DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) ~ Diane's Vintage Zest!

DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!)

Here I go again, sharing my closet with you all.  Since the last time I organized my closet, I inherited my mom's rather large belt collection.  That means tons of belts from the 1980s & 1990s!  Yes!

However, I had to find a place to house all of my new treasures, because my current system was absolutely TERRIBLE!  More on that later.

By the way, after seeing the comments on my last post, I know that I risk lots of comments like, "You have so many belts!"  Still, I just love the system that I finally settled on and I just had to share.


After I decided to revamp my storage, I searched around and found a few cute ways to store belts.  However, they were either expensive, took up tons of drawer space, or were good for only a small belt collection.  Since I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg, I took a trip to the hardware store and I came up with this...


DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest


My very own organized belt rack!


To recreate this, you will need:


Back to the story now.  :)  As I mentioned, my current system was NOT working for me.  I had this U-shaped hanging contraption from my mom, which didn't take up much space and helped me store the belts.  However, it had its limitations.


DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest

Once there were more than 10 belts on one side, it was extremely annoying to remove every single one to get to the inner belts.  Secondly, I could only see about 1/3 of the belts at a time because it was squeezed between the wall and my hanging dresses.  Lastly, I hated putting the belts away because it would bury even more belts at the bottom.  I would just end up flinging them over the U, which was even messier.

I didn't realize how bad it was until I removed the whole tangle of belts and found some cute ones that I had NEVER WORN!


DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest


Well, where could I store these then?  The perfect space was hiding just behind the door of my closet!  Nothing was hanging there, except a couple of lonely command hooks holding empty scarf rings and a couple of tote bags.

Since I had already organized my scarves (see here), I tucked the tote bags into my car for groceries and put the scarf rings away in my craft supply box.  (I put one hook back on the wall to show you how non-functional they were!)

Next, I installed a towel bar that I bought for about $10.  I assure you that it's straight, but I had to take the picture from a funny angle.  :)


DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest


Then, I sorted my belts according to color and then thickness, with crazy patterns towards the end.  I needed some space for this part!

By the way, the wide belt with the navy and cream asymmetrical polka dot pattern is my mom's.  It's so cute and I've gotten compliments right and left since I started wearing it!


DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest


The next part is tedious, but it's as easy as opening each shower ring, hooking a belt around it, and putting it on the towel bar.  Each pack of shower rings was less than $2 and I needed about 4 packages.


DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest


Then, I admired my work and picked out a cute outfit to go with my new favorite belt!


DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest


Here are my favorite parts about this project:

1. It was so easy!  The hardest part was remembering to charge the drill, so I could install the towel bar.

2. I can see all of my belts in one glance.

  • That means no more belts that I bought and never wore!
  • Also, no more buying duplicate belts!  I swear I found two of the same exact brown braided belt from my mom's collection, so I know that's off of my radar the next time I go shopping.  :)
  • Most importantly, there was a time when I needed a belt to wear with my interview suit, and I couldn't find it.  I just gave up and hoped that no one would notice the empty belt loops under my jacket.  Never again!


3. It cost less than $20!  Normally, I like to repurpose and spend nothing on my projects, but this was well worth it.  Now, I'll get my money's worth out of some of those belts that I haven't worn, so let's call it a draw.  :)

4. I utilized an area of unused space behind my closet door and freed up a little bit of room on my hanging rod where the belts used to live.  Win-win!


Now that I finished this project, I can't wait to use the drill again.  It makes me feel like a real DIY-er!


When is the last time you DIY-ed your own organization?



DIY Belt Organization (on a budget!) on Diane's Vintage Zest


This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase using one of the links, a small commission will go to support Vintage Zest.  I will only recommend sites with products that I think you will love and enjoy!

31 comments:

  1. You do have tons of belts. lol. The new belt organization looks really good. I would make one if I have tons of belts too. Maybe, I should invest in more. :-)

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  2. Great idea! I've been hanging my belts next to all my jewelry, but it just isn't working for me. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  3. Sure! Come back and share if you end up trying it out!

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  4. What a neat idea! :)

    Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

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  5. Great post. Please let us know if you like the shower clips. Maybe you could get S hooks instead, so you wouldn't have to unclip anything? Maybe that would cost more. Hmm.... :)

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  6. What a FABULOUS idea Diane!! =) I love that it's a great organization tip and it's really on a budget! =) So many times people say "budget" and it's a $4,000 budget, ya know? Anyway. Thanks for sharing at the Pinterest Power Party! I love this!!


    Danielle
    SewMuchCrafting.com

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  7. Love this idea. I tried hangers to keep all the belts organized only to have them sliding to one end and it was all still a mess. Not to mention tilted hangers that drive me nuts. Never would have thought to use shower rings. What's great is you can stock up at the dollar store. :)

    I’d love it if you would share this at my “That’s My Style” Link party this Friday!

    http://www.MySerendipitousLife.com

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  8. I initially wanted S hooks, but they were a bit more pricey at my local store. The shower rings work great for me, even if I have to unclip them. They're extra secure!

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  9. I know! I'm a $0/repurposing kinda girl, so $20 is the upper limit of most of my projects. :)

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  10. Definitely! I probably could have brought my budget down a couple of bucks with a visit to the dollar store. :) Still, I don't think I did half bad!

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  11. I would LOVE to have a belt collection like yours. I only have like 4 belts, but I love this idea! Thanks! Pinning :)


    *Visiting from Tasty Thursdays at The Mandatory Mooch*

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  12. Very nice, love that it was so inexpensive and easy to do. Thanks for the idea.

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  13. Duh! I've done this with my scarves... why didn't I think about it for my belts? Thanks for sharing. Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/08/fridays-five-features-no-4.html

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  14. Me too! My favorite projects are cheap, easy, AND functional!. :)

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  15. Scarves the same way would be great!

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  16. Nice, but I don't have many belts. Maybe 3?

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  17. The trick to having a huge collection is to inherit 30 belts from your mother who "outgrew" them. :)

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  18. What a simple but fantastic idea! I don't have many belts as I could never think of a good way to keep them. I think you have just given me a reason to go belt shopping ;).

    Thank you for linking up with the I Love My Post Blog Hop.

    Sarah
    Life in a Break Down
    xx

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  19. Fabulous idea, my husband is forever losing his belts I need to try this!

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  20. Ooh, super good idea! Pinning to try later!

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  21. Great idea! I'd love for you to link up to The DIYers: http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-diyers-and-our-country-weekend.html

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  22. You have so many belts. lol Belt styles always come back around so I don't ever get rid of my belts. Brilliant organizing solution! " Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.

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  23. I feel like my guy is constantly buying new belts too!

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  24. I agree! My mom's belts are always getting compliments and some of them are older than I am!

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  25. Thanks for linking up to Gingerly Made's Show & Tell. You've been featured!
    http://www.gingerlymade.com/2013/08/show-tell-features_20.html

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  26. Hope you don't mind.... I pinned it on my Pinterest organization board!

    It's great!

    Suzanne

    http://adventuresofsweetmonday.blogspot.com/

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  27. No problem! Thanks so much for the Pinterest love. :) Let me know if you try it!

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  28. Shower hooks are the best! I was using some to hang up my bras in my old apartment closet. I didn't like folding them and they didn't fit in my small underwear drawer. Small handbags would also be cute on shower hooks! Thanks for the post!

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  29. I totally agree! They don't even have to be fancy shower hooks to work just right. :) Great solution for your undergarments!

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