my $5 closet makeover






what my closet used to look like...oh so lovely.


please don't get real excited because with $5 you know it's not going to be that fabulous but i'm kinda in love with it.  after participating in project 333 for a year and still purging almost every day, my wardrobe is small and i like it this way.  for me, less choice means more freedom.  i emphasize "for me" because this isn't for everyone.  as you can tell from the fashion posts i do, my clothes are pretty basic and dare i say...mediocre.  99% of my clothes would classify as weekend clothing. 
so even though my one and only closet is small, i wanted it to be prettier.  


at a recent yard sale i found a box of old ralph lauren wallpaper for $5.
wallpaper and a little spray paint were all i needed for this project.








so after i emptied the contents, i got my compadre to remove the rods and we started wallpapering.







a couple of hours later...
after lots of measuring, crazy matching and absolutely no cursing...we only had enough to do the back wall but that was ok with me.





aww look, now it's pretty









and organized


















i'm well aware of just how weird it is that i spray painted my shoeboxes and labeled them.
i know you do weird stuff too.
that's why we get along.

xo
janet

74 comments

  1. I love it! The wallpaper is such an unexpected touch. I'm glad someone else who loves clothes is also living with a small closet.

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  2. I love what you did with your shoe boxes! It fits my OCD to a "T". Wonderful :).

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  3. Very nice ... and those boots! I would wrestle you to the ground for those GORGEOUS BOOTS!!!!!

    I'm okay.

    S
    xo

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  4. Very chic and simple...but seriously where do you store all the skirts, jeans, shorts and blazers etc. Clearly, this isn't your entire wardrobe? You can always add a simple shelf in the bottom part to better store your shoes.

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  5. There is something about making things match that blends them visually into a block, especially cohesive in a small space. Nice touch!

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  6. anon - my skirts are hanging in there! so are my jackets and jeans. my t shirts, sweaters, workout wear (foldables) are in my armoire. i currently don't own any shorts but i'll fix that before summer.

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  7. wow--what a lovely transformation!

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  8. I know I can always count on you for inspiration just when I need it...my clothes are strewn all over my bedroom! I love photos of neat closets, yours looks like a cute little boutique!

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  9. It is pretty!! What a lovely detail- I love it. Now, refresh my memory.. didn't you tell us before that you only have one closet in the house? So is this both yours and Larry's closet?
    I purge at the beginning of each season and you make me want to be brutal this year!! Looks great!

    xojoan

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  10. What a great idea! It looks very cheerful - and organized.

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  11. yes, joan this is the only closet in the whole house. not even a linen closet! larry has about 8 button down shirts that are hanging in the closet to the left you can barely see them b/c of the doors. we share the armoire in the bedroom and i my nightstand is a dresser too. plus he could care less about clothes and lives in t shirts and jeans or t shirts and shorts. thankfully.

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  12. sue, be prepared for the fight of your life!!! hahha.

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  13. great closet! I don´t think it is weird to spray paint your shoeboxes. I don´t spray them, but I put a photo of my shoes on it. Is this weird thing?
    Have a great weekend,
    Jana

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  14. sray painting show boxes is really really clever. I may borrow that idea.

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  15. Great wallpaper! Looks very vintage and very gardener's cottage apropos.

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  16. I love what you have done with the closet and your wardrobe.

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  17. It looks lovely! I love the wallpaper - fits right in with the rest of your beautiful home.

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  18. I love your new closet! And the wallpaper, how pretty! My younger daughter has a similar wallpaper in her closet and even if we removed the wallpaper in all the rooms and painted over when we bought the house we left the wallpaper there because I thought it was so pretty.
    And spray painting your shoe boxes is genius, how neat the look!

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  19. Gosh I have serious closet envy now...
    it looks beautiful!
    I understand the motive behind the co-ordinated matchy matchy shoe boxes too :)

    Sue I'll help you with the red boot tussle if they fit, what size are they?

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  20. Oh my gosh....you just keep getting a little more charming everyday Janet! I think your closet looks like a wonderful little boutique....Love that you wallpapered your space and why have I never thought to spray paint my shoe boxes? That's totally brilliant and your red cowboy boots look pretty darn cute against that wallpaper.
    xo
    annie

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  21. Gasp, come spray my shoe boxes and label them - what a brilliant idea! I love neatness I really do it makes me happy.

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  22. Gasping with joy and amazement at how you accomplished the "coordinated containers for shoes." Calling them mere shoe boxes doesn't do them justice.

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  23. I love it! That wallpaper is so pretty and the boxes are genius. It looks so inviting and neat and of course I'm salivating over that fantastic maxi dress that you scored for less than a dollar!
    Mediocre? Get away with you. You could be mediocre if you tried! xxx

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  24. I love that you painted the shoe boxes, that is absolutely something I would do.:):) Why waste? make do with things we have. Janet,I wish my closet was as organized. Those of us who own too much envy you. Smiles, Susie(She Junks)

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  25. What a brilliant idea - spray painting the shoe boxes! Perfection! I already have a label maker. All I need is the paint and a nice weather weekend. Absolutely brilliant!
    C.

