Monday, August 20, 2012

Make Your Own Expandable Closet

Expandable organizers allow closet reconfiguration as needed.


Bedroom closets never seem to have enough space. However, many closets can "expand" and actually hold more items when they are compactly organized. Decluttering a closet of unwanted clothing, shoes and personal items is the first step toward closet organization. Adding expandable closet-organizers makes optimum use of available space. A variety of space-saving, organizational tools helps in creating a customized, expandable closet to accommodate storage needs. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Remove all clothing, shoes and other personal items from your bedroom closet.


2. Sort clothing and shoes into three piles: keep, donate and throw away. Regroup clothing by type, such as slacks, jeans, shirts and dresses.


3. Decide what additional items to store in your bedroom closet. Suitcases, jewelry and bedding are typical items stored in bedroom closets.


4. Select a base piece to begin configuring your expandable closet, like an adjustable shelving unit with drawers, cabinet doors or open shelves.


5. Place folded sweaters and other clothing that will stretch out of shape on vertical shelving units. Put heavier items at the bottom of the pile, and lighter ones at the top, grouping casual and work clothing in separate piles.


6. Fold undergarments, socks and scarves and place them in storage drawers. Also, insert organizer compartments into drawers to neatly store jewelry.


7. Install expandable rods to allow reconfiguration of your closet as storage needs change. A low rod is ideal for hanging skirts and tops, an eye-level pole for dresses, and a high bar for suits and shirts.


8. Stack hat boxes and storage bins on wall-mounted upper shelves. This makes use of the space from a shelf to the ceiling, providing additional storage as needed for seasonal clothing or bedding. Clear boxes and bins allows a view of what is in the container without searching.


9. Store shoes in an organizer that hangs from a closet rod or from the back of a closet door. Stackable, see-through plastic shoe boxes or an expandable shoe rack on the closet floor are other storage options.


10. Expand your closet by hanging a tiered tie and belt rack from a closet rod, on the wall or from the back of a closet door to neatly organize belts and ties.

Tags: clothing shoes, back closet, back closet door, bedroom closet, closet door