space-envy

How to Maximize Space in a Small Closet System

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:46:12 GMT

One of the most common frustrations I hear when talking with clients is how quickly a small closet can feel overcrowded. In many cases, a well-designed closet system ends up solving much of that frustration by making the space easier to organize. Even a few smart adjustments can help you get more out of every inch.

If you’re working with limited space, the way your closet is arranged matters more than you might think. Small changes in layout and storage can make your closet feel far more usable. The right closet system and a few practical strategies can help you create a space that works better for your daily routine.

Here are several practical ways to get more storage and organization out of a small closet system:

Use double hanging rods to multiply hanging space
Add adjustable shelving for custom storage
Incorporate pull-out drawers for small items
Utilize vertical space all the way to the ceiling
Install closet accessories for better organization
Use slim or matching hangers to free up space
Add pull-out shoe storage
Incorporate baskets or storage bins
Use the closet door for additional storage
Declutter and organize regularly

These ideas work well on their own, but together they can make a noticeable difference in how your closet system functions. Let’s look at how each one helps you create a more organized and efficient space.

Use Double Hanging Rods to Multiply Hanging Space

Adding a second hanging rod is one of the simplest ways to increase storage in a small closet system. Instead of relying on a single rod for everything, you can divide the space into two levels for shorter garments. Shirts, blouses, skirts, and folded pants often fit comfortably in this type of layout. This setup helps reduce crowding while making better use of the vertical space inside your closet.

This layout works especially well in smaller closets where every inch matters. I often suggest double rods when clients want to expand their hanging space without adding new storage units. Many closet system designs allow the rods to be adjusted, which makes it easier to adapt the layout as clothing needs change. With the right spacing, this adjustment can almost double the usable hanging space.

Add Adjustable Shelving for Custom Storage

Shelving becomes much more useful when it can be adjusted to fit different items. In a small closet system, fixed shelves often leave awkward gaps that waste storage space. Adjustable shelves allow you to change the height so they can better hold shoes, sweaters, handbags, or folded clothing. This makes it easier to keep items neatly arranged without stacking them too high.

This flexibility helps your closet stay organized as your storage needs shift throughout the year. Seasonal clothing, accessories, and everyday items can all fit more comfortably when shelves are spaced appropriately. The ability to reposition shelves also allows the layout to adapt over time. A closet system with adjustable shelving stays functional instead of feeling restrictive.

Incorporate Pull-Out Drawers for Small Items

Small items can quickly create clutter when they’re stored on open shelves. A pull-out drawer gives socks, undergarments, jewelry, and accessories a dedicated place inside a closet system. Instead of digging through piles, you can keep everything contained and easier to find. Drawers also help protect delicate or frequently used items while keeping them neatly stored.

Shallow drawers tend to work especially well in smaller closets because they prevent items from stacking too high. When planning closet layouts with clients, I usually suggest adding at least a few drawers to manage smaller belongings. This type of storage makes it much easier for you to keep everyday items organized. Once these pieces have their own space, the entire closet system often feels easier to maintain.

Utilize Vertical Space All the Way to the Ceiling

Many closets leave a surprising amount of unused space near the top. Extending a closet system closer to the ceiling allows you to use that area for additional storage. Upper shelves can hold seasonal clothing, luggage, or items that aren’t needed every day. This approach gives you more storage without taking up additional floor space.

Using labeled bins or baskets makes these higher shelves easier to manage. Grouping items together helps keep everything organized and easier to locate later. Clear labels also prevent upper shelves from turning into forgotten storage zones. A closet system that uses the full height of the space can significantly increase your overall storage capacity.

Install Closet Accessories for Better Organization

Closet accessories can add useful storage without taking up much space. Items such as belt racks, tie racks, jewelry trays, and valet rods help organize smaller pieces that might otherwise end up scattered on shelves. These additions allow a closet system to handle accessories more efficiently. When everything has a designated spot, the closet becomes easier for you to use on a daily basis.

Designated storage for smaller items also helps keep the closet visually tidy. When belts, ties, or jewelry have a specific place, they are easier to find and return after use. This type of organization prevents accessories from getting lost among clothing or other items. Many closet systems include accessory options that fit neatly into the existing layout.

Use Slim or Matching Hangers to Free Up Space

Hangers can have a bigger impact on closet organization than many realize. Bulky plastic or wooden hangers often take up more rod space than necessary, which limits how much clothing can fit in a small closet system. Slim hangers allow garments to sit closer together while still keeping them properly supported. This simple change can noticeably increase the amount of clothing your rod can hold.

Matching hangers also help create a cleaner and more organized look. In many closet layouts, hangers are one of the easiest upgrades to make. A consistent set of slim hangers allows clothing to hang evenly and prevents items from slipping or bunching together. Small improvements like this can help your closet system function more efficiently without requiring major changes.

Add Pull-Out Shoe Storage

Shoes can quickly take over the floor of a small closet if they don’t have a designated place. Pull-out shoe racks or angled shoe shelves help keep pairs organized and easy to see. Instead of stacking shoes in piles, you can give each pair its own space within the closet system. This layout makes it easier for you to find the pair you need without shifting items around.

Pull-out storage also makes better use of lower closet space. Sliding shelves bring shoes forward so they’re easier to access, especially in deeper closets. This prevents shoes from getting pushed to the back where they’re often forgotten. A closet system with dedicated shoe storage helps keep the entire space more organized.

Incorporate Baskets or Storage Bins

Baskets and storage bins are a simple way to keep similar items grouped together. They work well for casual clothing, workout gear, scarves, or accessories that don’t always fold neatly on shelves. Instead of spreading these items across multiple areas, bins help contain them in one place within the closet system. This keeps your shelves looking cleaner and makes items easier to locate.

Labels can make baskets even more useful in a small closet. When each bin has a clear purpose, it becomes easier to maintain organization over time. Items that are frequently used or rotated throughout the year can be stored together in designated containers. A few well-placed baskets can make your closet system feel much more organized.

Use the Closet Door for Additional Storage

The inside of a closet door can offer storage space that often goes unused. Hooks, hanging racks, or slim organizers can hold items such as scarves, bags, belts, or hats. Using this area helps free up shelves and rods inside the closet system. It also keeps frequently used accessories within easier reach for you.

Door storage works best with lightweight items that are used regularly. Over-the-door organizers or mounted hooks can expand storage without affecting the main layout of the closet. This small adjustment can help reduce clutter inside the closet itself. When used effectively, the closet door becomes a practical extension of the closet system.

Declutter and Organize Regularly

Even the most efficient closet system can start to feel crowded if items continue to accumulate. Clothing, shoes, and accessories that are rarely worn can quickly take up valuable storage space. Removing unused items can make a closet much easier to manage. Periodically reviewing what’s in your closet helps keep everything organized and functional.

Seasonal check-ins can make this process easier to maintain. Clearing out clothing that no longer fits your routine opens up room for the pieces you wear most often. A smaller, more intentional wardrobe allows the closet system to work as it was designed. Keeping only what you regularly use helps maintain order and simplify your daily routine.

Conclusion

I’ve seen how frustrating a small closet can feel when everything is competing for the same limited space. A few practical changes can make that space feel far more comfortable to use. When storage is arranged in a way that supports your daily routine, even a compact closet system can feel surprisingly spacious. A well-arranged closet system has a quiet way of making your entire daily routine feel easier.

8 Home Office Organization Changes That Pay Off Over Time

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:53:20 GMT

Your home office can either save you time every day or quietly steal it. The biggest difference often comes from small organization changes that “pay you back” day after day. When your space works for you, you spend less time searching, less time cleaning up, and more time actually getting things done. And the best part is you don’t need a complete makeover to see real results.

In my work helping clients organize their homes, I’ve reset everything from tiny desk corners to full home office rooms. The patterns are surprisingly consistent, and the same few tweaks tend to create the most lasting improvements. These are the changes that keep clutter from creeping back and make your workday feel calmer. With a few intentional upgrades, your home office can become one of the most supportive spaces in your home.

Here are eight home office organization changes that consistently pay off over time:

Create clear zones for work tasks
Switch to a “daily reset” desktop setup
Set up a real paper management system
Invest in vertical storage to free up space
Use drawer dividers to control “junk drawer creep”
Create a dedicated tech + charging station
Make supplies easy to refill and maintain
Organize your digital home office too

If you’ve ever felt like your office gets messy again right after you clean it, you’re not alone. The changes below are practical, realistic, and designed to help your organization systems actually stick.

Create Clear Zones for Work Tasks

One of the fastest ways to improve your home office is to create zones based on what you do there. I like to think in categories such as computer work, paperwork, supplies, and storage. When everything has a designated “home,” your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to keep things tidy. It also makes it much easier to reset the space quickly.

To make this work long-term, I recommend defining a few simple zones and deciding what belongs in each one. When you separate your daily workspace from your supporting areas, clutter has fewer places to collect. Here are the four zones I typically set up in a home office:

Computer Work Zone: This is your main workspace where only the items you use daily should live.
Paperwork Zone: This is where incoming paper and active documents should stay contained while you work through them.
Supplies Zone: This is where you keep office essentials grouped together so you can grab what you need quickly.
Storage Zone: This is where you place less-used items so they do not crowd your daily work area.

Switch to a “Daily Reset” Desktop Setup

I’m a big fan of a “daily reset” approach because it makes organization feel manageable. The idea is simple: at the end of the day, you return your desk to a clean baseline. This doesn’t mean your desk must be perfectly styled. It just means it’s clear enough to start fresh tomorrow. When your desk stays mostly clear, clutter doesn’t have the chance to become permanent.

A great way to make this realistic is to keep only the essentials on the desk surface. Everything else should be stored in drawers, bins, or nearby shelves. I also recommend one small tray or container that acts like a temporary landing spot for items you’re not ready to deal with yet. When you limit the size of that tray, you automatically limit how much “stuff” can accumulate.

Set Up a Real Paper Management System

Paper clutter is one of the most common issues I see in any home office. Even in a digital world, paper still shows up in the form of bills, school forms, receipts, tax documents, and medical paperwork. Without a system, it piles up quickly and becomes stressful to sort later. The key is to create a paper flow that’s easy to maintain, not just pretty on day one.

A simple workflow helps you handle paper as it comes in so it doesn’t linger on your desk. Most of the time, three clearly labeled steps are enough to prevent paper piles before they start. Here’s the paper system I recommend most often:

Inbox: This is the only place paper should land so it does not spread across your home office.
Action: This is where papers that require follow-up should stay until they are completed.
File/Archive: This is where papers you need to keep should go so they are easy to find later.

Invest in Vertical Storage to Free Up Space

When a home office feels cramped, the problem often isn’t the amount of stuff; it’s where it’s stored. Vertical storage can completely change how the room functions because it clears off surfaces. I’ve seen this single shift make a small office feel twice as usable without adding more furniture. It’s a practical upgrade that helps your space feel calmer and easier to work in.

If your desk is constantly covered, it may simply mean you need more storage that isn’t on the desk. Vertical solutions use wall space to keep essentials accessible without piling up. Here are a few of my favorite options:

Wall Shelves: These are ideal for holding bins, books, and supplies without taking up desk space.
Pegboards: These make it easy to keep small items visible and accessible without creating clutter.
Hanging File Organizers: These keep active paperwork off your desktop while still within reach.
Narrow Bookcase: This adds storage for labeled bins and binders without overwhelming the room.

Use Drawer Dividers to Control “Junk Drawer Creep”

Drawers can be a blessing in a home office or a black hole. Without boundaries, drawers naturally turn into a mix of random supplies, old receipts, mystery cords, and items that don’t belong anywhere else. I call this “junk drawer creep,” and it happens slowly until you can’t find anything. Drawer dividers are one of the simplest tools to stop it.

What makes dividers so effective is that they create natural categories, so items don’t blend into one big pile. When everything has a section, it’s easier to maintain the system without redoing it constantly. These are the drawer categories I recommend most often:

Writing Tools: This category should include pens, pencils, markers, and other writing essentials.
Tech Accessories: This category should include flash drives, adapters, earbuds, and other small tech items.
Mailing Supplies: This category should include stamps, envelopes, tape, labels, and scissors.
Small Office Items: This category should include things like paper clips, binder clips, sticky notes, and staplers.
A Small “Miscellaneous” Section: This category should be limited so it does not turn into a junk drawer again.

Create a Dedicated Tech + Charging Station

Cords and devices can make even the tidiest home office feel messy. If you’ve ever had chargers spread across multiple outlets or a pile of tangled cords in a drawer, you know how quickly tech clutter builds. I’ve found that creating one dedicated tech and charging station instantly makes the whole room feel calmer. It also makes your daily routine smoother because everything is in one place.

A charging station works best when it becomes the default “home” for anything tech-related. That way, you’re not storing cords in five different places or leaving devices on the desk. Here’s what I typically include in a simple tech station:

Chargers and Cords: These should be stored together so you can always find what you need quickly.
Batteries: These should be kept in a small container so they do not roll around or get lost.
Backup Devices: These should be stored in the station so they stay protected and ready to use.
Cord Labels or a Cable Organizer: These should be used to prevent tangles and make the system easier to maintain.

Make Supplies Easy to Refill and Maintain

A home office organization system only works long-term if it’s easy to maintain. That’s why I always think about restocking and refilling during the setup stage. If supplies are hard to access or poorly grouped, people tend to shove things wherever there’s space. The result is clutter and the feeling that the system “doesn’t work,” when it’s really just inconvenient.

If you group supplies by category, it becomes much easier to find what you need and notice what’s running low. I also recommend keeping a short restock list so you’re not caught off guard. Here are the supply categories I organize most often:

Printing Supplies: This category should include paper, ink, toner, and anything related to your printer.
Writing Supplies: This category should include notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, and similar items.
Filing Supplies: This category should include folders, labels, binder clips, and file boxes.
Shipping Supplies: This category should include tape, mailers, labels, and packaging materials.
A Restock List: This should include items like printer ink or shipping labels so you replace them before you run out.

Organize Your Digital Home Office Too

Your home office isn’t just physical; it’s digital as well. I’ve worked with clients who have a beautifully organized room but feel overwhelmed because their computer files and inbox are chaotic. Digital clutter creates the same mental noise as physical clutter, and it slows you down just as much. When your digital systems are organized, everything feels easier.

Start with a simple folder structure and consistent naming system so you can find documents quickly. If possible, use cloud storage or backup to prevent losing important files. I also recommend deleting duplicates and unsubscribing from emails you no longer need, because inbox overload is real. Over time, a clean digital setup makes your work faster and your home office feel truly organized.

Conclusion

A home office doesn’t need to be perfect to be functional, comfortable, and easy to maintain. In my experience, the changes that pay off most are the ones that reduce decision fatigue and make daily habits easier. When your organization systems are simple and consistent, your space supports you instead of stressing you out. You deserve a home office that feels calm, capable, and ready for whatever your day brings.

Simple Maintenance Routine to Extend the Life of Your Garage Wall Storage

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:44:23 GMT

What if keeping your garage wall storage in peak condition only required a few minutes every month? I’ve learned through countless garage projects that a simple routine can keep a storage system sturdy, safe, and dependable for far longer than most homeowners expect. Even the strongest setups benefit from a little periodic attention, since small issues often grow when left unaddressed. A few consistent habits can protect the system and preserve its usefulness.

Many homeowners I work with feel more comfortable maintaining their storage once they know exactly what to watch for. I like to break the routine into clear, manageable steps that don’t take long but make a meaningful impact. These habits improve both safety and organization, helping your space stay functional and clutter-free. When you understand how the system works, caring for it becomes much easier.

Below are the essential maintenance steps I recommend for extending the life of any garage wall storage system.

Inspect hardware and fasteners regularly
Clean surfaces to prevent dust buildup
Monitor weight limits and reorganize as needed
Protect against moisture and temperature extremes
Keep the floor and surrounding area clear
Replace worn accessories or components promptly

If you follow these steps, your storage system will stay safer, stronger, and easier to use for years. Let’s walk through each one so you know exactly what to do and why it matters.

Inspect Hardware and Fasteners Regularly

One of the simplest ways to care for your garage wall storage is by checking the anchors, brackets, and screws that hold everything in place. These components can loosen gradually due to vibrations from tools, garage doors, or shifting temperatures. When I do a quick hardware check, I look for things like:

Movement or Wobbling: Give each shelf or hook a gentle shake to see if anything shifts out of place. This helps you spot loose fasteners before they become a bigger safety issue.
Crooked or Pulled-Away Fasteners: Look closely at screw heads and brackets to make sure they sit flush against the surface. Even slight gaps can indicate weakening hardware or wall material.
Unstable Hooks: Test whether hooks still lock securely into the panel or track. A hook that twists or lifts easily may need to be tightened or replaced.

I also watch for subtle issues such as hairline cracks, early rusting, or bending around mounting points. These signs often appear long before a part fails and give you a chance to intervene early. Tightening or replacing hardware as soon as you notice problems keeps the overall structure stable. A quick inspection every few months makes a significant difference in long-term durability.

Clean Surfaces to Prevent Dust Buildup

Dust and grime may seem insignificant, but they can wear down finishes and trap moisture against your storage system. I try to wipe down shelves and hooks regularly using a mild cleaner and a soft cloth. The areas that tend to collect the most buildup include:

Shelf Edges: Dust naturally settles along exposed edges and corners. Regular cleaning prevents grime from working its way into crevices and dulling the finish.
Top of Hooks and Brackets: These spots often collect dust without you noticing. Wiping them keeps accessories cleaner and extends their lifespan.
Panel Grooves and Channels: Narrow spaces trap small debris that can interfere with how accessories fit. Clearing them helps your system remain smooth and easy to adjust.

For slatwall or track setups, debris inside grooves can affect how accessories slide and lock into place. I often use a brush or vacuum attachment to clear these tight spaces, especially after woodworking or DIY projects. Keeping these channels clean helps accessories stay secure and easy to adjust. Regular cleaning also makes it easier to spot minor issues before they turn into larger problems.

Monitor Weight Limits and Reorganize as Needed

Every storage system has load limits, and respecting them is key to long-term durability. Too much weight on a single hook or shelf can quietly strain the structure over time. When I reassess my setup, I pay close attention to heavy items like:

Large Power Tools: Items like drills, sanders, and saws can weigh more than you realize. Storing them on appropriate shelves or heavy-duty hooks prevents sagging and structural stress.
Paint Cans: Gallon cans add significant weight when grouped together. Keeping them distributed across shelves avoids overstressing a single area.
Bulky Storage Bins: Full bins can become heavier with seasonal items or tools. Ensuring they rest on reinforced shelves keeps your setup stable.

As your storage needs change, the layout of your garage wall storage should adapt as well. Reorganizing a few times a year helps make sure weight isn’t concentrated in one area. I often move heavy gear around, rotate seasonal items, or adjust hook placement to distribute weight more evenly. These small adjustments help maintain both stability and efficiency.

Protect Against Moisture and Temperature Extremes

Garages experience humidity, condensation, and temperature swings, all of which can impact your storage system. Metal parts may rust, and wood or composite panels can swell or warp under poor conditions. I pay attention to early signs like slight bowing, water spots, or rust speckles because they often signal environmental stress. Addressing these signs early helps prevent long-term damage.

Improving the garage environment doesn't require a full remodel. A dehumidifier, a small ventilation upgrade, or adding insulation to key walls can make a big difference. These simple adjustments help stabilize humidity and temperature levels, keeping your storage system stronger for longer. Even small environmental improvements can significantly extend its lifespan.

Keep the Floor and Surrounding Area Clear

Clutter resting against the lower portion of your garage wall storage can create pressure points or lead to accidental damage. I try to keep the area directly beneath my setup free from stacked or leaning items. Some common culprits that cause issues include:

Rakes, Shovels, and Brooms: These long-handled tools easily get propped against panels. Over time, constant pressure can cause dents or bending.
Large Storage Boxes: Cardboard or plastic bins can press against slatwall and warp sections if left too long. Keeping them off the wall prevents unnecessary strain.
Heavy Containers: Items like salt bags or toolboxes can shift and bang into panels. Storing them a few inches away helps preserve the system’s integrity.

Keeping the floor swept also helps prevent scratches and wear. Dust, grit, and small debris can shift underfoot and rub against the wall system as you move items. Regular sweeping prevents this buildup and keeps the space looking clean. It also makes the garage safer and easier to navigate.

Replace Worn Accessories or Components Promptly

Even with consistent care, accessories like hooks, shelves, and bins eventually wear out. When I notice bending, cracking, or looseness, I replace the accessory right away to prevent further stress on the system. Signs that something needs replacing include misshaped metal pieces, cracked plastic, or hooks that no longer stay locked in place. Staying ahead of these issues helps protect the rest of the setup.

Upgrading accessories can also help your storage keep pace with your current needs. Many homeowners find that newer accessories offer better durability or improved functionality. Swapping in reinforced bins, heavy-duty hooks, or adjustable shelves can refresh the entire system. Replacement isn’t a setback—it’s part of maintaining a safe and efficient storage setup.

Conclusion

Keeping your garage wall storage in great shape doesn’t have to feel like a chore. I’ve found that when you give the system a little attention here and there, it stays sturdy, organized, and ready for whatever you need it to hold. The more comfortable you get with a simple maintenance routine, the easier it becomes to spot small issues before they turn into bigger problems. And once these habits become part of your rhythm, your garage not only works better but also genuinely feels better every time you step inside.

What Really Goes Into the Cost of My Garage Cabinets?

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:20:18 GMT

I’ve worked with garage cabinets long enough to know there’s no single price tag that fits everyone. Some folks are shocked at how affordable a setup can be. Others are just as surprised when their quote climbs past what they expected. And honestly, both reactions are valid. The cost of garage cabinets varies in a big way, and there’s a reason for that. I will tell you off the bat, though, that investing in quality is the big takeaway, and it’s always worth it.

I want to walk you through the core pricing factors so you’re not left scratching your head when the estimate hits your inbox. If you’re planning a project, you deserve to know what you’re paying for and why. Here are the key elements that influence the cost of garage cabinets:

Cabinet material
Size and quantity
Custom vs. prefabricated
Features and accessories
Finish and aesthetics
Installation method
Brand and quality
Maintenance and longevity

Cabinet Material

One of the biggest cost drivers is the material you choose. Different materials change the look and feel of your cabinets while impacting weight and longevity. Let’s cover the most common materials I see in garage cabinet builds:

Metal: This is your heavy-duty option. Powder-coated steel cabinets are built to last decades. They hold up well to heat, moisture, and weight, but you pay for that strength. Expect a higher upfront cost and more expensive installation.
Wood or Laminate: These are more budget-friendly. You’ll find plywood cabinets with a laminate coating, or sometimes particleboard. They work fine in many garages, especially if you’re not in a super humid climate. But they’re prone to swelling or damage over time if they’re exposed to moisture or temperature swings.
Composite or Polymer: The sweet spot for many people. It’s often just right in terms of durability and cost. These cabinets are low maintenance, resist moisture, and tend to last. Plus, they offer more finish options than metal.
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): I saved this one for last because it’s often misunderstood. MDF gets a bad rap, but when it’s high-quality and properly sealed, it holds up beautifully in garages. It’s strong and easy to customize. When paired with a laminate or thermofoil finish, MDF offers the best balance of affordability and design flexibility I’ve seen.

The material you choose directly affects both your upfront price and your long-term satisfaction. Don’t pick based on looks alone.

Size and Quantity

It’s no surprise that more cabinets cost more. But people often forget how much square footage and cabinet depth can swing a budget. If you’ve got a two-car garage with basic needs, you may only need a few base and wall cabinets. That setup won’t cost you much in terms of materials or labor. But if you’ve got a three-car garage or plan to line an entire wall with custom storage, that's a different ballgame.

And the size of each cabinet matters, too. A deep cabinet uses more material. A tall cabinet needs more support. And a wide cabinet might require stronger internal bracing or special mounting hardware.

The number of cabinets isn’t important here. What’s important to determine is what kind and how much real estate they cover. The bigger your vision, the bigger your investment.

Custom vs. Prefabricated

Custom garage cabinets are built to match your space exactly. We’re talking wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling fit. Odd corners and/or sloped floors are no problem. You also get your pick of hardware, finish, configuration, and internal features. But with that precision comes a price. Custom builds cost more in both materials and labor.

Prefabricated cabinets, on the other hand, come in standard sizes and limited color choices. They’re often shipped flat-packed and assembled onsite. They don’t offer the same tailored fit, but they’re more affordable and quicker to install.

Generally, if your garage has quirks (or if aesthetics and usability matter to you) custom is worth it. If you’re working with a tight budget or just need simple storage, prefabs do the trick.

Features and Accessories

This is where the fun (and extra cost) really kicks in. Basic cabinets are just boxes with doors. But once you start adding specialty features, the price changes fast. Here are some of the most common upgrades I’ve seen people fall in love with:

Adjustable Shelving: Gives you flexibility to change storage needs as you go, but it adds complexity to the build.
Locks and Latches: Especially useful for families with young kids or anyone storing chemicals or tools. Higher-end locking systems drive up cost slightly.
Integrated Lighting: LED strips or puck lights built into cabinets or beneath shelves look amazing and help you see what you’re doing. You’ll pay more for wiring and hardware.
Pull-Out Bins or Drawers: Smooth-glide drawers or trash/recycle bins are super convenient but cost more than static shelves.
Wall Panels and Tool Boards: These extras are great for vertical storage and easy access but require precise install work.
Built-in work surfaces: Think butcher block or stainless steel worktops integrated into your cabinet run. They add workspace, but also expense.

Just be prepared: upgrades add up, but each feature boosts the functionality of your garage.

Finish and Aesthetics

Even in a garage, looks matter. The finish you choose for your cabinets sets the tone and also affects your wallet. Here’s what I typically walk clients through:

Powder-Coated Finishes: Most common on metal cabinets. They’re sleek, strong, and resist chipping or scratching.
High-Gloss Finishes: These look stunning and modern, especially in darker colors. But they show fingerprints and scuffs easily and cost more to produce.
Wood-Grain Textures: These finishes give your cabinets a furniture-like appearance. They work well if your garage is doubling as a gym or lounge, but they cost more than flat colors.
Stainless Steel Panels: Durable and stylish. They also carry a premium price and can dent or smudge more easily than coated materials.
Matte Laminate: Affordable, practical, and available in lots of colors. When done right, they’re both attractive and durable.

A beautiful finish makes you happy every time you walk in. It helps with resale value, too, and adds to your garage’s overall polish.

Installation Method

Installation isn’t where most people want to splurge, but it plays a big role in final cost and outcome. Doing it yourself saves money, sure, but it’s way too easy to get something wrong. Anything from uneven walls to poor anchoring can lead to long-term issues.

Professional installation costs more upfront, but in my experience, it’s worth it. You get precision-level mounting and an overall cleaner look. Pros also finish faster and handle surprises better. The decision here often comes down to how much time, skill, and patience you have. I recommend the professional touch.

Brand and Quality

Some people don’t think twice about branding. Others want the name that signals top-tier quality. Either way, it affects your price. Premium brands often use better materials and back their products with strong warranties. You pay more, but you get peace of mind and a longer lifespan.

Budget or no-name brands might get the job done for a while, but I’ve seen hinges fail and finishes peel much sooner. Overall, there’s no right or wrong here! Just be aware what trade-offs you’re making.

Maintenance and Longevity

When people ask about cabinet costs, they usually mean up front. But long-term performance should factor into your math, too. Here’s what I always encourage clients to think about:

Climate Resistance: If your area sees extreme humidity or temperature swings, your cabinets need to hold up. Paying for the right materials now saves you from replacing them in a year.
Ease of Cleaning: Smooth finishes and sealed surfaces are easier to wipe down. That matters when you’re dealing with sawdust, road salt, or gardening debris.
Hardware Quality: Cheap hinges or drawer slides might seem minor, but they fail fast under real use. Invest in components that can handle daily opening and closing.
Water Protection: If your garage gets occasional puddles or spills, elevated bases or sealed bottoms keep your investment from soaking up moisture.
UV Resistance: If your garage gets natural light, choose finishes that won’t fade or yellow over time.

When you add it all up, spending a little more on longevity often saves money (and headaches) in the long run.

Conclusion

So, what really goes into the cost of garage cabinets? It’s so much: the material, the size, the customization, the features, the finish, the installation, the brand, and the long-term upkeep. Each decision you make nudges the total cost up or down.

As someone who’s done this work for a long time, I say make choices based on how you use your garage. Balance your budget with your priorities. Definitely don’t cheap out on the things you’ll touch every day. When you get the right setup, your garage looks and flows better, and that kind of value is always worth it.

Make Kids' Closet Summer Transitions Easy With These Family-Friendly Tips

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:34:10 GMT

Working with families over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how fast the seasons—and the messes—change. If a kids’ closet isn’t ready for summer by the time the heat rolls in, things get chaotic fast. Suddenly, flip-flops are missing, last year’s shorts don’t fit, and swimsuits are buried under winter coats. That’s when small frustrations turn into bigger meltdowns for both kids and parents.

That’s why I’ve come to love organizing systems that actually work. Whether it’s helping a family streamline a closet or simply sharing ideas that make day-to-day routines easier, I’ve found that a little prep goes a long way. It’s not about creating a Pinterest-perfect space. It’s about setting up something that’s functional, flexible, and kid-friendly.

Assess and declutter the kids' closet before summer
Organize summer essentials for easy access
Optimize closet space with smart storage solutions
Protect summer clothes from damage and fading
Create a dedicated space for summer accessories
Establish a routine for maintaining the summer closet
Involve kids in customizing their closet space

Keep reading for real-life tips to make your kids’ summer closet transition easier, calmer, and a lot more organized.

Assess and Declutter the Kids' Closet Before Summer

Before organizing anything, I always start with a full closet reset. This gives us a clear picture of what’s needed and prevents unnecessary clutter.

Sort Everything First: I recommend taking everything out and laying it on the bed or floor. Sort items into categories: keep, donate, toss, and store. If it hasn’t been worn in the past year or no longer fits, it probably doesn’t need to stay.
Use Storage Bins for Off-Season Clothes: Labeled, breathable bins are perfect for winter items. Vacuum-sealed bags are ideal for bulky coats or sweaters and can be stored under the bed or on a high shelf to free up prime closet space.
Involve Kids in Decision-Making: Even young children can help decide which clothes they like and which feel uncomfortable. This empowers them and reduces resistance when it’s time to get dressed.
Talk About Needs vs. Wants: These closet edits can turn into great teachable moments. You’re not just organizing—you’re helping kids build lifelong habits around decision-making and letting go of what no longer serves them.

Organize Summer Essentials for Easy Access

Once the space is decluttered, it’s time to organize for the warm weather ahead. I always recommend prioritizing visibility and accessibility.

Group by Function and Frequency: Keep play clothes, swimwear, pajamas, and everyday outfits in separate drawers or bins. Clothes used most often should be placed at eye level or within easy reach.
Switch to Breathable Containers: Plastic bins may trap heat and moisture in summer months. Fabric bins or mesh baskets allow airflow, which helps prevent musty smells or mildew.
Use Clear or Labeled Bins: Labels make it easier for both kids and caregivers to keep things in their place. For toddlers, photo labels or icons work wonders.
Design for Independence: Use low drawers, open shelves, or pull-out baskets so kids can dress themselves. This encourages autonomy, builds confidence, and reduces your morning workload.

Optimize Closet Space With Smart Storage Solutions

Many closets are underutilized, especially in kids’ rooms. A few smart tweaks can double the usable space.

