Closet Organizing Solutions

by Paulette Soddeman

What do you wish for when you look into your closet every morning? I think a common answer would be more space and more organization.

Having an organized space for our clothes, shoes, and accessories not only makes it easier to get ready for the day, but it saves time, decreases stress level, and is aesthetically pleasing. When we’re organized, we’re calmer, more self-assured, and ready to take on the day.

Customized closet systems really help with keeping things organized. There are many systems and styles to choose from whether your closet is a reach-in or room sized.

A starting point is to sort through your clothes and purge unneeded and unwanted items. We all have that outdated blazer that we think will come back in style or the too tight pants that we intend to diet into. Probably neither will happen. Now is the time to get realistic and get rid of what you haven’t worn for a year. Then assess your needs for items that need to be hung from taller poles, such as for long dresses, coats, or robes. For items such as shirts, blazers, and pants, multi-tiered rods can be used. Pants hung on a fold-over hanger instead of hanging by their cuffs can save a lot of vertical space. Here’s a hint; having hangers all the same such as all wooden or all padded means all your clothes will be at the same length – easier to find what you need and much nicer to look at.

The most basic closet space is what we find in the older housing stock – the reach-in closet. It might seem at first glance that there is nothing you can do to create more space, but you can incorporate long and double hanging rods and floor-to-ceiling vertical shelving, open or closed. Baskets, bins, shoe racks, and other elements all help to make it look clutter-free.

One option that is getting a lot of buzz is lighting systems within the hanging rod. Usually found in luxury hotels or high-end boutiques, lighted rods are making their way into residential. An even distribution of light helps you see more clearly colors and textures. It’s a little luxury that makes a big difference.

Many of us dream of a large walk-in closet, but those can get pretty disorganized too without a system of shelving, drawers, and multi-level rods. Accessories can include tie and belt racks, jewelry and lingerie drawers, laundry hampers, shoe shelves, and valet hooks.

Materials for storage systems can range from basic laminate to wood grain, floor standing or off-floor suspended. A wide option of door styles, wood species, and finishes are available to complement the look of your home.

A real luxury is to have a room-size closet. I’ve designed some for empty nesters who want to repurpose an unused bedroom or who incorporated a much larger space with a master suite remodel. Walk-in closets at least 10 feet wide may feature a freestanding island. For closets not large enough for an island, a smaller peninsula is an option.

Closet organization systems don’t need to be confined to the bedroom. Pantries, linen closets, home offices, laundry and mud rooms all benefit from systems that make your home function and look better.