The Closet of My Dreams
For as long as I can remember, I have been dreaming of the perfect walk-in closet. Growing up, my closets were always so small and cramped, barely able to hold all my clothes and accessories. Even in college and my early rental days, I never had the luxury of a true dream closet. That all changed when my husband and I purchased our home in Aberdeen 10 years ago.
You see, our new home had a small bedroom right next to the master – the perfect blank canvas to create the walk-in closet of my dreams. At first, we just added some basic shelving and a couple of wardrobes, but it never quite felt complete. That is, until I stumbled upon the magic of the IKEA Pax system.
After reading about how easy and customizable the Pax system is, I knew it was exactly what I needed to transform this basic closet into something truly special. With a little elbow grease and a lot of planning, I was able to create the walk-in closet that had been dancing in my dreams for over a decade. And let me tell you, it was worth every second!
Purging and Planning
The first step in my closet transformation journey was a good old-fashioned purge. I went through every item – clothes, shoes, accessories, you name it – and ruthlessly got rid of anything I hadn’t worn in the last year. It was tough, but I knew it was necessary to make room for the dream closet to come.
Once I had a clear idea of what I was working with, I started measuring. I wanted to make sure I had the perfect balance of hanging space, shelves, and drawers to accommodate all my belongings. Measuring my clothes and organizing them by category was key to ensuring the new layout would be as efficient as possible.
With those measurements in hand, I jumped onto the IKEA Pax planning tool. This online magic wand allowed me to input the dimensions of my space and then virtually design the perfect closet system. I played around with different configurations, adding and subtracting wardrobes, shelves, and drawers until I landed on the perfect layout. And the best part? I could see the total cost updating in real-time, so I knew exactly what I was getting into financially.
Customizing the Pax
Once I had the Pax system planned out, it was time to start making it my own. Because as much as I loved the versatility and affordability of the Pax, I didn’t want my dream closet to look like an IKEA showroom.
The first step was trimming out the front of the wardrobes to hide those pesky seams between the units. This instantly gave the closet a more built-in, custom look. I also swapped out the standard drawer pulls for some gorgeous crystal knobs I found at HomeGoods – a small change that made a big impact.
But the real magic happened when I started playing with color and texture. Rather than sticking with the standard white Pax fronts, I opted to paint the entire closet a beautiful sage green. It’s such a soothing, elegant shade that instantly elevated the space. And the pièce de résistance? Adding these incredible metallic cowhide storage boxes from HomeGoods. They’re the perfect blend of rustic and glam, and they make my jewelry display look like it belongs in a high-end boutique.
Just like the blogger on Inthefrow.com, I couldn’t resist adding a touch of sparkle with a brass and glass mirrored artisan box to hold my most precious jewelry pieces. And the tall brass metal jewelry hanger? Perfection for displaying my favorite necklaces.
Organized Bliss
Of course, a dream closet isn’t complete without meticulous organization. And let me tell you, I take my closet organization very seriously. After purging and planning, I dove headfirst into making sure every inch of this space was utilized to its full potential.
I sorted my clothes by category and color, just like the blogger on Memehill.com, and used a variety of storage solutions to keep everything neat and tidy. Lucite trays for my earrings, divided compartments for my bracelets and watches, and those gorgeous linen-wrapped jewelry displays for my necklaces. It’s like my own personal high-end boutique, just for me!
And let’s not forget about the rest of the closet. I corralled my socks, underwear, and workout gear into those stylish gold and leather storage bins, and used clear plastic organizers behind the door to wrangle my belts and scarves. Every item has a designated home, which makes getting dressed in the morning an absolute breeze.
Just like the blogger on Penderandpeony.com, I even added a vintage gold and black mid-century modern lamp to cast a warm glow over the entire space. It’s the perfect finishing touch to my dream walk-in closet.
A Space to Inspire
As I admire my beautifully organized, utterly customized closet, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. This space has truly become a reflection of my personal style and my love for all things elegant and chic.
But more than that, it’s a space that inspires me to keep my life in order. When I open those pocket doors each morning, I’m greeted by a calming oasis of organization and beauty. It’s the perfect way to start my day, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Of course, I know that maintaining this level of perfection will be an ongoing challenge. As the blogger on Memehill.com mentioned, it’s easy for the “clothes collector” to start creeping back in. But I’m committed to staying on top of it, because this closet is so much more than just a place to store my things. It’s a sanctuary, a creative outlet, and a daily dose of joy.
And who knows, maybe one day I’ll even let my husband sneak a few of his shirts and slacks in here. But for now, this is my own personal oasis – a dream come true that I get to enjoy every single day.
If you’re ready to create your own walk-in closet dreamland, I highly recommend starting with ABC Home. Their team of expert designers and contractors can help you transform even the most basic of spaces into a custom, high-end closet that reflects your unique style. Trust me, it’s an investment that’s worth every penny.