Make Use of Vertical Space: Add an extra hanging rod or adjustable shelves to make use of the full height. Over-the-door storage and wall-mounted hooks can add functional space without crowding.
Choose Modular Systems: I always suggest closet systems that can be reconfigured as your child grows. What works at age five may look very different by the time they hit double digits.
Color-Code by Child or Category: In shared spaces, assign each child a color for their bins or hangers. This eliminates confusion and creates a visual sense of order.
Use Drawer Dividers and Slim Inserts: Dividers work well for separating underwear, socks, or accessories. They also help young children return things to the right spot more easily.
Hang Shoe Racks or Use Clear Boxes: Get shoes off the floor with a hanging organizer or clear bins. You’ll extend the life of footwear and keep your entryways cleaner, too.

Protect Summer Clothes From Damage and Fading

Summer fabrics like linen, cotton, and swimsuits are lightweight but vulnerable. Without protection, they fade, stretch, or attract mildew quickly.

Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep delicate or brightly colored clothing away from windows or install UV-blocking sheer curtains. This helps prevent premature fading or discoloration.
Use Natural Fabric Fresheners: I recommend lavender sachets, cedar blocks, or baking soda pouches inside bins and drawers. These help control odor and ward off insects without chemicals.
Don’t Overpack Hanging Sections: Airflow is important, especially during humid months. Give garments space to breathe and dry out after wear, particularly swimwear or damp items.
Rotate Clothing Weekly: Shift what’s in the front of the closet with what’s in the back to keep everything fresh and in use. This also helps you spot what your child actually wears and what’s just taking up space.

Create a Dedicated Space for Summer Accessories

Sunglasses, sun hats, water bottles, and pool bags tend to get lost easily. Giving these items a “home” simplifies daily prep.

Install Hooks at Kid Height : Hooks or pegboards just inside or outside the closet are perfect for summer bags and hats. Kids are more likely to use them if they’re within easy reach.
Use Shallow Bins or Drawer Trays: These are ideal for organizing sunglasses, sunscreen, and swim goggles. Add labels for even more clarity.
Create a Grab-and-Go Station: I love adding a basket near the closet or door stocked with flip-flops, towels, and pre-packed pool bags. This reduces morning delays and makes last-minute outings smoother.

Every week, do a quick 5-minute reset with your child to sort, clean, and return accessories to their spots. This keeps dirt and sand from taking over.

Establish a Routine for Maintaining the Summer Closet

Even the best-organized closet can fall apart without maintenance. A few simple routines can help keep it all on track.

Reset Weekly or Biweekly: Encourage a habit of tidying up clothing and returning items to their designated places. It’s easier to spend 10 minutes a week than a full day every month reorganizing.
Air Out and Wash Swim Gear Promptly: Wet towels and swimsuits should be rinsed and fully dried before being placed back in drawers. This prevents mildew and odor from setting in.
Rotate Shoes and Check for Wear: Summer shoes wear out faster due to heat, sand, and sweat. Keep only the best-fitting pairs in rotation and remove worn-out ones regularly.
Keep a Donation Bag or Bin Nearby: Outgrown clothes can be placed in the bag immediately rather than cluttering the closet. When the bag is full, drop it off and start again.

Involve Kids in Customizing Their Closet Space

When kids feel a sense of ownership over their space, they’re more likely to use and maintain it.

Let Them Choose Storage Colors or Labels: Something as simple as letting them pick their bin colors can increase cooperation. Even if the labels aren’t perfect, they’ll know exactly where their things go.
Add Fun, Personal Touches: Use chalkboard labels, name tags, or themed decor to reflect their personality. Closets don’t have to be boring to be functional.
Make It a Mini DIY Project: Paint crate boxes, design tags, or build a simple hanging station together. This not only makes organizing fun, it builds skills in creativity, planning, and responsibility.

Plan for Seasonal Storage and Future Transitions

Summer may feel long, but the next season always arrives quicker than expected. Planning ahead now makes fall transitions a breeze.

Label and Store Off-Season Clothes Clearly: Keep items like raincoats or long sleeves stored in a labeled bin near the top shelf. As the weather changes, rotate them down gradually.
Use a Seasonal Rotation Calendar: I suggest marking your calendar for closet resets every three months. These seasonal check-ins are a great way to involve the kids and stay ahead of clutter.
Keep Storage Modular: Use stackable containers or adjustable shelving systems that can flex with your family’s changing needs. Closets that adapt are easier to maintain year after year.

Conclusion

Summer brings plenty of joy, from pool days to spontaneous adventures, but also a lot of mess and movement. A thoughtfully organized kids’ closet helps your family stay ahead of the chaos. With the right setup, you can encourage independence, reduce frustration, and create a space that grows with your child—not just in size, but in function.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be practical, intentional, and built to support how your family actually lives.

Easy Tips for Effortless Wardrobe Rotation in a Reach-In Closet

Wed, 28 May 2025 13:05:24 GMT

My reach-in closet used to stress me out. No matter how much I tried to keep it “under control,” it always turned into a chaotic mash-up of tank tops, puffer jackets, and shoes I hadn’t worn in two years. I was juggling work, home life, and what felt like 3,000 outfits—but never the right one in reach when I needed it.

My frustrations finally ended when I committed to seasonal wardrobe rotation. This simple habit has made a huge difference in how I function from Monday morning meetings to weekend soccer runs. And with the right storage solutions, a reach-in closet can keep up. Here’s what I’ve discovered:

Why seasonal swapping matters
Step-by-step guide to seasonal swapping
Design tips for maximum efficiency
Maintenance tips
When to call in a pro

If you’re juggling a busy schedule and a jam-packed wardrobe, my tips will help you stay stylish and sane.

Why Seasonal Swapping Matters

Before I got into the habit of rotating my clothes by season, I thought it sounded like more work. But the truth? It actually gave me time back. I no longer had to dig past three parkas just to grab a short-sleeve blouse. And I stopped buying doubles of things I already owned—just buried too deep to find. Beyond convenience, there are solid reasons to embrace seasonal rotation:

Space-Saving Help: With fewer items crowding the closet, I can see what I have—and I use more of it.
Stress Reduction: Fewer options make for much easier decisions. Getting dressed now takes a few serene minutes, not mental gymnastics.
Preserved Clothing Quality: Proper storage means my wool coats don’t get crushed, and my linen skirts avoid dust and damage.
Smarter Style Planning: I actually plan outfits I’m excited to wear, instead of reaching for the same three things on repeat.

Step-by-Step Guide to Seasonal Swapping

I don’t treat wardrobe rotation as a big event anymore. It’s just a part of how I reset for a new season. Here’s what works for me:

Step 1: Assess Your Current Wardrobe: I pull everything out. Yes, I mean everything. Then I sort it into four piles: keep, store, donate, and toss. If I’m unsure, I try it on—mirror tests never lie.
Step 2: Declutter and Donate: I’ve learned that letting go of what no longer serves me is freeing. That blouse I haven’t worn in two years? Someone else would love it. I usually donate to a local women’s shelter or drop a bag at the community donation bin.
Step 3: Clean Your Closet Space: Once it’s empty, I wipe down the shelves, vacuum the floor, and toss in a fresh cedar block or lavender sachet. This step takes 15 minutes but makes everything feel brand new.
Step 4: Store Off-Season Clothing Properly: I label everything. Clear bins with lids, vacuum-sealed bags for bulky winter gear, and breathable fabric boxes for delicates. I also toss in a few cedar chips or dryer sheets to keep things smelling fresh and bug-free.
Step 5: Organize In-Season Wardrobe: I group everything by item type, then color. Dresses with dresses. Tees with tees. I’ve switched to slim velvet hangers (huge space saver) and added a second rod to double my hanging space. Shelf dividers keep jeans and sweaters stacked instead of tumbling.

Design Tips for Maximum Efficiency

A reach-in closet has to work smarter, not just harder. With a few strategic upgrades, I’ve made mine feel twice as big.

Hooks on the Inside of the Door: This is my go-to for scarves, belts, and tote bags I grab regularly.
Shelf Risers That Create Vertical Zones: One shelf becomes two. I can stack without it becoming a mess.
Pull-Out Baskets: Perfect for workout gear, pajamas, or accessories I used to lose in piles.
Drawer Inserts: I love to use these for my jewelry and small keepsakes. No more tangled necklaces or missing earrings.
Custom-Fit Shelves or Cubbies: I had mine adjusted for boots, heels, and even my rollerblades—because yes, I still rollerblade.

With even small tweaks, the daily function of my closet improved immediately. No more wasted space. No more mental clutter.

Maintenance Tips

The real key to staying organized isn’t the big seasonal switch—it’s the little things in between. Sometimes even simple routines are a big help:

Monthly Check-Ins: I take five short minutes at the end of each month to reset things that have gotten out of place.
The “One in, One Out” Rule: For every new piece I bring in, I remove something I haven’t worn in a year. I try to stick to this (as much as possible).
Accessory and Shoe Rotation: I switch out handbags and boots when the season changes too—it keeps things feeling fresh.
Laundry Overflow Control: I added a slim laundry bin inside the closet to catch those “worn once” items that aren’t ready for the wash.
Label Everything: Clear labels on bins and baskets mean everyone in the family knows what goes where—even when I’m not there to micromanage.

When to Call in a Pro

If you’ve tried organizing your reach-in closet 10 different ways and it still feels chaotic, you’re not alone. I reached out for help when:

The Clutter Came Back Faster Than I Thought I Could Clean It: It wasn’t laziness—it was a sign my system didn’t match my habits. I needed help.
I Couldn’t Fit My Essentials: No matter how much I purged, I just had no luck. This was a clear sign I needed better storage design.
The Layout Was Working Against Me: I couldn’t even use high shelves I couldn’t reach, awkwardly-placed hanging rods, or dead zones that collected dust. I needed custom solutions that only an expert could provide.

Working with a closet designer made the process fast, painless, and—dare I say it—fun. They saw solutions I wouldn’t have thought of, and my closet now feels like it was built for the way I live.

Conclusion

A reach-in closet doesn’t have to feel limiting. With a few smart solutions and the right seasonal habits, even the most jam-packed wardrobe can be simplified. Rotating my clothes each season not only makes my space more functional—it helps me feel more put together, too. Whether you’re doing it solo or calling in backup, a little planning goes a long way toward everyday ease. I promise you’ll find that when the closet’s under control, everything else feels a little easier, too.

Increase Home Value With a Stylish Walk-In Closet Upgrade

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:01:13 GMT

Picture this: You walk into your dream home and head straight for the closet, which is a beautifully designed walk-in, complete with soft lighting, custom shelving, and plenty of space to keep everything organized. The walk-in closet feels like a personal boutique, and you can’t help but imagine how much easier life would be with a space like this.

Now, put yourself in the shoes of the seller. That same storage space is turning heads and making buyers fall in love with your home. A well-designed walk-in closet adds real value to your property and can help it stand out in the market.

My clients get to see this in real life when they put their homes on the market. Today, I want to hit on a few important considerations to keep in mind if you’re planning on selling anytime soon:

The growing demand for custom walk-in closets
How custom walk-in closets increase home value
Design elements that maximize resale value
Practical tips for installing a custom walk-in closet for resale value
Common mistakes to avoid

If you’re thinking about upgrading, keep reading to discover why buyers love bespoke walk-in closets and how you can make yours a major selling point.

The Growing Demand for Custom Walk-In Closets

Homebuyers today are looking for more than just a place to live. They want convenience, ease of use, and a little bit of luxury. That’s where a custom walk-in closet comes in. It’s no longer just an add-on for high-end homes; buyers at all price points are prioritizing storage solutions that make life easier. If you’re wondering why walk-in closets are such a hot trend, here’s what you need to know.

Real Estate Trends: Today’s buyers want more than just a house. They’re looking for convenience, organization, and a little touch of luxury. Homes with custom storage, especially well-designed walk-in closets, often sell faster and at higher prices. Storage space is a top priority for buyers, and a walk-in closet gives them exactly what they’re looking for.
Buyer Expectations: Home design shows and social media have raised the bar. Pinterest and Instagram are full of stunning walk-in closets, making buyers expect that same level of organization and style. A closet with built-in shelving, great lighting, and a clean, polished look can make a big difference when someone is deciding between two homes.
Market Competitiveness: When buyers have a lot of options, little details can make all the difference. A walk-in closet isn’t just extra space. It shows that the homeowner focused on the luxurious details, which often means that regular maintenance and repairs were also addressed. If two homes are otherwise equal, the one with a beautifully designed closet is often the one that sells first.

How Custom Walk-In Closets Increase Home Value

You might be wondering, does a walk-in closet really add measurable value to your home? The short answer is yes. While it might not be as impactful as a kitchen or bathroom remodel, a well-designed closet can boost resale value and make your home more appealing to buyers. Here’s how it affects your home’s worth.

Appraisal Impact: Professional appraisers see built-in storage as a value-adding feature. While a basic closet is nice, a custom walk-in closet is an upgrade that can boost a home’s overall worth.
ROI Statistics: A custom closet can offer a return on investment of an estimated 50 to 60%. While it’s not the highest compared to kitchen or bathroom remodels, it’s a relatively affordable upgrade that buyers love. You should talk to a real estate agent to see what the ROI would be in your area.
Perceived Luxury: Walk-in closets make a home feel more high-end, even if the rest of the space is modest. Buyers see them and picture a more organized, clutter-free life, which makes them more likely to pay a premium for the home.

Design Elements That Maximize Resale Value

Not all walk-in closets are created equal. A cluttered or poorly designed space won’t impress buyers, but the right design choices can turn a simple closet into a major selling point. If you want to get the most out of your investment, here are the design elements that make the biggest impact.

Built-In Storage Solutions: Custom shelving, pull-out drawers, and adjustable hanging rods make a closet feel intentional and functional. Buyers love storage that adapts to their needs, so it’s smart to include a mix of open and closed storage options.
Lighting and Aesthetics: Good lighting makes a closet feel bigger and more inviting. LED strips, small chandeliers, and backlit shelving can add style while improving visibility. Mirrors and glass doors also help create a boutique-like feel.
Customization vs. Neutral Design: While it’s tempting to design a closet that fits your exact needs, it’s best to keep resale in mind. Neutral finishes and flexible storage solutions appeal to a wider range of buyers. Personal touches can always be added with accessories that are easy to swap out.

Practical Tips for Installing a Custom Walk-In Closet for Resale Value

If you’re planning to add or upgrade a walk-in closet, it’s important to do it the right way. A poorly executed design or an over-the-top customization can backfire when it comes time to sell. To make sure your investment pays off, keep these practical tips in mind.

Budget Considerations: You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a high return. Talk to a custom closet professional to look for ways to keep your investment affordable and within your budget. Focus on smart storage solutions rather than expensive finishes to get the best bang for your buck.
Choosing the Right Designer or Contractor: Not all closet systems are created equal. Look for professionals with experience in closet design, check reviews, and ask to see past projects. Steer clear of companies that push unnecessary upgrades or don’t offer clear pricing.
DIY vs. Professional Installation: A DIY closet project can save money, but it may not always be the best move for resale. Professionally designed closets often have a more polished, high-end look that buyers love. If you do decide to go the DIY route, modular systems are a good way to get a custom feel without a custom price tag.

Common Design Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to adding a walk-in closet, not all choices are good ones. Some homeowners make the mistake of going too custom, while others focus too much on the closet and neglect other important areas of the home. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid.

Over-Customization: It’s tempting to create a closet that perfectly fits your needs, but making it too specific can hurt resale value. Features like dedicated shoe walls or ultra-niche layouts may not appeal to the average buyer. Stick to designs that are stylish but flexible.
Neglecting Other Home Areas: A stunning walk-in closet is a great selling point, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of other key spaces. If your kitchen or bathrooms are outdated, buyers may prioritize those renovations instead. Make sure your home improvements are well-balanced.
Skipping Professional Advice: Before making big changes, talk to a real estate agent or home appraiser. They can offer insights into what features buyers in your area are looking for and whether the investment makes sense for your market.

Conclusion

A walk-in closet isn’t just a place to store clothes. It’s a home upgrade that can boost resale value, attract buyers, and make your space feel more luxurious. The key is balancing style with function, sticking to neutral designs, and investing in smart storage solutions. Whether you’re selling soon or just want a more organized home, a custom walk-in closet is a step in the right direction.

Top Closet Organizers to Keep Your Space Tidy and Functional All Year

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:51:06 GMT

Many of my clients are distressed by the state of their closets. Clothes spill off hangers, shoes are scattered in a mismatched heap, and one favorite sweater is missing in action. It’s enough to make them want to shut the door and never open it again. Are you in this position? The good news is that this closet catastrophe isn’t permanent. With a few smart strategies and some well-chosen closet organizers , you can transform your closet into a space that’s both organized and appealing.

Today, I’m going to share some tips on how to use closet organizers to tame the chaos. We’ll talk about:

Essential closet accessories for everyday organization
Space-saving solutions for small closets
Seasonal storage tips
Aesthetic upgrades with stylish accessories
Maintenance tips for a tidy closet all year

Are you ready to discover how you can create a functional, stylish space that makes getting dressed a pleasure? Keep reading!

Essential Closet Accessories for Everyday Organization

Every great closet starts with the basics. The right accessories can take your closet from cluttered to calm, and these essentials will help you build a strong foundation.

Hangers That Work for You

Not all hangers are created equal. Choosing the right ones can make a big difference. Here are some of my favorite hangers to use:

Velvet Hangers: Say goodbye to slippery clothes. These hangers grip your garments, keeping them in place and preventing them from piling up on the floor.
Wooden Hangers: Perfect for heavier items like coats or suits, wooden hangers add a touch of elegance to your closet. You can get these in a variety of colors and styles.
Space-Saving Hangers: These slim-profile hangers are perfect for small closets, freeing up valuable space for more clothes without leaving indentations in clothing the way wire hangers can.

Storage Bins and Boxes

Boxes and bins can contain clutter, keeping your closet looking neat and tidy. Here are some to consider:

Clear Plastic Bins: These let you see what’s inside at a glance. They’re perfect for storing items you don’t use every day, and one benefit is that you don’t need to add labels.
Fabric Storage Cubes: These soft, collapsible containers are great for scarves, hats, or seasonal accessories. Add decorative tags that describe what’s inside for ease in finding what you need.
Decorative Baskets: Why not add a little style while you organize? Use these for items like belts or clutch bags. Choose round, square, or rectangular baskets in a variety of colors and styles.

Drawer Dividers

Do you dread digging through messy drawers to find a matching sock or a specific accessory? Drawer dividers are the answer. Use them to keep everything from socks and lingerie to ties and belts neatly separated and easy to access.

Space-Saving Solutions for Small Closets

Limited closet space doesn’t have to mean limited organization. Here are some clever ways to make the most of a small space with closet organizers:

Go Vertical

When space is tight, think about using your wall space:

Over-the-Door Organizers: These are lifesavers for storing shoes, accessories, or even extra toiletries. They take advantage of often-overlooked door space, keeping small items easily accessible without taking up floor or shelf space.
Shelf Dividers: Keep folded stacks of sweaters or bags neatly contained and easy to grab. They also prevent items from toppling over, keeping your closet looking polished and well-organized.
Hanging Baskets: Attach these under shelves for extra storage space for shoes or smaller items. They’re especially handy for corralling loose items like socks, gloves, or small purses that can clutter your closet.

Slim Down

Slim Hangers: Replace bulky hangers with slim versions to instantly create more room. Velvet options add a non-slip grip, so your clothes stay put while maximizing valuable rod space.
Vacuum-Sealed Bags: These are perfect for storing bulky seasonal items like coats or blankets, compressing them into a fraction of their original size. They also protect your items from dust, moisture, and pests, keeping them fresh for next season.

Think Outside the Box

Hooks for Accessories: Use wall hooks or adhesive hooks to hang scarves, belts, or jewelry. Strategically place them on blank wall space or inside closet doors for a practical and decorative solution.
Rotating Shelves: These innovative solutions make it easy to access items stored in the back of deep shelves. They’re perfect for maximizing awkward spaces, ensuring nothing gets lost or forgotten at the back.
Multi-Tiered Racks: Perfect for storing shoes, handbags, or folded clothing, multi-tiered racks help you stack items neatly without taking up additional floor space. They’re good for creating spots for frequently used items.

Seasonal Storage Tips

A clutter-free closet often comes down to managing your seasonal wardrobe. Here’s how to keep things streamlined year-round:

Pack Away Off-Season Items: Use clear storage bins or vacuum-sealed bags to store seasonal clothing like swimsuits, heavy coats, or holiday sweaters. Clear bins make it easy to see what's inside at a glance, while vacuum-sealed bags save space by compressing bulky items. Be sure to label the opaque bins so you can find everything easily when the seasons change.
Find the Right Spot: Store your bins in a cool, dry area like under the bed, in an attic, or on a high shelf. Keeping them off the floor and away from moisture will help protect your clothing from damage and keep them in great condition.
Keep It Fresh: Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to your storage containers to prevent odors and protect against pests. These natural solutions not only ward off moths and other critters but also leave your items smelling clean and fresh when you unpack them.

Aesthetic Upgrades With Stylish Accessories

Why settle for functional when you can have fabulous? Here’s how to turn your closet into a visually stunning space with the use of closet organizers and accessories:

Light Up Your Closet: Lighting can make or break your space. Install LED strip lights along shelves, or hang a small pendant light to brighten up the area. Not only does this make it easier to find items, but it also adds an inviting glow.
Coordinate Your Hangers: Switching to matching hangers instantly gives your closet a more polished look. It’s a small change that makes a big impact. Be sure all hangers are facing the same direction.
Label Everything: Use decorative labels on bins and baskets to make items easy to find. Opt for chalkboard labels or printed tags that complement your style.
Create Zones: Organize your closet by zones, dedicating specific areas for categories like workwear, casual outfits, and evening attire. This makes it easy to locate what you need and keeps everything looking neat.
Add Personal Touches: Incorporate small decorative elements like a framed photo, a vase of dried flowers, or even a fun wallpapered accent wall to make your closet feel uniquely yours.

Maintenance Tips for a Tidy Closet All Year

Once your closet is organized, keeping it that way doesn’t have to be a chore. Follow these tips to maintain your hard work:

Regular Decluttering: Set aside time once a season to go through your wardrobe. Donate or discard anything you haven’t worn in the past year or no longer love. This practice not only keeps your closet tidy but also makes room for new pieces you truly enjoy.
Put Things Back: Make it a habit to return items to their designated spots after each use. This small daily effort prevents clutter from building up and helps you easily maintain the organized system you worked hard to create.
Stay Flexible: As your wardrobe changes, adjust your organization system to suit your needs. Adding new items or transitioning between seasons is the perfect time to reassess your setup and ensure it’s still working for you.

Conclusion

With the right closet organizers and a little effort, you can transform your messy, overwhelming closet into a beautifully organized space. Grab those velvet hangers, stock up on stylish bins, and start your closet makeover today. And if you have a favorite organizing tip or tool, share it in the comments; I’d love to hear what works for you!

How to Transform Existing Garages with Custom Garage Storage Systems

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 19:50:54 GMT

Imagine stepping into your garage and finding exactly what you need right where you expect it, with room to spare for hobbies, projects, and your car. Picture a clean, organized, and purposeful garage instead of a cluttered, chaotic space filled with forgotten tools, seasonal items, and stray sports equipment. Well-designed garage storage systems don’t just create order; they can turn your garage into a visually appealing extension of your home, adding functionality and value to your space.

In this article, I’ll explain all the steps you can take to transform your cluttered garage into the well-organized, streamlined storage space of your dreams.

Evaluate your current garage setup
Choose the right custom storage system components
Declutter and prepare the space
Integrate specialized zones for functionality and efficiency
Maximize vertical space with wall-mounted storage
Consider overhead storage for seasonal items
Add finishing touches for a clean and polished look
Learn tips for maintaining your new garage setup

Read on for a step-by-step guide to designing a garage that meets your storage needs and brings order and ease to your everyday life.

Evaluate Your Current Garage Setup

The journey to an organized garage begins with assessing your space. Take a moment to look around and identify the problem areas. Are things piling up because there’s not enough room, or is the issue more about disorganization? Are there items in the way, making the space less safe or accessible?

Next, think about what you want to accomplish. Do you need more storage for tools or space for sports equipment? Or maybe a workspace for DIY projects? Make a list of items you plan to keep in the garage. Also, decide if anything currently in the garage could be stored elsewhere. This step helps you visualize what’s essential, giving you a clearer idea of the garage storage system you’ll need.

Choose the Right Custom Storage System Components

Once you’ve established your needs, it’s time to explore the different components that can make up a custom garage storage system. Here are some popular options and their benefits:

Cabinets: These are ideal for keeping items out of sight, reducing visual clutter, and keeping hazardous items safe and secure. Cabinets with locking options are especially helpful if you need to store chemicals, power tools, or other items that should be kept away from children or pets.
Shelving: Sturdy shelves provide easy access to frequently used items and work well for bulky or heavy equipment. Adjustable shelves can be customized to fit items of various sizes, making it easy to adapt the storage space as your needs change.
Slatwall Panels: Perfect for hanging tools, sports gear, and even bicycles, slatwall racks allow you to organize items on the wall to keep your floors clear. With customizable hooks, baskets, and bins, these panels can hold a wide variety of items within reach.
Overhead Storage: Great for stowing away seasonal items or rarely used belongings, overhead storage maximizes ceiling space, keeping these items out of the way. By using the ceiling for storage, you free up floor space and ensure your garage remains open and accessible for everyday needs.

Declutter and Prepare the Space

Now that you have a plan, it’s time to prepare the space by decluttering. Start by pulling everything out of the garage and sorting items into categories, like “keep,” “discard,” and “donate.” This is a great opportunity to get rid of things you no longer need, helping you start fresh with a blank canvas.

After removing unnecessary items, give your garage a thorough clean. Sweep the floor, dust off any surfaces, and wipe down areas where storage components will go. Starting with a clean, empty space allows you to accurately assess the storage you need and where each component will be best positioned.

Integrate Specialized Zones for Functionality and Efficiency

Designing your garage around functional “zones” keeps items organized and makes it easier to locate what you need. Here are some zone ideas to make your space more efficient:

Tool Station: Dedicate a section of the garage to a tool station with a workbench, pegboard for hanging frequently used tools, and drawers or cabinets for specialty tools. Keep basic hand tools accessible and neatly organized on a pegboard, while power tools can be stored in cabinets or on shelves. A workbench in this area is handy for quick repairs, DIY projects, and tinkering.
Sports and Recreation Area: Gather all sports equipment in one area, using wall-mounted racks for bikes, scooters, and skateboards and bins or shelves for smaller items, like helmets, balls, and gloves. Slatwalls with hooks or baskets can hold bags, water bottles, and other gear. Kids and adults alike can easily grab what they need before heading out.
Gardening and Yard Work Zone: Organize your gardening tools, pots, soil bags, and seeds in a corner with shelving for heavy items and a slatwall or pegboard for hanging rakes, shovels, and hoses. You can even add a small workstation here for potting plants or organizing seeds, creating a mini gardening station.
Automotive and Cleaning Supplies Zone: Dedicate a section to vehicle-related items, like cleaning supplies, oil, windshield fluid, and tools specific to car maintenance. Shelves or cabinets are perfect for these items, keeping them contained and out of reach of young children. This area can also store cleaning supplies, such as buckets, mops, and cleaners.
Home Storage Overflow: Set aside a specific area for items you use occasionally or seasonally, such as holiday decorations, camping gear, or extra household supplies, for easy access without cluttering high-use zones. Overhead storage works well for these items, keeping the floor space clear.

Maximize Vertical Space With Wall-Mounted Storage

Wall-mounted storage, such as slatwalls and pegboards, is perfect for making the most of vertical space. This approach maximizes storage and keeps the floor free for larger items or vehicles. Hang items, like tools, bikes, or extension cords, on the walls to keep them easily accessible yet out of the way.

Consider grouping items on the wall by category—tools on one side, sports equipment on another, for example—so everything is logically organized and ready when needed.

Consider Overhead Storage for Seasonal Items

Overhead storage is a great solution for keeping seasonal or rarely used items out of sight. You can store holiday decorations, camping gear, or bulky items you don’t frequently use in ceiling-mounted racks. This approach frees up lower spaces for items you need more regularly, making it easier to keep your garage organized and functional.

If you’re installing overhead storage, remember safety. Make sure the racks are secure and that items are stored safely and out of the way of vehicles or high-traffic areas. Some racks have a lip around the edge to prevent items from falling. You might also be able to get a motorized option to eliminate the need for balancing on ladders.

For more garage safety tips, check out StaySafe.org . The website has good tips on things to keep in mind when making your garage safer as you improve it.

Add Finishing Touches for a Clean and Polished Look

A well-organized garage deserves the right finishing touches. Consider these elements to enhance the space:

Floor Coatings or Mats: Protect your floor with durable coatings or mats that prevent stains, are easy to clean, and add a polished look to your garage. Epoxy coatings and interlocking Swisstrax floor tiles also provide slip resistance, making the garage safer and more comfortable to work in.
Improved Lighting: Bright overhead lights and task lighting in work areas can make the garage more functional and inviting. LED lights are energy-efficient and provide excellent illumination, making it easier to find items and complete projects even during evening hours.
Labels and Signage: Labeling cabinets and bins makes it easy to locate items and ensures they’re returned to their proper place, helping maintain your organized system. Easy-to-read or color-coded labels can make it easier for everyone in the household to follow the system.

Learn Tips for Maintaining Your New Garage Setup

Once your garage is organized, following a few key habits can help maintain the system with minimal effort. Here are some tips for keeping your garage in top shape long-term:

Regular Cleanups: Plan for a monthly “refresh” to put everything back in its designated spot, dust surfaces, and sweep the floor. Even 15 minutes can make a big difference in preventing buildup and keeping things organized.
Stick to Zones: Encourage everyone in the household to use the designated zones and return items to their rightful places. Labeling zones or shelves can serve as a helpful reminder for family members (and yourself!) to store items correctly.
Seasonal Re-evaluations: As the seasons change, revisit your storage setup to adjust for new needs. For example, in the winter, move summer equipment (beach chairs and kayaks) to overhead storage, and bring down seasonal items, like snow gear. This way, everything stays relevant to the time of year.
Purge Unused Items Regularly: Over time, it’s easy for unused or forgotten items to accumulate. At least once a year, do a quick declutter to remove anything you no longer need, use, or want in the garage. Consider donating, recycling, or discarding items that have outlived their purpose.
Implement a “One In, One Out” Rule: When you bring in a new item, consider removing an older, unused item to keep the overall storage load in check. This approach helps prevent overfilling your organized zones and keeps clutter at bay.
Use Clear Containers and Labels: For items stored in bins or cabinets, clear containers make it easy to see what’s inside, while labels help everyone know where items belong. Consistent labeling also encourages family members to keep items organized and helps you maintain a system without constantly reorganizing.

Conclusion

A custom garage storage system offers more than just extra storage; it can transform your garage into a stress-free, functional extension of your home. From adding storage for hobbies to creating zones for easier access, an organized garage simplifies daily life, allowing you to find what you need when you need it. Imagine how much easier it’ll be to tackle daily tasks with a well-organized, personalized space. Plan to start your garage transformation today, and you can go into the new year with a newly organized space.

Source

https://staysafe.org/safety/garage

The Impact of Closet Organizers on Home Resale

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:24:02 GMT

Selling a home is all about presentation. It's about creating a space that feels inviting, polished, and most importantly, desirable to potential buyers. Every detail, from the curb appeal to the flow of the interior, needs to be carefully considered to maximize your home's selling potential. But did you know that something as seemingly simple as well-organized closets with closet organizers can significantly impact your home's resale value?

This blog post delves into the power of closet organizers and how they can transform your home from "just another listing" to a haven of functionality and style, ultimately boosting your bottom line. Together, we’ll cover:

The Role of Closet Organizers in Home Resale
Types of Closet Organizers That Impact Resale Value
How Closet Organizers Improve Functionality
Preparing Your Home for Resale with Closet Organizers
Marketing the Benefits of Closet Organizers

Keep reading to discover my secrets behind creating organized closets that leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.

