Design and create an organized closet

Design and create an organized closet- a home improvement project worth the investment. I have had custom closets for 12 years now with my first job when I moved here to Virginia designing custom closets. There are a few tips and tricks I am going to share with you that will help you create and organize your closet.

Every closet in my home was done a few years ago with wooden closet organizers. You can also use the tips and tricks and apply it to wire closet organizers or build your own closet organizers using 1x12s and wooden poles. If you have small rooms, having drawers in a closet can eliminate the need for a dresser taking up space.

• tape measure
• notebook with pen/pencil
• time

The first thing you need to do: measure the amount of hanging clothes you have. If your closet is not organized by category (such as shirts, dresses, and pants), then you need to that first. You need to sort your clothes by category, style and length so you can measure how many inches of shirts you have, pants, skirts, dresses, etc. PLUS: This is a great time to go through and donate all those clothes that you do not wear!

Once everything is measured – even the inside of the closet- you can calculate how much space you have and need in the closet for a double rod (to hang shirts), how many shelves or maybe even drawers, and if you need a rod for longer dresses and outfits. Once you have these measurements, you can design your closet. There are 2 things you need for this:

• budget
• trip to the home store

Deciding on a budget. It is a small investment but it pays off if you ever decide to sell your house or in benefits of having an organized space. I do not use a dresser for every day clothes because I like to be able to walk into my closet and pick everything out right there. Now if you have a 5′ wide closet with one closet rod, then you have a lot of unused space! There is always a way to organize and make more space.

The initial investment for a closet can vary depending upon the materials and the store. Always check for clearance and for floor models the store is selling. I did this in 2009 when I did 5 closets for around a $1000. The closet organizers were being clearanced out to bring in a new line so I took advantage and did 4 closets for about $200 each. My master closet was done with a floor model from another big box store and I bought both sides of it for around $300. I reused the poles and some of the shelving that was already in the closets when I bought the house and saved money that way too. 

I picked up the belt organizers at garage sales or on the clearance rack too. The extending rods I use for my purses and even for my bras (I was relunctant to say that). I hang them so I can rotate what I wear and it is much easier to find which one I want. I used hooks I found on clearance for the back wall to hang scarves and sometimes a small purse. Organizing your closet really is a time and space saver. I walk in see what I want to wear, open a drawer for t-shirts and unmentionables, and walk out to get dressed.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope I have inspired you to get your closet organized. You can organize you closet without built in drawers by using some of my tips for measuring clothes to see how to hang your rods. Have a great day and if you ever have a question, feel free to contact me.

Creating. Inspiring. Gardening without the rules!

2016 copyrighted material C Renee Fuller @The Garden Frog Boutique