Closet Organizer

Happy New Year!!! 

I have so much planned for 2011!!  And I figured since organization is usually high on the resolution list, I'd start the year out with my own organization project.

Doodle's Closet!!

As I mentioned last month, Doodle is getting an entire room make over!!

Her closet before was just your basic builder closet...a rod and a shelf...that's it.

Considering it is SO small, a customizable closet system seemed like the perfect solution for maximising space in her tiny closet! 

After shopping all the home improvements stores and online, I decided to go with Rubbermaid's Configurations Closet Kit for 3-6' Closets.  I purchased my system at Menards for $50 (I paid $60, but I got a $10 rebate coming!). Plus I added the shoe racks, for $16 and the extenders so I could put the shoe racks down further in the closet, for $10 each. So, the whole system cost about $90.

This project is one of the biggest projects I've tackled on my own to date!!!

As is with every.single.project I tackle...everything was NOT smooth sailing!

First I gave the closet a fresh coat of paint.  It's amazing how many stains a closet gets in a year and half!  Plus since I never got around to painting the baseboards in the closets when we moved in, I went ahead and painted those as well while I was in there.

People have asked before how I painted my baseboards in my house.  Well, since I've known my carpets are temporary and will be removed, I didn't get super anal about it.  I used edgers and went to town...giving, typically, three coats. 

I strongly recommend priming them first, but I'm lazy and didn't want to open two different paint cans.

So, here she is with her fresh coat of paint and newly painted baseboards.

Then....it happens!  You know, the point where everything goes ALL WRONG!

It hadn't occurred to me that I would need to remove the wood that was already in place in the closet.  So....I had to take out the wood nailed all along the closet to hold up the old shelf!

So, step one was to pry all the wood off.....patch all the holes....sand.....and give the closet another fresh coat of paint.

NOW I'm ready to start actually installing the new system.

You know you are in trouble when STEP 1 says, "Measure 86.5 inches up and mark at each stud" this is where the main bracket for the closet system will hang (meaning the top shelf will go there, so technically the closet will need room ABOVE that 86.5 inches so you can use the top shelf).........and you measure up and the closet only goes up to 82 inches high!

Uh-oh!!

THEN....you get out your new stud finder and......can't find a stud!!!

At this point I realize....if my stud finder would just go out and get me a couple of 'real' studs....they could do the whole bleepin' closet and I wouldn't have to worry about any it!! ;)

Ok, breath Erin!  You're just going to have to wing it!

So, I played with the top shelf and just decided where it would 'work'.  And went from there.

I did eventually find 2 studs in the closet (no....not the kind that would actually do all the work unfortunately).  But of course, they didn't lay in the right place for the closet system.

So, I had to put in an anchor for every.single.stinking.screw I was going to use in the ENTIRE closet!  As much as I wanted to skip this process, I figured it was kinda important the system actually stayed up and didn't come crashing down. 

Of course, they didn't include enough anchors (probably because they assumed you'd be able to find a stud!).  So, I had to run back to the hardware store...Lowe's this time because it's closer.  $6 later I had a bag of screws and anchors.

Back to drilling and anchoring.

Until half way through I realize.....I STILL don't have enough bleepin' anchors!!!!

BACK to the !@#$%#@!##@ hardware store.  Menard's this time.  I don't know why...change of scenery?  NO, that's right, to get the shoe racks this time in addition to MORE ANCHORS.

Ok, breath again Erin.

Actually, after this, the rest of the system went up quite easily.

If I hadn't run into the disassembly of old system (I use the word system lightly here), the closet height issue and the stud/anchor issue, this systems was actually very easily to install.

After all was said and done...I did my "who needs a man" dance (yes, I do this every time I wish I could pass it off but complete it by myself). :)

Doodle is THRILLED with the result! 

We still have to add some pretty storage boxes to the shelves....we've got plenty to still get back into her tiny bedroom and closet.  And I still have to decide whether to decide to install new closet doors or go with a curtain for now. 

Until next time....