The Role of Closet Organizers in Home Resale

As the pros at Better Homes & Gardens note, closet organizers are more than just shelves and rods. They are strategic design elements that can significantly enhance a home's appeal and perceived value. Here are my points on how:

Enhancing Home Aesthetics: A well-organized closet creates a sense of order and visual calmness. Imagine a potential buyer opening a closet door to reveal neatly arranged clothes, shoes, and accessories, compared to a cluttered space overflowing with disorganized items. The first impression makes a world of difference.
Increasing Perceived Value: Buyers often equate well-maintained and functional spaces with higher value. Upgraded closet organizers demonstrate your commitment to quality and showcase a space that's move-in ready. This can justify a higher asking price and potentially spark bidding wars.
Appealing to Buyer Preferences : Modern homebuyers prioritize storage solutions. They want spaces that are efficient, adaptable, and stylish. Customizable closet organizers tick all these boxes. They offer a sleek, organized look that caters to various storage needs, making your home a more attractive option.

Types of Closet Organizers That Impact Resale Value

Not all closet organizers are created equal. Here are some options that I think can significantly impact your home's resale value:

Custom Built-In Systems: These systems offer the ultimate in space optimization and luxury. They can be tailored to fit any nook and cranny, maximizing usable space and creating a high-end feel that appeals to discerning buyers.
Modular Storage Solutions: Modular systems provide a balance between customization and affordability. They offer pre-fabricated components that can be easily reconfigured to suit different needs. This flexibility allows buyers to adapt the space to their unique storage requirements.
High-Quality Materials: Investing in closet organizers made with durable and aesthetically pleasing materials, such as solid wood or premium metal finishes, elevates the perceived value of your home. The quality of materials speaks volumes about the overall craftsmanship and care put into the space.

How Closet Organizers Improve Functionality

In my experience, beyond aesthetics, closet organizers offer practical benefits that resonate with buyers looking for a functional living space:

Maximizing Space Efficiency: Efficient closet organizers utilize every inch of available space. Think pull-out drawers, hanging shelves, and multi-tiered shoe racks. These features help eliminate wasted space and ensure clutter-free storage.
Enhancing Storage Solutions: Organized closets provide dedicated areas for various items – clothes, accessories, shoes, and more. This organized approach makes it easier for potential buyers to envision how they would use the space for their belongings.
Reducing Clutter: Clutter is a major turn-off for buyers. Well-organized closets with designated storage areas help minimize clutter, creating a sense of spaciousness and order. This visually appealing and functional space makes a positive first impression.

Preparing Your Home for Resale with Closet Organizers

Now that you understand the value proposition of closet organizers, let's explore how to leverage them effectively for your home sale:

Assessing Existing Closets: Before investing in new organizers, assess the current state of your closets. Identify areas for improvement, such as awkward layouts, lack of shelving, or inefficient use of space.
Choosing the Right Organizers: Consider factors, like your home's style, target buyer demographics, and budget. Choose organizers that complement the overall aesthetic and offer functionalities likely to appeal to potential buyers. Consider design, material quality, and ease of installation.
Professional Installation vs. DIY: While DIY options may be tempting, professional installation ensures a high-quality, seamless finish that maximizes resale value. Professionals have the expertise to handle complex layouts and ensure everything is secure and functional.

Marketing the Benefits of Closet Organizers

Once you've invested in well-designed closet organizers, it's time to showcase them effectively:

Highlighting Upgrades in Listings: Don't shy away from bragging about your upgraded closet organizers in your real estate listings. Use descriptive language that emphasizes the benefits, such as "custom-built closet system maximizes storage space" or "designer shelving creates a stylish and organized environment."
Showcasing Organizers During Showings: Make sure to highlight your organized closets during home showings. Keep the doors open to reveal the well-designed interiors. Arrange items neatly to showcase the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the organizers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, investing in closet organizers is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your home's resale value. They not only improve the visual appeal but also create a functional and desirable living space. By carefully selecting the right organizers and showcasing them effectively, you can attract more discerning buyers and potentially command a higher selling price. So if you're planning to sell your home, don't overlook my tips on the transformative power of closet organizers. It's a tidy investment with big returns.

Sources

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/closets/top-organizing-tips-for-closets/

Incorporating Playful Features to a Kids’ Closet

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:52:42 GMT

One thing I love about my job as a home organization specialist is how often I get to talk to my clients about various things going on in their lives. When I talk to parents, they often tell me about all of the amazing interests and talents their children have. And when I work with them to create a custom kids’ closet , I try to incorporate some of those elements into the design. When creating a children’s closet, it’s important to make it both functional and fun, and I’m going to share some of my best tips on how to do that.

Here are some playful features you can incorporate to a kids’ closet to make it a more stimulating place:

Themed Decor
Interactive Elements
Colorful Storage Solutions
Dress-Up Station
Reading Nook
Lighting

At Space Envy, my team is excellent at bringing customized storage solutions to our wide variety of clients. Whether you’re building a closet for your toddler, your teen, or yourself, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call to schedule a free design consultation in the privacy and convenience of your own home.

In the meantime, if you’re wondering about how and why you can add playful features to your kids’ closets, keep reading!

Benefits of Adding Playful Features

If you’re planning to upgrade your child’s closet, you might be focused purely on functionality. This is common, but children get a lot of benefits out of having playful, accessible spaces. Here are some of the reasons you should consider adding fun elements to the closet.

Encourages Organization

Imagine turning the chore of organizing into a fun activity your kids look forward to. There would be fewer hassles, less frustration, and no more tears. Playful features in a child’s closet, such as colorful bins, themed hangers, or even a small chalkboard for labeling, can make cleaning up feel like a game. When organizing becomes an adventure rather than a boring chore, your kids will be more likely to keep their spaces neat. Make it appealing, and they’ll be happy to play along.

Stimulates Creativity

A playful closet can be a wonderland for a child’s imagination. Think of it as more than just a storage space—it's a stage for their creativity. Bright colors, interesting textures, and fun patterns can inspire all sorts of imaginative play. Maybe they’ll use a mirror as a magic portal or turn a cozy nook into a secret hideaway. Adding elements, like a small drawing board, funky lights, or a dress-up area, can turn the closet into a creative haven where their stories and adventures come to life.

Personalizes the Space

Your child is one of a kind, and their closet can be a reflection of their personality and interests. Playful features can let your child make the space truly their own. Whether it’s decals of their favorite animals, a mini gallery wall for their artwork, or special hooks for their cherished hats and scarves, these personal touches can make the closet feel special. This personalization not only makes the space more enjoyable for them but also helps them take pride in their area – fostering a sense of responsibility.

Playful Features to Incorporate

Themed Decor

Incorporating a theme into your child’s closet can make the space feel personalized and cozy. Think about what your child is passionate about -- maybe it’s dinosaurs, Sonic the Hedgehog, baseball, or ballet. Incorporating themed decor that appeals to them and features their interests can make their closet into a fun retreat. You can add wall decals of their favorite animals, posters of beloved characters, or even bedding and curtains that match their hobbies. This will make the closet feel like part of the rest of the bedroom.

Interactive Elements

Why not make the closet a space where your child can actively engage? Adding interactive elements, like a chalkboard wall, can be a huge hit. Your child and their friends can doodle, practice writing, or leave little notes. A magnetic board is another fun idea, where your little one can display artwork, photos, or use magnets to spell out words. A mini art station with a small table, paper, and crayons can transform part of the closet into a creative corner where their imagination can run wild.

Colorful Storage Solutions

Storage doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, colorful bins, baskets, and drawers can add a vibrant touch to the closet and make organizing more fun. Brightly colored containers not only help in sorting clothes and toys but also make it easier for kids to know where everything goes. You can even get bins with fun patterns or images that match the theme of the room – adding an extra layer of excitement to the space. Colors can impact your child’s mood; check out what Mental Health America has to say when making your choices.

Dress-Up Station

Many kids just love a good dress-up session. Creating a dress-up station in their closet can keep your child occupied for hours. It’s also a good place for siblings or friends to play. Install some hooks at a child-friendly height to hang costumes, add a full-length mirror, and if space allows, a small vanity for accessories. This setup encourages imaginative play and makes it easy for them to dress up as their favorite characters whenever the mood strikes.

Reading Nook

A cozy reading nook can be a perfect addition to the closet. Add a small bookshelf to store their favorite books, some soft cushions, and a plush rug to create a comfortable spot where they can escape into their stories. If you have a beanbag chair or a small rocking chair, this is the perfect place for it. The nook can be a quiet retreat for your child to relax and read – fostering a love for books and a sense of calm.

Lighting and Visual Appeal

Good lighting can make all the difference when it comes to making a small space, like a closet, inviting and appealing. Lighting options, like fairy lights, LED strips, or themed lamps, can add a whimsical touch to the closet. Consider colorful bulbs or LEDs that can be changed with a remote control for extra fun and control. Proper lighting will also make the closet more functional; your child will be able to find what he or she is looking for and won’t lose items in dark corners.

Practical Considerations

There are some practical considerations to keep in mind when it comes to making your kids’ closet fun and appealing for your child.

Safety First

First and foremost, safety is going to need to be your top priority. Everything needs to be safe for your child, and you’ll want to consider your child’s age and personality when childproofing the space. Look for furniture and storage solutions with rounded edges to prevent injuries, like bruises and bumped heads. Secure shelves and heavy items to the wall with anchors to avoid tipping hazards. And don’t forget to choose non-toxic materials, especially for little ones who might still tend to put things in their mouths.

Adjustability and Flexibility

Kids grow fast, and their interests change quickly, too. When my team builds a custom kids’ closet, we use adjustable and flexible storage solutions that can grow right along with your child. Consider shelving that can be easily moved or expanded and storage bins that can be swapped out as needed. Modular furniture pieces can be a great investment – letting you reconfigure the closet layout as needed and desired. This flexibility will keep the closet that you built for a preschooler still serving your child in a decade when they enter their teen years.

Durability

Finally, let's talk about durability. Kids can be tough on their belongings, so it’s important to choose materials that can withstand a bit of rough and tumble. We use sturdy wood with stain- and scratch-resistant melamine coatings, as these hold up very well to wear and tear. Keep in mind that we also include a lifetime warranty on our wood products; if, in the course of normal use, something breaks, give us a call, and we’ll make it right. The goal here is for your kids’ closet to last a good long time and to serve your child for many years.

Conclusion

Creating a playful and practical closet for your child is a great way to make the space more appealing. By incorporating features, like themed decor, interactive elements, colorful storage solutions, dress-up station, reading nook, and lighting that encourage organization, stimulate creativity, and allow for personalization, you can turn an ordinary closet into a space that reflects your child’s unique personality. Please give my team a call to discuss your project. Your consultation is free, and it comes with a professional design. We’d love to work with you, so get in touch today!

Source

https://mhanational.org/surroundings/color-psychology-explained

The Top Accessories to Optimize Your Reach-In Closet

Wed, 29 May 2024 13:42:37 GMT

I’ve worked with many homeowners over the years and in closets of all shapes and sizes. When it comes to small reach-in closets , a lot of my clients have found it a challenge to find enough space for their items. This can lead to disorganization.

Using closet accessories in your reach-in closet can go a long way toward helping you optimize the space. In this article, we’ll talk about:

The importance of optimizing your reach-in closet
The most essential accessories to consider
Tips for choosing the right organizers for your lifestyle and space

At Space Envy, we specialize in helping people just like you choose the best organization products for their homes. Using the right accessories can enhance the functionality and efficiency of your reach-in closets. They also help the space look neater and tidier.

Keep reading to learn all about reach-in closet accessories and how to make your life easier by choosing the best ones for your situation.

Importance of Optimizing Reach-In Closets

If you want to keep your wardrobe organized and accessible and you have a small closet, the simple truth is that you need to make the most of the space available. Otherwise, you’ll resort to stuffing the closet, which isn’t helpful or tidy.

Using the right accessories in your reach-in closet system has many advantages:

Accessories help you use the space more effectively . Say goodbye to cluttered shelves, stuffed drawers, and jam-packed hanging rods.
You’ll be able to see your items more easily . Imagine the pleasure of reaching in and grabbing exactly what you need without searching.
It will be easier to use the closet – leaving you more time for other things. Nobody wants to waste time hunting for a specific blouse or pair of shoes. Having a well-organized closet gives you the ability to get in and out quickly.

Essential Accessories for Reach-In Closets

We carry a lot of different accessories for various uses. Not everyone will want or need the same organizers; you’ll work with your designer to figure out which are right for you. Let’s continue the discussion below and talk about which accessories are most useful in a reach-in closet and how to choose the ones that are right for you.

Top Accessories to Optimize Your Reach-In Closet

Here are some of our favorite organizers to consider adding to your small closet system.

Adjustable Shelving: Rearrange your closet easily to accommodate your changing needs with adjustable shelves.
Drawer Dividers: It’s easy for small items to get unorganized in a large drawer; dividers will help you categorize these belongings in smaller spaces.
Hanging Organizers: Hanging organizers take up less horizontal space, and they help keep surfaces clear. Store items, like sweaters and jeans on hanging shelves, for example, and keep your drawers clear.
Hooks and Racks: Using hooks and wall racks allows you to store items, like hats, belts, scarves, and ties, without taking up valuable drawer and shelf space.
Pull-Out Bins: If you have items that are hard to hang or fold, such as purses or socks, pull-out bins give you a place to store them.
Over-the-Door Organizers: You can make the most of your closet space by taking advantage of the area behind a traditional swing-out door.
Specialty Hangers: Different garments need different hangers. We can help you decide which are right for your lingerie, suits, satin or silk items, and more. The New York Times has a review of some of the hottest hangers for 2024.
LED Lighting Solutions: Try LED strips under shelves or along the floor to light up dark areas and improve visibility.

Tips for Integrating Accessories into Your Closet Design

To choose the right accessories, you’ll want to think about a few different factors:

Your closet’s size . Most reach-in closet systems are fairly small, so this can limit the number and types of accessories you choose. In a small closet, using hooks, pegs, and adjustable shelves are a great way to add versatility. You can change the layout as you remove and add clothing each season.
Your lifestyle. If you are a busy professional, a valet rod and plenty of shoe storage might be at the top of your list. If you’re a fashion enthusiast, display shelves and jewelry organizers might come to mind. Families with children often appreciate labeled bins and multifunctional hooks.
Your belongings. If you have dozens of shoes, you will want to prioritize shoe storage with racks, shelves, and fences. Make sure you have room for your accessories, too; belt racks, hooks for hats, and jewelry drawers are key. Also, I recommend keeping some space set aside for seasonal and specialty items.

Conclusion

Using accessories to optimize your closet can help your days run more smoothly beginning with your early-morning closet routine. You’ll have plenty of room to store the items that are most important to your wardrobe and personal style. I invite you to get in touch with my team to schedule a free consultation, and we’ll show you how a well-organized closet can make a difference in your routines and your life overall.

Source:

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hangers/

Luxury Lineup: Must-Have Custom Walk-In Closet Features

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 13:18:06 GMT

If there’s one thing I can say about custom closets, it’s that they can be as luxurious as you want them to be. If you’re planning on having a walk-in closet system installed, the possibilities are nearly endless; you can make the space anything you want it to be. I’d love to talk about some features you might consider adding to elevate the elegance of your space.

Here are some of my favorite touches to add to a custom walk-in closet:

Built-in Lighting
Luxurious Finishes
Custom Island
Display Cases

Let’s talk about some of these upgrades and how they can make your walk-in closet shine.

Built-in Lighting

Having proper lighting turns your closet into a well-lit haven of luxury. Walking into a dimly lit space, no matter how well-appointed, can be frustrating and not uplifting. When the lights are bright and functional, however, you’ll be able to see everything you have – leading to a streamlined experience that just feels great.

Some options for lighting in the closet include LED strips, recessed fixtures, spotlights, and specialty lighting. LED strips can be placed along the underside of shelves – illuminating your items, so you can differentiate easily between colors and pieces. Recessed features look high-end; you may need an electrician to install these. A spotlight is an excellent option for highlighting a collection or a special piece that you own.

Specialty lighting could include a chandelier or even a fixture with a ceiling fan to keep the closet well-ventilated. Visit some home decorating stores to see what you like!

Luxurious Finishes

Choosing the finishes that make you smile can elevate your closet system to appeal to your sense of style. At Space Envy, we offer a variety of finishes for you to choose from when it comes to the cabinets, drawers, and doors.

Beyond the finishes on the actual closet components, though, you have a ton of options. You might decide to have crown molding added, for example, or glass-front cabinetry. You might also choose to finish the floor in the closet differently than in the rest of the bedroom. If you currently have wood or carpet flooring, you may choose to add plush shag carpeting, gorgeous ceramic tile, or something, like intricately cut parquet flooring. The choices are all yours.

Custom Island

If you have a large enough custom closet, you might consider installing a custom island. This not only improves the functionality of the space but also adds a focal point. Features, like built-in drawers, jewelry storage, or a built-in hamper, can meet your needs without taking away any space from the sections where you hang your clothes or store your shoes.

Finishes are also a consideration here. You might choose a luxurious material for the countertop, such as marble, granite, or quartz. Carved moldings and decorative paneling are other options you might think about adding. The Spruce offers nearly two dozen closet island ideas you might want to try.

Display Cases

If you have clothing or accessories you really love, why not find a way to display them in your closet? They will inspire a sense of pride when you see them, and since you’re probably in your closet every day, it’s a great idea to highlight items that make you smile. Items to display might include designer handbags, heirloom jewelry, or even an impressive shoe collection.

Glass-front cabinets are a great way to display these types of items, especially if you add lighting. You’ll be able to see everything easily, and having cabinet doors that close will keep your belongings free of dust. For a special article of clothing, you might choose to invest in a mannequin to wear it as part of an outfit. You could even switch out the clothes periodically – keeping them from getting dusty and also updating the appearance of your closet on a seasonal basis.

Conclusion

By adding special touches to your walk-in closet, you’ll find it’s a place you want to spend more time. You’ll also be more likely to keep it organized, since not only will it meet your needs but will also inspire you to make it as beautiful as you can. I’d love to talk to you about your vision for your closet system. Give my office a call, and schedule a free consultation with a member of the Space Envy design team to discuss your ideas with a professional!

Source

https://www.thespruce.com/closet-island-ideas-5214401

Do Custom Closet Systems Maximize Space or Just Add Luxury?

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 20:25:15 GMT

As a custom closet designer, I often meet people who think unique home storage systems are simply a luxury. After all, you often see lavish closet systems in the televised homes of the rich and famous, so at first glance, it might seem like only those of exceptional means splurge on such a thing. Having spent lots of time working with everyday people who just want a better organization system, however, I have to say that custom closet systems can be thought of as a space-saving tool that many people can benefit from.

Here are some of my thoughts on the benefits of having custom closets installed that go beyond luxury:

Consultations for individualized organization
Space-saving features
Long-term value
Whole-home appeal

Let’s take a look at some of the ways custom closet systems are more than just a pretty facade.

Consultations for Individualized Organization

When you work with me and my team, your custom closet system starts with a free consultation. During this time, we’ll talk about your wardrobe, your habits, and your storage preferences and requirements. This is to ensure that your finished closet will meet your needs in terms of giving you plenty of space to store what you need to.

Don’t get me wrong – we also talk about the design elements that will make the closet look amazing in your space. You’ll get to look at hardware, finishes, and all of the various components that come together to create a welcoming and appealing system. So in that aspect, having a custom-designed closet is going to feel like a luxury. When it comes to the actual storage and organization, though, it becomes a tool for better living.

Space-Saving Features

Many people live in houses with less square footage than they’d prefer. When all of the space in a home is used well, however, you will feel like you’re living in a larger abode. So investing in products that save space, like custom closets, can be quite sensible, especially if you were considering relocating to a larger house to accommodate all of your belongings!

With a customized storage system, you’ll be eliminating clutter and making it easier to keep your items in good repair. Your clothes won’t be crammed against each other, which can lead to fewer loose buttons and snags. You won’t be tripping over your shoes – saving you money on replacing them (and maybe even on medical bills from twisted ankles). The practicality of a custom closet system extends far beyond simple luxury.

Long-Term Value

Keep in mind that a custom closet system isn’t just a temporary fix; it’s a long-term investment in your home. When I work with a client, I make sure to let them know about our durable materials and high-quality craftsmanship. This isn’t a mass-produced storage system; it’s bespoke furniture that will pass the test of time.

In addition to the closet system itself being valuable, it can also add value to your home. You’ll enjoy a well-designed storage solution, and when the time comes to put the house on the market, you can feel confident that your potential buyers will be impressed. In fact, Forbes goes so far as to say that the closets in your home can make or break a sale!

Whole-Home Appeal

Everyone wants to feel comfortable, cozy, and welcomed in their own homes. When the surfaces are clear and everything has a place, the home runs more smoothly, and everyone can be more calm. Forget about scurrying around in the morning trying to get ready or having your children crying because they can’t find their shoes.

This feeling of calm in your home feels like a luxury, to be sure, but it’s something everyone should experience, if possible.

Conclusion

When asked if custom closet systems are a luxury or a necessity, I’d say they’re both. They feel and look luxurious, and having enough space to store all of your items is certainly a privilege. Once installed, though, homeowners often find out how necessary they really are if the goal is a neat, tidy home, where every item has a designated place to be.

Source

https://www.forbes.com/sites/terriwilliams/2023/09/30/why-your-closets-could-make-or-break-the-sale-of-your-home/?

2024 and Beyond: Exploring Custom Closet Design Trends

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:51:35 GMT

As someone committed to transforming cluttered spaces into appealing sanctuaries, I find a lot of joy in staying on top of the latest custom closet design trends. Closets are meant to be both functional and attractive, and there are always new evolutions. Let’s explore how we can work together to bring your storage spaces to new heights in 2024.

Here are some of the ways I see custom closets improving in the next year and beyond:

Smart integration and automation
Versatile modular designs
Artful organization options

Are you excited about seeing what the future holds? I know I am! Keep reading.

Smart Integration and Automation

Many of my clients use home automation. If you find yourself calling out, “Alexa!” to your digital assistant, you know exactly what I mean. The integration of smart technology is a game-changer, and the benefits don’t stop at the threshold of your custom closet system.

Here are just a few of the ways you might decide to harness the power of smart home integration in the coming months and beyond:

Lighting . Automated lighting systems allow you to have the lights turn on automatically at the perfect brightness as you enter your closet. They contribute to energy efficiency by activating only when needed – creating a more eco-friendly environment.
Climate control . You probably keep your home at the temperature you prefer, but you may not have the ability or know-how to adjust your humidity levels. Your clothing will do best at humidity levels of 50 to 55 percent, says Lennox , and your smart thermostat might be able to manage this for you within your closet space.
Digital inventory management . Keeping track of what you have in your closet at any given time might seem like an idea from The Jetsons, but using one of these tools now can allow you to scan clothing as you put it in your closet. The result? You’ll save time and also prevent the frustration of fruitless rummaging.
Security features . You could always lock your jewelry drawer, but now you can use intelligent security measures to provide an extra layer of protection for your valuables. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your closet is secured with RFID technology or biometric access controls.

Versatile Modular Designs

At Space Envy, we’ve always carried adjustable designs to help our clients make the most of their spaces. In 2024, though, I do expect versatility to take center stage. People are busy, and their lifestyles and needs change often. Having the ability to change simply makes sense.

Adjustable shelving systems let you reposition your closet components as needed to store sweaters, t-shirts, accessories, holiday decor, and so on. You can also change where your clothing rods are hung; if you can modify the height and configuration of your closet rods, you can feel free to change up your wardrobe as your mood dictates.

Foldable and collapsible components will also become more popular. A fold-down table or ironing board, pull-out mirrors, and telescoping valet rods allow your closet to perform various functions without changing the entire space.

Artful Organization Options

First, the colors of 2024 will depend on each person’s individual style. Forget about everyone having the same dull color palettes; instead, you’ll have the ability to choose from interesting and appealing finishes for your closet components. I can see people experimenting with colorful options, such as accent walls, ombre effects, and maybe metallic or textured finishes.

In addition, display options will likely explode in popularity. If you’re investing in lovely accessories, you’ll want to display them, and cases can show off your handbags, jewelry, or even your shoes. Backlit shelves, floating shelves, and artistic drawer fronts and panels can also go far in creating awesome and artistic organization options.

One of my colleagues, Rob Guerin from Connecticut Closets & Garages , has recently published some ideas for people wanting to revamp their closets. You won’t want to miss that piece!

Conclusion

Predicting what will be popular in the next year or so can be a challenge, but when it comes to custom closet design trends, the writing is on the wall. People are already enjoying smart home automation, modular designs, and personalized artful displays, so it stands to reason that this will continue not only in 2024 but also throughout the rest of the decade.

Sources

Daily Habits: Achieve & Maintain an Organized Custom Closet

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:34:34 GMT

Keeping your custom closet neat and tidy might feel like a burden if you have a “clean out the closet” chore that you address on a monthly or quarterly basis. If you were to take a few minutes each day to keep the space in good condition, you would be able to avoid those big overhauls and would also be able to enjoy a streamlined, lovely closet on a daily basis.

Here are some habits you should consider starting to keep your closet in excellent condition every day:

Do a five-minute tidy
Make good use of wall hooks
Inspect clothing each evening when you take it off
Hang or fold clothes directly out of the dryer

If you’re sick and tired of dealing with clutter, let’s dive right in and discuss how you can keep your custom closet in great shape.

Do a Five-Minute Tidy

You might be surprised by how much you can accomplish in just five minutes. Either in the morning or the evening, spend a few minutes tidying up your closet. Make sure your clothing is hanging neatly, check the drawers to see if they need a little bit of attention, and make sure nothing is on the floor.

If nothing is amiss, grab a microfiber cloth or dust rag, and spend the minutes quickly wiping down the shelves, drawers, or even the baseboards. You might also choose to use your five minutes vacuuming or sweeping the floor. By taking on these tasks for just a few moments each day, you’ll eliminate the need to go in on a sunny Saturday morning to spend an hour cleaning out the closet.

Make Good Use of Wall Hooks

If you have hooks hanging in your custom closet, you can put items away in seconds. Accessories, like scarves, belts, neckties, and lightweight purses, can simply be placed on hooks – allowing you to put them where they belong without any hassle. Use these daily to keep your closet looking neat and tidy.

If you don’t currently have hooks, you can have your home organization company install some high-end ones for you, or you can add these yourself. Even temporary hooks can do in a pinch, and you can buy these for just a few dollars each. Just be mindful of the weight limit they can accommodate. Also, make sure they can be removed without damaging your paint.

Inspect Clothing Each Evening When You Take It Off

Do you have a pile of clothing that needs to be treated for stains? Rather than saving up clothes for stain treatments, you can do this as you undress each evening. Take a good look at what you’re taking off, and have a stain stick handy. Check your collars for perspiration marks and the fronts of your shirts for any errant food drips. Go ahead, and apply that stain stick immediately, and your stained clothing will be ready to go into the hamper.

If you have a shirt with a loose button or a sweater with an open seam, the same strategy applies. The difference is that you probably won’t be taking out your sewing kit on a daily basis. If you can at least identify and set aside items that need a little extra TLC on a daily basis, though, you can get to it on the weekend. This will keep the clothing out of the rotation until it’s fixed, and you won’t have last-minute lost buttons to contend with at 7:00 am.

Hang or Fold Clothes Directly Out of the Dryer

If you do laundry daily, you can follow this tip on a daily basis. If not, just do it on wash days. Take your clothes out of the dryer, preferably while they’re still warm, and quickly fold them or put them on hangers. Then return them directly to your closet. The goal here is to not let clothes sit around getting wrinkled in a laundry basket while waiting for you to have time to fold several loads.

While many of us procrastinate when it comes to putting away laundry, the reality is that it only takes about four minutes to fold an average load of wash. If you can do this each day, you’ll never contend with a pile of clean clothes taking up your couch or bed, and your clothing will always be neat and clean. The Frugal Homemaker has more tips on doing that load of laundry each day to keep everything running smoothly.

Conclusion

By spending just a few minutes each day in your custom closet, you can keep it looking and functioning its best. Tidy up, use your wall hooks and other closet organizers, check your clothes for stains regularly, and keep up with your laundry. You’ll find it makes a big difference, and you’ll be able to gain lots of time on the weekends you would otherwise be spending cleaning out your closet.

Source

https://thefrugalhomemaker.com/2013/02/22/the-laundry-method-that-changed-my-life-literally/

Maximizing Storage Space in Your Custom Closet

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 19:49:14 GMT

Every square inch counts when you’re looking to optimize the storage in your home, and this is most apparent when it comes to small closets. If you’re constantly struggling to organize your custom closet and managing clutter has become a part of your daily routine, it might be time to try some new techniques.

From maximizing your floor space to taking advantage of verticality and much more, we’ve got the tips you need to make the most of even the smallest custom closet in your home.

Once you’re ready to get started, you should:

Optimize your closet floor
Take advantage of vertical space
Use new folding methods
Invest in closet organizers
Use wall and door space

Now that we’ve got an idea of what goes into optimizing a small closet, let’s get into the details and see how you can make this work for your home.

Optimize Your Closet Floor

All too often when it comes to smaller custom closets, as the floor goes, so goes the rest of the closet. When clothes pile up and it becomes hard to navigate the space, it’s easy for the entire closet to get cluttered as a result.

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to optimize this area is through the use of shoe racks, bins, hampers, and other similar solutions. Not only will they help keep your closet floor clear, but they’ll also make it easier to get ready in the morning and get out the door on time.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

If your custom closet is a bit on the smaller side but has plenty of vertical space, you might think about taking advantage of this extra room. For example, with the simple addition of a second hanging rod, you can effectively double your hanging clothes storage.

Or maybe you want to use your top shelf as a place for mid- to long-term storage. Whatever works best for you, your closet’s verticality can be a great help.

Use New Folding Methods

Most homeowners don’t consider their folding method when looking to make use of all available space in their custom closets, but they should. Not only can unoptimized folding reduce your total room for putting away clothes, but it can also make it harder to find what you’re looking for.

You might consider folding your clothes vertically so that everything is visible instead of stacked on top of each other. You might even want to try rolling shirts and other garments to save space. Whatever you choose, every little bit of space saved makes a big difference.

Invest in Closet Organizers

You can think of closet organizers as a cheat code for when all else fails. Where once you might have struggled to find the room for all your accessories, jewelry, and other knick-knacks, things like jewelry organizers, racks, wall-mounted storage, and more can give you space you didn’t even realize you had in your custom closet.

Use Wall and Door Space

As the pros at Better Homes & Gardens point out, there’s a lot of space in the home that often goes unused, and two of the biggest culprits are the walls and backs of doors. With the simple addition of a few hooks and wall-mounted shelving units, you can have an elegant and handy way to store items on your walls.

With a simple door organizer, you can have the equivalent of entire shelves’ worth of storage space, instantly available to you and within reach as soon as you open your closet door.

Conclusion

Trying to find space in a small custom closet can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be that way. By using these super simple hacks, you can make even the smallest closet work harder for you, not only freeing up space but also making it so much easier to get put together in the morning.

Sources

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/hidden-storage/

Can Custom Closets Help You Sell Your Home

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 18:06:06 GMT

When choosing what upgrades to do to your home in order to get it ready to list on the market, it can seem overwhelming trying to select what upgrades would give you the most return on your investment.

One of the most cost effective upgrades you can do is to install custom closets in your home. Without having to spend as much money as some of the other possible upgrades, a custom closet can bring added value to your home when it comes time to sell it.

Here are just some of the many ways a custom closet can help to increase the value of your home.

