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5 Adaptable Closet Elements to Consider for a Makeover
The power of an organized closet! Use these five closet features to not only get organized, but stay organized by providing your belongings with their own designated spot.
As great as it is to fly through your morning routine, having an organized closet does much more than just streamline that process. In short, it allows you to make the most out of your space while reducing stress. Plus, it helps prolong the life of your clothes. You took the time to put together the perfect wardrobe — one that tells the world who you are. Isn’t it a good idea to give the place where this important asset resides the same thought and attention?
Although it can be intimidating to take on a closet makeover, with a sound plan, some time and the right configuration, it can also be a highly satisfying experience.
To Begin
Step one in upgrading your closet is to assess your wardrobe. Make room for the things you truly value. Pull everything out of your current closet and start editing. Be ruthless! Ask yourself: “Have I worn this in the last year? Will I wear it in the next six months?” If the answer is no, discard or donate the items so that you get a true picture of what your organizing requirements are.
The next step is to get accurate measurements of your space. Whether a simple reach-in closet or a full walk-in closet, you’ll want to know the floor-to-ceiling height and the width of each wall. Remember to account for where the door opening will be.
After the size of your space has been determined, it’s time to consider how it will actually function. Create a list of items best stored on shelves, drawers and hanging rods so that you get an idea of how much room should be devoted to each element. It’s pretty common for closet and cabinetry companies to offer closet components that are scalable, so can be incorporated into spaces of any size.
If space is limited, consider looking at closet elements available in smaller sizes (like 15-inch-deep cabinets), but that maintain the proportions you need for drawers, shelves and hanging rods. That way you can accomplish a closet customized to your particular wardrobe needs. For spaces with a little more room, a middle-sized walk-in can typically handle several 24-inch-deep organizing pieces. Have lots of space available? Consider adding a dressing table or storage island.
When you’re ready to start designing your closet space, here are five versatile elements you might want to incorporate.
1. Open Shelves
Simply put, some pieces of clothing — T-shirts and sweaters, for example — are better stored on shelves. Including an open shelving unit into your closet design provides lots of space-saving storage. Try to find units with adjustable shelves so that you can further customize the space to your needs, whether folded clothing or mixed-height pieces like hats, purses, or other accessories stashed into containers. Corner shelves are a great way to maximize every little inch of space available.
2. Drawer Combos
Drawers not only help remove clutter, but also provide your closet with a tidy, streamlined look. Consider closet organizing units that combine drawers and hanging rods. Not only are they extremely practical, but well worth making the foundational piece you design your entire closet around. Units featuring a hanging rod above a bank of drawers are particularly effective, especially in shared closets. Shirts and dresses can hang at the top and then delicates or folded separates can be stashed in the drawers below.
For shared closets, calculate the percentage of space needed by both of you, and then break that down further into drawer space versus shelving versus hanging space. If you are a collector of purses and bags, for instance, you’ll need to incorporate more shelves into your design than drawers. Or if your husband wears suits regularly, then he will need hanging space. Going through and making these decisions is a great way to come together and share the space appropriately.
3. Space for Hanging
In the beginning, when going through the assessment of your wardrobe, if you find that you need a significantly greater amount of hanging room than drawers and shelving, then including a stacked hanging rod closet into your design might be a good fit. These organizing elements are perfect for maximizing hanging space so that clothes stay tidy and wrinkle-free. One can be put together with a pair of hanging rods, or just a single rod for longer pieces of clothing. Placing a shelf in between the two rods adds a little extra flat storage.
What is the best depth for a reach-in closet geared toward hanging space? Consider going narrow if you’d like to use the floor in front for storing other things. Go deeper if you’ll be hanging bulky garments like coats. At any rate, you want to allow enough room so that the door can open and shut without issue.
4. Shoe Storage
Open shelves are superior to boxes when it comes to storing shoes and keeping them in like-new condition. Being open to the air allows the shoes to breathe after being worn. Plus, you can see your entire selection of shoes in a glance. Use shoe rack shelves to showcase your shoe collection. Every angled shelf holds a special pair of shoes you consider worthy of the spotlight.
5. Jewelry Drawer
Jewelry is the icing on the cake of any outfit, so it makes sense to keep yours safe, yet within easy reach. The answer? A storage drawer dedicated to your jewelry. A slim drawer, it efficiently organizes necklaces, rings, bracelets, pins and watches. Many different variations exist so you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your space. Similar organizing storage drawers can also be used for accessories like ties, scarves, belts, and even lingerie.
