Closet Remodel | Making a small space functional


Happy Monday friends! How was your weekend? Ours was perfectly low key and we have officially finished all our holiday shopping!! I don’t think we’ve ever been that on the ball with gifts before and I’m excited to start wrapping! My gift from Gary this Christmas is actually my new closet! This was the first big project that we had completed in our house, which is funny to refer to it as a project since the installation took all of 2 hours! After looking at a few options – looking at installation, how measuring works & the final finish of the wood we decided to go with California Closets. I think I’ve had a fascination with California Closets since the episode of Newlyweds where Nick surprises Jessica with a new closet –> yes I have all the DVD’s and still watch this show! I apologize the photos aren’t brighter, but it’s tough getting natural looking light in a closet! 


I can’t believe I’m showing you the photos of the before, but to truly appreciate the transformation it’s a must! DISASTER ZONE! Shoes, clothes, purses – everything was haphazardly thrown in and it was a miracle that I could find anything! 


The closet was standard in the sense that it had one shelf for hanging & storage, hence the disaster of trying to make everything fit. Gary would argue that I was attempting to fit too much into this closet, but you’ll see that it was all about organization! I would organize my closet at the start of a season and within a couple weeks it would be so disorganized! I wasn’t able to keep everything in it’s own little section! 


I called California Closets on a Thursday and by Friday we had a consultant out to our house to take measurements and discuss options. I much preferred having someone else responsible for taking measurements! Our consultant was incredibly thorough – he asked me what types of clothes I had the most of, how many shoes did I really want to store, how did I want my purses to be stored, did I care if my long dresses touched the floor. I added that I wanted a valet – a little pullout garment rod that makes outfit planning easier. I also wanted to utilize the tall ceilings in my closet – they are over 8 feet tall and there was so much wasted space I wanted to make sure I was capitalizing on all of it. After about an hour and a half he came up with the below rendering. 


Both Gary and I were really happy with the design & the installation date was set. We had a minor snafu with the installation in the sense that our install guy wasn’t sent with the right materials the first time around so after a few back and forth’s with managers we were able to get it installed on a Saturday instead of a Wednesday. Aside for this little hiccup everything was very seamless and they actually added in a belt rack for the snafu! Two hours to install and complete, didn’t take much time from my day. The shelves in the middle are actually adjustable. I’ve already moved a couple to a different height to make room for my larger bags. 


The final product includes a 6 separate spaces for use. My favorite of which is definitely the shoes and purse storage! My second favorite the pullout canvas bin for our towels. There was enough space underneath the bin to keep the shoe rack that I had previously. 


I could not be happier with the closet and after almost 3 weeks of using it AND keeping it clean – it’s obvious to me that if this was my closet to begin with it would have never looked like the mess that was that first picture! I still have a few more decorative boxes I want to add to my closet that will store shoes & out of season items! Do you have any closet organization tips!?


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63 Comments

  1. Amy Cotton
    December 4, 2017 / 10:51 am

    Wow!! You're closet looks amazing!! I have always wanted to design a closet like that. Closets can be stressful if they aren't clean haha!! Love how yall turned out!!

  2. Rachel McCarthy
    December 4, 2017 / 11:00 am

    What a great gift! My mom told me she wanted to get me a closet installation for Christmas, too. I should have taken her up on it! Your closet looks fabulous. Everything is so clean, organized and easy to find! I'm jealous! Happy Monday, Biana!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

  3. Andrea Nine
    December 4, 2017 / 11:02 am

    Great job! I like how tidy it looks and that every inch is utilized so well! Amazing job, your talents soar my friend! Happy Monday!

  4. Girl Meets Bow
    December 4, 2017 / 11:36 am

    Wow- what a transformation!! Itโ€™s definitely my dream one day to have a totally custom closet created. I love hoe everything in your closet has a place now!

  5. Sarah Shaneyfelt
    December 4, 2017 / 11:38 am

    I love that!!! The way your closet was first was how my closet was growing up and it was so hard to keep clean and organized. It's so much easy when things are compartmentalized!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

  6. Katherine
    December 4, 2017 / 11:46 am

    This is so cool! What a transformation!

    Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com

  7. Kristin Bassett
    December 4, 2017 / 11:52 am

    I seriously wish I could have a closet system like this. My closet it relatively organized and clean, but this is still the dream!

  8. Sarita @ it's my girls' world
    December 4, 2017 / 12:11 pm

    Love an organization system in the closet!! Donโ€™t you feel 10 lbs lighter?! My favourite tip is to organise my clothes by type and also by colour. Makes everything look a little more streamlined and it is easier to find something.

  9. Brianne
    December 4, 2017 / 12:31 pm

    Oh man if I owned this apartment I would do that to my closet in a heartbeat! It looks great!

  10. a little bit of emily
    December 4, 2017 / 12:31 pm

    Your closet looks awesome! Itโ€™s amazing what some organizational will do!

  11. Lizzie @ This Happy Life
    December 4, 2017 / 12:35 pm

    Ahhh I want our master closet done SO BAD! Yours looks amazing!!!!!

  12. Ashley G
    December 4, 2017 / 12:45 pm

    Omg my type A personality is all about this closet!! The organization is spot on and I love the spaces for purses! Best holiday gift ever!

  13. Unknown
    December 4, 2017 / 12:48 pm

    I have this on my to-do list and I am so nervous! Your remodel looks great! I know you love it, I would!!

    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

  14. runwright
    December 4, 2017 / 12:50 pm

    I love the remodel, especially that space for your purses

  15. Rosy Outlook - Fashion & Lifestyle by Kelly Rose
    December 4, 2017 / 12:52 pm

    LOVE how y'all re-organized your closet! We definitely need to do this in our office closet–it's seriously a catastrophe in there right now! Your purse and shoe rack is so fab!!

    Rosy Outlook

  16. P!nky
    December 4, 2017 / 1:13 pm

    GIIIIRL, I just redid my closets this weekend too. I must say your contraption is a lot cooler looking than mine. Glad it worked out.

  17. kerri @ cheshire kat
    December 4, 2017 / 1:31 pm

    ah it turned out so well! having some extra organizing/shelves is a game changer. love that the shoes and bags have their own spots. these photos make me realize i need to pair down my shoes lol. anyway, it's gorg – and yay to those felt hangers – they are everything! i cant get enough of them.

    xoxo cheshire kat

  18. Kay R.
    December 4, 2017 / 1:39 pm

    My closet right now looks a bit like yours did before, I would LOVE a remodel like this. So functional and efficient!

  19. Unknown
    December 4, 2017 / 1:45 pm

    Your closet looks awesome!! The after looks amazing and you really got rid of a lot of the clutter.
    sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/

  20. Christina Lea Loves
    December 4, 2017 / 2:10 pm

    I'm so jealous you're done shopping – we are just starting, Tatum has us a little behind because usually we're finishing up around this time too! The closet is the best gift idea!

  21. Rachel F
    December 4, 2017 / 2:12 pm

    SO GORGEOUS!! (And so tidy. #goals) I hope you get to keep it all to yourself (minus the shared towel space!). XOXO, R

  22. Brooke
    December 4, 2017 / 2:22 pm

    It looks so good!! What a great gift, I'm a little jealous! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Brooke
    pumps and push-ups

  23. Karly @ What Karly Said
    December 4, 2017 / 2:27 pm

    I would say thatโ€™s a pretty fabulous Christmas gift! Iโ€™m jealous of how bright and open it looks!

  24. Kate at Green Fashionista
    December 4, 2017 / 2:29 pm

    You had me at the Nick and Jessica reference! Love how everything came out, and super jealous that you guys have completed your holiday shopping already. I feel like we've made a big dent, but still have so much more to do. <3
    Green Fashionista

  25. Kristina @ Medicine and Manicures
    December 4, 2017 / 2:34 pm

    Looks so much like my closet! Love the hamper that y'all added- California Closets is the best and I'm really happy we chose them also ๐Ÿ™‚

    xo, Kristina

  26. Gold Coast Girl
    December 4, 2017 / 2:35 pm

    This looks amazing! I love how you placed all your handbags on shelves. I think I need to do that. Great post!
    ~Samantha
    goldcoastgirlblog.com

  27. sara [at] journey of doing
    December 4, 2017 / 2:55 pm

    Sigh. I need to do this. I just need to bite the bullet and do it. Your closet looks so good!! I'm glad they reaccomodated the install for a Saturday after messing up. That's good service.

