Make the most of your closet space with an organizing system.
In many homes, closets turn into a catch-all for everything from jackets to sporting equipment. By making the best use of your closet space, you can turn the small rooms into useful, organized spots for unexpected purposes. As you plan a closet design, sketch out the layout with measurements to ensure that you have a realistic use of space. Does this Spark an idea?
Hidden Office
If you want a home office but do not have the room for a dedicated office space, use a closet. Install a counter that will act as a desk, seeing that it is at the right height for your legs to fit underneath; use it as a spot for your computer and printer. Above the desk, suspend floating shelves to hold office supplies. Paint the interior white, add framed photos to the shelves for a homey touch and use the inside of the door for a bulletin board. Tuck a stool under the counter, or use a regular desk chair that serves as furniture when the closet office is not in use.
Entertainment Center
When you want to have a television in a room without making it the focal point, turn a closet into an entertainment center. Replace a swinging door with a sliding pocket door that will be easy to move out of the way without obstructing the view. Add storage for DVDs and other media, and put in a television that fits easily inside of the closet. Use a pull-out shelf for the television so it can be seen easily from anywhere in the room. When not in use, you can close the closet door and turn the room into a more conversation-oriented space.
Organizing Systems
In many closets, a good deal of space goes unused, particularly the bottom and top sections below the clothes and above the top shelf. To make the best use of your closet space, install extra shelves, built-in drawers or additional clothing bars that cover the entire wall of the closet. Before you start installing organizers, draw a scale diagram of your closet and sketch in a design. Choose options that will fit your individual belongings, from boots and bags to evening dresses.
Craft Closet
Craft supplies have the tendency to get out of control in a room; keep them organized by using a closet as a craft closet. Remove the clothing rod, and wallpaper the inside of a closet for a decorative look. Install pegboards on the inside of the doors, hang shelves to store supplies and put in shallow dressers for larger items. Include stations for your major projects, from wrapping paper holders to ribbons and painting supplies.
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