The Ultimate Closet Design and Organizing Goal Guide
Now that we are spending more time at home, it is the perfect opportunity to take control over your closet. No more tall stacks of clothes, no more rush searches for that sock, tie or belt. An organized closet is a thing of beauty and practicality, and it’s right there for you.
It doesn’t matter if your renovation project is for a small apartment closet or a spacious walk-in closet – it’s yours, and it can become a pleasant-inspiring space instead of a stressing can’t-find-it place.
When we design and organize closets, it involves discovering what we need. Then, adding a combination of shelves, dressing drawers, hanging rods, and many other components into the available space, like a puzzle, in a useful and appealing structure. Floors or walls are not created equal in all areas, so measuring and customizing are necessary for your space. Through the frustrations and successes, you will be able to create a customized storage space which is ideal and functional for your needs.
Here we enlist some great closet organization tips to make this project possible.
How To Get Started
The first thing to consider is the existing space. Is there a closet already? Planning on making it a bigger space? Thinking about turning that small kid’s bedroom into the walk-in closet you’ve been eager about? If you look at the big picture first, jot down a quick sketch of your vision. This will be a starting point as you begin to assess your needs and budget. It is not your final draft. The design will or could evolve as you go through all the factors.
Designing your closet organization structure is the perfect chance to end up with exactly what you wish. If you share your closet with someone else, look for your partner’s participation as well. With persistence and a good plan, you will be able to design the perfect closet. You will need a pencil, paper, measuring tape and computer design program, and you’ll be ready to go.
Assess Your Needs
List your needs, skills, and budget. Is this something you can achieve yourself, or something best you should leave to a professional? Look for design publications, home improvement or makeover websites, or Youtube tutorial videos for some advice and inspiration. Closet organization design is different for each. Go to your local home improvement store or business that specializes in different space organization. This will help you get the best ideas for potential structure and trends.
Take Stock of Your Clothes Inventory
Look at your wardrobe and ask yourself if your current space gives you the room you need, or if you need to enlarge that space? Do you need all of your clothes, or do you have ensembles that you haven’t use in ages that are only taking up important space? What about your shoes? – how many do you have, and how can you make them fit into your ideal closet? Don’t forget accessories, such as ties, hats, belts, jewelry, and scarves.
Measure, Measure, Measure
Before you start designing, building, or ordering components for your new closet, measure everything first. Measure the empty closet space including the height from the floor to ceiling. When gathering the width of each wall, do not forget to account for molding at the bottom of walls or the crown molding that is in the top. Notes are important, be sure to make them for any features that would affect placement of drawers and shelves such as: electrical outlets, ducts, light switches, doors, vents or windows. When you start designing on paper, include these precise dimensions. It would be very helpful to utilize graph paper.
Measurements of your overall floor plan? Take into consideration spaces taken up by closet doors. From the front and back, top and bottom, the measurement of closet dimensions are important because walls, ceilings, and floors are seldom exactly level and plumb. This affects how well your structure fits into the space.
Zone Out
Imagine your closet as having “zones”: shoe racks, shelves, rods to hang clothes, drawers, everything you need in that space. To mark the outline of these zones: a drawer system here, shelves there, a ceiling-to-floor shoe rack against that wall, a roll of blue painter’s tape can be useful. It releases from the walls and flooring easily, so you can remove and re-tape as many times as you need.
Will your future closet space need to hold a large number of items that go into drawers such as underwear, socks, shorts, or lingerie? Or, do you have more hanging clothes like skirts, suits, shirts, and slacks? Do you like to fold shirts and stack them or are you a “hang it all up” person? Your preferences will dictate what your closet configuration will look like.
Get Hung Up on Your Hang-up Storage
An important decision you’ll be facing is how far up from the floor you will place the hanging rods for your clothes. Would you like storage on the floor under the clothing? What height is comfortable for you to reach without having to grab a stool to stand on? When you get to measure the hanging rods, remember to add at least a few inches at the top for getting the hangers on and off the rod. Don’t forget to consider whether you prefer to hang slacks full-length, requiring a higher rod, or draped over a hanger, that can hang on a lower rod.
Open Shelving or Drawers?
Do you prefer drawers or open shelving, or maybe both? There are some people that prefer drawers for a neat, and organized look. Also, sweaters or workout t-shirts can be tucked away into drawers. Or maybe you prefer shelves for these items or wish to display handbags and shoes. The use of shelves can also offer quick access for those late hurry mornings. Keep in mind that this is your closet, and it’s your choice within your budget.
Would you like hanging storage for accessories like your ties or belts, or do you usually fold or roll for storage in a drawer? Keep paper nearby to jot down notes as you evolve into your specific organizational needs and taste.
Jewelry Drawers?
When you are about to design your custom closet, it will be good to consider where you’ll store your jewelry. Would you like to display your necklaces or rings or would you rather keep them safely tucked away? You could include space for a safe for those dear and expensive pieces or other valuables. Even if you have a cherished jewelry armoire or one of those hanging organizers, you can configure them into your new closet decor, or you maybe you can exchange them for new jewelry drawers with custom dividers. Make your own style!
Illuminate Your Space
When you are planning the perfect closet space, lighting is a must. It is terrible when you have to fumble for clothes and accessories in the dark. If you have a larger space or a walk-in closet, it’s a good idea to consider having the right lighting installed. It may require hiring an electrician if you are adding overhead lighting, so it’s better if you include that in your budget. Look online for on-trend lighting options. When it’s a small space, it is a good option to install lighting within the cabinetry – no electrician needed!
Important Things We Should Consider
If you are building some or all of the components yourself, you may be able to buy sections from a home improvement store or specialty store. A complete, pre-fabricated system may work better for that unique space and it will cost you less than buying the materials and crafting yourself. You could just order specific components and install and assemble them yourself. It is recommended to keep your budget in mind when you consider all the different prices – and types – of closet systems.
Design Trends
Check out websites and stores to see all the new trends in custom closets. There should be on-trend features, like lighted closet rods or roll-out shelves, that you would like to incorporate into your own space.
When you have settled on the components, that is the moment to consider the material. Are you more into a traditional look, an ultra-modern look, or maybe something in between? Like the sleek look of metal? Clean, white lines? Do you prefer the look of wood, such as cherry, oak, or pine to match your existing bedroom or bathroom decoration?
Does this dream closet include a mirror or maybe a dressing chair convenience? Special touches will add the unique charm you are looking for in addition to the organization.
You want a design that satisfies all your personal closet needs, and that you’ll be happy with at the same time. With the exact measurements, shop around to find your designed needs. If you’re on a budget, you could search on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, some second-hand stores, and many other sources for used components that you can use incorporate and paint to match the other sections for a unified and elegant look.
Declutter and Donate
Once you finish, step back and admire your new space. It was worth the time and effort! Now you can take advantage of the opportunity to declutter. Go through your wardrobe, include suits, ties, shoes and handbags, and be conscious about how often you have used those articles. Are there some items you haven’t worn in several years or no longer fit in? Give them new life by donating gently used items to a homeless shelter or thrift store.
A Place for Everything, and Everything in its Place
Now that you have the closet of your dreams, it will be easier to keep it that way! Once a day, go through the closet and make sure it remains clean and organized. This can become a healthy habit and makes finding the things you need so much easier. Dust the surfaces and banish the cobwebs and dust bunnies. Taking good care of your components will ensure years of steady, nice-looking function.
Originally poste on Porch.com
