Walk-in bedroom closet with lots of features using Ikea products
Everyone today needs more space to store belongings and organize possessions. Too often people go out and buy duplicates of things, simply because they can't find what they know they have---somewhere. By designing closet space that works more efficiently, you can make your life easier, and in the long run, save money. Does this Spark an idea?
Getting Started
Regardless of the purpose of the closet, the first thing that you need to do is to clean it. Throw away, give away or sell what you haven't used in past year, unless there is a compelling reason to keep it. Look at all of the duplicates and consider donating or selling them. Then look at what you are planning to keep. Store like things together, and list and count items in each category. This is how you will make the plan for your closet. For example, for a clothing closet, see how many shoes, shirts, pants and long hang clothes you have.
Space
Determine the space that you have. Measure all of it, even if you have existing shelves and poles now. You want to make use of all of the space from the very top to the floor.
If you have lots of shirts and pants, consider double-hanging clothes. Consider a pants rack, where you can pull them out. You can divide the closet so that only a portion is double hung. Are your shoes all over? Shoe racks where the shoes can be pulled out work well; another alternative is cubbies for shoes.
If you need more space than is currently in your closet, look for areas in your home that you can convert and organize for storage. Consider space that you previously thought was worthless. Another option is to remove infrequently used items and store them safely, in lesser used storage areas, such as the attic or basement.
Lighting
If you don't currently have lighting in your closet, now may be a good time to add it. This allows you to more easily find the items in your closet. If you don't want to invest in an electrician to wire it, consider a battery-powered light.
Containers
In a clothes closet, for example, after you have determined what to hang, you need to consider what else you need, and it depends on what you are storing. For clothes, you can use shelves, drawers, clear plastic containers, wire baskets or cloth baskets. If the item isn't easy to see, get a label maker and label it so you can find it easily. Take the time, when you are putting things away, to put them back where they belong.
Tags: your closet, space that, closet example, more space, shirts pants