Increases home functionality
Creates more space in the home
Minimizes clutter and mess
Makes home look well-maintained

Increases Home Functionality

In this day and age, everything is about making life a little easier. Our world is fast-paced, and people are looking for solutions that are easy and convenient. A custom closet increases your home’s functionality, adding valuable storage space that many people appreciate.

In older homes especially, closet space can often be fairly limited, and closets are usually quite small. Make the most of those smaller spaces by installing a custom closet system. This will make the closet much more useful, and in turn, will add value to your older home.

One of the first things people look for when buying a home is storage space, so if this is something your home is lacking, then you’ll want to consider adding a storage system in some of your closets.

Creates More Space in the Home

When people are shopping around for a new home, one of the main things they are looking for is additional space. Often, folks are wanting to move from a smaller space into a larger space to accommodate their living needs.

By installing custom closet systems in your home, you are creating more space within your home. As the storage experts at HGTV explain, any time there is disorganization or mess in a home, it takes away the feeling of space, making potential home buyers think that your home does not have enough space in it.

When a home is tidy and organized, even if it’s on the small side, it can appear much more spacious and appealing to potential buyers.

Minimizes Clutter and Mess

Even if you aren’t planning on listing your home on the market right away, a custom closet system is always a good investment, as it will remove the clutter and mess in your home.

When people are going through a home with the possibility of buying it, they don’t want to see a lot of disorganization, as that will send the message that the home is not big enough or does not have enough storage space to hold all of their belongings.

When they tour a home that has custom closets installed, every time they open a closet, they will be impressed by the amount of storage space, the level of organization, and how tidy the home is. This will send a positive message that this home has lots of space for them.

Makes the Home Look Well-Maintained

One of the main things people want to know when buying a home is that the home has been well-maintained over the years. They want to see upgrades and efforts made to keep the home looking good.

A custom closet system makes your closets look like they’ve been maintained and upgraded over the years, which is a good thing to show buyers. It shows that you care about your home and are interested in making it as functional and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

It also shows that your home is move-in ready without needing a lot of work. When buying a home, people are usually fairly maxed out in finances, so they’re not looking to have to do a bunch of upgrades before moving in. Nice clean, organized closets make your home look maintained and move-in ready.

Conclusion

You don’t need to invest in expensive upgrades to your home before listing it on the market. Instead, invest in smaller upgrades such as a custom closet system, which will make your home look neat, tidy, and organized. It will add space and style to your home, and it will show off your storage areas to potential buyers.

Sources

https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/maximum-home-value-storage-projects-closets

7 Tips to Prep Your Custom Closet System for Spring

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 23:19:43 GMT

Getting ready to tackle some spring cleaning and organization projects? Organizing and optimizing your custom closet should be at the top of your to-do list. Not sure where to start?

Here are the top 7 tips for prepping your custom closet system for spring:

Pack away all winter clothing
Donate clothing and accessories you no longer need
Unpack spring and summer clothes
Organize items by categories
Store shoes properly
Optimize your storage space
Maintain your organization system

Read on for an in-depth look at how to get your custom closet ready for spring.

1. Pack Away All Winter Clothing

Most people—even those with a custom closet system—simply don’t have the space to keep all their clothing in their closet year-round. Removing and properly storing all your cold-season clothing is an easy way to free up space in your closet for the spring season, according to The Spruce.

Pack away all heavy-duty winter jackets, boots, and other cold-weather clothing and accessories. Make sure to wash everything before putting it away since stains allowed to set during the warmer seasons can be difficult or impossible to remove when you unpack the items again in the fall. Invest in plastic bins to store your winter items, and make sure to store high-quality pieces like furs and leather jackets in fabric garment bags.

2. Get Rid of Clothing and Accessories You No Longer Need

Spring is the perfect time to edit your clothing, shoes, and accessories—removing any unneeded items will make it easier to keep your custom closet organized throughout the warmer seasons and beyond. In general, if you haven’t worn an item in the last two years, get rid of it by selling it or donating it. Review any clothes that are stained, have missing buttons, or are damaged in any other way, and set them aside to be discarded or repaired, if possible.

3. Unpack Spring and Summer Clothes

If you’ve stored away your spring and summer clothes during the winter, it’s time to unpack them and find a space for them in your closet. Remove any items that have been stored in bags and hang them on wood or plastic hangers in your closet.

4. Organize Items by Categories

Once you’ve unpacked all your warm-season clothes and accessories, start organizing them by category. Items like shirts and light jackets can be hung or folded neatly on storage racks in your custom closet, and accessories like purses or belts should be stored on hooks or shelves.

5. Store Shoes Properly

After you’ve stored away your winter boots and brought out your warm-weather footwear like sandals and sneakers, organize them in your closet. Remove shoes from shoe boxes and store them in cubes or on slanted shoe racks if you have them. It’s smart to organize shoes by category, so you won’t spend time rooting around your closet to find the perfect pair of shoes for taking a spring walk, working in the garden, or any other activity you’re enjoying.

6. Optimize Your Storage Space

If you’ve unpacked your warm-season clothing, shoes, and accessories and are still having trouble finding the perfect place for each item, it may be smart to invest in some new custom closet features. Whether you need a few additional racks for shoe storage or extra hooks for belts, scarves, or ties, some small, strategic purchases can significantly upgrade your closet storage and provide the space you need to keep all your wearable items organized.

7. Maintain Your Organization System

While custom closets make organizing clothes, shoes, and accessories much easier, maintaining an orderly closet does require some amount of consistent effort on your part. Make sure you’re maintaining your organization system daily, so your items won’t get disorganized and potentially damaged.

A big part of maintaining order is using your closet space to store wearable items only. Make closet organization easy by storing items like family photos, memorabilia, collectibles, or any belongings that you can’t wear in other parts of your home, and keep your closet space reserved for clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Conclusion

A well-designed, organized closet takes tons of stress out of your daily life. After all, it’s much easier to put together the perfect spring outfit when you’re working with a clean and clutter-free closet. Need to make some changes to your custom closet system to get it ready for spring? Start with the tips described above, and add additional shelves, hooks, hampers, storage furniture, and even lighting to optimize your closet for the spring season and beyond.

Source

https://www.thespruce.com/storing-seasonal-clothing-1900114

Small Changes That Can Have a Large Impact on Your Custom Closet System

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:53:57 GMT

It’s easy to think that home improvement needs to be about major overhauls and big changes, but often it’s the smallest changes that can make the biggest difference. Not only can these tiny choices optimize the organization of your custom closet system , but they can also make it easier to keep things tidy.

Instead of paying an arm and a leg for a large-scale renovation you might not need, you could try a few of these small changes and see how they add up for you.

Here are some small changes you can make that will have a large impact on your custom closet system:

Consider adding a second hanging rod.
Try out adjustable shelving units.
Implement a labeled bin system.
Use cubbies for quick access storage.
Put the back of your closet door to use.

Let’s take a look at each of these small changes and see how you can put them to use in your custom closet system.

Consider Adding a Second Hanging Rod

As the pros at Better Homes & Gardens note, revamping the hanging rod setup in your closet system can make a huge difference. Not only will you effectively double your available hanging space but you’ll also make it easier to sort your garments.

Instead of taking up space with bins (and potentially wrinkling your clothes in the process), you can give your less-used items their own hanging rod. You might also decide to hang tops on the top rod and bottoms on the bottom rod, making it simple to put outfits together.

Try Out Adjustable Shelving Units

If you like to regularly switch up your closet space but don’t want to shell out the money that regular renovations would entail, maybe adjustable shelving units are for you. You can decide the size and configuration of the shelving, then change it up as needed.

Maybe you need additional shelves during winter months when you have plenty of sweaters and sweatpants to fold and store, but you don’t need all that room in the summer and would rather have more space for shoes. Whatever your needs at any given time, adjustable shelving units can accommodate you.

Implement a Labeled Bin System

If you sometimes struggle with getting out the door on time, you might consider putting in a labeled bin system. This way, you can clearly differentiate items and make it that much easier to get ready and out the door.

If labels aren’t your thing, you could instead opt for bins with clear plastic front sections so you can easily see everything in your closet at a glance. Once again, feel free to suit this tip to your needs!

Use Cubbies for Quick Access Storage

If you have plenty of accessories, scarves, or other small items that you wear and use daily, it can be all too easy for things to get out of control and turn into a tangled mess. Those minutes you spend wrangling your belongings might not seem like much, but over the course of a year, it can really add up.

By putting in a system of cubbies, you’ll put minutes back in your day and hours back in your year. When you consider just how versatile cubbies can be, it's clear this tip can be customized for your wardrobe and accessories any time of year.

Put the Back of Your Closet Door to Use

The back of your closet door might not be the first place you think of when you’re looking for organizational opportunities, but it should be. With a simple hanging closet door organizer, you can give yourself entire shelves’ worth of storage space at arms’ reach.

Most door organizers are very affordable and use clear plastic pouches to make it easy to see what you need in a pinch. The best part is that it’s completely out of the way and effectively adds square footage to your custom closet system without any renovations.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to make some changes in your custom closet system, it might be best to start small. By following these tips, you should be able to make some small changes that will snowball into big results in your closet!

Sources

https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/budget-remodels/mini-but-mighty-remodels/

How Custom Closets Can Help You Prepare for Guests This Holiday Season

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:49:32 GMT

Getting ready for the holidays means more than just decorating and planning for the people in your own household; it also means getting ready for guests. That means more than just changing the sheets on the guest room bed. Getting the guest room closet ready lets your holiday company know that you’ve made the effort to welcome them by making a real space for them. Custom closets can help you create the kind of organized and welcoming space you want to give to your guests.

Make Sure There’s Enough Shelving
Give Them a Place to Store Laundry
Pull Double Duty with Storage Furniture
Consider New Closet Lighting

Learn how custom closets can help you get your guest room ready for the holidays.

Make Sure There’s Enough Shelving

You need to make sure that your guests have someplace to put their clothes during their stay. You probably will shift some things in the closet to give them some space on the hanging rods, and maybe you’ll clear out some dresser drawers as well. However, have you made sure there are enough shelves? You should if you want to accommodate their likely wardrobe.

In most of the US, the winter holidays mean cold weather. That means that your guests will probably bring sweaters. Did you know that heavy sweaters shouldn’t be hung on hangers? According to The Wardrobe Consultant , the kinds of sweaters most people choose in cold weather, such as wool, winter-weight cashmere, and linen stretch are better off being folded because they can lose their shape when hung. Heavy sweaters also take up a lot of real estate in dresser drawers. Providing shelves gives your guest a convenient place to stack their warm, heavy sweaters, as well as any other clothes they can’t or don’t want to hang.

Give Them a Place to Store Laundry

If your guest is staying for a few days or longer, laundry is going to be something that you have to consider. Even if they aren’t staying long enough to need to do their laundry at your house, they’re going to need a place to put the laundry. It’s inconvenient to cram dirty clothes into suitcases and they may not want their old clothes to sit in their bags that long or to come into contact with other items.

Installing tilt-out hampers in a custom guest room closet is a great way to ensure that they have a separate, discreet place to store dirty clothes. This way, they also won’t get their laundry mixed up with any of yours. If they’re not planning to wash it before returning home, it can be transferred into a bag when they’re packing up to leave.

Pull Double Duty with Storage Furniture

What do you do when you want to make space in the spare room and closet for guests, but you already have things in those spaces and don’t have anywhere else in the house to put them? This is where storage furniture, like a bench or ottoman with enclosed storage or a table with drawers and shelves underneath, can really come in handy.

Move the items that you keep in the closet or bedroom ordinarily into the storage spaces so you can let the guests use the surface spaces, shelves, drawers, and other storage solutions in the room and closet for their own things. You don’t want to make your guests hunt for a place to put their items, so it’s easier to clear the obvious spaces of your own items and use hidden storage options for those instead. If you still don’t have enough room, a decorative trunk or footlocker can give you additional storage space while adding an attractive touch to the room.

Consider New Closet Lighting

When customizing a guest room closet, it’s a good idea to consider changing the lighting in the space if it’s inadequate. You may know your own house like the back of your hand, but you don’t want your guests to have to fumble around in dark or dim lighting to find their things or put them away. LED lights can brighten up a dark space. Motion-activated lights eliminate the need for guests to find a switch that may not be located in an intuitive place.

This may be especially important if you’re likely to have older guests. As people age, their night vision can become compromised. If you know that you’re likely to be hosting your aging parents or your spouse’s great-aunt during the holiday season, you can make life easier for them by providing bright closet lighting. This could even help prevent a potentially dangerous fall or another mishap.

Conclusion

Customize your guest closet with the likely needs of your guests in mind. If you’re most likely to host visitors over the winter holidays, additional shelves, hampers, storage furniture, and improved lighting are all smart choices to consider.

Source

https://www.thewardrobeconsultant.com/blog/how-to-fold-your-sweaters-and-when-its-ok-to-hang-them

The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Garage Sale

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:58:04 GMT

If the time has come to organize your garage , you might be thinking about having a garage sale.

We all are guilty at one time or another to have accumulated too much “stuff” that still has some life in it but we just don’t use or need anymore. A garage sale is the perfect solution. Garage sales offer a touch of nostalgia and whimsy, and people still flock in groves to them where they can experience a hands-on purchase unlike a majority of online purchases these days.

There are some important things to think about as you plan, promote, and hold a garage sale. Check out these four considerations as you go about your garage sale planning which can guide you through the various phases of holding your own.

Advertising the Garage Sale
Before the Garage Sale
During the Garage Sale
After the Garage Sale

Read on for more about these garage sale tips. It’s everything you need to know about getting the word out and arranging and pricing your items, all with the goal of putting a little extra cash in your pocket.

Advertise

Before you do any advertising for your garage sale, be sure to check with your city or municipality to ensure that you do not need a permit as some local regulations do require permission or documentation to hold a garage sale.

Getting the word out about your garage sale is a bit of a balancing act. Advertise too soon, and people think they will remember but won’t. Advertise too late, and you take a chance people won’t see the information in time to swing by.

In today’s world, letting everyone know about your sale can happen both the old-fashioned way with flyers and signs as well as virtually, through social media and online neighborhood websites.

Post your online garage sale notification a few days before your sale and again the day prior and the morning of. Flyers should be passed out or put into mailboxes on adjacent streets mid-week to give local residents an ample heads-up about the sale.

Signs should be put up in high-traffic areas and at intersections near your home for drivers passing by the day before and the morning of. As a courtesy, let your immediate neighbors know about your garage sale so they can expect increased traffic. They might even want to contribute some items.

Most people have time on the weekends to swing by, so those days work best. You can plan for one day or two; planning on two consecutive days is advantageous just in case Mother Nature decides not to cooperate.

Prepare for the Sale

Preparation for a garage sale is dependent on how many items you are planning to sell. Once you have cleaned out and decluttered, you now have to decide what is worthy and in good enough condition to put up for sale.

Ideally, you want to have a wide variety of items that span a bunch of categories. Popular items typically include:

Furniture
Gently used appliances
Kitchen gadgets
Clothing, especially children’s apparel
Miscellaneous baby items
Books, especially if you have an entire series
Games
Puzzles
Jewelry
Handbags/Purses/Clutches
Tools
Linens
Electronics
Home Décor
Artwork and Posters
Vintage Records
Dish Sets, China or Serving Platters

The more robust your inventory is and the more creatively you arrange the wares, the more likely people are to stop. Coordinate like items with like items to make it easier for people to browse. Items placed willy-nilly tend to be more challenging for shoppers.

Create price tags for everything, and keep it to even dollar items, which makes adding up pricing easy on everyone. For items that aren't obvious, add a label so that is clear to potential buyers what it is.

Remember that a garage sale is all about fairly pricing what you are selling, knowing that it's used or gently worn. Don’t get caught up in pricing based on what you know the original price tag was. The rule of thumb, according to the home service site Angi, is to charge 10% of what the current market value is for any specific item.

During the Garage Sale

On the morning of your garage sale, check on any signage that you hung up already to be sure it hasn’t been knocked down by the wind or ripped. Add additional signs where it makes sense. Your signs should be made in big bold letters on both sides using arrows to point interested parties in the right direction. Also, send out a reminder post on any digital platforms where you promoted the sale earlier in the week.

Enlist some help from your family members, friends or neighbors throughout the day. The more hands on deck, the more streamlined things will go, especially if things get busy. If you have younger kids, have them set up a stand and sell lemonade or baked goods.

As you arrange your garage sale items, use sturdy tables and clothing racks organized in makeshift aisles and rows. Place books or records in a bin (ideally alphabetically by author or artist), fold, hang, and stack clothing neatly, arrange jewelry in a decorative way, and buff up anything that needs a shine.

Have enough money on hand to make change (people tend to bring larger bills), and consider using online apps for money exchange like Venmo, Square, or Apple Pay for those who don’t carry cash. This benefits both you and any potential shoppers, as it's easier to keep track of payments and doesn’t require a paper receipt.

Provide plastic bags for smaller items to be carried away in, and have some newspaper and tape on hand to wrap more fragile items. Have a receipt book ready if someone would like a receipt.

Expect a few negotiators; have an idea ahead of time how flexible you may be willing to go on price. It's your sale, so you make the rules, but be willing to take a legitimate offer.

In the last hour, announce a steep discount to help further sweeten potential sales. You have nothing to lose by attempting to tempt shoppers to buy, even if it is a modest exchange for an item.

After the Garage Sale

It's always the hope that a garage sale rids you of many items and provides you with some fun money. For any items that are left, simply box them up and donate them to a local charity. Larger items like furniture can often be picked up.

Don't put anything back into your home that didn’t sell. The temptation will be real, but move it along to someone who could actually use it.

Be sure to take down any signs on street corners or light posts, and clean up the general area to make sure no paper, receipts, bags, or price tags have migrated around as litter.

Your garage was the backdrop for your sale, but it now returns to its everyday use. Many homeowners are always looking for garage friendly storage solutions. Built-in Closets & Garage Designs, a closet company in South Florida, offers terrific inspirations for maximizing your garage wall space .

Final Thoughts

Garage sales are an endeavor to undertake but can end up eliminating clutter and making you some extra cash. Consider throwing a garage sale every few years to keep your clutter at bay, or collaborate and have a street-wide sale to garner even more interest.

Sources

9 Tips for Organizing Tools in Your Garage

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 19:15:59 GMT

You've invested a lot of money into your work or hobby supplies, and knowing how to organize tools in your garage will help you maintain your collection and keep it in great condition. If you find that your tools aren't as organized as they could be, it's time to reevaluate.

Follow these 9 tips to more effectively organize your tools:

Start small
Clean your garage
Inventory all of your tools
Install a workbench
Use the ceiling
Purchase a rolling toolbox
Use Slatwall racks
Don’t shy away from bins
Use magnets

Now is the best time to regain control of your garage and your collection of valuable tools. Continue reading to learn more about each of the valuable tips referenced above!

1. Take Small Steps Toward Tool Organization

It can be daunting to open the garage door and stare at a cluttered mess. Thinking about what needs to be accomplished can be overwhelming as well. Instead, focus on smaller projects to get the ball rolling. Begin with organizing all of your tools into categories. If you have multiple tape measures, put them all in a bin. Make sure your screwdrivers are together in one bin and the hammers are in their own bin as well.

2. Clean Your Garage

The best workspace is a clean workspace. Once all of the clutter is removed, clean your garage from floor to ceiling. Sweep the floor, dust the workbench, disinfect commonly touched areas, and remove cobwebs and dead bugs. You should also clean your tools as you come across them. You don’t have to soak them in disinfectant, but you should wipe them down.

3. Inventory All of Your Tools

In order to properly organize your tools, as well as other items, you will need to take inventory of everything, as suggested by the pros at Connecticut Closets & Garages in How to Organize A Messy Garage . Going back to tools, keep track of all hand tools, power tools, and larger items like powerwashers, leaf blowers, and edgers. Once you know how many you have of each item, you can begin planning how and where everything will be stored.

4. Install a Workbench

Every organized garage has a workbench. You won't be able to get much done without one. Your workbench can easily become cluttered, so try to keep it as neat as possible. Do not leave tools lying on the bench. Make sure you put them away after each use. Next to your workbench, add Slatwall racks filled with tools. More to come on this helpful accessory later on!

5. Use The Ceiling

When it comes to garages, most people only use the walls and the floor to store items. However, the ceiling makes for a great storage area, especially if your vehicles do not need a lot of overhead clearance. Wayfair.com notes that the ceiling is an untapped resource for most homeowners.

6. Purchase a Rolling Tool Box

Some of the most organized garages have rolling toolboxes. They typically have eight drawers or more and can easily be rolled to any corner of an area. You don’t have to stop at a rolling toolbox. Bob Villa recommends adding rolling cabinets and carts as well.

The more storage areas you have on wheels, the easier it will be to organize your tools and the rest of your garage. If you do a lot of work on your vehicles, lawnmower, or other items, roll the tools right up to the work area.

7. Use Slatwall Racks

Slatwall racks are an excellent feature for a highly organized garage. They can be added to the walls and used to hang bicycles, tools, garden equipment, sports gear (baseball bats, hockey sticks, nets, etc.), and other oddly shaped items.

8. Don’t Shy Away From Bins

Don’t be afraid to use a lot of bins for organizing tools. Just because you have Slatwall racks and cabinets doesn’t mean bins won’t be effective. In fact, you can use them to separate the following tools and accessories:

Wrenches
Pliers
Ratchet straps
Paintbrushes
Painting tape
Chisels
Nuts, bolts, screws
Allen wrenches
Try to purchase clear bins that allow you to easily see what's inside. If you don’t like clear bins, choose ones that are clearly labeled.

9. Use Magnets

Many people don't realize how easy it can be to store tools with magnets. After all, they hold anything made of metal. You can hang small to medium-sized tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and small hammers with the help of magnets. Using magnets makes it easy to grab a tool quickly without looking through boxes, bins, and drawers.

Final Thoughts

Your garage is an essential part of your home. The more often you use it, the likelier it becomes that items such as tools are strewn on the floor, your workbench, or shoved inside cabinets. Knowing how to organize your tools in the garage is essential if you want to have them looking great and working properly for years to come.

Sources

Closet Jewelry Organizer Ideas

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 20:15:47 GMT

Struggling with how to organize your jewelry ? Storing these items can be a frustrating endeavor with an endless assortment of sizes, shapes, lengths, and even sentimental values. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for storing your pieces while still making them easily accessible within your closet.

Have a big job ahead of you with a lot of jewelry to sort through? This list should help you get started.

Use shallow drawers with partitions
Save space with over the door options
Maximize hanging space
Install hooks for long necklaces
Use pouches for smaller pieces
Don’t forget about jewelry boxes
Try ring dishes with style
Get creative with pegboard
Keep valuable jewelry secure in a safe

Read on to learn the value of each of the above ideas.

Shallow Drawers Keep Things Visible

If you have a decent amount of jewelry, you may have already encountered “the dig.” You just know that the bracelet or earrings you are searching for are in that drawer or basket, but it’s a deep one, and they’ve probably settled to the bottom. You end up dumping the contents out onto the bed to spread everything. Then, the search begins! Sound familiar?

You can avoid this scenario by using shallow drawers where no jewelry has far to travel to the bottom. Further solve this problem by installing compartment organizers in each drawer to separate your pieces. Compartment trays can be customized to best organize your collection. Better Homes & Gardens suggests layering the trays to maximize all available drawer space. The pros at Premier Closets and Storage Solutions also mention the usefulness of jewelry drawers lined with velvet in 7 Versatile Accessories for Organizing Your Custom Closets .

Over-The-Door Organizers Create More Space

Suppose you're running low on space or don’t have many drawers available. Creating a new place to hang your jewelry where there wasn’t one before is a fantastic solution. Over-the-door organizers are easy to install and provide various storage options for multiple types of jewelry.

They're also available in dozens of styles, giving you even more options. Some organizers come with extra cushions and can be rolled up and fastened to bring with you on trips, while others include a mirror.

Jewelry Hangers Come With Options

Hangers designed for jewelry come in several styles. Those with hooks are perfect for long necklaces that may easily tangle when bunched up, and those with pockets make storing earrings or rings a breeze. With just a few jewelry hangers, you can keep your collection right alongside your favorite outfits.

You Can Never Have Too Many Hooks

Hooks are arguably the most versatile and useful tool available for organizing jewelry. While perfect for necklaces of any length, you can also use them for displaying bracelets and earrings. Installing rows of hooks on a bare wall in a walk-in closet is practical and pretty. You can easily keep the pieces you wear most often close at hand.

Pouches Are Cute, Fun, and Portable

If you travel frequently, you know how difficult it can be to pack up jewelry. By keeping your favorite small pieces in pouches, they are not only protected and stored well, but you can easily plop them in your luggage without repacking and worrying about possible damage. While at home, pouches can be lined up in a drawer or hung by a drawstring. They're perfect for bracelets, earrings, and rings but may not be ideal for necklaces.

Jewelry Boxes Are Still a Thing

Jewelry boxes have come a long way in the last several decades. Acrylic boxes include compartments to protect, organize, and allow you to view what you need quickly. Boxes come in a variety of stone or high-quality wood materials as well, adding style to your closet in addition to storage. According to Reader’s Digest , they're especially handy in smaller-sized spaces, such as a reach-in closet.

Ring Dishes for Every Style

Whether open or covered, new or vintage, simple or bold, there is an infinite number of ring dish designs available. You can keep one on a shelf to safely keep any pieces you remove at the end of the day, or use them as makeshift compartments in a jewelry drawer. There’s no denying that ring dishes are stylish and more importantly, practical.

Pegboards Can Be Customized to Your Needs

There are dozens of accessories for pegboards, from hooks to baskets to shelves. You can personalize any size pegboard with these to create a storage solution that matches your jewelry needs perfectly. Size the pegboard to the available space in your closet, paint it and find a nice frame that matches your decor. Don't forget that the space behind your closet door can be used as well.

Jewelry Safes for Additional Peace of Mind

If you possess valuable jewelry pieces, whether expensive or sentimental, it may help you rest easier knowing they're stored in a safe. Some safes are designed specifically to organize jewelry, keeping them secure even within the vault. You’ll find many sizes with different locking mechanisms, from several reputable manufacturers. There's bound to be an option that suits your closet. The Spruce also recommends insuring the pricier pieces (diamonds, sapphires, sold gold chains, etc).

Conclusion

Accessorizing is so much more satisfying when you can peruse your jewelry collection and easily find the pieces you love. Now that you know how to organize your jewelry effectively, you are well on your way to a more functional and stylish closet.

Sources

Kids Closet Organization Ideas

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 20:15:34 GMT

The most effective ways to tame the madness & disorder in your kids' custom closets depends on a couple of factors. The first one is their current age & capabilities, and the second, structuring a layout that helps them to stay organized.

Don’t let your kid's closet become a cluttered catch-all. Think about the objectives of organizing and consider incorporating the 4 ideas below to optimize that real estate and give little ones an easier way to help maintain it.

Accessibility, Accessibility, Accessibility
Labels and Color Coding Are Your Friends
Zones Are Where It's At
Doors, Walls, Vertical Space, Oh My

Read on for more details on how these above design ideas could come to life in your own kid’s closets. Remember, the less mess you have to worry about, the better!

Accessibility, Accessibility, Accessibility

With children, any closet layout should keep their needs top of mind as you design how best to organize it. Before you begin, get down on their level for a bird’s eye view of how they see things. You want to empower them to access their clothing and accessories and be able to provide a structure that also enables them to put things away the best they can.

Some practices to follow are:

Sort through and put items that are most often used front and center. If they are old enough to put together their own outfits, make sure they have access to 2-3 sets of options, enough to make choices but not enough to make a big mess. If they are toddler/preschool age, put together sets of outfits and let them choose their favorite.
Organize placement options that are lower and at heights that are accessible to young children. You want drawers, bins, and/or cubbies that are easy for them to reach and an adjustable hanging rod, one that can be repositioned as they grow.
Add hooks for quick retrieval and clean up. Their uses are endless! They are perfect for stashing jackets, sweatshirts, backpacks, and hats to name a few.

Real Simple shares eight ways to keep children’s closets contained as well as accessibility considerations to think about as they grow.

Labels and Color Coding Are Your Friends

It's also important to label areas of your kids' closets to better guide them in maintaining that organization system & understand its value. There are a whole host of closet label products that can be found at home goods or craft stores that you could utilize. Be sure to clearly label each bin/basket, shelf/cubby, and/or drawer so that they are 100% sure where each clothing item or accessory should live.

If your child is too young to read, another way to help keep clutter at bay is to color-code. Hanging clothes can be placed using the order and colors of the rainbow as inspiration for more visual appeal and quick recall for little ones. For items like socks, underwear, t-shirts, PJs, and other miscellaneous pieces, find coordinating bins or baskets and use a different color for each category. This is a great way for toddler/preschool-age children to get to know which color storage solution is the home for any particular item.

Zones Are Where It's At

Be sure that you think about what common zones make sense for your child’s closet. Do they have a lot of shoes? Hats? T-shirts? Dresses or skirts? Girl's wardrobe needs are usually different from those of boys. Typically, five primary zones suffice:

Zone 1-Hanging items
Zone 2-Folded/stacked clothing
Zone 3 Shoes
Zone 4-Bins/Baskets/Drawers
Zone 5 -Off season/special occasion

Whatever zones you choose, make sure they fulfill your own child’s space and access needs. Hassle-free, grab and go and ease of putting away are all part of a successful formula to lessen heaps of clutter & creating zones helps to support those elements.

Whether or not you have the ability to fully customize your closets, zones are a sensible way to maximize for prime storage. DASI Innovations offers their insight on factors that might influence a homeowner’s decision to invest in custom closets in- What Factors Influence The Cost of Purchasing Custom Closets .

Doors, Walls, Vertical Space, Oh My!

Utilizing hooks on the side walls is a great way to store hats, coats, bathrobes, and other accessories. Hanging storage organizers also fit well on the back of doors and come in all shapes and sizes.

On shelves, use sturdy dividers to assist in generating “walls” to separate sections. Dividers further promote boundaries for folded clothes which goes a long way in maintaining a more neat and tidy reality. On the floor, shoe racks, coordinated large bins or baskets, or a dedicated mat can keep shoes corralled and paired up.

Check out this piece by Home Edit on organizing kids' closets and find some creative inspiration for your own kid closet overhaul.

Final Thoughts

Teaching children at an early age how to keep their living areas and personal items tidy is a foundational life skill. With a few purposeful design features, a kid’s closet can be practical and yet exude some personality. They're a great place to incorporate a few adjustable components that allow the space to morph as your kids grow and the needs for the space organically change.

Sources

How to Organize a Home with Little Space

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 20:15:21 GMT

It can be challenging to organize a small home , but don’t despair! There are simple and efficient solutions for organizing even the most space-challenged residence.

Here are a few valuable storage tips to get you going in the right direction.

Get Rid of Stuff
Maximize Closet Space
Maximize Pantry Space
Expect More From Your Doors
Utilize Unused Areas
Discover Hooks and Pegs
Find Multiple Uses for Rooms and Furniture

There’s nothing like a home where everything is in its proper place. Read on to learn how that can be accomplished in a smaller-sized home.

Purge Items to Organize Your Small Home

Does the idea of discarding old items make you blue? Do you feel like you’re saying farewell to an old friend? That's completely understandable, but this is a blog about finding organizing solutions for small spaces. If you have all the room in the world, go ahead and keep your elementary school soccer trophies, but if you need to save room, then some of your treasures will have to go.

If you have items that hold true sentimental value, then by all means hold onto them. As you go through each possession, ask yourself if this is something you will truly miss, or is it just a curio you’ve been holding onto out of habit. For other items like tools, clothing, or media, try to think back to when you last needed them. If it’s been months or years, then you can probably do without.

