What's in Your Closet?
When you think of a well-organized closet do visions of rainbow-hued shoes and sweaters lined up in pleasing rows come to mind? Perhaps you dream big, and you picture the closets of Hollywood celebrities with granite-topped center islands, built-in drawers, and under-lit cabinets. The good news? You don’t have to be rich and famous to enjoy the benefits of a tricked-out closet. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing space, customizable storage options abound.
Making the Most of Your Closet Space
Analyze Existing Space
Start with an empty closet. Good news, if you’re building a new home; not so much if you’re needing to organize a closet in a home in which you already live—but oh-so-worth it! Taking everything out of a space enables you to view it with fresh eyes. Just because the sweaters have always hung in a certain spot doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the only, or most convenient place for them to be. Perhaps they could be folded, freeing up hanging space. And what about those suitcases on the top shelf? If you only use them a few times a year maybe it’s worth finding another place to store them.
Purge, Purge, Purge
Yes, it’s at the top of every closet organization tip list, and yes—it can be overwhelming. Start by designating three piles: Keep, Donate, Trash (and a fourth, if you want to try selling items on eBay or Poshmark). It can be helpful to have an objective family member or friend to help you do this. Take time to try on items, if necessary, and don’t keep clothing that no longer fits or that you haven’t worn for a year or longer. If you’re moving into a new home, now is the perfect time to edit your wardrobe. Don’t move items you no longer wear.
Reorganize
Now it’s time to reassess and decide if you want to put everything back the way it was, or if it’s time to shake things up a bit. Are there places where storage baskets or bins could be used effectively? Is it important to you to have all of the same type of hangers? Do you want to hang your clothes by type, color, and/or season? Make the system work for you, and create an order that is easily maintained.
Built-ins
While we can’t all have a Kardashian closet, there are some simple considerations to be made at the time of construction of a new home that can be added without breaking the budget. For example, consider installing rod and shelving at varying heights, with a row of cubbies in the middle. The cubbies are ideally suited to hold bins or baskets such as those that can be found at IKEA or The Container Store.
Leave some space above the top shelf to use it for storage of items that you don’t use on a daily basis.
Consider installing built-in drawer units like the ones pictured here. If built-ins are out of the budget, how about using a piece of furniture in the closet?
Assessing your wardrobe ahead of time will direct the type of storage that will prove most useful. The narrow shelving above is perfect for rows of shoes. The double rods will serve well for shirts and suits, but not as well for dresses. Note also the shallow drawers, which are perfect for jewelry/watches, lingerie, or scarves.
If you’re lucky enough to have an architectural plan with windows in the closet, you’ll love having the natural light when selecting clothing for the day. Depending on window placement, however, you may need to consider the need for window coverings.
Reimagine Existing Space
The clients for whom we remodeled a fantastic family home that was built in the 1960s opted to convert one of the bedrooms into the primary closet, as homes built in that era did not typically include walk-in closets. The result? A fabulous custom closet with a view!
We’re all about the details, and no detail is too small. Don’t overlook the importance of planning closet space when you build or remodel. It’s the spaces you use everyday that need to work best for you.
Whether you’re building your dream home or remodeling your family’s forever home, Sheffield has the resources, experience, and trade relationships to take your project to the finish line. With nearly 50 years’ experience in the Denver metro area and in northern Colorado, we know a thing or two about building homes, and we’d love to work with you to build yours. Contact us today and let’s get started.
