DIY Downstairs Hallway Closet - Remodeled and Organized

For some reason, closets seem to be a dumping ground for many people. It's like "oh well the door is closed so no one knows it's bad in there" and you're wrong because you and your family (esp your kids) know what it looks like in there. If you can't find what you are looking for in a closet, chances are you don't have the system down yet. If you can't close the door because something is on the ground, then you really need to reconsider your closet space and its poor situation.

Here's my sneak peak at my closet now. I forgot to take a before picture but overall it was white and overcrowded with winter jackets, a 3-tier shoe rack and a lot of hats.

 I painted the inside closet Hunter Green. Why? Well, a closet is technically a room as it is a space for storing items within the home. The key though is necessary items. I had a lot of jackets in here and took them all out and dumped them, yes, dumped them on the couch. All dumping was temporary. I cleaned out the entire closet. Everything was removed from it, including the wooden clothing rack.

It's very difficult to get a picture of the room in whole since it is in the hallway and space is limited. It is also a triangular space which makes for an odd-shaped closet. The table that used to be in the family room was moved into here to create a division line for storing things underneath and overhead. It keeps things tidy too. The basket underneath stores the kids shoes only. Everyone else has their space elsewhere. The mirror is temporarily being stored there as I am unable to figure a good location for it. Sometimes mirrors creep people out when they are placed in an odd location but I will find a spot for it.

The Salvador Dali painting that was just sitting around in the garage finally found a home up on the shelf. Shelves that are too high for daily retrievals need decor instead of everyday items. I cannot reach up there and while my husband can, I don't think he would like to. The boxes up there are items I am asked to sell online by a local friend. They will be gone (hopefully) soon!

To your right in the pit of the closet are the dog leashes, harnesses and water pack. All of these essential dog items used to be tossed in the basked along with kids shoes, shoelaces, toys, etc. What a cluster-F. I didn't even know extra shoe laces existed in this house! Now that these items have a home, I think I can bring down at least two more jackets since I don't think the winter season is officially over yet.