Closets Design Online

If you have recently gotten married or moved into a home shared with your significant other, you may have encountered one small conflict that did not cross your mind before making the move – sharing your life also means sharing that precious real estate in your closet!

If you have become accustomed to the freedom of your own private closet for a while, you may now be experiencing some unexpected challenges that go along with merging two people’s possessions into one bedroom closet. If your own closet was marred with clutter that left you searching through mounds of clothing, shoes, and accessories, adding years worth of your partner’s collected possessions to the mix may render the closet inaccessible altogether. Here we offer some organization techniques to help you and your partner merge your possessions so that you can enjoy harmony in both your closet and your relationship.

-Start with a clean slate: If the two of you already live together and the bedroom closet is full, start by removing everything from the closet. An empty closet is the best way to begin if you want to creatively maximize your space without the preexisting scheme interfering.

-Purge. Both you and your partner should make an honest assessment of your collective belongings and determine what should be kept, what should be tossed and what you can donate or give away. Minimize the quantity of items that must be stored in the closet as much as possible.

-Strategize. Everything that you kept in your own closet may not be logical to store in the closet you now share with your partner. Prioritize keeping items such as clothing, suits, dresses, shoes, ties, and belts in the bedroom closet, and consider other storage options for extras that do not fit well. For instance, coats and jackets may find a better home in a hallway or entry way closet, and items such as sporting equipment and backpacks can be moved to a garage or basement.

-Give and take: One of you likely needs more storage space inside the closet due to having more possessions, and a 50/50 square footage split is not a logical solution for most couples. Dividing space in the closet disproportionately is perfectly acceptable, but you may need to rethink your plan if items belonging to one partner claim 95% of the closet.

-Splurge on the right organizers. A man and woman sharing one closet equates to a hodgepodge of neckties, stilettos, scarves, belts, sandals, the list goes on. Remember, the goal is to make the items in the closet accessible and, possibly more importantly, easily returned to where they belong. A tie rack, belt rack or a combination unit makes an excellent closet organization tool. Additionally, a solution must be found for shoes. Stacking shoe shelves, hanging shoe organizers and individual plastic shoe boxes are good options to consider for containing what would be a mountain of intermingled shoes just waiting to make you late.

You might have it in your kitchen, to hold the best china and silver. Or you could have it in your bathroom, keeping medicines way out of reach of children. And you could have at least one in your bedroom, where everything from clothes to shoes, yearbooks to photos are stored.

Taken for granted and often abused, closets make up a great part of our every day lives. They are called by many other names; the word "closet" is, in fact, native to North America, and is associated with cabinets, cupboards, or pantries. The British call it a "wardrobe," or even an "armoire."

Way before C.S. Lewis introduced the world to a magical universe past the furs hanging in a closet, the Elizabethans closeted themselves and referred to any room as a "closet," as long as someone could read in it and have privacy. In the modern age, even the bathroom is referred to as a "water closet," or W.C.

Closets can be made in a variety of materials. The traditional wood allows a closet to be decorated with carvings and mirrors. The more modern closets are made of less insect-prone materials, and are more lightweight.

Whatever they are made of, and whichever name they are called, closets come in many types depending on their use.

o A broom closet is a closet narrower than wide, often stretching in space from the floor to the ceiling. It is made to store length objects such as mops, brooms, or hockey sticks

o A coat closet is a storage space in which to store jackets, hoods, and coats. Such a closet will often have no shelves, and only rails on which to hang clothes on. In a house, it is located near the front door, so that anyone entering the house can place their jackets in a safe place, then take it out again and wear it when they leave the house.

Some restaurants also have coat closets, and these are usually located in an isolated space farther from the entryway.

o A linen closet is typically built with shelves instead of rods on which to hang clothes on. It is located near bedrooms or bathrooms, and is used to keep washcloths, towels, blankets, sheets, toiletries, and curtains.

o Wall closets are shallow closets separated from a room with folding doors, curtains, or strings of beads. They have just enough space to store folded clothes or to hang them.

o A walk-in closet is a large closet large enough for a user to walk inside, and wide enough to keep a greater number of clothes, shoes, books, and other paraphernalia. Some walk-in closets have lights and mirrors, and will often have unique flooring.

o California closets are larger versions of walk-in closets. They will contain more shelves, shoe drawers, rails on which to hang clothes, racks in which to keep books, and even netting on which to hang earrings! The more luxurious California closets will even have safes, secret compartments, and drawers in which to store money or precious jewelry.