Get The Most Out of Your Closets

Inefficient closets can be a profound waste of space. Once a closet becomes disorganized, it’s only a matter of time before you or a family member is jamming jackets, hats, or various boxes into it. Eventually, you'll be faced with an incomprehensible mess. Also, if you’re only utilizing the top half of a closet, then you’re missing out on some prime real estate.

There are numerous options for keeping your closets in tip-top shape. Installing belt racks and tie racks will make it easier to find things when you need them, and jewelry organizers are essential if you want to keep earrings and necklaces clean and neatly sorted. Clever Closets provides additional tips in Four Tips for Organizing Your Custom Closets .

Closets offer opportunities for storing all kinds of things. Stackable plastic bins and storage drawers are perfect for opening up additional space. Real Simple is especially enamored with over-the-door shoe organizers (which can be used for anything, by the way), baskets, and containers, and recommend investing in an armoire if you’re still lacking adequate closet space.

Bonus Tip: Just be careful to only store non-clothing items in plastic bins, as your clothes could become a victim to mold growth.

Clean Out Your Kitchen Pantry

Many homeowners fail to recognize the importance of an organized pantry . Like your closet, it doesn’t take much for this space to descend from clean and efficient to messy and confusing. Not only is an organized pantry easier to navigate, but keeping food carefully stowed can lead to a safer, pest-free environment .

Some easy steps to a more organized pantry include moving your bagged and boxed items like sugar and flour into easy-to-recognize mason jars or bins and creating different zones for various categories of food.

Create a Doorway to Storage

It’s natural to assume walls can be used to store things. Take a look at shelves! Not enough homes, however, take advantage of the storage capacity of doors. Doors can be used to hold all sorts of things. Hooks on the front door are ideal for hats and jackets, but you can add shelves or wire baskets to any door in your home as well.

Use the bathroom door to store soaps and towels, a closet door for shoes and socks, or the office door for office supplies and books. You’ll be amazed how much more organized your home can be merely by utilizing the doors.

Fill Up Those Nooks and Crannies

Every home has areas that don’t seem to have much use. Don’t be misled! Try to give awkward corners or oversized window sills a fresh look. Small sets of drawers can fit almost anywhere, and tiny bookshelves are an efficient use of space and more attractive than an empty bedroom corner.

You might be using the space beneath your bed for storage, but is it thoughtfully organized? Instead of cramming old pictures and dog toys under your bed, consider purchasing a bed frame with drawers built-in. Or, rather than designating the space as a place where clutter goes to die, store linens or smaller accessories in clearly marked bins. It'll look neater, and your items will be easier to retrieve when needed.

Embrace Wall Storage

To make the most efficient use of your home’s space, you’re going to have to think vertically. Odds are pretty good that you have ample wall space that could be used for storage, but you’re just not using it. Homeowners have been installing Slatwall racks in their garages for years. They're typically used for storing tools and bins, but you can use them in other areas of your home as well.

Slatwall racks in your laundry room are perfect for detergents and softeners, while a pegboard in the bedroom can be used for books, plants, and photographs. Attractive hooks are an aesthetically pleasing way to gain vertical storage space for jewelry, and you can get similar use out of closet walls as well.

Get Double-Duty Results

You know how smaller houses work. It’s all over the TV. They take a mirror, flip it around, and it turns into a six-piece dinette set. Well, you don’t have to be a magician or have a master’s degree in Tetris to get more efficient use out of the furniture in your home.

If your TV is perched on a stand, put it on top of a dresser instead. Does your daughter need a little workspace? Put a tiny desk and chair in her closet. Some rooms can be useful for more than one task. Taking up an entire room for an office, for instance, might be a waste of resources. You can make room for a workspace, however, by setting up attractive dividers.

These can be as inexpensive and simple as hanging a curtain or making judicious use of a bookcase. Any time you can take a piece of furniture or a room and give it more than one function, you make your home more efficient and easier to manage.

Conclusion

They say that the Chinese word for “crisis” is the same word for “opportunity.” While there's no guarantee that’s true, that is the spirit in which you should take when reorganizing your small home. There’s a lot of space you’re not using, and there are several paths you can take to gain full advantage of all that’s available to you.

Once you start looking for new ways to organize, you’ll be amazed at how effective a little planning and creativity can go towards organizing a small home, no matter how little room you have to work with.

Sources

4 Effortless Tips for Preventing Pests in the Kitchen Pantry

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 20:14:58 GMT

Preventing pests in the kitchen pantry is a matter of understanding why critters are attracted to the area in the first place, then taking steps to make it less attractive.

The kitchen pantry is an essential part of your home, as it stores a majority of your food items and cooking ingredients. To keep its contents from going bad, it's purposely positioned out of direct sunlight. Both of these factors can make it prone to an attack.

There are some simple practices you can follow to prevent pests from targeting your pantry, such as:

Inspecting all items before stocking them
Setting regular cleaning schedules
Switching to resealable airtight containers
Using insect-repelling herbs

Keep reading to learn more about the common pests you might find in the pantry as well as how to keep them far, far away.

Common Preventable Pests In the Pantry

Moths

Planet Natural Research Center names the Indianmeal Moth as one of the most troublesome pantry pests. It, like most moths, is attracted to cereal products, whole grains, dried fruits, pet foods, and other dry goods.

Cockroaches

Roaches multiply quickly and are very resilient, making them very difficult to manage. They are attracted to the smell of rotted food and trash, and they'll also make their home among cardboard boxes.

Ants

There are two major types of ants that infest homes: those that are attracted to sugar and those that are attracted to protein. When any type of ant finds a source of food, it will leave a scent trail, causing more ants of its colony to appear.

Beetles and Weevils

There are a lot of different kinds of beetles and weevils that can infest your food stock—and when they do, you'll have to consider the entire batch spoiled. The most common types of beetles and weevils are attracted to grains, flour, and most other dry goods. Many species are capable of making holes in your packages, allowing them to burrow in and infest your food.

Rodents

Mice and rats are major pests that multiply rapidly and can cause serious property damage. They gnaw through almost anything just to get to a food source. If you have rodents in your pantry, then you’ve got a major infestation on your hands.

Practices to Prevent Pests in Your Kitchen Pantry

Given what these pests are attracted to, it’s quite simple to see how to prevent them from finding your food stock—make your food inaccessible to them! That said, here are four practices that will keep your kitchen pantry safe from pests:

Inspect Items Before Stocking

When you get home from a shopping trip, you may be tempted to simply toss everything in your pantry. After all, it's supposed to be brand new.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case—sometimes, you’ll get an item with frayed packaging, a dent on its side, or a torn opening. You may even get items that are already infested with insects.

A simple visual inspection can already save you a lot of trouble. Avoid packed items with torn or otherwise damaged packaging. Such products may have pest eggs inside them, and bringing them into your pantry will put your other items at risk as well.

Switch to Resealable Airtight Containers

Packed items are generally sealed tight to prevent them from going bad or getting infested—but when you’ve already opened them, they’re at the mercy of the elements. Besides that, the average packaging material can still be penetrated by more aggressive pests.

To prevent that, you should invest in resealable airtight containers. These will seal an item fully, keeping inside the smells that might attract insects while also prolonging its freshness. Such containers are also more durable than most plastic and paper packaging, further preventing more pests from gnawing their way into your food.

Set a Cleaning Schedule

A majority of pests are attracted to the scent of food—and the smell becomes even more pungent when it rots. The simple act of cleaning up right after you make a mess can reduce your risk of attracting pests.

Beyond simply cleaning surfaces, however, setting a regular cleaning schedule to clear out your pantry is a must as well. Doing so won’t just erase scent trails and clear out food debris but it also gives you a prime opportunity to rearrange your pantry and toss out the unused and expired goods. Expired food items aren’t just dangerous to you—these are also highly attractive for pests like cockroaches or even rodents.

If you're a bit lost on how to accomplish this task, check out this quick guide on organizing a messy kitchen pantry . This will keep everything neat and tidy while also limiting the waste of forgotten food items.

Use Insect-Repelling Herbs

As stated, odors are what attract most pests, so another method is to replace that “attractive” smell with something repulsive to pests.

Some herbs are natural pest repellants that can also leave your pantry smelling great! Try sprinkling the area with basil, bay leaves, lavender, mint, and rosemary.

Conclusion

When it comes to insects, preventing an infestation is much easier than eradicating one. By following the simple practices stated above, you’ll be able to prevent pests in the pantry, saving yourself money, time, and stress.

Sources:

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/household-pests/indian-meal-moth-control/

What Type of Furniture Belongs in a Home Office?

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 20:14:43 GMT

Like many work-from-home professionals, you may be struggling with deciding what type of furniture best compliments your home office layout. Should you go with an L-shaped desk & a standard office chair, or branch out with an executive-level setup?

Your home office should include solutions that maximize productivity, such as a desk, seating, lighting, and extra storage systems. All of these pieces should be laid out in such a way as to avoid blocking pathways.

Setting up a functional home office is essential, as is choosing the right pieces of furniture. Read on to learn more!

Desks and Workspaces

Perhaps the most important piece of furniture in your home office is your actual workspace. This most often comes in the form of a desk to support your computer, books, and paperwork. Your workspace could vary depending on your occupation.

There are many factors involved in choosing a desk, such as:

Materials - A desk can be made of wood, metal, or plywood. The material will, in turn, impact the longevity, weight, & price of your desk.
Size - While your desk is a prominent piece of furniture, you don't want it to overtake the room or block pathways. Choose one that's proportionate to the size of your workspace, or consider an L-shaped desk to maximize unused corner space.
Ergonomics - Your desk should fit your height appropriately, otherwise your neck, back, and shoulders will develop aches and pains. While it plays an important role in proper ergonomics, remember not to purchase one that is too high or too low for your height. If possible, try out your desk and office chair together before purchasing.

Taking these factors into consideration, it's time to find a desk that fits your style and preferences! Here's a rundown of different desk types to consider.

Computer Desks

There are several different types of computer desks. Some are simple tables, others have drawer storage, and can be adjusted to multiple surface heights for improved ergonomics. If you have multiple monitors or devices, a computer desk gives you plenty of space for all of that and more!

Writing Desks

A writing desk is similar to a basic computer desk. It's one flat surface with several drawers for storage. Writing desks are usually the smallest of desk types, which allows them to fit in most home office spaces. A writing desk is ideal for a laptop rather than a desktop computer.

Adjustable Desks

Adjustable desks are especially favorable for those who suffer from neck or back pain. They allow you to effortlessly move from a sitting to a standing position, which is ideal for those who need frequent position changes. Adjustable desks improve ergonomics, reduce fatigue, and can even help you lose weight!

L-Shaped Desks

Also called a corner desk, L-shaped desks are essentially two desks in one. All in all, they provide the most optimal amount of surface and storage space. However, because of their unique shape, they are best positioned in the corner of a room, & often don't work well in the middle of a home office.

Executive Desks

Executive desks are beautifully crafted, extremely sturdy, and have lots of storage and work space. They are the largest type overall, as well as the most expensive.

Office Chairs

After choosing the desk that fits your style and space, it's time to pair it with a chair that keeps you comfortable, supported, and focused. Office chairs play a critical role in ergonomics. According to the Mayo Clinic , the right desk chair should allow you to keep your feet "flat on the floor, thighs parallel to the floor," hips at the back of the chair, and spinal curves supported. Don't be afraid to try out various styles. Your back and shoulders will thank you later!

Task Chairs

A task chair is the most basic type of office chair. It has wheels, armrests, and some amount of cushion on the seat and back. You can make some adjustments to the height of the chair and armrests, but you can't customize it like you can with an ergonomic chair.

Ergonomic Chairs

Ergonomic chairs are best for those who suffer from back or neck pain, as well as those who struggle to maintain good posture while sitting for an extended period of time. You can adjust the chair and armrest height, back support, and headrests to your body's needs.

Executive Chairs

An executive chair is usually paired with an executive desk. They are the most luxurious office chair model and are made from softer materials such as leather or polyurethane foam.

Balance Ball

Ditch the desk chair and use a balance ball instead! Balance balls engage your core and provide gentle sensory input which can increase your focus.

Organization Systems

A desk is essential for organizing office supplies such as pens, sticky notes, and stamps, but most home offices need a separate organization system for storing paperwork and important files. Consider additional organization systems, such as:

Cubby Storage Cubes - Use baskets to store office items, organize books, and add some fun knick-knacks.
Bookshelves - Bookshelves go beyond storing and organizing books. They can hold bulky office items (like a printer or fax machine) and display additional decor.
Closed-Door Cabinets - Closed-door cabinets give you lots of secure storage space.
Filing Cabinets - Filing cabinets are very handy for filing extra paperwork. They can be in the form of a simple storage bin or include locks & wheels.
Drawer Cabinets - Drawer cabinets have various-sized drawers for additional storage of office supplies.

Lighting

You might not think lighting is important in your home office, but most people benefit from multiple sources of light. Overhead lights can strain your eyes after a while, so having options can keep you focused & aid in your level of productivity.

Task lamps (also called desk lamps) are helpful, but shouldn't be used at night to avoid eyestrain. Floor lamps keep the whole room illuminated without an overbearing ceiling light. Finally, if your home office has a window, take advantage of the sunlight!

Conclusion

When you personalize your home office to meet your preferences and ergonomics, you create a space that truly maximizes productivity! Take the time to carefully select your desk, chair, organization system, and lighting. In the end, you'll have a beautiful space that you enjoy working in!

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

Is It Better to Fold or Hang Your Clothes?

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 20:14:31 GMT

Your wardrobe is a reflection of your personal style, and most likely represents a not-so-small investment, especially if you have quality business togs or a love of fine sweaters. Some items should always be hung up to keep them wrinkle-free, but some items are best kept folded so they don't lose their shape.

If your custom closets are cluttered and messy, chances are some of your favorite garments could be on their way to ruination at this very moment! But not all hope is lost! Here are some clever ideas for storing your most-loved items and keeping them and yourself looking great:

Develop your own organizational system.
Separate your wardrobe by material, from lightest to heaviest.
Invest in the right hangers for your various needs.
To fold or to roll? It makes a difference!
Invest in organizational accessories like baskets, bins, and racks.

Knowing how to store your wardrobe properly will help you preserve the most valuable resource of all, time! Read on to learn more!

A Smart Storage Solution

One of the first steps for knowing how to store your clothes properly is having the space to display what you need for the current season and safely tuck away those seasonal items you look forward to wearing next year. Crowding your clothes on hanging rods or shoving them all into drawers will only cause unsightly wrinkles and needless wear and tear. Make sure you have plenty of room to let your clothes breathe freely.

Light as a Feather

The next step is to evaluate your wardrobe and separate items by weight. Some super heavy articles should be hung, and some should definitely be folded to help them keep their shape. Here are some heavy items you'll definitely want to hang up:

Winter coats and ski gear
Business suit jackets
Beaded evening gowns
Items with complicated straps

You probably have some delicate items that you adore and you don't want them to fall prey to wrinkles or damage - items such as:

Blouses and dress shirts
Anything made of light or flowy material (tank tops, sundresses, etc..)
Children's clothing (so they can be more easily accessed)
Silky nightwear and robes

It's always smart to have hanging rods at various heights in your closets so you can hang heavier gear a bit lower, and lighter, more delicate clothing at eye level.

Hang 'Em High

There's literally a ton of choices when it comes to buying the proper hangers for your wardrobe.

Real Simple recommends investing in the following types:

Velvet Covered Non-Slip - These are the best all-around for shirts, blouses, tank tops, skirts, and more.
Wooden Suit Hangers - These sturdy soldiers last practically forever, and will support your heaviest winter coats, business suits, ski suits, and other bulky items.
Specialty Pants Hangers are designed to keep your trousers looking sharp without causing unsightly creases.
Padded Hangers are best for delicate pieces made of silk or linen. The padding ensures that snagging and shoulder wrinkles will be a thing of the past!
Clip Hangers - These convenient organizational tools are ideal for hanging skirts, dress pants, camisoles, & other undergarments.

Know When to Fold 'Em

Now, it's time to discuss which of your togs should definitely be folded. Household guru Martha Stewart shares her expertise on which things should be folded for proper storage.

Heavy Sweaters - High-quality sweaters can last for many years if you care for them properly. You may also want to add acid-free paper and a cedar sachet to preserve the weave and repel sweater-loving pests.
Jeans - Your favorite flattering pair of jeans are perfect for rolling or folding, as hanging them can add permanent creases and make those dreaded threadbare spots!
Activewear - Of course, you'll want your workout gear nicely folded and easy to reach so you can get those daily steps in.
T-shirts - The charming Making Lemonade blog will give you the scoop on the ancient Japanese art of folding and "filing" your shirts so you can find the perfect t-shirt whenever you need it.

Rolling clothes is a favorite trick of seasoned travelers, as it cuts down on wrinkles and saves space. This method is called "Ranger Rolling," and the experts at Travel and Leisure have all the details you need to master this ninja world traveler secret.

Bins, Baskets, and Racks, Oh My

Another crucial space-saving investment is the addition of baskets, bins, and racks, as referenced by the experts at Closet Solutions & Organizers in 6 Tips for Organizing Your Custom Closets . These come in a huge variety of materials, from metal to fabric to wood, and can help you keep your less-precious garments and accessories exactly where you need them.

Wire baskets are fabulous for storing flip flops, sunglasses, and hats. Fabric bins are a delightful way to store socks, hosiery, everyday underwear, and other items you've carefully folded. Wood storage boxes, especially those made of cedar, are wonderful for heirloom items, expensive hats, designer shoes, and anything else that needs an extra bit of protection.

Racks are the most versatile items you can have in your closet. They're superb for storing scarves, ties, hats, bags, and shoes. Racks and hooks are especially nice for keeping your kids' closets tidy by placing the things they need daily within easy reach.

Conclusion

If you love fashion, have an extensive business wardrobe, or simply want to look your best on date night, it's vitally important to store your favorite clothes appropriately. Evaluate your closet to see how much space is available, consider folding and hanging certain items, and above all, utilize plenty of helpful organizational tools. By following the smart tricks above, you're sure to look absolutely amazing all year long.

Sources:

5 Ideas for Organizing a Small Kitchen Pantry

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 20:14:16 GMT

A small kitchen pantry is a lifesaver in tiny apartments and single dwelling homes, but it can quickly develop into the bane of your existence when disorganization hits. Everything from finding the Fruit Loops to the flour becomes a challenge.

Whether you want to deck out your pantry DIY-style or just want to keep it from becoming a bottomless pit of lost items, the following tips are just the ticket you need!

Purge, purge, purge: Remove everything that’s not essential.
Utilize vertical space: For instance, the back of the door can give you several additional feet of storage space.
Think about “U”: Arrange your items in a loose U-shape.
Make it easy on the eyes: Clear bins and labels allow you to easily see everything at a glance.
Create pantry stations: Keep items for particular occasions and people in one central space.

Ready to make your small kitchen pantry work for you instead of the other way around? Time to get clever with your space!

Purge, Purge, Purge!

Before you do anything else, ask yourself this question: Is [enter first pantry item you see here] supposed to be in the pantry? If the answer is a resounding "no," get it out! You shouldn’t have anything in the pantry that's not pantry-related. Check out this list to whittle down your store of items, but remember, even if you have space leftover, your pantry cannot become a catch-all for anything you can’t find a place for in the kitchen. You’ll simply fall back into disarray.

Utilize Vertical Space

When you look at a small pantry, it’s easy to overlook avenues to help you use that space in the most functional way possible. Up and down spaces offer some less obvious opportunities to organize.

Use shoe sleeves over the back of the door to hold freezer bags, reusable shopping bags, or extra appliances.
DIY tip: Add cute labels to create a unique makeshift over-the-door spice holder!
Repurpose an old wooden wine rack to make back-of-the-door cubbies.
HGTV suggests a wall pegboard . This option will work wonderfully if you have a skinny or awkwardly shaped wall. Simply install removable pegs in any configuration you want to hang extra kitchen utensils, lunch bags, oven mitts, or even your mop and broom.
Hang your extra items. You can put up a tension rod or old shower bar between two walls to give yourself hanging space for kitchen towels. You can even place baskets with hooks over the bars to make more bin-style storage.
DIY Tip: Don’t forget to look up—all the way up! Adhere hooks into the ceiling to make additional storage for yourself, which is great for small kitchen pantries that have neither a door nor unclaimed wall space. All you need is some baskets strung together on rope or chains. Get crafty with the directions on Women’s Day to make your own fun hanging storage device.

Think About “U”

Everything is perfectly in its place...until you need to find something. The Kitchn says a pro tip is to organize all of your pantry essentials into a u-shape. That way, you always have a clear line of sight to all items, even the ones in the back, as well as room to get what you need without unpacking the entire cupboard.

Some other organization tips for your u-configuration:

Always place the tallest items in the back and the shortest upfront.
Use a Lazy Susan that you can easily remove from your “u-space” if you absolutely need that area for storage.
Tiered organizers are an excellent way to save space on small jars.

Make It Easy on The Eyes

One of the reasons small kitchen pantries are so easy to clutter up is because they're overwhelming to the eyes. If you tell someone to go into the pantry to find cereal, they are essentially looking for one box in a sea of boxes.

Make your pantry items easier to spot by adding in these organizational essentials:

Clear bins and containers: Now instead of searching for a cereal box among many, you can just see your Lucky Charms at a glance and be on your way.
Label everything: Whether it’s a clear bin or a drawer full of the kid’s snacks, have some kind of indicator of what’s there so everyone in the family is in the know.
Add string lights: Pantries aren’t always the most brightly lit areas. Putting up a few lights, especially in areas that tend to become a mess, can quickly help you locate items and keep your pantry neat as you go.

Create Pantry Stations

Part of staying organized is identifying the biggest opportunities to become disorganized. Do you have kids that implode the pantry when they make their lunches or breakfasts? A messy partner? Are you an avid baker who likes their kitchen gear just so?

Situations like these are great for pantry stations. Now, the kids can find everything they need in one central area without venturing into any other section. Your partner can find everything they need for their evening snack without moving your baking supplies and vice versa.

Conclusion

Always keep function in mind for your small kitchen pantry. How do you plan to use it? What do you plan to store there? Answering questions like these will help you prioritize your goals, maximize space, and keep your pantry running smoothly.

Sources

How to Properly Arrange The Clothes in Your Closet

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 19:13:52 GMT

If you’re like most people, custom closet organization is a perpetual “adulting” to-do task that you just can’t seem to strike off your list. Not to worry. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

These easy organizational tips will have you arranging your clothes like a Martha Stewart-approved pro in no time at all!

Purge Your Closet
Group Clothes by Season and Use
Choose What to Hang or Fold
Revise Storage Solutions as Needed
Match Your Clothing Hangers

Now that you know the basics, dig deeper to find out how you can use them in practice to get the neat, organized closets you always wanted.

Purge Your Closet

Take every item out of your closet and organize it into three piles: what you want to keep, what to throw away, and what to donate. According to HuffPost , if you can’t decide what to part with, use the hanger experiment.

Place all the hangers backward in your closet. Face the hangers forward after you’ve worn an item. Any hangers still backward after a few months contain pieces you don’t use anymore.

Next, clean your closet from top to bottom! Don’t skip this step! Anything with missing buttons, rips or fading should immediately be thrown away. Anything in good condition but just doesn’t fit (too big or too small!) should be donated.

Group Clothes by Season Use

Now, split your “keep” pile into seasonal piles. Make sure you have a section for the clothes you wear all year-round. This will make it much easier to decide what should be packed away for later and what your go-to items are.

Choose What to Hang or Fold

What actually needs to be hung up? Your jeans aren’t delicate, are they? Why are they hung up? Why are your scarves draped over doorknobs? Questions like these let you drill down on what treatment each item really needs.

Pay attention to the care instructions on your clothing. Anything with the words “delicate, air-dry, or hand wash” on the tag should always be hung up. Anything sturdier like jeans and heavy sweaters makes more sense to fold.

Revise Storage Solutions as Needed

Pull out the measuring tape and write down the dimensions of the spaces you’re trying to fill. Chances are that your current storage solutions don’t fit correctly, which is contributing to the chaos. Don’t buy new storage pieces yet!

First, see what you can use around the house. It’s better to reuse that old linen basket for handbag storage than it is to buy a handbag holder. The back of the closet and high-up spaces will need more storage containers than the front because that’s where you’ll store less frequently used items.

Match Your Clothing Hangers

Okay, this might seem like more trouble than it’s worth, but your closet (and sanity) will thank you. You’ve probably kept all the plastic store hangers you’ve ever bought along with other strays you’ve picked up over the years.

Recycling hangers from anywhere you happen to find them might be economical, but it’s not going to help you get organized. It’s just going to make your organizational efforts futile. Invest in a good set of sturdy, matching hangers. Don’t forget to buy extras for future fashionista purchases!

Matching hangers will make your closet look cleaner while forcing you to create a standard protocol for how you hang up your clothes.

Conclusion

Remember that consistency and logical grouping are key for pro-level clothing organization. First things first, empty out & thoroughly clean your space. After you’ve discarded your trash and donation piles, what you’re left with is what you’ll organize.

Separate your clothing based on season and type. Then decide on what to hang and what to fold based on the care instructions. Measure your closet spaces to find proper fitting storage bins and baskets. Say no to chaos and get yourself a complete set of solid clothes hangers.

These simple tips will turn your custom closet from a labyrinth of forgotten and misplaced clothes to a mecca of easy-to-find, head-turning fashion.

Sources

12 Items to Avoid Storing in Your Garage This Winter

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 19:13:37 GMT

Your custom garage can sometimes be a catch-all for storage. But has it become a vast abyss where you aren’t even sure what’s in there? Before winter hits, it is important to go through your garage to make sure everything is stored properly and safely. For many items, the frigid temperatures can cause damage, or even become a safety issue for you, your home, and your family.

This winter, make sure you aren't storing these items in your garage:

Photographs
Paint
Important Documents
Propane Tanks
Clothes
Firewood
Electronics
Food & Wine
Appliances
Delicate Clothing

Storing items in your garage might be convenient, but it could become an expensive disaster. Extreme temperatures can pose a great risk to a lot of things you might be storing outside of your home. Read on to avoid a potentially dangerous & expensive catastrophe.

Organize Everything First

Before you dive into clearing out items that won’t store well in your garage this winter, you might need to declutter first . If you don’t want it or need an item, get rid of it. You could even have a garage sale before the weather gets too nippy!

Once you have cleared out your space, try to visualize ways to break up the room into sections for all of your things. Creating different zones, along with a comprehensive plan, will help the rest of the organization process run more smoothly.

Now that you've cleared out the clutter and have your mind set on how you’re going to organize everything, what items need to be rehomed permanently? HGTV offers three rules to guide all garage organization:

"Don’t store items that could be damaged by extreme or fluctuating temperatures."
Anything that could become damaged by "moisture or humidity."
Dangerous chemicals

As tempting as it might be, do not store these items in your garage:

Photographs

All those beautifully captured memories from over the years are not meant to withstand the extreme fluctuating temperatures from season to season. Moisture especially can ruin them. Play it safe & store them in a temperature-controlled space, whether that be a closet, cabinet, or even under your bed.

Paint

Are you ready to work on upgrading some rooms or furniture in your house? Maybe you bought a couple of gallons of paint with that intention, but it never happened. Now what? Regardless, paint does not belong in your garage! Don’t store it in your garage as the temperatures can ruin it.

According to Readers Digest , winter temperatures, especially, can cause paint to separate and/or solidify. Store paint and stains indoors to keep the "temperature controlled."

Important Documents

If you run out of room in your office, the best place to store important documents is not your garage. The extreme cold can ruin them for good. Bring everything inside and consider investing in a "fireproof box" to store them in.

Propane Tanks

You shouldn’t store propane tanks in your garage, in cold or hot temperatures. The tanks could leak gas and cause a possible explosion.

Off-Season Clothes

Instead of keeping spare clothes in your garage, store them in a temperature-controlled environment like an indoor closet. Avoid the use of sealed storage containers as your clothes could be at risk of mold growth if placed there long-term.

Firewood

When the temperature drops, you’ll want to have firewood handy. But storing it in a chilly garage can cause the wood to freeze. Bugs and insects are looking for a warm place too this winter!

Electronics

You might be in the process of getting rid of your old DVD player or radio but storing them in the garage will likely mean throwing them out instead of selling or giving them away. Cold temperatures can cause rusting, cracking, and more.

Food & Wine

While it’s tempting to use your garage as an extra cooler in the frigid temperatures of winter, the fluctuations throughout the day can cause food and wine to go bad. With wine, it can alter the taste.

Appliances

Similar to old electronics, appliances can also be damaged by extreme temperatures. However, it could be the perfect excuse to shop for a new mixer or griddle down the road.

Delicate Clothing

Are you looking for a place to store your wedding dress? Or maybe hand-me-downs from your in-laws for your children to grow into? The garage is not the safest place for them as the cold temperatures can ruin the fabrics. In the winter, when rodents are looking for a warm place to stay, these items will be their first choice too.

Caulking Materials

Compounds used for wall patching or caulking will freeze when stored in your garage - becoming useless and taking up space. While they might eventually thaw, you won't be able to use them for your next DIY project.

Pet Food

Just like the freezing temperatures don't bode well for human food, your furry loved ones can't eat anything stored there either. Again, food attracts pests & pests attract a major problem!

Conclusion

Your garage has always been the go-to place to store items that might not fit elsewhere. Once you take the time to get everything organized, see if you can swap out items that should have been stored indoors or placed away from your home in the first place.

Sources

Home Office Design Ideas for Two

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 19:13:21 GMT

Now more than ever people are working from home, which means you might be sharing your home office with a roommate or spouse. You each have work to be done and need a productive workspace but are sharing one area. How do you create an efficient space? What can you do to reduce noise and distractions?

The most effective home offices utilize:

Location and light
Form and function
The right furniture
A pleasant atmosphere
Your favorite accessories
Vertical and horizontal organization

With these home office design ideas, you’ll quickly and easily create an efficient, distraction-free workspace for you and your officemate.

Bring in The Light

Besides a good cup of coffee to help you feel motivated to get to work, the right location with adequate light can also help you be productive. You don’t want to constantly squint at your computer or have too many overhead lights obstructing your view. Choosing a location with plenty of natural light is key to creating a productive home office.

Sometimes you may need more light, so it's a good idea to invest in a couple of good free-standing lamps. Desk lamps and floor lamps are also excellent sources of added light.

The Importance of Location

When it comes to location, consider turning a spare room into a duel workspace. If you have some extra space in the living room, leave that option open as well. Sometimes rearranging your furniture slightly can give you added space to create a functional home office.

Choose a location with limited traffic, especially if you are also sharing your workspace with kids attending online school. You want this space to help both of you focus on the tasks at hand. If you have a window, try positioning your desks in front of it for a good view. Brain breaks are healthy, and watching nature helps hit the reset button.

Form Meets Function

Depending on your space, you might be limited on where you can design your home office. If you don’t have an extra room to use, consider finding a space where you can place two small to medium-sized desks, facing or next to one another. Oprah Daily suggests hanging a decorative curtain between the desks for added privacy and to enhance productivity. You could also try a room divider depending on your personal style.

Furniture is Your Friend

You and your officemate need to remain focused, comfortable, and productive throughout the day. Sitting on an old desk chair or feeling crammed into a desk that is too small makes staying on task extra difficult.

You could choose furniture that:

Is on wheels and easy to move or reposition
Utilize built-in cabinets and drawers
Help keep cords, wires, and other technology in a useful place
Offers two desks for side-by-side work
Allows both of you to sit or stand when doing work
Features extra outlets
Is easily accessible for people using assistive devices

Discover Your Atmosphere

You and your officemate might have different needs when it comes to atmosphere. You may work better in the quiet, but your officemate might need to listen to light music. Communicate your individual needs with each other. Here are some questions to ask:

What kind of work atmosphere is best for you?
Do you prefer to work in the quiet or do you like to listen to soft music?
Does your work require you to be on the phone often? If so, do you need a space to talk to clients in private?
What temperature is best for you when working?