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  26. it looks like you might have done some purging as you putting things back in, no?...
    Looks great and I love the idea of spray painted the boxes!!!

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  27. I have cushions to match that paper! Your closet make over is just fab, and yeah, we all do weird stuff!

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  28. Looks great--I love the wallpaper.

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  29. Hi Janet,

    What a role of floral wallpaper can do! Your cupboard looks lovely!

    Happy weekend!

    Madelief x

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  30. Looks fabulous! I love that you spray painted your shoe boxes!

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  31. LOL, you made laugh out loud, so loud...thank you for that! ''that's why we get along'' lol. But You DID do something big.....the transformation is rather dramatic in my opinion. Only one cause for concern here....where's the sweet long floral thing? I don't see it in the new look? blessings, Lady

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  32. I always want to do this, BUT I don't.

    That's a major big difference....dammit.

    looks enviously fabulous.

    xo J,

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  33. So pretty...I LOVE that you spray painted your shoe boxes. Oh my...BRILLIANT!!!!! If I did not have 3 kiddos to shuttle and feed daily, I would so do that!!! Love it. Maybe when they fly the nest, I will spray paint my shoe boxes!

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  34. great idea to spray paint shoe boxes.

    love your practical thrifty ideas, instead of going out to a organization store.

    it makes so much more sense


    when/how did we all get the idea we had to spend a lot of money on items??

    i always leave your website with a sense of calm.

    lovely

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  35. Great Ideas Janet, you are an inspiration.

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  36. Oh my gosh, I love it! And I really love that you spray painted your shoe boxes and labeled them. A girl after my own heart.

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  37. WOW!! That is a tiny closet! The important thing is that you love everything in it. You have inspired me to cull even more things from my wardrobe.

    There is no way I would bother with wallpapering the wall as you can't even see it- I have so many clothes and racks of shoes(no boxes, cos I can fit more into racks!)

    I too loove everything in mine and wear it all! You have worked hard at your great figure, so you can source something quickly and off the rack if you want a new choice. I live in a small town with very limited choices, our nearest other small towns are an hour and a half away and again limited choice- big centres 4 to 8 hours drive away. I am big and time poor, I hate trying on clothes in change rooms! It takes me forever to find a good fit in a suitable style, so most of my wardrobe is purchased online. Easy, I can try it on and post it back if it isn't any good. There is no such thing as looking for a new outfit the day of an event for me, I have to plan and organise months in advance! I've learned to pretty much just buy things I like the look of and have them at the ready for work, nights out or charity/fundraising events.
    I am never ever stressed about not having a great outfit to wear!

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  38. Thank you for introducing me to Project 333 through this post. I am going to get started my next day off. Looking forward to the much simpler life. Actually tore apart our office space yesterday. Purged the old fax machine, copy machine, desk top computer and speakers...whew!!! It felt great...

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  39. One of my favorite song lyrics is: "The less you own the more freedom you have"(it's called I Need Fun In My Life by an A~mazing band called The Drums...check them out,you might just like them!)and as time goes by, I find it to be one of the truest statements ever!
    I have been purging for the past 2 weeks and intend to continue to do so.Especially now with my black and white work wardrobe!
    I love that you have pared down your wardrobe and I love your gorgeous decorating idea! So chic!
    xoxo

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  40. Your closet IS pretty! I would love to do that to my closet. If I had one.
    x

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  41. I love that last paragraph. So true! :)

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  42. Just looking at that organized and oh so pretty closet makes me simply SIGH! :-) Like a breath of fresh air, isn't it?
    -Suzanne in Illinois

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  43. Hi Janet,

    Anyone who wallpapers a closet is a good egg in my book. It looks very, very pretty. And organized. Unlike my closet.

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  44. SERIOUSLY?!?! Only you would find RL wallpaper at a garage sale. :) It's GORGEOUS! Scrap what I said in my last post...I want pretty floral wallpaper in my closet too!

    xo
    Sarah

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  45. Janet I am most definitely getter weirder the older I become and I really like it!
    Great makeover, so simple and it works.
    xx

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  46. Jannnneeettt!!!

    I luff it. I also luff it that I would wear about those amount of outfits over a weekend.

    Too funny.

    Watched the youtube video and luffed it sick too.

    love me x

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  47. That is so beautiful and how neat and organized too - now all your shoe boxes match - wonderful! X

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  48. I really love how the wallpaper matches the curtains leading to the bathroom. Even the matchstick blinds co-ordinate with it all. But it's so subtle too. So beautiful. Janelle

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  49. Janet, you have been an inspiration with project 333 and I've done loads of decluttering. Sometimes it's hard to look past your great, simple style and remember I need to find my own (your sadly doesn't suit me!), but the inspiration is all there - love your closet makeover. Were you inspired by that great closet of Steve's with the hunting wallpaper?! I would be!
    Also the shoebox idea - though I was a bit surprised that you used spray paint, since you are so environmentally concerned? I'm considering covering my shoe-boxes (I always ask for the box), but with paper or fabric...
    Anyway, your house is so gorgeous, I adore seeing what you do with it!!

