Mission Organization WEEK 5 - Pantry & Under the Stairs Closet

About a year ago, I put a bookcase in my 'under the stairs' closet to hold pantry items so I would have more room in my cabinets for dishes, small appliances, and such.  I loved it at first - but after a while, I started to really despise putting it in there.  The problem with it was that it was just too narrow of an area.  Things were being forgotten about, and I was buying more thinking we were out.  We could barely even fit in there, and either would send the kids in to fetch something (or put something away) or kind of reach in from the side.
See how narrow it is?

So, for this week - I decided to clean off the pantry contents, and move it all into the far end of my kitchen so I could actually get to it again.  I cleaned it off, got rid of any expired things on the shelf, and reorganized it. 
I didn't want to just stare at a bookcase covered with food either, so I got a curtain rod & attached it to the top of the bookcase and hung some draperies that matched the feel of my kitchen.  

Then, there was the issue of the empty under the stairs closet.

My littlest, Ethan, is always going inside this closet, even with the pantry there.  So, I decided to get the bulk of his toys out of the living room, and use the closet as toy storage - and a small little area where he can go inside too.

It's nothing special, but my little man LOVES it.  And, that's all that matters right?  It's the little things.  

I'm loving it too.  I can see what groceries I have on the pantry area in my kitchen, while it is somewhat hidden with the pretty draperies - and I don't have the bulk of my son's toys being stored in my living room. 

Posted in: 52 Week DeClutter Challenge, Cleaning/Housekeeping, Household