Be honest when you talk about atmosphere, so you both feel comfortable and focused when working from home. If your officemate likes music but you don’t, consider buying noise-canceling headphones.

Add Accessories

Accessories will make your space unique and less like a traditional office cubicle. You don’t have to break the bank to add accessories either. Choose simple items like using a special pencil holder your kids made for you, hanging prints of an artist you like, and keeping your notes in decorative notepads. Accessorize drawers with colorful dividers, so you can easily find the files you need.

Certain professions, such as graphic designs, writers, architects, and others, need to visualize projects they are working on. Instead of laying everything on the table or the floor, try pinning items to a bulletin board.

Use Vertical and Horizontal Organization

Have you ever noticed how much vertical space your home has that is underutilized? According to HGTV , you can make your home office function better by using all available space. For example, you can hang cabinets or purchase desks with built-in cabinets to keep important files close by without having them cluttering your desk.

Additionally, if you tend to have stacks of papers, you can organize them with baskets for each type of paper or communication. You can keep the most important baskets on your desk to tackle the next day. Some people can’t stand anything left on their desks, so having decorative bins stored underneath might be a better option for you.

Conclusion

Your home office needs to work for you – not the other way around. Optimizing and organizing your space will help reduce eye strain, fatigue, and other occupational hazards. Plus, you and your officemate will get to have fun making the space comfortable and functional. Designing a home office for two may sound daunting at first, but with these simple tips, you and your officemate will feel focused, comfortable, and ready to tackle your tasks!

Sources

Kitchen Pantry Necessities

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 19:13:08 GMT

One of the most important areas of your home is the kitchen pantry . More than likely, members of your household use it on a daily basis. Keeping a well-stocked pantry with all the necessities will keep your entire household happy.

Need ideas on what to keep in stock in your pantry? Look no further! Here are the top kitchen pantry necessities you should have on hand:

Dry goods
Herbs and spices
Oils, sauces, and different types of vinegar
Canned goods
Nuts
Sweeteners
Condiments
Organizational items

Ready to stock your modern kitchen? Dive into these necessities below!

Dry Goods

Easily the least expensive yet most versatile of all your kitchen ingredients, dry goods are often best bought in bulk and stored in bins to cut down on the amount of packaging. Since you will probably use most of these items many times, do not be afraid to buy them in large quantities, especially since the majority have a lengthy shelf life.

Keep your kitchen pantry stocked with the following dry goods:

Flour: All-purpose, bread or whole wheat
Rice: Brown, Long-Grain, or Jasmine Rice
Sugar: White, Powdered, or Brown
Dry Beans: Kidney, Black, Cannellini or Garbanzo
Yeast
Pasta
Cornstarch
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Cornmeal
Rolled Oats

Herbs and Spices

Nothing jazzes up your cooking like herbs and spices. These items can easily take your dishes to a whole new level, turning bland, boring food into delicious creations. Since spices typically have a long shelf life, you can also buy these items in bulk. Just make sure you store them in air-tight containers and away from direct sunlight and heat.

Not sure if your spices are still good? While herbs and spices do not have an exact expiration date, you can still check their potency by simply giving them a sniff. If you can no longer smell your spices, then you probably won't be able to taste them either. If that's the case, throw them out!

Clear some space for the following spices:

Salt: Coarse kosher or fine sea salt
Black pepper
Crushed Red Pepper
Cayenne Pepper
Garlic Powder
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Oregano
Basil
Thyme
Paprika
Vanilla Extract

Oils, Sauces, & Various Types of Vinegar

Essential for cooking and bringing life to your food, your pantry should be well-stocked with different oils, sauces, and vinegar. The Spruce Eats makes the case that the average consumer doesn't need dozens of different types of oils, but make sure you do have at least a few options available.

These items all have a long shelf life as well, so again, do not hurry about overbuying. You can also stick to the generic brand instead of opting for higher-priced products.

Check out some basic staples to keep close by below:

Oils: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola or Vegetable, Coconut Oil, and Non-Stick Spray
Vinegar: Balsamic, Apple Cider, Rice, and Red Wine
Sauces:
Worcestershire
Soy
Sriracha
Hoisin

Please note that most sauces need refrigeration after opening.

Canned Goods

Stock up for the apocalypse! Canned goods are durable, long-lasting and very inexpensive. They are also perfect on a night when you are in a rush. Just try to stick to products that have the fewest additives.

Canned goods to keep in your pantry include:

Beans: Pinto, Refried, Black and Baked
Tomatoes: Diced, sauce, paste, and crushed
Soup: Beef, Chicken and Vegetable
Pasta Sauce
Condensed Milk
Coconut Milk
Olives
Pumpkin
Broth

Nuts

Whether for snacking or cooking, nuts can go a long way in your pantry. Nuts are high in calories and protein, as well as flavor. Make sure you also stock up on plenty of nut butters, too.

Keep the following nuts in your pantry:

Walnuts
Roasted Peanuts
Almonds
Cashews
Nut Butter: Peanut Butter (crunchy or smooth)

Sweeteners

While not the backbone of any dish, their job is to "sweeten" the flavors and add that something extra. Many of these items have a long shelf life, so keep plenty on hand.

Sweeten your pantry with:

Honey
Maple Syrup
Corn Syrup
Granulated Sugar

As Love & Olive Oil points out, honey never truly expires. If your honey crystallizes, you can simply microwave it for a couple of seconds to "bring it back to life!"

Condiments

The real "meat and potatoes" of any kitchen, you never want to run out of condiments. Many people love condiments, and everyone has their own favorite. Make sure to keep your pantry stocked with a variety of these items. You never know who might show up for dinner!

Keep the following condiments available in your pantry:

Ketchup
Mustard: Yellow and Dijon
Mayonnaise
Hot Sauce: Tabasco, Cholula and Frank's Red Hot

Please note that some of these condiments require refrigeration after opening.

Organizational Items

With all these essentials heading to your pantry, you will want to keep everything organized. Organize your pantry into different zones, use clear bins and label everything.

The use of clear bins is particularly helpful when it comes to storing your dry goods, such as flour, sugar and rice. Make sure your bins have an air-tight seal and opt for the stackable kind to make organizing them easier.

A spice rack is a great investment for keeping your spices and herbs organized. You can find many different types of racks in all shapes and sizes. Just pick the ones that best fit your pantry's layout.

Labels are another organizational item to consider using. When storing your sugar and flour in clear bins, it may be hard to tell which is which at a quick glance. Keeping those items labeled will help make finding the ingredient you need much easier.

Conclusion

Keeping a well-stocked pantry full of the essentials is not as hard as it may seem. If you break it down into different categories, such as dry goods, herbs and spices, and condiments, it'll make it much easier to do your shopping. However, before heading to the grocery store, make sure that you have a system for organizing everything in its proper place.

Sources

Nine Ideas & Accessories to Reorganize Any Size Garage

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 19:12:54 GMT

Many homeowners struggle with keeping their custom garages organized. This can be especially difficult if your family has a lot of sports equipment, you love holiday decorating, or you have recreational vehicles.

Thankfully, a cluttered garage can be turned into an organizational paradise with a little elbow grease and some smart purchases. If you're looking to transform your garage space from mess to success, check out these clever ideas and must-have accessories:

Start with a Clean Slate - The first step to getting organized is shedding things you no longer need or want.
Establish Your Master Plan - It's a wise idea to create different "zones" in your garage.
Set up a Workbench/Command Center - a central location for your favorite tools and often-used items you can't live without.
Use Overhead and Vertical Space to maximize your storage potential.
Consider Rolling Drawers and Racks - These are flexible and long-lasting organizational solutions.
Bins and Boxes - available in all shapes and sizes, you can easily find the ones right for you.
Buy a Label Maker , or make your own - just make sure you label everything.
Think About the Floors - Stained concrete can make your garage seem even more cluttered.
Safety First - A locking cabinet and a fire extinguisher are crucial for keeping your family safe.

A messy garage can bring your entire household to a standstill - keep reading for more info on how to reorganize and refresh this useful space for maximum enjoyment.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The always-essential first step to reorganization is ditching those things that no longer serve a purpose and then thoroughly cleaning everything. The venerable folks at This Old House suggest taking a whole day or even a weekend to get the party started, and invite friends and family to help - many hands make less work.

This is a great opportunity to go through everything, including and especially boxes that haven't been unpacked in years. You'll probably find many items in good working order that your family no longer needs, and you can donate these things to local charities to help your community.

Check carefully for signs of critters, bugs, or other pests, and be sure to get rid of expired chemicals - your municipality's website should have a list of places to safely dispose of them. Once you’ve cleared it out, give your garage a good cleaning, including washing the windows and mopping the floors. You’ll thank yourself later.

The Fam With The Plan

Once everything is spic and span, now is the time to plan your new layout. The most efficient garages are separated into zones. Popular home improvement blog Single Girl's DIY offers some wise guidance for what kind of zones to set up:

Gardening - If you enjoy making things grow, this area will be perfect for your pots, soil, and hand tools.
Heavy Machinery - For those fans of chainsaws, table saws, or other large power tools, having them grouped together in one spot is what you need.
Sports - Keep your bikes, kayaks, skis, and racquets near the door for easy access.
All-Weather Gear - snow boots, rain boots, plastic flip flops, bug spray, whatever you need to enjoy the outdoors all year long.
For the Kids - Toys, balls, scooters, and play mobiles should be corralled into one accessible spot.

Creating a plan with specific zones for your revamped garage will make the whole process go smoothly and save you a lot of hassle - especially if you're being assisted by your loved ones.

Now for The Evil Genius Laugh

Muahaha! You're the master of your domain, and every fearless leader needs a command center. Create yours in your favorite area of the garage, convenient both to the outside and back into the house, and add a sturdy work surface and convenient storage.

This is where to put important stuff like spare keys, a fire extinguisher, often used tools, and any other favorite things you need to be able to find quickly. You can also keep a household calendar here, hang a whiteboard for notes and reminders, and establish a little oasis where you can complete all of your projects in peace.

Durable workbenches can be purchased or built, and they can be on wheels or designed to fold away when not in use. If you desire something custom, there's no harm in researching how to do it yourself versus hiring outside help .

The Sky’s The Limit

Professional organizers always stress the importance of utilizing all of your space, up to the ceiling as well as every inch of the walls.

Common household garden implements like shovels and rakes can create a hazard if not contained - the perfect place for tools like this is neatly tucked up and away on wall-mounted Slatwall racks . You can also use hooks to mount bicycles, weed whackers, leaf blowers, and other garage-dwelling items to free up valuable floor space.

HGTV recommends using overhead storage racks for items you need to keep but only use rarely, like holiday decorations, ornaments, bulky winter clothing, or camping supplies. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and will keep your treasured belongings safe.

Keep Rolling

Wheeled carts and chests of drawers can be invaluable in helping you tidy and reorganize your garage. Kitchen carts and office filing drawers can have a second life by being repurposed for holding small tools, paint and paintbrushes, containers of nails and screws, and anything else you want on hand.

Think Outside The Box

Or rather, think about the outside of the box - what kind of storage bins and boxes will work best for you? The style gurus at Bustle think clear plastic ones with a secure lid are the greatest overall - you can see what’s in there, and the lids will protect your things from dust and other damage.

Just make sure any containers you purchase for garage storage are made from high-quality materials so they’ll last. Storing documents and paper items in the garage can attract bugs, so those kinds of things should be moved indoors, as well as photos, which can deteriorate in the heat. If you live in a wet climate, consider acquiring some waterproof boxes that will help keep your necessities safe.

Labels Save The Day

In the old days, label makers were clunky, nerdy, and usually malfunctioning. Today’s models are high-tech and ready to help you stick a label anywhere it’s wanted. Some are Bluetooth capable and controlled by an app on your smartphone.

If you are artistic, you can easily make your own labels with common craft supplies or on the computer. Ones with a chalkboard-like finish are popular because writing can be wiped off and the labels reused over and over. Labeling everything in your garage will be visually appealing as well as key in helping you conquer clutter.

The Floor is (Hopefully Not) Lava

The condition of your floor can have a big effect on the usefulness of your garage. If you’re tired of a stained or unsightly bare concrete floor, there are a range of options you can try, including applying an epoxy coating.

A key part of keeping your garage organized is making sure there’s no debris on the floor. If you’re aiming to park vehicles inside, then you will want to ensure there are no loose nails or anything that can damage the tires or paint job.

Save The Day

Easy access to an inspected fire extinguisher is vitally important - accidents happen and you want to be prepared for any emergency. A lockable cabinet is also crucial for securing things away from children and thieves, such as household chemicals, spray paint, valuable tools, and any other items that can cause harm in the wrong hands.

Conclusion

A beautifully reorganized garage will relieve stress, give you more room, and add great energy to your entire house. It may seem like a daunting task, but with a little hard work and a smart plan, you can make it happen!

Sources

10 Simple Tips for Eliminating Odors in Your Closets

Fri, 28 May 2021 19:12:41 GMT

Step into your closet and take a deep breath. What do you smell? If your nose detects musty, stale air it’s no surprise. Most closets get little to no air circulation. Lack of airflow combined with damp, humid conditions creates the perfect climate for odors to thrive.

Even the best-looking custom closets can be prone to musty odors. But, there’s no need to fret. These 10 simple tips can help you eliminate odors from your closets.

Inspect your closet walls and ceilings for signs of mold or mildew
Keep shelves and floors dust-free and clean
Only place clean and dry clothes in your closet
Use a dehumidifier
Hang potpourri or herb sachets
Place dryer sheets on closet shelves
Put a box of baking soda in your closet to absorb excess moisture and odors
Place activated charcoal around your closet to draw out dampness and unwanted smells

Read on to learn more details about combating closet odors.

Odor Prevention

Closets can smell bad for many reasons, from mold and mildew to dirty clothes. Begin by following the steps below to eliminate odors.

Empty Your Closets and Start Inspecting

Closets that are packed full of clothes can easily trap odors. As a result, the first thing you need to do is empty out your closets. Then do a thorough visual inspection to find the root of the odor problem. Look for signs of water damage on the ceilings and walls.

If you spot any damage, have it repaired immediately. This is also a good time to declutter and get rid of items you haven’t worn in a while to keep your space organized .

Get Rid of Dust and Use Natural Deodorizers

Dirty or dusty areas of your closet can harbor odors. Start by dusting off the walls and shelves with a soft cloth or dusting tool of your choice. Next, sweep or vacuum the floor. Make sure to reach the corners and baseboard areas as well.

For a deeper clean, wipe off the walls and shelves with a solution of white vinegar and water. Vinegar is one of the best natural odor eliminators. HowToHome.com recommends mixing 1/4 cup vinegar with around 32 ounces of water. Remember to always do a spot test first before spraying this concoction on hard surfaces.

Make Sure All Clothes Are Clean and Dry

Make sure any clothing you place inside your closet is laundered and completely dry. Also, avoid packing items too tightly so air can circulate between hanging clothes.

Use a Dehumidifier

If you are battling closet odors due to excess moisture in the air, opt for a dehumidifier. This simple tool can prevent mold and mildew growth by trapping excess water in the air. Dehumidifiers come in single-use disposable varieties or electric. Either variety can help absorb wetness in the air and prevent mold growth in your closets .

Keep Your Closets Smelling Amazing

By following the steps above, you'll tackle closet odors at their source. Now, it’s time to give it that finishing touch.

Potpourri

Potpourri is an effortless way to give your closets a long-lasting fresh scent. Hang them in your closet, place them on shelves or inside of dresser drawers. Potpourri can be found in a variety of fragrances from Wild Fig to Ocean Breeze.

If you’re looking for a more natural fragrance, try making your own DIY version:

Fill a small organza bag with dried herbs like lavender, sage, or rosemary
Add a few drops of essential oil
Tie the bag shut and place it in your closet

Replace the herbs every 3 to 4 months for lasting freshness.

Dryer Sheets

Scented dryer sheets are a great way to keep your closets smelling fresh. Place them on shelves, between folded clothes, or inside of drawers to prevent unwanted odors. You can also put them inside storage bins that hold seasonal clothing. Remember to replace the dryer sheets every few months.

Soap

Bars of soap are another way to add a pleasant scent to your closet. Grab a few new bars of your favorite scented soap. Unpackage them and wrap a thin cloth around each bar. Put the bars on shelves or in drawers. Make sure that they don’t touch any of your clothes.

Baking Soda

If you are looking to keep your closets odor-free without adding scent, baking soda is the perfect option. It’s a cost-effective solution that acts as an odor absorber and natural deodorizer. Store an open box of baking soda inside your closet, on a shelf. Replace seasonally to help tackle odors.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another fragrance-free way to deodorize your closets. Plus, it naturally absorbs odors and moisture. Place a block of activated charcoal in a breathable canvas or cotton pouch. Put the pouches on shelves, a hanger, or inside of shoes to keep odors at bay.

Bonus Tip: How to Temporarily Mask Odors

Room Sprays

Room sprays are a quick way to get a fresh scent into your closets. If you are concerned about chemicals found in these products, try making your own room spray. With only a few ingredients, you can make your own concoction sans harsh chemicals.

OneEssentialCommunity.com has this easy recipe for homemade room spray:

Grab an “8-ounce glass bottle” with a spray dispenser
Fill the bottle with ¾ “distilled water”
Add Essential oils of your choice (about 40 drops)

Then, all that's left is to screw the top on and shake up your spray. Avoid spraying directly on fabrics like silk, satin, or suede.

Conclusion

There's no reason for you to endure musty closet odors anymore. The 10 tips mentioned above will help you eliminate them for good. Your closets will not only look great but smell great as well!

Sources

Helpful Tips for Organizing a Messy Kitchen Pantry

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:12:28 GMT

The pantry is one of the most important components of a kitchen. Chances are, multiple members of your household use it every day. From taking snacks or cereals off the shelves to storing canned foods just purchased at the grocery store, the constant flurry of activity can easily lead to a chaotic and cluttered situation.

While it may seem overwhelming, revamping your messy kitchen pantry is entirely possible with some organizational insight. Get your pantry under control with these 10 simple tips:

Start with a Clean Slate
Take Inventory
Categorize Items into Different Zones
Use Clear Jars and Bins
Label Everything
Use the “First In, First Out” System
Create a Kid-Friendly Spot
Get Creative with Unused Space
Put Heavy Items on the Ground
Take 10 to Tidy Up

Ready to get started? Here’s how to get your kitchen pantry organized once and for all!

Why Should I Organize My Pantry?

Tidying up your pantry isn’t just about optimizing its efficiency to make your life easier. It can also save you money on unnecessary grocery items. Easily taking inventory of your organized kitchen pantry will give you a clear picture of what you need to stock up on and what you already have. Moreover, a clean pantry will help you lead a healthier lifestyle. The experts at Good Housekeeping recommend filling your pantry with foods that promote your family’s wellness.

Cleaning your pantry will also drastically reduce food waste. You’ll never again forget about that lonely box of cereal.

1. Start with a Clean Slate

The first step to organizing your pantry is to empty the entire thing out. Throw out any items that are old, expired, or unused. Thoroughly scrub it from top to bottom to get rid of any stains or spills.

2. Take Inventory

After you’ve cleared out the clutter and tossed out the old items, take a thorough inventory of what’s left. If you’re running short on a particular snack or ingredient, jot it down on your grocery list. This will help you develop a clear picture of what you already have and what you need. By staying on top of the items in your kitchen pantry, you won’t buy any unnecessary grocery products ever again.

3. Categorize Items into Different Zones

Streamline your jumbled pantry into a smart food storage area by creating designated zones for different categories. Zoning your pantry will help you easily find items, see what foods you have, and what ones you need to restock. Divide your pantry into zones that fit your lifestyle, such as baking, workday lunches, weeknight dinners, kid-friendly meals, and entertainment.

4. Use Clear Jars and Bins

After everything is zoned, it’s time to start smartly storing all of your items. Stock up on clear jars and bins with sealable lids. You can store baking ingredients, such as sugar, flour, and cornmeal in the jars. Put cereal, candy, and other decanted dried goods in large, clear bins. Not only will this help keep your items fresher for longer, but it’ll protect your food from pesky pests and allow you to easily find the items you’re searching for.

5. Label Everything

Pick up a good label maker at your local office supply store and label all of the bins and jars in your pantry. While this process may seem time-consuming, it’ll actually save you from headaches and hassles in the future.

6. Use the “First In, First Out” System

After everything is zoned, stored, and labeled, you can begin placing the items back into your pantry. While doing this, use the “first in, first out” storage method. Store the products that you have multiples of, such as cereal boxes and beverages, in such a way that the older (yet still good) items get used first. This will create less waste for you in the long run.

7. Create a Kid-Friendly Spot

Remember that kid-friendly meal zone you created earlier? Be sure to place that zone near the bottom of your pantry. Having your child’s snacks and beverages placed closer to the ground will make them more accessible to small arms.

8. Get Creative with Unused Space

An organized pantry takes advantage of every bit of space available. Get creative when it comes to unused space. You can hang a spice rack over the back of your pantry door or install a bag dispenser to easily hold grocery bags.

9. Put Heavy Items on the Ground

Heavy items, including large bins of pet food, should be kept on the ground. This eliminates your chances of an accidental injury and makes even the most cumbersome pantry items easily accessible.

10. Take 10 to Tidy Up

It’s important to stay on top of your kitchen pantry’s cleanliness and organization. Without vigilance, an organized pantry can quickly devolve into a mess once again. Take 10 minutes every evening to quickly glance over your pantry. If you’re running low on an item, put it on your grocery list. Ensure that everything is neat and tidy.

Conclusion

Getting your kitchen pantry organized will benefit your life in numerous ways. From saving money on groceries to decreasing food waste, you’ll love the efficiency of a tidy pantry. Be sure to categorize items and keep them in clear jars and bins that are labeled. Make a kid-friendly spot and keep heavy items on the floor. Take 10 minutes every evening to ensure everything is in its place. With these 10 simple tips, you’ll enjoy an organized kitchen pantry for years to come!

Sources

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/g5147/healthy-canned-foods/

Five Tips for Preventing Mold Growth in Your Closets

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:12:15 GMT

Mold is an unwanted visitor that can show its ugly face anywhere in your home, including your custom closets . It loves dark, moist environments with insufficient airflow. Having mold in your closet means that the integrity of your wardrobe becomes compromised.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can prevent mold from destroying your clothing:

Monitor Indoor Humidity
Use Dehumidifiers
Increase Air Movement
Don’t Store Wet Clothes in Your Closets
Regularly Clean Your Closet Walls

Read on to learn how you can stop smelly mold from taking over your closets!

1. Monitor Indoor Humidity

To determine whether or not your closet is susceptible to developing mold, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends monitoring the level of indoor humidity within your home. Use a moisture meter, which can be purchased from a local hardware store, to detect if levels of high humidity are present within your closet.

Ideally, your indoor humidity levels should read between 30 and 60 percent. Should your humidity level read higher than this, you know that it is time to take action before mold wreaks havoc on your wardrobe.

2. Utilize Dehumidifiers

If you determined that the level of humidity in your closet could become a problem, it is time to be proactive and dry out the air. To do this, simply keep a small dehumidifier in your closet. There are several different types of dehumidifiers available for you to choose from.

The first aspect to consider is how large of a closet space you have. If your closet is rather small, there are mini-sized, rechargeable styles that contain non-toxic, odorless crystals. These styles are low in cost and are good for lowing humidity levels.

Another type that works well for small closets is a bucket-style dehumidifier that also contains non-toxic crystals. They absorb water out of the air and when the bucket becomes full of water, simply swap it out for a replacement.

If you have a larger closet perhaps, an electric, plug-in style might be your best bet. You’ll be able to empty the water tank when it becomes full and keep reusing it. Be sure to give your dehumidifier a good cleaning every week.

3. Increase Air Movement

The EPA also warns that in colder temperatures, the air is able to hold less moisture and as a result, this dampness appears on surfaces such as walls and floors.

One way to stop this from happening is to increase air circulation within your home. Keep your closet doors open, as well as the doors leading into your bedroom. Try sitting a fan in the back of your closet to blow out any musty, stale air.

To keep your clothes smelling fresh, keep an inch or two of space between each hanging item. If your closet is stuffed too full of clothing and other items, it may be time for some routine purging. Learn to let go of items you no longer wear or use and make more space for the clothing that you love. Hang your clothing on aromatic cedar hangers and refresh your entire closet.

4. Don’t Store Wet Clothes in Your Closets

If you have a dirty clothes hamper that you keep in your closet, you might not think anything of it to throw a wet towel inside to be washed later. You might also have decided that the perfect spot for you to hang your damp bathrobe is in your closet. Some people even use their closets to hang up their wet laundry to dry. You should definitely avoid all of these scenarios. If you want to keep mold out of your closets, only hang clothes that are 100% dry.

5. Regularly Clean Your Closet Walls

Even when doing all of these preventative measures, mold can still find its way in, sometimes from the outdoors. That is why it is important to regularly clean the walls of your closet. Clean My Space.com recommends spraying undiluted white vinegar onto the walls and allowing it to soak for less than an hour. Follow this with a rinse of clean water and then respray it with vinegar and allow it to dry. This is to prevent any regrowth of mold from reforming. If the smell of vinegar is too much for you to handle, you can use a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide or bleach instead.

Final Thoughts

No matter how spotless your home may be, even the cleanest of homes can develop mold. Keeping the air in your home as dry as possible is a great place to start. Opening up the windows and letting the fresh air circulate when you can is helpful. Regularly cleaning your closets and keeping your eye out for any signs of mold and immediately getting rid of it is critical. With these measures in place, you won’t need to worry about your clothes becoming ridden with mold.

Sources

Home Office Décor ideas

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 20:12:01 GMT

Could your home office use a refresh? After working at home for a while, you’ve noticed your productivity is slacking a bit, and you could use a dose of creativity.

Whether your home office is a room of its own or a corner of your living room or bedroom, your workspace needs to enable you to get your work done. Change your mood and bolster your productivity by tailoring the space to your personality, tastes, and needs.

Here are some home office décor ideas to keep you inspired and focused on your work.

1. Create a Theme

Instead of pulling random objects together, pick a theme for your home office. Regardless of the decor in the rest of the house, give your workspace its own style. Think about what will inspire, motivate and calm you.

2. Hang a Daily Calendar

Keep your eye on the prize. Having your to-do list in your line of sight will motivate you to work harder to cross things off.

3. Add a Personal Touch

When you work in a comfortable space, your focus and motivation increase. Make your home office your own with personal items such as family photos, hobby collections, mementos, and other decorative items.

4. Keep Clutter Away

Clutter is an eyesore that ruins a home office’s aesthetic and makes it hard to concentrate. Opening up space allows you to work more productively and efficiently. Sort through your belongings and discard broken, unneeded, and outdated items. Use plastic bins, cabinets, and drawers to store items and documents that you need to save.

5. Organize Your Desk

Desks tend to get messy very quickly, with papers piling up and office supplies scattered everywhere. A tidy and uncluttered workspace encourages good work habits, fosters creativity, and saves you time searching for what you need.

A desk organizer restores order and puts essential office supplies such as pens, paper clips, and tape in one easy-to-access spot, instead of scattered across your desk. Get a file folder rack for your desk to organize your important documents, or consider an inbox/outbox to keep track of your tasks. Catchall trays or valets are a decorative way to store loose change and other small items.

6. Hide the Cords

The devices you use every day in your home office, including your computer, phone charger, keyboard, and printer, come with cords. Unfortunately, these cords and cables can become an unsightly, tangled mess. A cord organizer keeps cords and cables from becoming a hazard and an eyesore. A wireless keyboard and mouse can help eliminate the number of wires you have to hide.

7. Clear the Air with Plants

Liven up your workspace with a few plants. While they add to your décor, plants also purify the air, helping you concentrate and remain productive.

8. Choose a Color You Love

Color has a direct impact on a person, both physically and emotionally. While experts often advise on neutral colors for your home office, HGTV recommends painting the walls a color you love, and that will inspire and motivate you even if the color is yellow or red. Shutterfly offers suggestions for selecting an ideal color for your home office.

9. Invest in a Comfortable Chair

You spend long hours in your office chair , so it’s crucial to select one that won’t leave you sore. Select a chair that’s high-quality, ergonomic, stylish, bolsters your back, and encourages good posture. Other things to look for include an adjustable seat, lumbar support, wheels, armrest, and swivel base.

10. Illuminate Your Area

The amount of light in an area impacts your mood and productivity. Ensure that your home office is well-lit with adequate lighting spread evenly across your workspace. Because natural light is preferable, locate your desk under a window. If natural light is not available, use soft light bulbs that mimic daylight. Stay away from fluorescent and other harsh light bulbs.

11. Love the View

Put your desk in a location where you aren’t staring at a blank wall. While sitting near a window is ideal for letting sunlight in, it may not be possible. Instead, hang a picture on the wall or position your desk to be facing the door.

12. Maximize Vertical Space

Put your walls to work, especially if your home office is on the smaller side. Hang artwork, install cabinets, add a bulletin board or pegboard. Just make sure you are taking advantage of all the vertical space.

Conclusion

Since you spend a great deal of time in your home office, you want a functional yet appealing space that makes work more enjoyable. Use the tips in this article to give your home office a fresh look.

Sources

Six Beginner Steps for Organizing Your Home

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 20:11:47 GMT

Do you find yourself frequently searching for various items within your home that you need and just can’t seem to locate? Frustration can set in when you waste precious time and energy in this manner. Also, is everywhere you look inside your home cluttered and stuffed to the brim? If this sounds like your situation, it is time for you to tackle a bit of home organization in your humble abode.

Getting your home organized can be a stress-free process when you utilize these six simple steps:

When in Doubt, Throw It Out!
Start a Donation Box
Purchase Organizational Supplies
Organize One Room at a Time
Store Items Vertically
Utilize Hidden Spaces

Read on to learn the best plan of action for organizing your home!

Step #1: When In Doubt, Throw It Out

Before organizing the things that you have, it is important to create additional space first. This is particularly true if your home has become overcrowded with clutter. To begin, you need to keep your eyes open for things that need to be thrown away, not donated.

A good place to start doing this is inside your refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, and pantry area. You are looking for items that are past their expiration date, taste stale, or look dirty. Now is the perfect time to do a deep cleaning of each area before neatly putting each item back in its place.

Note: Before you begin organizing each room of your home, get rid of any items that you know should be classified as trash or ‘junk.’

Step #2: Start a Donation Box

Next, designate a container where you are going to place anything that you no longer need, or no longer serves you. You should take this box with you through every room of your house.

A great place to start looking for items you no longer need is your closets. According to Bustle.com , a good rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn an item in a year or more and you don’t plan on wearing it anytime soon, it is time to donate it. Go through your closets every six months or so and repeat this process.

For some great ideas on how to organize your custom closets, check out Six Effortless Steps to Organizing Your Custom Closets by Innovative Home Storage .

As you move through each room, and nook and cranny of your home, ask yourself if the object that you are holding is something that you really need to hang onto. Purging your surroundings of unnecessary things not only feels good, but it will make your home look cleaner and more streamlined when you go to organize everything.

Step #3: Purchase Organizational Supplies

With all of the organizational supplies out there, you may feel overwhelmed in knowing exactly what you need to buy. However, now that you have gone through all of your household items, it is easier to see exactly how much you have left and what exactly will require some handy helpers to keep everything neatly in order.

Drawer organizers are inexpensive and can be found in a variety of locations. Stackable bins and baskets come in all shapes and sizes to store practically anything you need. Spend a bit of time perusing different organizational tools to see which types fit your space and lifestyle the best.