  28. Jenn
    December 4, 2017 / 3:08 pm

    The closet looks great! We've been wanting to have ours done (or do it ourselves) for a while but just haven't pulled the trigger. I think the thing that I want the most is two levels of hanging space instead of just one.

  29. Hanging with the Hirsts
    December 4, 2017 / 3:19 pm

    I love how your closet turned out!! I'm dying to do our closet but I'm running into measurement issues… you definitely took the smarter route ๐Ÿ˜‰

  30. Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre
    December 4, 2017 / 3:21 pm

    The things we get excited about now right? ๐Ÿ˜‰ It looks amazing!!! I'm sure you found so many gems that were hiding in there before and now can be brought back to life.

  31. Jessica @ The SavvyBostonian
    December 4, 2017 / 3:38 pm

    It looks SO good hun! I am envious, I need this level of organization in my life! ๐Ÿ™‚

  32. Cat Chat With Caren and Cody (Caren Gittleman)
    December 4, 2017 / 3:44 pm

    I LOVE that you posted your "before" which looks frighteningly like MY closet! Another blogging friend of mine blogged about them a couple of years ago, as soon as I can afford it, I am giving them a call! They did an amazing job! catchatwithcarenandcody

  33. Nina Kobi
    December 4, 2017 / 3:54 pm

    wow what a transormation, your closet looks fantastic in After pic.

    Nina's Style Blog

  34. JMO
    December 4, 2017 / 3:58 pm

    Umm love! Wish we were neighbors! ha!

  35. Marie
    December 4, 2017 / 4:11 pm

    Oh your closet is fantastic! I so need that in my closets. Your closet looks so nice and organized.

  36. Annette
    December 4, 2017 / 4:40 pm

    What a transformation, you did an amazing job! Enjoy the new closet, I'm sure you will ๐Ÿ™‚
    fashiontrendforward.com

  37. Beautifully Candid
    December 4, 2017 / 5:03 pm

    Way to go with finishing your shopping and having a low key weekend! Your closet came out so good! It must feel great to have everything organized now. Sierra~Beautifully Candid

  38. Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders
    December 4, 2017 / 5:20 pm

    Your closet turned out so perfect! Even though my closet is pretty big, I feel like I need a good organization system in order to make it work a little bit better because I swear that I donโ€™t have that many clothes but things are all over the place!

  39. Carly
    December 4, 2017 / 5:24 pm

    I few months ago I somehow ended up watching a bunch of Newlywed episodes that were on Youtube, lol. Your closet turned out so good and looks so functional! I love the addition of the little pullout bar- I never would have thought of that, but can see how handy it would be!

  40. A Dash of Pretty
    December 4, 2017 / 5:25 pm

    OMG my organization-loving heart is LOVING this so much!

  41. Straight A Style
    December 4, 2017 / 5:48 pm

    Wow, what a transformation. This is awesome! We have an old how which translates to small closets. I might need to look into this.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

  42. Caroline The Petite Fashionista
    December 4, 2017 / 5:59 pm

    Nick and Jessica!!! I loved that show haha. I watched this Disney Christmas show last week because Nick was hosting it. Love him!! Anyways, had to share that haha. Your new closet looks fantastic!!! What a wonderful Christmas gift! ๐Ÿ™‚

  43. Lindsay's Sweet World
    December 4, 2017 / 6:09 pm

    What a gorgeous closet!! I want to redo mine with fancy shelving like that eventually. Mine is currently that wire shelving and it looks awful!

  44. Nadine
    December 4, 2017 / 6:14 pm

    Oh man, I am so jealous of your California Closet!!! It looks awesome!!! I keep my closet in pretty good shape, everything is color organized and it is probably one of the only areas in my house that stays perfectly in order lol. I loved Newlyweds!!! It was such a great show. I need to go back and watch it again. I wish that stuff was somewhere to stream.

