I converted a coat closet into a cleaning closet. And installed some wire shelves to hold cleaning supplies.
I decided that even though it’s a cleaning closet, there is no reason it can’t be beautiful! So yesterday I painted some aqua stripes to match my house.
The first thing I did was take everything out of the closet.
Then I taped the stripes off.
I think the trick with stripes is to use a measuring tape and a t-square if you can. I made my stripes 12 inches wide. And I used a ruler with my t-square to make sure the measurements were level. I marked the wall with a pencil, then applied the tape. I smoothed the tape so there were no air bubbles.
And then I painted. I taped it all off and then used a small foam roller to apply three layers of the paint. The paint I used was Martha Stewart’s — Arucana Teal paint from Home Depot.
And then I tackled my front Coat Closet:
I found a bunch of coats and things to donate – yay!
And I updated the printable labels to include the cleaning and coat closet labels if you want to use them.
Here’s the updated printable with all the labels so far!
It feels so good to clean things out and get organized!!
Have a wonderful day!!
xoxo
And for more Closet Organization ideas — here’s my lastest gallery:
Krystal says
Wow the stripes really add depth and character!
-Krystal
House Organization
Julie Q says
This is such a great idea!! I am most definitely do this to our cleaning closet/hamper closet this weekend. This is in writing so now it has to happen 🙂
Ashley@One in the SAHM says
It looks great! As we gear up to move into our new house, beautifying the “lame” spaces is definitely on my priority list. My husband thinks I’m crazy to want to paint the laundry room, and insides of closets, but I told him this is a MUST! Plus, I’m sure now everytime you open the dreaded CLEANING closet, you get a boost of energy with how fun it’s staged!
Laura Bray says
Love the cleaning closet, it almost makes me want to clean. Wait. Nope. The feeling has past.
Jen says
You guys are so nice. Thank you for the sweet comments today 🙂
xoxox
Jen
Jessica says
Ohhh how I love it!! Such a cute, easy idea to really spruce up a closet. Awesome post!
Kassi @ Truly Lovely says
I LOVE the color of the stripes! And all the aqua you’re bringing into your home actually! 😉
susan says
Hello Jen,
I have been snooping around and I’m loving the colors in your home! I was wondering if you could tell me what colors you used in the hallway and also in the kitchen (I can’t tell if it’s the same). I’m wanting to paint my kitchen, it’s maroon, eeeeew, plus I can’t see well because it doesn’t get good light. I’ve been wanting to find a good gray color and I love what you have done! BEAUTIFUL!!
Thanks so much.
Susan
Jen says
Hi Susan!
Sure! Almost the entire first floor is the same color — Martha Stewart Sharkey Grey. I really love it. It’s very neutral and light.
xoxoxo
Jen
Rita says
Amazing! I may just have to do that.
Beckie says
You crack me up friend!
Jacqueline says
Good for you! I’m not sure I’d go to the trouble of painting a cleaning closet, but it sure looks cheerful!
Patti Sullivan Easton says
LOVE LOVE LOVED your cleaning closet. I see a weekend project in my future! Visiting a fabulously decorated and laid out cleaning closet might make cleaning a lot more fun! Thank you for sharing your creativeness!!!
MiMi says
Okay, even the INSIDE of your closets are nice! Boo. lol
Patti Sullivan Easton says
SO enjoyed this blog. Your cleaning closet is out of this world, and would actually make it joy to visit to prepare for cleaning… I see a weekend project in my future! Thank you so much for sharing!
Emily says
This makes me want to organize our linen closet. We have too much stuff in there!
Michelle L. says
Whaaa…? Adorableness! Might even make me want to OPEN my cleaning closet once in a while. Wait..nah. But yours is sooo cute!
Amanda says
Where did you get the rug in the picture that shows your hall closet off the foyer? That would look great in my kitchen I think!!
Loving all this gorgeous organization going on!!! I need to get started on my house!
Jen says
Hi Amanda!!
I actually have the runner to that rug in my kitchen right now LOL!! It’s from JCPenny — http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.aspx?GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=1bebc26&DeptID=71371&CatID=71679&SO=0&SelDim=4294957900~+1007~&CatSel=4294933154|pattern&NOffset=0&Ne=4294957900+5+878+1007+1031+879+8+18+904+949&pagesize=1&x5view=1&N=4294933154+4294951645&Nao=0&PSO=0&bcCat=3&CmCatId=external|71679&CmCatId=external|71679
Sorry the link is so long LOL! It’s an indoor/outdoor rug which makes cleaning it super easy.
xoxo
Jen
Kelli says
I love the stripes, but I really don’t like to paint so I have a feeling that’s not ever going to happen at my house:) I wish we had more closet space in our house. All of my cleaning stuff is piled in my laundry room!
Brittany Suell says
I love the horizantal stripes! My favorite! I’m making horizantal striped curtains SOON!
Jean @ Flower Hill says
Looks good! Maybe I need to do this to be more motivated to clean!
Maury @ Life on Mars Blog says
Love it! Everything looks cuter in stripes… even a cleaning closet!
Sarah says
Oohh I love the stripes they are so fun! What a great quick project to lighten up the little closet & make you happen to have to go in there for your cleaning supplies 🙂
Katy says
I’m jealous that you have an extra coat closet! I would definitely make mine into a cleaning closet if it didn’t have to have coats in it :). Love the stripes!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Oh, how I love those stripes! I think I’d be much more motivated to clean if our supply area looked like yours. 🙂 Great makeover!
Michelle C. says
I have a small closet in my kitchen that is pretty much the cleaning closet. All of the cleaners go there and our garbage can is also stored there. It’s pretty gross on the inside. Yucky walls, disorganized cleaners, etc., but I am LOVING the stripes you painted as well as all of the organization tips. The color you chose matches my teeny, weeny kitchen, too! I’m also going to redo my coat closet. That joker is a hot mess. No, wait…the hot mess is our linen closet. It’s triangular shaped. Seriously. Ah, gotta love living in a house built in the late 80s that has absolutely NO storage space.
Susie's Homemade says
I cleaned out my linen closet this weekend too!
http://www.susieshomemade.blogspot.com/2012/01/christmas-purge.html
Kelsey says
Great post 🙂
I love the pop of colour in the cleaning closet!
I just organzied my linen closet last night it was a disaster!
Its nice to see others tips 🙂
Lori m says
Gosh, your closet makeovers turned out fantastic, if only ours looked this nice.
I guess it’s time to start cleaning out the closet clutter.