Step #4:Organize One Room at a Time

As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Don’t suffer from burnout by overcommitting yourself to organizing your whole house in one weekend. Busy Creative Living.com suggests tackling one room at a time. Better yet, think of it this way. Organize one drawer at a time or one section of a room at a time.

However, it is a wise decision to prioritize your projects by organizing the areas that need it the most first. Looking for some inspiration? Take before and after photos to track your progress along the way.

Step #5: Store Items Vertically

Nothing makes a home look more chaotic than counter space that is completely covered with “stuff,” even if you aren’t a fan of a minimalist design. However, you may have already utilized all of your cabinets and closets for storage. So what’s next?

One of the most overlooked places for potential storage possibilities is right above your head. For example, perhaps you don’t have ample space to hold all of your pots and pans. One easy solution is to take advantage of vertical space by installing a pot rack.

Another simple way to utilize upward space is to install sets of vertical shelving. You can use them to store items such as books or display your favorite collectibles, as opposed to having them take up space on your furniture and countertops.

Step #6: Utilize Hidden Space

To maximize storage space, don’t forget to make use of those forgotten areas that are found behind doors and cabinets. In your kitchen cabinets, you can hang over-the-door organizer holders for items such as cutting boards, pot lids, or boxes of foil for example. When it comes to storing items on the back of your doors, the options are limitless. In bedrooms or closets, over-the-door shoe racks are appropriate if you have an abundance of shoes to store. On a simpler note, fasten a couple of hooks on the back of doors to hang towels or bathrobes that need a home.

Conclusion

Having an organized home means having a more stress-free environment. By working on each area of your home a little bit at a time, you won’t get overly tired. You may be surprised how your creative energies will kick in and help you organize your home in a fun and unique way.

Sources

12 Essential Pieces to Incorporate into Your Home Office Space

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:11:35 GMT

Is your home office working for you? If your answer is no, you may want to consider optimizing the space to maximize your productivity and efficiency. While every home office is different, there are certain items that you will need to create a comfortable, functional, and professional workspace.

As you start to organize your home office, here are some essential pieces to include:

Free Space

Before you start arranging your home office, it’s an excellent time to declutter and purge unnecessary items. In Four Ways to Organize Your Small Home Office , Closet Décor & More recommends discarding unused equipment such as phones, broken items, and outdated calendars and planners. Freeing up space will allow you to work more efficiently and productively.

Desk

Evaluate your needs and your space to determine what size desk you can get. Ideally, you have enough space to have a traditional desk that meets all of your needs. If necessary, you can use a table, counter, or another flat surface as your desk. Whatever you use as your desktop, make sure your workspace is the right height to avoid suffering neck strain or numb fingers. If you prefer not to sit frequently, consider a standing desk or a desk that enables you to switch between sitting and standing.

Room Dividers

While you might not have the luxury of a separate room with a door for your home office, you can carve out a designated area to work, even if it’s just an area of your bedroom or living room. Use a divider or barrier to cordon off your workspace from the rest of the house. You can purchase a room divider, but an inexpensive option is to hang a curtain from the ceiling. For a nontraditional partition, use a bookcase or a potted plant.

Décor Items

Not everything in your home office needs to be functional. Sometimes you need something else to look at besides your computer screen. Memphis Garage & Closets notes in Five Tips to Makeover Your Home Office that adding some decor items such as a motivational poster, flower vase, or a painting from your favorite artist can give you a much-needed break from your spreadsheets and documents. Décor can also help inspire and motivate you when you need an extra push.

The Right Chair

Having the right chair is very important because you will probably spend most of your workday sitting in it. Select a high-quality chair that supports your back and promotes good posture. Make sure your chair has an adjustable seat with different height and recline settings. Other useful features include an armrest, wheels, and a seat with a swivel base. Select a material that is comfortable to sit in for long periods.

Lighting

Adequate lighting is essential for a productive and comfortable workspace. If possible, position your desk near a window to take advantage of natural light. If the overhead lighting isn’t enough, consider buying a desk lamp to adjust during the day to avoid eyestrain and headaches.

Cabinets

A clutter-free workspace helps you remain productive. Cabinets help you make use of your vertical space while increasing your storage capabilities. They are also a perfect spot for items that you don’t use every day.

Cord Organizers

Every device on your desk has a cord or cable, including your computer, printer, phone charger, and desk lamp. An organizer helps keep your cords and cables from becoming a tangled mess.

Uninterruptible Power Supply

In case the power goes out, an uninterrupted power supply will provide unlimited backup power to give you time to save your files and shut down your devices safely.

Desk Organizers

Keep all of your important documents, paper clips, pens, and sticky notes nearby while also keeping your desk neat and tidy. Desk organizers come in many different sizes and styles.

Drawers

Keep your desk surface clean while also adding storage space with drawers that can go under your desk. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose shallow or deep drawers.

Plants

In addition to brightening up your workspace, plants also improve air quality and reduce stress levels.

Conclusion

The home office essentials mentioned in this article can help you create a highly productive and comfortable work environment, but it is not an exhaustive list. Depending on your job responsibilities and available space, you will need other items.

Sources

Five Secrets to Preventing Pests in Your Custom Closets

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 20:11:22 GMT

When properly cared for, a custom closet will help you make better use of your storage space, protect your items, keep you organized and streamline your daily routine. If you just invested all that time and money into a new closet, the last thing you want to do is undermine that effort by inviting dangerous pests into this space.

To prevent the above situation from occurring, here are five secrets for preventing pests in your custom closets :

Be Familiar with Common Closet Pests
Keep Your Clothes Clean
Remove Old Clothes that May Attract Pests
Avoid Introducing Pests
Create a Space Pests Hate

What most homeowners may not realize is it’s a lot easier to create an environment pests enjoy than they think. Fortunately, following these tips will help you prevent damaging insects that can destroy your clothing and undermine this valuable investment in your home.

Familiarize Yourself With Common Closet Pests

In any battle, it’s important to understand your enemy. Knowing the common closet pests will tell you how to spot them, what kind of environment they like and your best steps for preventing them. According to UC Riverside , there are three main insect species that you have to worry about in your closet:

Clothes Moths
Carpet Beetles
Silverfish

Other insects that may cause damage to the items in your custom closet, and your closet cabinets themselves, are other species of moths and beetles, cockroaches, termites and crickets.

Your geographic location will determine the types of pests you may encounter, so be sure to research the most common pests in your area. This includes learning about any seasonality to their behavior. Knowing pest patterns throughout the year will allow you to predict where they’ll be and when to look for them.

Keep Your Clothes Clean

Dirty clothes can quickly attract pests. Remember, it doesn’t take much to feed a tiny insect. They can smell anything with nutritional value from a long distance away, so try to wash clothing with stains as soon as possible. And you may be surprised what qualifies as food to insects:

Beer
Milk
Fruit Juice
Perspiration

You want to keep your closets as sterile as possible, so commit to only storing clean clothes inside, and use a quality hamper that can keep soiled items tucked away. You may even want to invest in a hamper with a lid. Do you have a job or hobbies that make your clothes extra dirty? Consider keeping your hamper with dirty clothes in your laundry room, away from your clean closet.

Reader’s Digest also recommends a few tips to remove insect larvae before they’ve had a chance to feast on your fabrics:

Vacuum clothes
Encourage healthy air circulation
Shake out clothing
Wash clothing with water at 100°F or more

Remove Old Clothes That May Attract Pests

In addition to stained and soiled garments, some fabrics and types of clothing may naturally attract pests more readily:

Cotton
Wool
Silk
Leather

Natural Hair and Fur

These natural materials are favorite foods for insect larvae, especially moths. If you own an article of clothing that you rarely wear and it doesn’t hold any sentimental value, consider getting rid of it. If the clothing is something you want to keep, try to wash it or have it cleaned every few months. This will not only prevent pests but help keep smells down too.

Don’t want to clean your items and can’t stand the thought of parting with them? Good Housekeeping recommends several long-term storage methods and tips to keep your items safe and protected from pests. This includes using acid-free tissue paper, vacuum-storage bags and special boxes made for lengthy periods of storage.

Avoid Introducing Pests

The best way to prevent some pests from entering your home is to avoid introducing them in the first place. Recently travel? Make sure your hotel room didn’t have a pest infestation that could have spread to your luggage, accessories or clothing.

One of your biggest risks when traveling is bed bugs, which are infamous for their ability to spread. This stubborn pest can hitch a ride on clothing, accessories, furniture, boxes and more. Once they make their way into your home, they require expensive and time-consuming removal from a professional company. The EPA notes that there are several ways to look for signs of bedbugs so you don’t end up bringing them home:

Red or rust-colored stains on bed sheets or mattresses
Dark spots on fabrics that may look like a marker
Skin irritation, such as rashes, hives or red bumps*

*Note: the EPA explains that looking for physical symptoms of bedbugs on your skin is an unreliable way to spot this pest because these skin irritations can be triggered by so many other causes.

If you’re buying vintage clothing, furniture or accessories, inspect and clean these items before introducing them to your closet. You may also want to keep these items sealed in plastic bags until you have a chance to wash them. A little work up front preventing these pests can save you tons of effort later if you have to remove them.

Create a Space Pests Hate

In addition to keeping your clothing clean, it’s important you keep your entire custom closet as clean as possible to avoid welcoming in pests. This includes regularly dusting and vacuuming the floors, cabinetry, door frames and any other surfaces where dust, eggs and food can collect.

Another important step to creating a clean space pests won’t want to call home involves keeping your closet as organized as possible. Avoid clutter, such as piles of clothes, shoes and accessories, where pests can hide, build nests and lay eggs. Your closet should be neat and organized with space between hanging clothes to encourage good airflow. You should also keep as few items on the floor as possible.

In addition, you want to keep the space as healthy as possible by ensuring you eliminate any excess sources of water. Unwanted water in a closet due to a roof or pipe leak, or even steam from a nearby bathroom, can not only support insects, but also create dangerous mold growth that could damage your clothing. Custom Closets of Houston includes several effective tips for avoiding mold growth in custom closets.

Want to take the pest prevention one step further? The Spruce recommends several organic materials that you can incorporate into your closet to prevent pests:

Cedar Hangers and Shoe Trees
Cedar Blocks or Shavings
Dried Lavender
Lavender Essential Oils
Borax

Of course, insecticides are always an option, but you may want to exhaust more natural options before introducing any potentially dangerous chemicals first.

Conclusion

If you’ve invested significant time, money and effort into crafting a beautiful custom closet and filled it with clothing and accessories you love, give this space the attention it deserves. Like your kitchen, bathrooms and living room, this space demands regular upkeep. A custom closet should be one of the most rewarding areas of your home. And with a little effort, you can ensure it is for years to come.

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Home Organization Checklist for Fall & Winter

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:11:07 GMT

Can you feel it? That chill that’s in the air has stuck around for days. This means it’s time to retire your summer wardrobe for your autumn/winter one, yes, but are you organizing your home for the change in seasons as well? If not, you should be, but how?

Here’s a handy home organization checklist for fall and winter:

Clean out your refrigerator & add in some fall decor
Prepare a nook for holiday decorations, gift wrapping, and everything else seasonal
Clean your office, treating the fall like another spring-cleaning session
Look in your garage before it gets too cold to do so and clear away summer stuff and anything you don’t use
Put away clothes and summer gear you won’t see again, stashing them in the closet or elsewhere
Swap out summer shoes for winter shoes
Clear your yard of all remnants of summer
Dedicate some closet space for winter gear like hats, boots, coats, and gloves
Ready your bedroom by removing summer bedding

Think of these tips and suggestions like your home organization checklist for the colder season. By the time you’re done going through these areas of your home and yard, you’ll be satisfied with how organized your house is. You’ll also feel ready for the cooler weather!

Clean Out Your Refrigerator & Add in Some Fall Decor

The first spot to start in? The kitchen. This becomes the central hub once everyone resumes their normal activities in the fall. The kids are back to school and you’re working more regularly with vacation season over. You must have the kitchen organized and ready to accommodate everyone’s needs in the morning before they’re out the door. Otherwise, you’ll have human log jams and everyone will be late.

It doesn’t hurt to go through your fridge, freezer, and pantry and decide which foods stay and which go. Those leftover ice pops the kids didn’t eat are hogging up valuable space in your freezer. Remember to also throw away any expired foods.

Clean the fridge, freezer, and pantry while they’re empty. If you’re disappointed with how much valuable food you’re tossing, come up with an organization system so you’re less wasteful. For instance, you could organize foods by expiration date or by what your family eats the most often to the least often.

You can even stash summery dish towels and tea towels in your hall closet until next season. Pull out some darker-colored autumnal towels with pumpkins on them. In the winter, switch to heavier dish towels that don’t leave your hands wet in the cold.

Set up a Spot for Holiday Decorations

Ah, the holidays. ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Even if it’s August, it’s never too early to begin preparing for the general gift-giving season. Real Simple explains that you don’t have to start shopping yet, but ready a space in your home where all the holiday-related items will go.

For instance, when you bring your decorations up from your garage or basement, where will you keep them until Thanksgiving when you decorate? What about the tubes upon tubes of gift wrap, the boxes of bows, and the neat tags you stick on every gift you wrap? You can start a gift station in a rarely-used room such as a spare bedroom.

Doing things this way will also save you time once the hectic holiday season gets underway. Rather than run around the house like a chicken without a head looking for your gold bows, everything will be in one place. The holidays are stressful enough as it is. Do yourself a favor and minimize that stress now while everyone else is still thinking about hitting the beach one more time.

Give Your Home Office a Thorough Cleaning

Your home office doesn’t really change through the seasons, per se, but it’s still a good idea to clean it now that you’re getting ready for the colder weather. Think of this as spring cleaning twice in a year.

First, begin by clearing everything that’s currently on your desk, especially the little things like outdated paper notes, that mountain of paper clips, and even a food wrapper or two that you managed to miss. Metrostorage.com recommends creating two piles, one with what you want to keep and a second with what will go.

The keep pile doesn’t necessarily need to be stored back on your desk either. If you can, find a home for each item whether that’s in your desk or in your filing cabinets.

Then go through those cabinets, drawers, and files, doing the same thing where you make one keep pile and one toss pile. Don’t forget what’s in the rest of your home office as well. For instance, you probably don’t need that oscillating fan in there anymore. Put it in a nearby closet if there’s room.

Go Through Your Garage and Clean It Out

In a few weeks, you’ll want to be in your garage very sparingly since it will be quite cold in there. While you still have the benefit of temperate weather, take an afternoon and dedicate it to your garage. Yes, a whole afternoon, especially if your garage is seriously disorganized.

You’re going to have a lot of summer stuff you’ll want to put in the garage, including anything summery in your yard (keep reading for that). Putting stuff on top of stuff is convenient in the moment, but next spring when you want to start mowing the lawn and the mower is buried under four beach chairs, that convenience factor is gone.

Put the summer stuff on hold for a moment and go through what’s currently in your garage. Anything for warm weather should be taken out and put with your summer collection. All the rest of what’s in there should be assessed based on its condition. You probably shouldn’t hold onto rusty scrap metal or rotted wood from your old woodworking projects. If you have an old, dead mower you meant to work on but never did, maybe it’s time to toss that as well.

Besides the condition, think about what’s in your garage that you use. Has the item in there gotten any use in the last two years, either from you or the rest of your family? If not, then it’s probably time to bid it adieu.

If you don’t already have storage containers, cabinets, and drawers in your garage, it might not be a bad idea to consider adding an organization system. This can prevent clutter from accumulating in the future.

When you’re done organizing all of your regular garage items, set aside an area for seasonal stuff. Right now, this might include your holiday lawn decorations, which you’ll want to move towards the front of your garage. Then you can put all of your summer leftovers inside.

Switch Your Wardrobe from Warm Weather to Cold Weather

Next, it’s time to tackle a big one, the bedroom closets where you keep all your clothes. Since it’s too cold for cargo shorts or that wispy sundress, these garments are just taking up valuable room sitting in your closet or in your dresser drawers.

Start by opening all your drawers with spring and summer clothes and removing them. Then do that with all the clothes in your closet as well. Don’t just blindly put your summer clothes into a storage container. Go through each garment item by item.

Have you worn it in the last year? What about the last two years? Like what you did in the garage, if it’s been more than two years since you’ve last worn something, you probably won’t again. If the clothing is in good shape, you can donate it. Otherwise, it’s best to toss it.

Once you have your toss/donate and keep piles, put all the summer clothes you’re keeping into storage bins.

As you pull out your winter clothes, do the same with them. Getting rid of enough of your old autumn and winter clothes gives you a great excuse to go shopping and buy some more clothes that you’ll actually want to wear.

If you need more tips for keeping your home closets organized, check out Affordable Custom Closets & Garages article on Four Steps for Organizing Your Custom Closets .

Do the Same for Your Footwear

Your summer clothes are gone, but don’t forget your flip-flops, wedges, and beach shoes. They have no use to you now, so you might as well put them away until the winter thaws next year.

Whether you keep your family footwear in your bedroom closet or a hall closet, take everything out. Give the closet a thorough cleaning during this rare time that it’s empty. Then, as you have this entire time, make two piles: toss and keep. Use the same rule of thumb for determining what stays and what goes. In other words, if you haven’t worn your shoes in two years, get rid of them.

Get your kids and spouse or partner involved too, as it’s not fair to make clothing and footwear decisions on their behalf. Just make sure that the keep pile doesn’t get overwhelmingly large.

Clear the Yard of Grills, Inflatables, and Other Summer Stuff

The house is about done, so give yourself a change of scenery and spend some time in the yard. If you have a swimming pool, that’s probably all closed up by now, but the summer inner tubes and other inflatables are still out. Deflate them, compress them, and set them aside.

Any beach chairs, lounge chairs, volleyball gear, cornhole equipment, tiki torches, and summer twinkle lights should come down. If you have an outdoor patio set, take it apart, including the cushions and the umbrella. Cover the grill too, as you won’t want to cook outside anymore.

Now that you’ve cleared out your garage, finding a home for these items is easy.

Open Some Closet Space for Winter Gear

With most of your home organized at this point, you’ll know which closet is more open than the others. Designate that closet as where you’ll store your winter gear. It’s time to start hanging up fall jackets and puffy winter coats. You’ll also dust off your winter boots, hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves.

These items can be bulky, so use a storage container for some of them if you can. This also keeps items together so you’re not stuck wasting time searching the closet for your son’s missing winter glove.

Change the Bedding

Last but not least, circle back to the bedroom. You took care of the clothes in there, but not much else. Strip the bed of your summer blanket, fold that up, and store it in your bedroom closet if you have space. Put on your winter comforter instead.

Conclusion

If you just did spring cleaning, you might feel disinclined to clean and organize your home for the colder weather, but it’s worth your time. By throwing away what you no longer use and organizing the rooms in your home, you’ll be ready to enjoy crisp autumn nights, snowy winters, and all the holidays in between.

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Arrangement Ideas for My Cluttered Home Office

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 19:10:54 GMT

Stop letting a cluttered home office steal your motivation and turn you against your job. If you’re struggling to stay productive in a space that’s too small, too messy and too overwhelming, there are some simple steps that you can take:

Start with a blank slate
Invest in proper furniture
Rethink your office arrangement
Use all of your available space
Go paperless
Stop making excuses

Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of how you can rein in the clutter that’s taken over your home office.

Start with a Blank Slate

Are you feeling totally overwhelmed by all the clutter in your office? When you “clean,” does it just feel like you’re consolidating stacks of paper? Do you dread the mess that awaits you every time you walk into your home office? It may be time to do something drastic.

If you’re feeling resigned to a home office you hate, you need to shake things up. And one of the most effective ways to reinvent this space is by removing everything. Every stick of furniture, office appliance and picture on the wall. Everything.

Why would you go to such extreme lengths? To look at the space with new eyes and see the possibilities. Ladydecluttered.com further explains that if you’ve had the same desk configuration for years, it’s very difficult to envision how the space could be rearranged and improved. Removing everything and slowly adding items back one by one forces you to think about what you really need and want surrounding you for hours every day. Instead of feeling forced to find a home for way too many items, you’ll feel motivated to pare down to just those items you need to keep your home office running smoothly.

Invest in Proper Furniture

Now that you’ve stripped your office down to bare floors and walls, it’s time to reimagine the space to make it as productive as possible. And if you’re using the same inexpensive desk that got you through college, it’s time to invest in some real office furniture.

HGTV goes into further detail about the importance of proper office furniture in 5 Quick Tips for Home Office Organization . Quality furniture doesn’t just look great — it helps you work better. By properly storing your work materials, you’ll have quick access that saves you time. No wasted minutes digging through drawers for missing materials. Plus, when everything’s visible and accessible, you’ll know when you’re running low on printer ink or paper.

In addition to helping you work better, proper office furniture helps you work safer too. When you sacrifice your comfort in a cluttered home office, you’re sacrificing your health. Even if you don’t necessarily have a fall hazard due to stacks of papers, chronic injuries are very common in the workplace, often due to posture issues. That short desk that has you hunched over is taking its toll on your back. Same with that hand-me-down desk chair.

Quality office furniture that fits your height and workstyle offers ergonomic benefits that will keep you healthy and productive. This includes proper chair, desk and computer monitor heights. Prolonged use of any ill-suited furniture can cause surprisingly serious consequences. Stop getting by with a hodgepodge of secondhand items that may be doing you more harm than you realize.

If you’re really tight on space, there is an abundance of sleek furniture options that fit any space, especially desk options according to homeguides.com . Want a super skinny desk for a narrow office? No problem. Need one that folds up into a cabinet? Done. If your office is doing double duty as a spare bedroom, smart office furniture solutions can give you back a lot of space when it’s not in use.

Want something that delivers great storage while being less formidable? Consider backless bookshelves or ladder shelf units, which can still be tall and offer lots of storage space without seeming so imposing. Backless furniture designs that let you see the wall behind produce a much more open look and help convey a sense of ample space and freedom that you so desperately need.

Rethink Your Office Arrangement

Once you’ve downsized your office items and invested in quality furniture that actually matches, it’s wise to rethink your office arrangement. The two most important concerns for you at this stage are aesthetics and functionality.

Although the aesthetics of your office may seem superficial, there are some tangible benefits to having a space you can admire. First and foremost, you’ll be able to concentrate in a neat, organized space. “Messy desk, messy mind” isn’t just some phrase your mom would throw around in an attempt to get you to clean. An untidy space saps your motivation and is distracting. Instead of concentrating on your work, you may be subconsciously wishing that pile of papers in the corner would just disappear.

Secondly, you’ll actually enjoy going to work. It’s hard to feel motivated to punch in if your office has all the aesthetic appeal of a coal mine. When you enter a space you love, your mood will improve and you won’t be counting down the minutes until you get to bolt.

When considering ways to boost your office’s functionality, think about those items you use every day. Your main focus should be to make it easy to access and use them. Everything else? Safely store it away in a drawer for the handful of times a month you’ll need it.

Here’s another popular organizational phrase for you: “Litter begets litter.” Even one or two extraneous items floating around your desk quickly attract more. And then more. And before you know it, your entire office looks like it was ransacked by the FBI. When considering which items to leave out, go with less.

Use All of Your Available Space

If you’re struggling to find space in your home office, look around you. Do you see the standard desk, cabinets and filing drawers? If all your furniture sitting around your office is approximately the same height, you’re giving up lots of space.

Treat every square foot of your office as a precious commodity and maximize the space you have. This includes taking advantage of the floor and walls. There are several ways to make sure you’re getting the most out of your home office:

Trade in that desk lamp that’s eating up valuable space for a standing floor lamp.
Make use of awkward spots with corner bookshelves and hutches.
Keep mail and paperwork off your desk with low-profile, wall-mounted file holders.
Mount a cork bulletin board to pin up important notes and paperwork.
In 10 Home Office Hacks to Get You Organized Now, HGTV.com recommends giving yourself a place to jot down notes and brainstorm with a hanging dry erase board.

Still struggling with your desk space? Try eliminating two of the biggest desk offenders: bulky monitors and your computer tower. If you haven’t upgraded your computer hardware in a while, rethink that bulky monitor. For the computer tower, you can either move it to the floor or just get a laptop, which will solve the monitor issue as well.

Go Paperless

Stacks of unsorted papers, receipts and mail are some of the most common enemies preventing you from having an organized office. Chances are your desk is cluttered with a few sheets that you meant to read and file away days ago, but you just haven’t gotten around to doing. If it’s such a drag on your decor, why not just go paperless? It’s easier than you think:

Opt for paperless statements.
Scan and save everything digitally.
Invest a few bucks in a cloud storage account.
Pick up an external hard drive to back up your digital files.

In addition to cutting down desk clutter, significantly decreasing your hard copies will cut down on all of the storage space you need for your paper items. Imagine what you could do with your home office if it wasn’t bogged down by all those folders, filing cabinets and overstuffed drawers.

Stop Making Excuses

Unchecked clutter emits a sense of chaos that pervades your work and sours your mood. You probably spend at least 40 hours a week sitting in your home office. Why let yourself spend that much time in a space that you actively dislike?

If you’re unhappy with your home office, stop making excuses. Take a weekend and do something about it. That messy area is sapping your comfort, health and happiness. Fortunately there are many ways to transform that space, from furniture to design to the way you work. You just have to find the motivation to start.

Sources

Why Melamine & Wood Are the Most Durable Materials to Use for Constructing Custom Closets

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 19:10:39 GMT

While you may be over the moon about adding your own custom closet to your home, you may feel overwhelmed by the immense number of considerations and factors that go into choosing one. Items such as designs, finishes, and building materials should all be thoroughly thought out before the installation process can begin.

But what are the best materials for building a custom closet?

While wood is an excellent custom closet material choice, there’s actually another type of material that is just as durable called Melamine.

In this article, we will thoroughly explore why wood and Melamine are the most popular materials to use for custom closets and help you decide which one is perfect for you.

Wood Custom Closets

Depending upon the type of wood you choose for your custom closet, it will have more durability and be able to withstand heavier loads.

You can utilize wood for the shelving, base of the closet itself, or even for both. When it comes to selecting a type of wood for your custom shelving units, many homeowners opt for plywood, as it is warp-resistant.

Plywood is a type of wooden material that is manufactured from thin layers, or plies, of wood veneers. These pieces are glued together with the adjacent layers having alternating directions of the grain.

Another popular wood for custom closets is Medium-Density Fiberboards or MDF. This engineered wood product is made by breaking down softwood or hardwood residuals into wood fibers, mixing it with a resin binder or wax, and then forming it into panels by applying high pressures and temperatures.

The main benefit of using wood to create your custom closet is the versatility. With countless kinds of wood available, you can truly craft a closet that caters to your exact aesthetics.

Wood is also very durable and sturdy wooden custom closets can bear a lot of weight without warping or bending, giving you complete confidence in your closets.

However, wooden closets can also be quite expensive, depending upon the type of wood you select. MDF may also sag, so never use this material for your shelving. Plywood, while stronger than MDF, may also require additional reinforcement when it is utilized for closet shelving.

Melamine Custom Closets

Melamine is the most durable material for custom closets. It is made from organic chemical compounds that are significantly stronger than run-of-the-mill wood and aren’t toxic to children or pets. While still made from wood, Melamine includes more deliberately engineered elements to boost its durability.

While Melamine is made in the same fashion that plywood is, it will not warp. Moreover, the laminate coat it has makes it tolerate stains, heat, and moisture much better than normal wood.

Though Melamine is extremely lightweight, it is by no means fragile. Virtually impossible to break, Melamine is guaranteed to withstand the test of time. It is also shatter-resistant, water-resistant, mold-resistant, and is available in numerous colors and customization options, including Concrete, Cloud, Cocoa, White, and Blush finishes.

Its lightweight material makes it extremely easy to move around, so you can effortlessly restyle and move your custom closet shelves as often as you’d like.

If you enjoy the look of wood but not the hefty price tag that can often accompany it, Melamine is a great alternative. It is an affordable alternative that has the same beauty as wood, and even more durability. Affordable Custom Closets & Garage discusses more about How Much a Custom Closet Costs and the factors involved in greater detail.

While Melamine has very little drawbacks, it is still prone to scratching. You can avoid scratches by being vigilant about what you put on top of your Melamine shelving units and taking care when moving items around.

Also, while this material is water-resistant, storing damp clothing on it can ruin it over time.

What About Wire Closets?

If you’ve done your homework on custom closet materials, you may have noticed that wire is another popular option. However, there are many drawbacks to using wire shelving in your closet, including:

Limited Functionality: Wire shelves have open spaces between the wires, making them take up more space than wood or Melamine.
Limited Accessibility: You cannot store smaller items, such as jewelry or accessories, in wire shelves because they will easily fall through the gaps.
Wire Shelving Can Dent Your Clothing: That’s right! No matter what type of material your clothing is made from, the wire grid will leave ugly indentations in your apparel.

Conclusion

When it comes to popular custom closet material choices, wood and Melamine are both superior choices, as they are both durable & long-lasting. They are also available in the most color and finish options so that you can truly create the custom closet of your dreams. But if you’re seeking long-lasting durability and affordability, Melamine is the obvious choice.

Seven Ways That Slatwall Is a Versatile Storage System for Your Garage

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 19:10:21 GMT

As any homeowner knows, it is very easy for things to pile up in your garage and for the area to become messy and disorganized. The fastest route is to just toss items in there, knowing that someday you will get around to organizing them --but then “someday” never comes as other things in life get in the way. Instead of letting everything pile up and underutilizing the space in your garage, consider installing a garage storage system that is versatile and gives you more room. Slatwall is a great and efficient system that homeowners across the United States use and love. Slatwall can be utilized to:

Install Wire Baskets Directly on the Walls
Hang a Flat Screen TV in Your Garage
Put in Custom Cabinets and Drawers for Storing and Organizing Items
Hang Up Sporting Goods
Organize Tools
Store Gardening Tools
Organize Recycled Items

Learn more about Slatwall and the seven ways that it can help to create more space in your previously disorganized garage in Boise, Nampa, Meridian, and nearby areas of Idaho.

1. Install Wire Baskets Directly on the Walls

If you have smaller items like baseballs, bike pads, and others, it can be hard to find a place to put those items. Often, they end up strewn about--especially if you have kids. A Slatwall system gives you a place to install wire baskets that will be firmly anchored to your walls so that you and your kids can safely store these smaller items without worrying about the baskets coming loose and falling on anyone. Sizes of available wire baskets that you can use in your garage include:

3”x 12”: This basket is ideal for storing craft supplies such as spray paint or other smaller items.
8” x 12”: Use this size for sidewalk chalk containers or citronella candles that you use in the summer to deter mosquitoes.
12” x 24”: This basket is a bit more shallow, so it is great for storing cleaning supplies or mop buckets to keep them off the ground.
12” x 18”: Keep weed control, fertilizer, and other yard treatments in these size buckets.

2. Use Slatwall to Hang a Flat-Screen TV in Your Garage

Since you will have more room to use your garage once your new storage system is installed, you can use the space as an extra entertainment area. This benefits you and your guests, as well as other members of your family who will have a new space to watch TV. It can also help entertain you if you are out in the garage working on a weekend project for your family or your house.

3. Put in Custom Cabinets and Drawers for Storing and Organizing Items

Custom cabinet designs allow you to create a space where you can store many items behind doors and off the floor, making your garage look much less cluttered and more organized. Add in however many drawers you may need to organize smaller, looser items so that they will be easy to find. Create a workbench with a stainless steel countertop that will look sleek and streamlined. You can build projects there and it will be a durable area that will last for decades.