  45. Lily (Beauty With Lily)
    December 4, 2017 / 6:18 pm

    It turned out amazing, Biana!! I bet it makes it so easy to find things now!
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

  46. Unknown
    December 4, 2017 / 6:58 pm

    The before vs after is incredible, it really is all about organisation!

    lydstaple.co.uk

  47. Federica Di Nardo
    December 4, 2017 / 7:27 pm

    Super useful tips ๐Ÿ™‚

    Federica
    federicadinardo.com

  48. Missy
    December 4, 2017 / 7:30 pm

    My inner type a closet neat freak LOVES this! So organized, perfect use of the space and very user friendly. I can't wait to stop renting so I can do something like this!

  49. Tanya Dufour
    December 4, 2017 / 8:38 pm

    So lucky you are done with shopping! Well done! I love how your closet came out. I def need some help organizing my closet. Its big but narrow so I can walk in but I barley have space to move. It can fit a lot but I just have SO MUCH CLOTHING SHOES AND BAGS. Its seriously nuts. I keep all my shoes in boxes so that I can stack them on top of each other and my bags take up half of the entire top of my closet. The sad part is my closet in my spare room is full too. I have full dressers AND storage bins in my basement. I need help organizing and getting rid of stuff too!

  50. Hena Tayeb
    December 4, 2017 / 10:18 pm

    It looks great!

  51. Sparkles and Lattes
    December 4, 2017 / 11:55 pm

    I love it and this is something I need to do with my closets. How much did this cost? Just want an estimate so I know what to save for. I love this idea!

  52. Amanda | Kids and Cabernet
    December 5, 2017 / 12:07 am

    What a transformation! It came out so good. I can't wait to do my closet one day!

    Kids and Cabernet

  53. Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis
    December 5, 2017 / 2:03 am

    Love the new closet space! It's always a challenge organizing your closet and I'm sure even more so in small spaces. My closet almost always looks like your "before" picture even with plenty of space. Go you for getting all your gift shopping out of the way and having a super productive weekend! xo Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis

  54. Rebecca Jo
    December 5, 2017 / 3:08 am

    My closet is a hot mess. Embarassing. I bet theres a whole other wardrobe in there i have lost

  55. Shannon Jenkins
    December 5, 2017 / 3:55 am

    Love love love how your closet turned out! It looks so organized and I love how it displays your bags!

    <3 Shannonย 
    Upbeat Soles

  56. Unknown
    December 5, 2017 / 9:26 am

    The transformation is pretty impressive!!! xx
    bonjourchiara.com

  57. Jalisa
    December 5, 2017 / 2:38 pm

    Oh wow! What an amazing transformation, girl! I love how the purses and shoes are in the center, easy to find and grab! Thanks for sharing, beautiful, and I hope you have a great week!

    Xo,

    Jalisa
    THE STYLE CONTOUR

  58. Tiffany
    December 5, 2017 / 6:52 pm

    It looks so good girl! I love California Closets as well. We would love to redo our master closet to something more functional. Love the canvas bin!

  59. Owen Davis @ Davis Duo
    December 6, 2017 / 2:22 am

    I LOVE before and afters like this! Organization makes me sooo happy! Love how well you used this space!

  60. Heather
    December 6, 2017 / 12:01 pm

    It looks so good and being able to keep it organized once installed shows that everything really has a place. That's always the problem for me when things go awry is that it didn't really have a place to begin with.

  61. Emelia @ Dream Big and Buy the Shoes
    December 6, 2017 / 6:02 pm

    wow this is really amazing and all the room you have is amazing. I love the idea of the pull out rod for outfit planning- good gift Gary!!

  62. NotJessFashion
    December 14, 2017 / 2:28 pm

    You closet is sooo on point dear! Love how you organize stuff, really highlights all your pieces while making everything easy to find. Great job!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

  63. SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph
    December 14, 2017 / 9:11 pm

    That looks freaking amazing.