They are often ignored in favor of their contents, but closets do perform a good number of duties their users take for granted. They store shoes and clothing in an organized manner, and keep them clean. They keep out humidity, preserving precious books and photographs. If made skillfully, they can serve as accents to rooms, even as conversation pieces.

Closets, most of all, store memories, no matter what they are for.

Tag : closets,closet organizer,closet shelving

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You might have it in your kitchen, to hold the best china and silver. Or you could have it in your bathroom, keeping medicines way out of reach of children. And you could have at least one in your bedroom, where everything from clothes to shoes, yearbooks to photos are stored.

Taken for granted and often abused, closets make up a great part of our every day lives. They are called by many other names; the word “closet” is, in fact, native to North America, and is associated with cabinets, cupboards, or pantries. The British call it a “wardrobe,” or even an “armoire.”

Way before C.S. Lewis introduced the world to a magical universe past the furs hanging in a closet, the Elizabethans closeted themselves and referred to any room as a “closet,” as long as someone could read in it and have privacy. In the modern age, even the bathroom is referred to as a “water closet,” or W.C.

Closets can be made in a variety of materials. The traditional wood allows a closet to be decorated with carvings and mirrors. The more modern closets are made of less insect-prone materials, and are more lightweight.

Whatever they are made of, and whichever name they are called, closets come in many types depending on their use.

• A broom closet is a closet narrower than wide, often stretching in space from the floor to the ceiling. It is made to store length objects such as mops, brooms, or hockey sticks

• A coat closet is a storage space in which to store jackets, hoods, and coats. Such a closet will often have no shelves, and only rails on which to hang clothes on. In a house, it is located near the front door, so that anyone entering the house can place their jackets in a safe place, then take it out again and wear it when they leave the house.

Some restaurants also have coat closets, and these are usually located in an isolated space farther from the entryway.

• A linen closet is typically built with shelves instead of rods on which to hang clothes on. It is located near bedrooms or bathrooms, and is used to keep washcloths, towels, blankets, sheets, toiletries, and curtains.

• Wall closets are shallow closets separated from a room with folding doors, curtains, or strings of beads. They have just enough space to store folded clothes or to hang them.

• A walk-in closet is a large closet large enough for a user to walk inside, and wide enough to keep a greater number of clothes, shoes, books, and other paraphernalia. Some walk-in closets have lights and mirrors, and will often have unique flooring.

• California closets are larger versions of walk-in closets. They will contain more shelves, shoe drawers, rails on which to hang clothes, racks in which to keep books, and even netting on which to hang earrings! The more luxurious California closets will even have safes, secret compartments, and drawers in which to store money or precious jewelry.

They are often ignored in favor of their contents, but closets do perform a good number of duties their users take for granted. They store shoes and clothing in an organized manner, and keep them clean. They keep out humidity, preserving precious books and photographs. If made skillfully, they can serve as accents to rooms, even as conversation pieces.

Closets, most of all, store memories, no matter what they are for.

Bedroom closets are notoriously difficult to keep under control. This is because the bedroom closet is in constant use, with items coming in and out frequently. Without a good system in place, bedroom closet organization can quickly fall by the wayside.

It becomes even more difficult when you consider that most of us have a bunch of items that we never wear clogging up our closets. Whether these items were received as gifts, bought on sale somewhere, or just don't fit anymore, this stuff takes up valuable closet space that could be better used for items that we actually use.

The result of this log-jam of stuff is one great big cluttered mess! Staying on top of bedroom closet organization requires a functional closet organizer system that will provide you with the tools you need to make it easy to organize and store your clothes.

Here's how to get started on your way to a clutter-free, well-organized closet.

Clean Up Your Room

If your bedroom is a mess, you'll have to bit the bullet and overhaul the entire room. It's difficult to keep a closet organized if you can't walk through the rest of your room! At the very least, put like items together and get clutter out of the way. This way you won't be tempted to just toss the mess in the closet. It doesn't hurt to clear out cobwebs, dust, and vacuum while you're at it.

Get Rid of What Doesn't Fit

Now that you're ready to tackle the closet, start by getting rid of clothing that doesn't fit. Countless people spend wasted space and mental energy hanging on to too-small clothes for that 'someday' when they will finally fit. Do yourself a favor - get rid of these items! If you need the money, you can even earn a little extra cash by selling items on eBay, at a consignment shop, or on Craigslist. In order to avoid the temptation to hang on to this stuff, it's sometimes better to just give things away - quickly. Give stuff to friends, donate to your local thrift shop, or post items for free on Craigslist. As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Put Away Out-of-Season Clothes

There's no use in having a bunch of heavy winter clothes taking up space in your closet in the middle of summer (or vice versa). Store your out-of-season items under the bed, in plastic storage bins, or in garment bags. Make sure to protect wool items from pests by filling old trouser socks and nylons with cedar chips. A great way to save money on cedar chips is to buy inexpensive cedar pet bedding at your local pet supply store. Be sure to replace the cedar chips every month or so.