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  50. What a great idea and beautiful job on the wallpaper! I'm so glad there are others who share my OCD proclivities!

    Michael

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  51. Clearly, you have mastered the art of editing your possessions in a very beautiful way. Oh that I had your talent! As lovely as the paper in the closet is, I'm crazy about the red and white toile curtain in the right side of the photos. Gorgeous!

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  52. Hi Janet,

    Spray painting your shoeboxes? What a great idea!!

    Love the transformation, pretty wallpaper! Sadly, all my closets need a makeover...purging, organizing. My husband's is the worst. :(

    Linda
    xo

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  53. Closet and editing are fine. Truly what I appreciate the most...the closing words. Makes me laugh out loud and agree with my whole heart. You are the best. Have a beautiful weekend!

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  54. P.S. I just went to my next door neighbor's garage sale this a.m. and scored a vintage Alex Colman jacket for $2.00!!! :)

    Linda

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  55. I'm really inspired by your smaller wardrobe...your pieces look lovely and it's probably true that we all tend to wear the same things on a regular basis anyway. I think it's time for me to have a look at my own collection of clothes I never wear!

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  56. I LOVE that you spray painted your shoe boxes! That is genius!! I also have a small closet (size and contents) - this post was lovely!

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  57. How charming! Now you must smile every time you open your closet.

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  58. You really are an inspiration. I was inspired by your project 333, and have cleaned out my closet three times in the past year and have came nowhere close to your level of organization. I imagine that you live in a warmer climate, so you don't have to keep as many clothes for as many different seasons. My problem is that we get extreme hot and cold weather (sometimes in the same day) and therefore require a larger wardrobe which takes up more space. I am so happy you told us about those painted shoe boxes. Would you believe that before I even scrolled down to that part of the post, in the very first pics, I was thinking to myself, I wonder where she got those cool shoe boxes?! I really do admire your thriftiness and your sense of style. I gotta ask though, what do you do with all the things you get rid of? I recently moved and have some good stuff: Pottery barn barstools, bread machine, expensive clothes that no longer fit. Do you recommend yard sale or ebay? Lots of stuff has been donated, but hate to just give away the good stuff. NOt sure what to do.

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  59. michelle, if i think it will sell, i'll put it on ebay. if not, then i'll either give things to friends or donate them. it just depends on the item.

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  60. Really inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

    Leah

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  61. you are such a delight ajj.
    you never disappoint!
    love the "new" closet.
    love the stylish minimalist you.
    tammy j

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  62. are you sure that this does not lead to Narnia?

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  63. Okay, I'm not the only one who thought spray painting the shoe boxes was BRILLIANT! My first thought on seeing them was, where did she find those great boxes? My second thought was, what am I thinking? I can't afford that! When I saw your solution I could have done cartwheels!
    Love the closet "after". I've always liked the idea of a wallpapered clothes-closet. Just so happy looking.
    Do you recall the shoebox paint brand and color/number by chance?
    Thanks for the affordable inspiration!

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  64. I love that you papered your closet - how lovely! Little surprises around a house are just sunshine and sprinkles, you know?

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  65. christine, the spray paint is valspar la fonda sagebrush satin. one can was more than enough to spray 9 boxes.

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  66. Oh, that compadre is a good man - I'd like to borrow you both, I could do with sorting out!

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  67. Hi Janet!

    did you part from half of your wardrobe?
    In the first picture were two rods, the "after" shows only one rod?

    I like the boxes!
    Do you take your shoes from the boxes day ba day or do you store seasonal shoes in the boxes and keep the ones you use frequently in a shoe-shelf?

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  68. paula, after project 333 way more than half my wardrobe is gone! and this is my whole shoe collection so i keep them in the boxes. there is a wicker basket on the shelf that holds my sandals.

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  69. ah, ok, now I understand! The first photo was taken a while ago.

    I know a lot of people who would be afraid, the thought of living with such a minimal wardrobe.

    You are part of a special group in our society, I hope there are more to come.

    btw. did you read Vivienne Westwood's words on consumerism? I found them quoted on many blogs. She became a minimalist, too.

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  70. This is freakin fantastic! I am continually inspired by you, to do better. I always dream of a more simplified life but it just doesn't seem to be in my bones. How does one undo it??

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  71. I LOVE that you spray painted your shoeboxes.

    Weird stuff is what makes life sparkle.

    Your blog is so much fun. Thank you!

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  72. Adore your luscious website, which I just found by accident. Love your charming home, the closet--am spending today poring over everything. Thank you for this.

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