The ways we use the spaces in our home are based on how we want to live. I'm not captive to someone else's assumptions about how a space should be used. I am of the opinion that reimagining is glorious fun + am not opposed to having a thought + moving quickly to try it out. I try to have only what we use + to have an easily accessible place for each of those things.
This is the sort of thinking that prompted this particular project. I want to make it easy to take simple, weekend camping trips + envision our downstairs closet being set up to facilitate that (along with holding the few things we keep to make Jo's dog comfortable when he spends time here).
This is the sort of thinking that prompted this particular project. I want to make it easy to take simple, weekend camping trips + envision our downstairs closet being set up to facilitate that (along with holding the few things we keep to make Jo's dog comfortable when he spends time here).
Here's what we've done to move toward the desired results:
This last step involved measuring things + planning where each item would go down to the centimeter. We ended up removing almost all of the closet system that came with the house, because it just didn't work for these items. Habitat for Humanity was happy to take the components. We took the time to patch + repaint the inside of the closet + purchased an Ikea Ivar shelf. This single shelf fit our closet + our things like a glove.
Before starting this work, almost none of the things I actually wanted to keep in the closet fit into it. This closet is now a functioning part of our home, rather than a mere storage space. The things that are in this closet now are the ones that will enhance our ability to connect with nature + each other. That's how we want to live!
Love,
Jane
- pull everything out of the closet
- laugh at how the closet's contents somehow fill every inch of space in the room + bolster confidence by congratulating self on obvious closet organizing skills ;)
- sort stuff into piles: things we want to keep in this closet, things that can be placed elsewhere, daughters' things, things to offer daughters, things to put into the car right now + drive to donation spots, recycling, trash
- organize the closet so that the things we actually want to use have spots + are easily accessed
This last step involved measuring things + planning where each item would go down to the centimeter. We ended up removing almost all of the closet system that came with the house, because it just didn't work for these items. Habitat for Humanity was happy to take the components. We took the time to patch + repaint the inside of the closet + purchased an Ikea Ivar shelf. This single shelf fit our closet + our things like a glove.
Before starting this work, almost none of the things I actually wanted to keep in the closet fit into it. This closet is now a functioning part of our home, rather than a mere storage space. The things that are in this closet now are the ones that will enhance our ability to connect with nature + each other. That's how we want to live!
Love,
Jane