Complete the Purge

Finally, get rid of anything you haven't worn in the past year. If you haven't worn it in more than one season, chances are you never will. Keep the clutter from piling up again by choosing fewer, better quality items - resist the temptation to buy something just because it's on sale. If it hangs in your closet without ever being worn, it means wasted money and wasted space. Also, whenever you buy (or acquire) something new, get rid of something else.

Get rid of anything that doesn't make you look and feel your best. Tight, uncomfortable, frumpy, or ill-fitting clothing must go. Also, gather up items that need minor mending, like a hem or a missing button, and plan to get these repairs made within a week.

Items You Can't Bear to Part With?

After you've purged as much as possible, try this tip for any items that you just can't stand to get rid of. Put the items back in your closet on a hanger facing the opposite direction from the rest of your clothes. As you wear these items, turn the hangers around to match the rest of your clothes when you put them back in your closet. After six months to a year, you'll be able to tell by the backwards-facing hangers what hasn't been worn. Get rid of anything that's been sitting there all year without being worn.

Customize Your Bedroom Closet

Now it's time to take stock of your closet storage space. The typical (and least efficient) design of a bedroom closet is one clothes rod with a shelf above it. To customize your closet space, take inventory of your wardrobe. Do you have lots of shirts? Then double closet rods can maximize efficient us of closet space. Do you have more shoes than anything else? Then a shoe organizer might help you beat the clutter. You can also use inexpensive racks and shelving systems to keep folded clothes neatly organized.

For really efficient use of your closet space, I recommend the Elfa® bedroom closet organization systems available from the Container Store. If you contact the Container Store and provide your closet measurements and answer a few questions about your storage needs, they'll design a custom closet organizer closet organizer tailored just for you. I faced the challenge of squeezing clothing and toys for three children in a single closet. I contacted the Container Store for a customized bedroom closet organizer and I couldn't be happier with the result.

Setting Up Your Organizational System

Now that you've whittled down your wardrobe to only the items you love and actually use, and now that you've customized your closet organizer to match your needs, you're ready to put your organization system into place.

Shoe Storage

For shoe storage, clear plastic shoe boxes that can be labeled are a good investment. Shoes can be categorized by season and purpose. To simplify shoe storage, store in-season and frequently worn pairs within easy reach; the rest can be put away for the season, or stacked on the infrequently used top shelf of the closet.

Hang similar items together and categorize them by color. This will simplify your morning routine. For example, hang shirts together (don't intersperse them with skirts and trousers), and organize them by color.

Buy tie hangers for ties, belts, scarves, and similar items. As with your general wardrobe, purge these from time to time, and get rid of items that are worn out, stained, or that you just don't use.

Conserve space for hanging clothes by using the same type of hangers for everything - uniformity and systematization saves space. Hang shirts and jackets facing the same way so that they 'nest' against each other. Use clear plastic skirt hangers for slacks and trousers.

If you have an unused bedroom in your home, you can turn it into a walk in closet by installing shelving and closet rods around the perimeter of the room. You can also use rolling carts and hanging rods if you want to avoid installing hardware. To maximize the utility of your new dressing room, include a comfortable sitting chair for putting on your shoes and a full-length mirror to give yourself a quick appraisal before heading out the door.

You can also save money and limit clutter by using what's available around the house to help organize your closet inexpensively. Unused bookshelves, plastic bins, and carts are all good options for stacking, folding, and storing clothes. The only limit is your creativity and imagination.

These bedroom closet organization tips have worked wonders for making my life saner, more organized, and easier to manage. If you take the time to overhaul your closet, they're sure to do the same for you!

Most people find that after getting rid of clutter, keeping closets organized is an ongoing challenge. Your goal is to be able to see items and be able to reach the things you use on a daily or weekly basis. Make that a reality by implementing the following home organizing tips.

Entryway Closets

Narrow Shelving - This type of shelving is great for hats, gloves and scarves on doors or walls for easy access.

Plastic Drawers and Containers - These are perfect for storing each family member's assortment of gloves, mittens, and hats. Larger containers work well on higher shelves for storing supplies of any kind.

Hallway cabinet - This may be a solution to a crowded hall closet and can be used to store temporarily those items that are going out the door, such as, clothing to be altered or to the cleaners, items going to the repair shop, or packages and letters to be mailed.

