Friday 20 May 2011

Closet Ideas to Improve Your Storage and Closet Organization

Looking for closet Ideas to improve your closet organization and storage?

Sometimes the best Ideas are the simplest ones. While you can always go out and purchase closet organizers perhaps your budget requires something less expensive but equally as effective. Why go through the hassle of installing closet organizers when you can do something right now that will help?

Your closet is the only space in your house that is specifically meant for storage. It is not a living space but completely a storage space. Because it is a storage space many things get tossed and lost in there! There are two major components to closet organization. One is having a systematic approach to what comes in and goes out and the other is the efficient use of the space.

Closet Ideas for Efficient use of Space

If you have a standard reach in closet there is a hanging rod from wall to wall and then a 12 inch deep shelf mounted above that. Instead of changing that configuration here are some closet Ideas to help with using the space effectively just as it is.

Put your chest of drawers in your closet. There is no rule that says it has to be in the bedroom. If you have a reach in closet then put it in the center where it is easily accessible.

Re-purpose a really old chest of drawers for this. You know...the one where the drawers do not go in and out any more! You have one -Great! Get rid of the drawers altogether and put open shelving in the drawer slots. You can get closet shelving pre-cut at the hardware store and this is a great place to store folded t-shirts or sweaters. Even shoes can go on those shelves.

Use closet hardware to attach a hanging rod to the side of that chest of drawers and across to the other wall of the closet and you will create an instant double hanging area on one side of the closet. This will more than make up for the space taken up by the chest of drawers.

The hanging rod above your dresser is the perfect place to store hangers that are not being used or you can use it as a jewellery organizer and hang your necklaces and scarves from the rod.


A Systematic Approach

Of all the closet Ideas to improve your closet organization the best one is to have a regular system of purging and editing your wardrobe. Here is a great closet organization tip to make sure you are only storing items that are in regular use.

Every year on a significant date that you will not forget ( your birthday, New Years Day, your anniversary...whatever) turn all the hangers in your closet around. As you take things out and wear them you will hang the item back up in the normal way. After one year if there are any hangers still hanging backwards this item has not been worn in a year and out it goes!

Your closet is a useful storage space but it can be a continual source of frustration if it doesn't work for you to keep track of and find what you need when you need it.

These closet Ideas should get you started on a new way to closet organization.

Friday 6 May 2011

The Ultimate Closet

Ultimately, your closet needs to be designed around you and the way you live. Start organizing your everyday living by turning a cluttered closet into an ideal and useful storage space. Your plan varies based upon your options and the size of your space.

The Reach-In Closet: The most common type of closet is the reach-in variety complete with a wooden rod and its hangers- nothing overly fancy. The first step to organizing a closet that is of particular importance in this instance is to inventory the items you wish to store in your closet. One of the keys to consider is how much hanging space you need and how much room you need for shoes. It used to be that closed needed larger long hanging sections for women's dresses and gowns, but today the dynamics of wardrobes are changing and double hanging sections are becoming more dominant. By adjusting a long hanging section to a double hanging section, you can ultimately add 3 feet of extra space for drawers, cubbies and amenities for storage.

One concern with reach-in closets is the type of doors on the closet. Often sliding doors need to be measured carefully so that all drawers and pull out shelving clear the door when closed. Another pitfall to shelving units in a reach in closet is to remember there is only limited space above the bulkhead of the closet door and pending the depth of the closet you can add hooks for robes and belt racks. It is important to consider from a strategic perspective where to place shelving.

The Walk-In Closet: Moving beyond the average reach-in closet, the modern home style is that the larger master suite closets are big enough to house a chest of drawers and other furniture, which saves room in the master bedroom. It is common for people to cut down on furniture in the master bedroom and relocate it to the master bedroom closet. Today's closet systems in large master suites are very elaborate and often allow the homeowner to visualize virtually all items stored in the closet in one glance. Closets have become basically rooms with a view. It is also common to have an island centered in the master closet to hold items such as tilt-out hampers, sliding belt racks and tie racks, lockable jewelry trays, shoe cubbies, shoe racks and shelves, among other things. Some islands also store luggage and fold away ironing boards. In today's modern closets, a well designed space can transform into a huge amount of optimized space with several amenities.

Space Savers: Whether your close is large enough to get dress in or an reach in to store personal items, a number of space saving accessories are available on the market today that relieve overwhelming closet disorganization by creating designated spaces for your items. How you design your closet should be based on your need and how you think you can be utilize the space. Pull-out drawers, fixed shelving and hanging baskets are essential to close organization, particularly because of their ability to help organize small miscellaneous items.

Additional amenities that make finding things easier include sliding belt tie racks, valet rods to hang dry cleaning, slanted shoe shelves and shoe towers. In addition, deep shelves for storing sweaters and handbags are helpful organization tools. Many space organizers also find it helpful to label enclosed and open containers for ease of identification