

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  23. The baskets "make" it. Nice job.
    From another crafty NC mom.

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  24. You managed to make the interior of a closet look pretty! I have plain old Rubbermaid containers in mine, I think I need some of those pretty baskets now that I see yours-oh, and I'm going to be rolling up some towels too.

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  25. Very nice!! I needed that little bit of inspiration for my upstairs linen closet!!

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  26. Just about everything needs organizing in my house right about now! I was doing so well in January and February, but "life is messy" so it has almost morphed back to the way it was. I'm working on it again. I hate that I can't seem to maintain neat closets and drawers for longer than 4-5 months. Nice job on your closet!

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  27. This looks great! I love the use of the baskets in here too. You are so lucky to have a linen closet in your bathroom!

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  28. Fabulous Pam...will you come over and organize mine?
    enjoy your day!
    XO

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  29. That looks amazing. I roll my towels too, for space and I love the way it looks. I love the baskets too. Thanks for linking to Home Decor and Organizing Link Party. I'm featuring this on FB today.

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  30. What an improvement! Looks great! I'm visiting from Organize and Decorate Everything! I'd love for you to share this with my {re}create into something new blog party too at http://notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com/2011/07/recreate-into-something-new-3.html

    Hope to see you at my place soon!
    Kaitlin-The Not So Simple Housewife
    http://notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com

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  31. This looks fantastic! I love being organized but never feel like I truly am-I must ask...where did you get those wire shelves?? I can always use more shelving in my apartment-maybe that would help in my quest to be organized. I would love it if you could come link this up to my weekly link party Tutorial Tuesday!

    Kari
    Newlyweds on a Budget

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  32. Love the ideas. I think I'm going to attack my linen closets next week when school starts. My biggest problem is going to a "home store" and seeing all of those wonderful containers/baskets....ohh, my budget tells me "no" but every fiber in my body is telling me "how cute! Must buy!"

    Thanks for the ideas!
    Alison


    www.AtTheEndOfTheDrive.blogspot.com

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  33. LOVE the new look!! It's amazing what a few baskets and organization can do to a closet. Cleaning my bathroom closet has been on my to-do list for quite some time...I think you just motivated me to actually get it done!!

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  34. Very inspiring. I always forget how great Home Goods is for baskets. I'll have to make a stop the next time I am in that part of town.

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  35. Your linen closet is beautiful! I love the baskets and how well everything works together. I'm a fanatic about trying to keep things neat and organized and understand. It's possible, but definitely life gets messy and we have to go back and tweak stuff on occasion. Great job!

    Becky B.
    www.organizingmadefun.com
    Organizing Made Fun

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  36. The closet looks amazing! So impressive. I currently don't have a linen closet - how I wish! Your photos are great too. Found you through the CSI project's link party.

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  37. Hey,the closet looks great! Now I have a question for you. I see you have a number of white towels folded, and what looks like a tan or taupe color are rolled..are they extra large ones? What is white, folded up in the two baskets..white wash cloths? We've been married 48 yrs. next month and were blessed with many wedding gifts of towels..well, most of them wore out and I gave the others to my sister-in-law to use on her dogs or County dog shelter here. Along the way, we have bought new ones. Last year the kids got together and picked out these real thick towels sets and they are larger than any of our other towels, and I hate them and also the colors they chose. A woman I worked for had me to fold the wash cloth up inside the towel so she wouldn't have to go looking for the matching wash cloth..I've tried that here and DH forgets and go rooting through all the washcloths that are folded up for a match and never puts the wash cloths back neatly. I've heard some people that have organizing blogs say they buy all one color and the linen closet looks neater than a mixture of different colors. That sounds like a good idea. I don't have enough room for everything that I have..bedlinens, extra pillows, blankets, quilts, throws, tablecloths and napkins, etc. Where do you keep all of them?
    We downsized from a large house 7 yrs. ago with oddles of storage spaces to a smaller home in a Sr. citizens community that lacks a lot of storage space. I like the basket idea with liners. Don't you just love Home Goods? I'm like the lady who thinks she has enough baskets and ends up needing more and when I go back for more to match, they are no longer available and then you end up with hodgepodge. My DH hates when I have to take something back because it doesn't fit, or whatever the reason.

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  38. Betty819, you had "no reply blogger" checked on your settings and I couldn't email you back, so I hope you see this. The white/cream towels in the basket on the left are actually for my powder room. The gold/tan towels are bath towels for the Master Bath(which is where the linen closet is locate)White washcloths are in the basket on the right...I use white washcloths to take makeup off and wash my face in the morning. They are thinner than the ones that match the towels and because they are white, I can bleach them. Plus, thin white washcloths are inexpensive and I can replace them every couple of years or so. Regarding all your linens and towels... only put the ones you actually use in your linen closet. Store the other ones somewhere else if you don't want to get rid of them. Store blankets, pillows, quilts throws, etc under your bed in plastic containers or bags, or put them in an armoire. Your linen closet should be kept neat and organized so you aren't digging for things(which makes more work for you). I keep my tablecloths and napkins in other cabinets around the house. I have tablecloths in a dresser in the foyer, which is next to the dining room. I have napkins in an antique cabinet in the family room right next to the breakfast room.

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  39. Thanks for your helpful tips..I'll keep them in mind. Jan. or Feb. is a good time to get some good bargains..Have a gift card so that might be what I buy, some new towels and give the ones showing wear away. I'm working on several projects at same time..typical of my ADD..What do you mean I have my settings to "No reply blogger" Tell me where to find those settings..I'm computer illiterate..have no idea what you are talking about. Sorry for the inconvenience, but maybe your response to me helped others too.

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  40. Hey Betty, so glad you came back and saw my response. From your blogger dashboard, go into Settings, then Mobile and Emails, then put in your email. Save. I should be able to email you back if you make another comment. :)

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  41. Such a great transformation. My linen closet is in need of help. I tried to give it a once over today but I gave up. Perhaps some pretty storage would motivate me:) Thanks for sharing your wonderful space!

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  42. Came here from TDC and it looks great! What a pretty linen closet! (Never thought those two words would go together :-)

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  43. Looks beautiful. I think I need more baskets or boxes. My stuff is out of control!
    -Shelley

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  44. This looks great! I'm pinning it for inspiration to make my linen closet more pretty! :) Love it ~ Megan your newest follower.

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  45. I really like your blog. Just as a FYI....The quote, Life’s messy. Clean it up! is from the Bissel commercial and is actually a Trademark of BISSELL Inc.

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  46. Thanks for the FYI Messy! I corrected it!

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