Clothes Closets

Wire Shoe Racks - One of the best ways to keep your shoes neat and orderly is to purchase wire shoe racks. They attach to the wall and have a brace to keep them at a slant. If you don't have wall space to spare, shoe bags that hang on the back of the door or a shoe rack that sits on the floor or a closet shelf also work well. Seasonal or very dressy shoes that you seldom wear can be stored in their original boxes in the back of the closet or in a store room.

Shelf Dividers - These are excellent for keeping stacks of sweaters or purses in place. One available source is the Lillian Vernon catalog and website.

Add A Shelf - Do you need another shelf in a small walk-in closet? A home organizing tip to use today is to put a shelf inside the closet above the door for items that you seldom use.

Linen Closets

Plastic bins - These are always ideal for items, such as, sewing supplies, medications, bath products and hair accessories. Choose bins with drawers or a lid depending on your needs.

Add A Shelf - Purchase several wire shelves to use in your closets. They work especially well in the linen closet to provide more space for storing towels, washcloths and hand towels.

Battery-operated light - One of the greatest objects to simply attach to the wall in any closet in your home is a battery-operated light! Buy one for each of your unlit closets!

When choosing closets organizers, here are some great tips
that will ensure you find the absolute most effective organizers to keep your
closet in order. First of all, make sure you get either an adjustable kit or
shelf. Also, pull-out baskets can be a good option. Search out retailers who
provide these quality products at an affordable price.

Remember, when deciding which organizer to purchase,
aesthetic appeal is just as important as functionality. The overall appearance
of your home, and particularly your closet, plays a huge role in lifting your
spirits on a daily basis.

Instead of having a whole shelf devoted to your shoes,
having individual boxes for each pair is the better choice. If you don't do
this, you will quickly find yourself beginning to pile your shoes on top of each
other; before you long you won't know where any of them are.

First and foremost, before you even begin to fill your
closet, purge every unnecessary item that you will not be using in the near
future. Be brutally honest during this process. Quite simply, most people's
homes are filled to the brim with items that they either do not or will never
use; this is probably the single biggest organization killer that is responsible
for the clutter building up in many people's homes today. Make sure that you
rid yourself of every unnecessary item before you even begin the organization
process.

Now that you have your system in order, make sure you keep
it that way. In other words, whenever you are finished with a particular piece
of clothing (or anything you choose to keep in your closet) put it away
immediately. This ensures that your clothes do not build up on the floor over
time. If you put even one item on the floor, and tell yourself that you will
take care of it later, you will quickly develop a bad habit that is extremely
hard to break.

While you are establishing your organization system, make
sure that you leave about 1/3 of your closet free; this gives you some growing
room as you add more things. If you fill up your closet organizers at once, you will quickly find your storing options severely limited.

Once you find a system that works, simply keep repeating it
over and over again for every closet in your house. Remember, you cannot have
your life in order if your home is not in order. Your home cannot be in order
if your closets are not kept clean.

When your house is clean and well organized, you will
notice your productivity skyrocketing because you won't be spending nearly as
much time searching for items that you misplaced. When utilized effectively,
your closets are a real life saver, because they allow items that would normally
be piled up on the floor to be arranged neatly, where you can find them
immediately. Follow these tips, and watch your home, as well as your life, get
organized faster than you ever imagined possible.

Tag : closets,closet organizer,closet doors,closet design

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Neumann

Closet organizers are cleverly designed to optimize the use of the space available, and can work wonders at transforming a cluttered closet into a neat and tidy storage place. We all know how annoying it is to have an a closet crammed full of old clothes and to never be able to find what we're looking for. Or when we do find that favorite dress, all too often it's lying in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the closet. A built in closet organizer can change all that, providing a dedicated storage place for different types of clothing and shoes.

Bedroom closet organizers can be installed in both walk in and reach in closets, and can be custom made to meet your particular requirements. Most closet organizer systems come with a variety of adjustable features, such as shelving and hanging rods, which can be fitted to best meet your storage needs. For instance, two short hanging rods one above the other, can be perfect for shorter items of clothing like shirts and folded pants. Wood shelves or wire racks can be useful for smaller items. Hooks are handy for ties and belts. And there are all kinds of options for shoes, from cubby holes to door hanging racks or organizer boxes.

If you're feeling inspired to tackle your messy closet and have a good clear out of all that clutter, then installing a fitted closet organizers or even just adding the separate components that you need most, can be very worthwhile. Once you've got your closet organizer system in place and arranged all your things in the appropriate storage compartments, it should be much easier to stay organized and not succumb to the clutter in the future!