4. You Can Hang Up Sporting Goods

Ever tripped over a tennis racket on the floor of your garage or stubbed your toe on a bicycle in the middle of the floor? With Slatwall, it is much easier to hang those items directly on the walls. A custom storage space designed for your home and your family’s needs will take into consideration exactly what you have and how to effectively store it. You can hang up baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, hockey gear, and more. Different sports organizers available include:

Tennis Racks: This handy rack stores your tennis rackets and balls all in one convenient place so that they are easy to grab when you are heading out the door for your doubles match with friends.
Golf Organizers: Store golf clubs, golf bags, your shoes, and more with golf organizers that provide ample room for multiple avid golfers in your home.
Golf Ball Baskets: Losing loose golf balls in your garage is frustrating when you have paid good money for them. With a golf ball basket, the only place you will be losing golf balls is if they roll into a water hazard on the golf course.
Fishing Rod Holder: A good fishing rod is valuable and of course you would want to properly store it so it is not left on the floor. Each fishing rod holder for your Slatwall garage can store up to four rods.

5. Organize Your Pliers, Wrenches, Screwdrivers, and Other Tools

In a disorganized garage, it can be quite difficult to find or locate a specific tool right when you need it. You could be searching through piles of items for quite a while in your quest for a Phillips-head screwdriver that will fit the screws of your child’s favorite toy. Instead of wasting your time looking for certain tools, organize them when you install your Slatwall storage system. There are many ways to install tool organizers so that you can easily sort them in a way that makes them incredibly easy to locate. Need to store drill bits? Designate a space for them in one of your new custom drawers.

6. Store Gardening Tools Effectively and Efficiently

Tripping over a rake or stepping on a shovel that was haphazardly left to sit on the ground is never fun. Instead of leaving these items on the ground, you can install garden tool storage that will keep them upright against your garage walls. Hook racks will effectively hold shovels, rakes, and more. A hose pipe holder also stores your garden hose so that it can be kept up out of the way and taken down only when needed so that it does not end up sitting out in your yard, on top of your grass.

7. Keep Recycled Items Sorted From the Rest of Your Trash

Recycling bins are another thing that can get in the way. Instead, store them on the walls of your new Slatwall storage system. You can add multiples if you need to sort glass from plastic and paper, making it easier to be environmentally conscious. Simply transfer the items to your larger recycling bin when it is time for it to be picked up by the local trash pickup company.

Ready to Have a Garage That You Can Be Proud to Show Off to Your Neighbors?

If you are tired of having a crowded, messy garage with no storage, you can install a Slatwall storage system that has many uses and storage opportunities. From sports equipment to power tools, this system can be designed to store it all!

What Type of Garage Cabinets Are the Best?

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 19:10:08 GMT

You’ve decided that having garage cabinets would make for a great storage solution to clean up all the accumulation of things around your garage. That’s really about as far as you’ve gotten. At this stage, you’re considering garage cabinet types, but you haven’t picked one yet. What type of garage cabinets are the best?

When choosing between garage cabinet, you can’t go wrong with the following types:

Powder-Coated 
Matte 
Wood-Grain 
Metallic

Each of these four types of garage cabinets offer great durability as well as appealing looks that will match any style of garage.

If you’re interested in learning more about the types of garage cabinets, make sure you keep reading. Ahead, you can check out detailed explanations of these cabinet materials that will help you make up your mind on which cabinets are best for your garage.

4 Types of Garage Cabinets to Consider

Powder-Coated

The first type of garage cabinet you might get installed is powder-coated cabinetry. The finish added to these garage cabinets lends them amazing durability. Even if you’re the type of person who’s in your cabinets every day digging around for woodworking or metalworking supplies or even equipment to restore your car, your powder-coated cabinets can handle it.

They won’t stain, nor will they fade with time. Even chipping is no issue with powder coating, allowing the cabinets to retain their original looks from the day you get them installed and onward.

The powder coat color selection should suit a multitude of tastes. If you favor big, bold, eye-catching colors that will draw attention, you’ll love the Tech Red hue. This bright color will have all of your pals talking about your garage cabinets. This is also the perfect shade for adding a cool yet calculated pop of color to your garage.

If you’d prefer to keep things somewhat understated, that’s fine too. The Granite powder-coated cabinet hue is a dark gray with faux texturing that makes it look like the stone it’s named after. Timeless yet modern, the Granite option is for those garage owners who prefer visitors to focus on the garage as a whole, not just the individual elements within.

Matte

There are still yet more garage cabinet types to explore, such as those with a matte finish. If you prefer simplicity with your cabinets, and–even more so–quick and easy maintenance, then these could be just the cabinets you’ve been looking for.

Matte garage cabinets need only mild detergent or soap as well as a wet, soft cloth to clean them up. If you get especially engrossed in one of your hobbies and your cabinets end up a little (or a lot) dirty, you can tidy them up in minutes. The durability of these cabinets is absolutely unmatched.

You’ll also like how well your matte cabinets blend in well with the rest of your garage. The color options here include white and silver. The white hue adds more brightness to your garage, so if your space is a little darker, try adding a few white cabinets throughout. The cleanness of white matte cabinets also ensures they never go out of style no matter what trends pop up on the horizon.

The appealing silver hue has a traditional flavor, as most garages tend to feature many metal surfaces throughout. When combined with the sleek look of matte, your silver matte cabinets will be as nice to look at as they are efficient for storing everything you need to put away.

Wood-Grain

Perhaps you’d like to inject some warmth into your garage rather than stick to mild colors. If so, then wood-grain cabinets could be the winner for you. These add a classic yet traditional feeling to any garage while never skimping on the storage capacity nor the durability.

The sturdy weight of wood makes it a very reliable material for garage cabinets. What’s even better is that you can get your cabinets both stain-proof and moisture-proof. Yes, that’s right. If you happen to accidentally spill motor oil or another fluid on your wooden cabinets, they clean right up without leaving discoloration or residue.

Moisture can be a big problem with wood. After all, when wood gets wet, it could begin to bend, warp, and rot. Also, its stability goes down the drain. You can rest assured then that your wood-grain garage cabinetry won’t develop moisture that can detract from its appearance and stability.

You’re probably wondering by now what your color options are regarding wood-grain shades. The maple wood finish for your cabinets is a delicate, very pale wood that has a darker wood-grain. If you want to park a darker car in your garage especially, the maple wood finish will bring out every last stunning detail of your vehicle.

For the most warmth wood-grain can offer, the Coco finish is what you want. This mid-colored brown, with black wood-grain details, adds a rustic flavor that will make your garage your new favorite place to be.

Metallic

You’re still not out of options yet. The fourth type of garage cabinet material that’s very much worth considering is metallic. The shine and shimmer of these cabinets make them anything but simple, yet they also don’t detract attention from whatever else you happen to display in your garage.

You have your pick between a lighter, cooler metallic and a darker, warmer one that’s complimentary to any type of garage. Windswept Pewter is the cooler silver with a textured appearance and flecks of black. If you plan on displaying vehicles in such awesome colors as purple, black, or blue, then Windswept Pewter cabinets would look especially good. These cabinets also go well with neutral-colored vehicles.

Your other choice is Windswept Bronze, a dark brown/copper hue with texturing and black flecks. The warmth from your cabinets in this shade isn’t overwhelming, but it does look especially good with any other warm-colored objects in your garage, including cars.

Tips for Choosing Your Garage Cabinets

With so many great options, you may be having a hard time determining which style of cabinet will suit your garage best. You narrowed it down to two or three picks, but you don’t know how to select the winner.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you browse your stunning garage cabinet options.

Overt Vs. Subtle

Do you want to make a décor impact with your garage cabinets? Then the powder-coated cabinets in Tech Red have your name all over them. You might also like the Windswept Bronze metallic cabinets, as these are anything but forgettable.

Perhaps you want to keep things relatively neutral in your garage. If so, then you have even more options. You can try the Windswept Pewter metallic cabinets, any of the matte cabinets, and the Maple wood-grain finish.

Warm Vs. Cool

You should also take a moment to assess whether your garage has warmer or cooler tones. If your garage is already a lighter color such as white, silver, or gray, then opting for warmer colors like Windswept Pewter or Maple wood-grain cabinets will best match what’s already in your garage.

Warmer-toned garage owners have many more options. You can go matchy-matchy with Windswept Bronze metallics and Coco wood-grains, or you can even incorporate dashes of color like the Tech Red powder-coated garage cabinets.

Conclusion

Cabinets make a phenomenal choice for garages big and small. You can clean up the clutter on the walls and floors, open up your space and make it look even larger. With the four types of garage cabinets discussed, including powder-coated, matte, wood-grain, and metallic, you can buy cabinetry that suits your personal tastes and blends in with the rest of your garage.

Must-Use Ideas for Organizing Your Laundry Room

Fri, 22 May 2020 19:09:54 GMT

Your laundry room is a rejuvenating place where dirty laundry goes in and clean clothes come out. You used to feel just as rejuvenated doing laundry, but lately the space around you is a little too cluttered. You’d love to organize your laundry room, but you’re out of ideas. What should you do?

To organize your laundry room and keep it tidy, try a laundry room organizer (or several) and some cabinets. These solutions instantly improve the look of your space so you won’t dread doing laundry anymore.

Keep reading to learn more about how to incorporate laundry cabinets and organizers in your laundry room for your best-smelling, best-looking space yet!

Reasons to Organize Your Laundry Room

It’s been on your to-do list for quite a while to get around to organizing your laundry room, but you just never seem to have the time. Since the idea has first popped into your head, you’ve watched your shiny, clean laundry room become messier and messier.

Here are some reasons to make laundry room organization a top priority today.

Convenience

Where did you put the laundry detergent again? You could have sworn it was by the washing machine, yet when you go there to look for it, it’s nowhere to be found. You do some hunting around and then figure out that the detergent was on the other side of the room the whole time.

When you tidy up your laundry room, you don’t have to worry or wonder where your laundry essentials are. Everything will be within arm’s reach yet out of view, making your time in the laundry room more convenient and joyful.

Appeal

You put a lot of thought into the redesign of your laundry room. You knew it would be a relatively busy place, considering that you wash and dry clothes there, but the mess has evolved past what you ever could have imagined.

By cleaning up the laundry room, it can resume that timeless appeal that you opted for when you decorated and designed the space originally. Each time you have to go in the room, you’ll look forward to it instead of dreading it.

Time Savings

Laundry can take hours out of your week, especially if you’re doing the wash every couple of days. Why make things any harder for yourself by wasting time in a disorganized laundry room? Whether it’s the above scenario where you can’t find the detergent or you have to dig around for your son’s soccer uniform right before a big game but it’s seemingly gone missing, those minutes you spend don’t come back.

Once you clean up your laundry room, you’ll be in and out of there all the time in minutes, potentially adding hours back to your week.

Two Great Ideas for a Better-Organized Laundry Room

You’re definitely interested in your options for an organized laundry room you won’t mind showing off to guests. Per the intro, here are two awesome ideas to consider on your quest for a cleaner and more organized space to do laundry.

Laundry Room Organizers

Everything has a place with laundry room organizers. From hefty bottles of detergent to your ironing board, you can now make your laundry room an efficient, productive place to be. For instance, use baskets or bins to store clothes. You can keep unwashed clothes on one side of the room near the washer and clean, unfolded clothes on another side, perhaps near the dryer.

This assembly-line style keeps clothes moving where they have to go, reducing the rate of lost garments your family desperately needs. When you’re done doing laundry, you can stack the baskets or bins inside of one another for even more open space.

You can also use hanging hooks as part of your organizers. You now have the perfect place to put your ironing board, such as up on the wall when it’s not in use. Just pull the board off the hooks when you need to iron the family’s clothes.

Laundry Room Cabinets

Besides laundry room organizers, you might consider laundry cabinets for cleaning up your laundry room. Wall-height cabinets are custom-fitted for your laundry room and its many uses. If you want to keep detergents, laundry baskets, or a variety of other laundry-related items in there, you might consider a laundry cabinet that’s taller and wider.

What else can you keep in your laundry cabinets? You have no shortage of options really! You might get a pressure-mounted pole set up in a taller cabinet so you can keep clothes hangers handy and even hang garments before they reach the closet. In smaller cabinet drawers, you can stash boxes of deodorizers, stain removers, laundry fresheners, and other assorted laundry products.

When you combine these cabinets with a series of organizers, you’re looking at your neatest, most organized, and easily accessible laundry room yet.

More Tips for Keeping Your Laundry Room Tidy

You decided to choose a laundry room cabinet or organizer system, perhaps even both. With less clutter on the walls and floors, getting around your laundry room has become so much easier. You definitely want to maintain the condition of the room going forward.

Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

Create a laundry system: You don’t have to make an assembly line like we described before, but having your own laundry system will keep clothes consistently moving into and out of the room and prevent them from piling up in one corner. Find a system that works for you and stick with it.
Don’t let small messes accumulate: It might seem okay to batter away dryer lint to the floor, at least once or twice, but if you do this enough, it will accumulate. From lint to tags, dryer sheets, and more, make sure your laundry room has a garbage can for disposing of these small but significant messes.
Start a pocket jar: Does your whole family remember to empty their pockets before putting their clothes in the hamper? If not, you might hear pens, coins, and other small items rumbling and clacking around the washer as they come loose from clothes pockets. When you recover these items, stash them in a jar, especially if it’s money!
Consider a ceiling drying line: Not all clothes can go in the dryer. What are you left to do with those pieces? You might put them on hangers and place them wherever they can go, but this muddles up your laundry room in a jiffy. If you often have rogue clothes that can’t be machine-dried, you should consider adding a ceiling drying line to your laundry room instead. This keeps drying clothes up higher and away from you.
Make your own folding station: One nook of your laundry room should be dedicated to folding laundry. Try to choose a bright, clean spot with a flat surface you can use to crisply fold shirts, pants, and other garments.

Conclusion

Just because you don’t spend as much time in your laundry room as you do a bedroom, living room, or family room doesn’t mean it should get less attention. If mountains of clothes and too many boxes of fabric softener have left your laundry room overwhelmingly dirty, clean it up with organizers and some new cabinetry. Everything will have its place so you can get laundry done faster and spend more time with your family.

What is the Best Garage Workbench Countertop Material?

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 19:09:41 GMT

If you do work out of your garage, you definitely need to outfit it with a workbench . The simple renovation will make every part of your hobbies and projects much easier. However, there are dozens of materials that people use to make workbench countertops, so how do you know which one to choose?

So, what is the best garage workbench countertop material? The best workbench countertop material depends on a variety of factors, including:

The work you’ll be doing
The equipment you’ll be using
How often you’ll be working
Your budget
Whether you need to move the bench periodically
Whether your countertop will get wet

While each situation is unique, I’ve found that there are a number of materials that would make for excellent workbench countertops, all of which will be discussed in this article. These three materials are tough, easy to clean, and very affordable for high-quality countertops.

Throughout this post, you’ll also learn the details of several other materials to choose, how you can decide which is right for you, and helpful tips for picking out and maintaining a new countertop material for your workbench.

Popular Workbench Countertop Materials: An Overview

Workbenches need to be tough and ready to take a beating. Since they’re used for chopping, cutting, hammering, and the use of several power tools, it’s easy to see why you need such a strong material.

Rather than settling for the first workbench countertop that you come across, you can analyze the four choices below, as well as optional topper materials to increase their lifespan.

Ebony Star

Ebony Star is a textured laminate that works very well on workbenches. Aside from the aesthetic appeal, this material also holds up against a variety of blunt and sharp force impacts from all sorts of tools. It’s also soft to the touch and doesn’t cause any splinters, unlike certain types of wood.

Another reason that so many people end up selecting Ebony Star countertops for their workbenches is that it can’t get rusted or rotted by water. All you have to do is wipe up the spill and you’re good to go. It’s also resistant to corrosion, unlike some metals. In short, Ebony Star is definitely one of the best workbench countertop materials.

Stainless Steel Workbench Countertops

Stainless steel reigns supreme in almost every area of the tool industry. Whether you’re getting a new set of hand tools or a fresh countertop installed, stainless steel should be considered on every occasion. The smooth nature and ability to withstand blunt and sharp objects make it sought after around the world.

You might also want stainless steel countertops on your garage workbench if you want to add other mounted vices and tools to the surface. Some materials don’t allow you to drill and mount, but stainless steel stands the test of time and holds onto anything for many years to come.

Oak Butcher Block

Oak is another tough wood, but it doesn’t scar nearly as easily as pinewood. It can be a bit more expensive depending on the retailer. Unlike pine, you don’t need to add a topper to oak wood. In fact, a layered butcher block made out of oak is one of the best materials for a garage workbench countertop.

Butcher blocks are so common because they last for decades under proper maintenance. If you’re looking for a workbench countertop that you’ll be able to pass on to your children, then there’s no doubt that a solid butcher block should be near the top of your list.

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)

Medium Density Fiberboard is very similar to particleboard in the sense that it’s a combination of fibers and bits, but it’s quite stronger. It’s made out of crushed and dusted hardwood, so you’ll get all sorts of benefits without having to spend too much money on a top-quality workbench countertop.

Maple Butcher Block

Maple wood is one of the toughest hardwoods on the planet. It’s used in heavy-duty equipment, sports gear, workbenches, and more. One reason that so many people love to use maple wood butcher blocks is that they come at a cheaper price than Redwood and other expensive types of wood.

Maple butcher blocks are reliable and long-lasting, much like their oak counterparts. Either way, butcher blocks shouldn’t be skipped on. They’re very similar to stainless steel countertops in the sense that you can drill and mount vices and other equipment without shattering or splintering the surface.

As you can see, there are all sorts of options to choose from. You shouldn’t feel as if you have to settle for any of the options. There’s something for every garage workbench, so you’ll love any of the three main choices.

Although MDF is a good choice, it’s not always the most practical for long-lasting results.

How to Decide

Since there are so many materials to choose from, it can get a bit confusing. After all, every wood listed above will have no problem lasting for over a decade under good maintenance.

Let’s check out five questions you can ask yourself to decide which countertop material is right for your garage workbench.

What kind of work will you be doing ? If you’re using sharp blades and heavy power tools, you might want to choose either maple wood or an oak butcher block. Pine is a bit too soft, so you’d see scratches all over it in no time. On the other hand, getting a butcher block will disperse the force of blunt objects evenly.
Which equipment will you use ? As you read above, butcher blocks do an excellent job at spreading the impact of blunt tools. However, if you’re using a mixture of power and hand tools, then you might want to throw a rubber topper to absorb the force of any tool coming its way.
How often do you use your workbench ? While it was mentioned that all hardwood lasts for a long time, there’s no doubt that some of them can take a beating better than others. Maple is probably the best for long-term usage, but it can be heavy and not as portable as other woods or even lightweight stainless steel countertops.
Speaking of which, do you need to move your workbench ever ? It’s worth mentioning that some types of wood are heavier than others. In most cases, maple, oak, and redwood weigh the most. However, they also offer some of the best durability on the market.
Will your workbench countertop get wet ? Probably not a question that you’d normally consider, but porous wood can grow mold and rot. If you plan to use any of these woods, make sure you have a top layer of rubber or closed-cell foam rubber. Always wipe off any excess moisture.

Conclusion

Choosing the best material for your garage workbench countertops will make them last much longer. Now that you’ve seen all of the top options, you’re well-equipped to purchase the right type of wood, rubber, or fiberboard to get the job done.

Remember that you can always use an additional layer to increase the lifespan of the workbench. Some people stack maple wood on top of the pine board to get the best of both worlds.

Here’s a quick recap of the post:

There are a number of excellent workbench countertop materials available. However, the material that you select will depend on a variety of factors, as listed above.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of hammering on the workbench, consider adding rubber sheets on top to disperse blunt force impact.
If you have a wood-based countertop material, try to clean up water spills as soon as they occur
Think hard about the equipment that you’ll be using before making a purchase decision.

Home Organizers That Make Your Life Simpler

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 20:09:00 GMT

Most of us are looking for ways to make our lives simpler. Especially now that a new year is starting, organizing the home and finding ways to streamline routines takes on a higher priority. If you are hoping to simplify, you might find that some of these organizational products can help. In addition, we invite you to read even more tips on Impeccable Closets ’ website in their recently published article, How to Get Organized Before the New Year .

Pull-Out Shelves in the Kitchen Pantry

Have you ever had the frustrating experience of trying to make dinner and not having the ingredients needed? Or maybe you know that you have cinnamon or a gravy packet in there somewhere but you just can’t find it. Pull-out shelves in the kitchen pantry can really make your life easier when it comes to getting dinner on the table. You will be able to see what you have in the corners of the pantry, and you’ll be able to access it easily without knocking over other items or having to contort yourself into strange shapes.

This type of pantry shelving also allows you to stock up on non-perishables and rotate your stock. You should put newer canned and jarred items toward the back of the pantry, but when the back of a shelf is hard to reach, we have the tendency to stick new items in the front. This can lead to older items languishing until past their expiration dates.

Laundry Room Cabinets

If you have clutter in your laundry room (or even if you don’t), you might be wishing to simplify your laundry routines. Piles of separated laundry on the floor and dusty detergent bottles perched on top of the dryer don’t make you feel calm and peaceful about doing the wash!

Laundry room cabinets are a great addition to your home if you are hoping to get organized in the laundry room. Large ones can keep your separated laundry in baskets behind closed doors, and smaller ones can hold your detergent bottles where they won’t get covered in flying dryer lint. Walking into a neat, tidy space to get a load of laundry done will feel simple and not overwhelming.

Valet Rod in the Walk-in Closet

It might seem like a small habit, but if you set out your clothing the night before, it will be a much easier task to get dressed in the morning. You won’t need to search for a slip or a specific belt, and everything will already be neatly pressed. You can avoid unpleasant surprises like a stain on your blouse or a missing button on your cuff.

A valet rod in your walk-in closet is the perfect place to hang the next day’s outfit. You can put everything on it, from your undergarments to your jacket, making it very simple to get ready for the day.

Shoe Racks in the Entryway Closet

When you open your front hall closet, what does the floor look like? If your family leaves shoes in this space, chances are good that they’re all in a jumble on the floor. Do you have to hunt through shoes to find yours in the morning? Or, worse, does everyone kick off their shoes outside of the closet, leaving a mishmash of sneakers, sandals, and boots strewn around your entryway?

If you don’t have a dedicated mudroom, you might consider having custom shoe racks installed in this space. It will give you a place to stash those shoes out of the way, and they’ll always be easy to find.

Custom Workspace in the Home Office

Do you struggle with a desk that isn’t quite the right height or that doesn’t have exactly what you need in terms of storage in the home office? If you are working from home, then you’re spending approximately 40 hours per week at a sub-par workstation. This is hard on your back, your arms, your wrists, and even your eyes.

You owe it to yourself to invest in a custom workspace if you work from home. Your desk should be ergonomically correct and should fit you well. Having enough storage space within easy reach is paramount; you shouldn’t have to bend and twist or walk across the room to get something that you use on an hourly basis. In fact, if there’s one organization product you're going to get 2020, this might be the one that makes the biggest difference in your productivity.

Drawers in the Children’s Closets

If you are like many parents, you have to go in and re-hang items in your children’s closets all the time. If you don’t, you might just live with them hanging them improperly or allowing them to fall on the floor eventually. Either way, it can be frustrating and the opposite of simple!

Having drawers installed in your kids’ closets is a way to add simplicity to their lives. Your children can simply put away their folded clothes without worrying about hanging them at all. They will one day learn how to hang items properly. Until then, while they’re small, letting them use drawers (or cubbies or hooks on the wall) makes your life easier and keeps their closets neater.

If getting organized and simplifying your life and your home are your new year’s resolutions, contact Space Envy. We can come to your Nampa-area home and show you the difference that some of these organizational products can make. There’s nothing to lose, as the visit is free, so call today!

Does a Custom Closet Increase Home Value?

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:08:42 GMT

If you own your home, then you probably think about how the upgrades and renovations you are considering will affect your home’s value. This is likely true even if you don’t plan on selling anytime soon; most people see their homes as an investment, and they will strive to keep their investment growing in value if at all possible.

There are some upgrades that can add to the value of the home. Well-known ones might include adding a bedroom, upgrading carpeted floors to hardwood, and updating the kitchen appliances. Adding custom closets to your home can also increase its value and can help you sell your home more quickly when the time comes to put it on the market. Read on to find out how custom closets can pay off when you decide to sell.

Staging Is That Much Easier

When you put your home on the market, your real estate agent will let you know what you should do in order to make your home appeal to most buyers. This will include putting away personal items and perhaps removing some of your bulky furniture. You might be asked to pick up area rugs that are covering hardwood floors or switch out freestanding lamps to brighten up rooms. These actions will help buyers better envision their own items in your home.

When you take these steps, however, you will likely notice that you suddenly have a lot of extra belongings to store. Custom closets and other storage areas will give you the perfect place to stash these items. Piling them up in the corner of the master bedroom or stacking them in the garage will add visual clutter that neither you nor your potential buyers will want to see. Paying for a storage unit is an option, but it doesn’t make good financial sense if you don’t have a lot of items (or large items) to store. If you have a customized storage area like a walk-in closet or a large custom utility closet, however, that will give you the space you need to pack these items away. In addition, it will show your buyers that you have enough storage space to store not only your everyday belongings but also the things you have packed up in advance of your move.

Buyers Are Drawn to Extra Storage Space

If you ever watch home-buying television shows on HGTV, you will notice that most would-be buyers want storage--and lots of it. Walk-in closets are coveted, but whether your closets are large or small, custom closets can increase the space that you have for storing all sorts of items.

A master bedroom walk-in closet outfitted with drawers, shelves, shoe racks, double-hung clothing rods, and various accessories will almost always appeal to buyers. Even reach-in closet organizers will show buyers that they will be able to store a lot of their belongings inside the space. Kids’ custom closets are especially attractive; they can be used for the new buyers’ children or, if they don’t have children who will be using those bedrooms, for guests, as craft closets, or whatever else they desire.

This boon of extra storage is not limited to closets, of course. A custom kitchen pantry, a garage with a custom organization system, or a Murphy bed installed in an office all add storage space to the home and can pique the interest of a buyer.

Optional Upgrades Usually Indicate Good Maintenance

When you purchase someone else’s home, it’s anyone’s best guess as to whether they kept up with maintenance. While an inspection will suss out problems like neglected plumbing issues or an old roof in need of a replacement, potential buyers don’t necessarily want to wait until they get to the inspection phase to determine that routine maintenance has been done. Seeing indications that a home has been cared for can be reassuring for someone who is hoping to put in one bid and move through the purchasing process smoothly (so, everyone!).

Having optional upgrades like custom closets is usually a strong indicator that basic maintenance has been done. Very few homeowners would invest in unnecessary renovations while neglecting the basics of their home. This does not only apply to custom closets, of course; any cosmetic or luxury upgrade (such as granite counters, new cabinets, etc.) will tell your buyers that you take pride in homeownership and that you have put your time and money into keeping your house in good condition.

All Things Being Equal, Custom Closets Stand Out

When you are selling your home, the goal is for your house to stand out against the competition. If you have a “typical” home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage on the most common lot size in your neighborhood, you will need something unique if you want to attract attention. Make no mistake: Your house will probably end up selling anyway, but your goal is likely to get the best price possible and to have it sitting on the market for as short a time as possible. Maybe you even dream of a bidding war!

A luxury like custom closets can be that little something special that makes your home stand out among the rest. Space Envy is a custom closet company in the Nampa, Idaho, area. Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation and closet design. We would love to have the chance to get to know you and to show us how custom closets can change your day-to-day life now and increase your home’s value in the future.

How to Organize a Small Closet

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 19:08:25 GMT

Small closets , particularly those that need to hold a lot of items, can tend to get overstuffed and messy. If you are struggling with clutter in your entryway closet, linen closet, hallway closet, or guest bedroom closet, you are not alone. It can be difficult to come up with neat and tidy storage systems in a small space. That doesn’t mean that all hope is lost, however! There are some steps you can take to make it easier to keep your small closet organized.

Think Beyond Your Current Closet Components

If you are trying to organize a guest bedroom closet or a coat closet, you probably have a hanging rod and a shelf that came already installed in the closet. These are good starting points, but you shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that these stock components are going to be enough to keep your closet well-organized. You might find that having a small set of drawers installed can give you more space for items that shouldn’t be hung, like sweaters and t-shirts in a bedroom closet. And a shoe rack keeps your family’s footwear off of the floor in the coat closet.

A similar situation applies in a linen closet. You probably have shelves, but they might not be arranged in a way that helps you to store everything you need to keep in that space. Shelf dividers, hooks on the walls, and other types of storage products can help you keep towel stacks from falling over and toiletries corralled.

Use Baskets and Bins to Store Small Items

Many small closets have a variety of small items that can fall off of shelves and end up on the floor. Baskets and bins are a great solution. They can hold different types of toiletries in a linen closet, hair accessories in a child’s closet, gloves and hats in an entryway closet, and so on. Place these on shelves or hang them from hooks on the wall to give you even more space.

Put in Specialty Storage Products

Lest you think that your options are limited in a reach-in closet, rest assured that you can put specialty storage products in a small space. A valet rod in a child’s closet, for example, will not take up much room and will give you a place to hang the next day’s (or even a whole week’s worth of) clothing. Consider a pull-out mirror that allows you to see what your ensemble looks like without taking up wall space. Belt and tie racks can be used in a guest room closet to give visitors a place to store these small items without taking up room necessarily in the main bedroom.

Talk to your Space Envy custom closet organizers to learn more about the specific products that can help you store your items in the closet you are having redone. You might be surprised by how these accessories can really increase space in a small closet!

Invest in Storage Pieces That Will Last

One mistake that some homeowners make when redesigning a closet is that they look for the most inexpensive solution because the space is small and they don’t think it will matter much. The issue they may run into is that because the tendency is to overstuff these tiny spaces, the cheaper components might not hold up. Wire closet components, for example, aren’t going to be able to bear heavy loads as thick wood shelving would.

In addition, if you are making the investment in upgrading your storage space, it makes sense to choose pieces that will last for many years. Most people find it frustrating to have redo renovations a couple of years after they were originally done. Think about the future, should the time come to put your home on the market. You will want to have high-quality upgrades in your home to attract more buyers and to get the best price for your investment. This includes the pieces you put into small spaces such as your reach-in closet.

Call in the Professional Closet Organizers

Putting in a custom closet is not something that many homeowners can do themselves. Calling in a professional closet designer will help you get the most bang for your buck and will also allow you to consider options that you might not have thought of on your own. Contact the closet organizers at Space Envy to schedule a free in-home consultation. Your designer will create a closet design for your small space at no cost to you. Call today!

Do You Need a Professional Custom Garage, or Should You DIY?

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 19:08:11 GMT

Do you like to take on do-it-yourself projects? Many Idaho families take pride in doing their own home repairs and upgrades. There are some projects that are perfectly suited to do on your own. For example, if you are handy and you would like to put in a new kitchen faucet or paint your bedrooms, these are generally simple to do and rewarding for the do-it-yourselfer. There are other projects that really should be handled by a professional. Repairing a septic system, mitigating mold, or replacing the roof would be examples of things that the average homeowner is not equipped to do, making it safer to call in a pro. Then there are the majority of home upgrades, including replacing counters and customizing a garage, that could potentially go either way. Here are some of the considerations to keep in mind if you are not sure whether to DIY or hire a pro like the garage designers at Space Envy to build a custom garage .

Think About the Scope of Your Custom Garage Project

If your primary concern is adding shelving to one wall of the garage and you don’t need garage cabinets, new flooring, or a workbench, then that is simple enough to handle on your own. You can purchase a shelving set at any home improvement store and place some brackets into your garage wall so it can’t topple over. Be aware that the amount of weight each shelf can hold will be variable and be careful not to overload shelves. Space Envy shelving can bear about 100 lbs per shelf and they are wall-mounted; that might not be the case with other shelving that you purchase and install yourself. Still, it’s a fairly easy job to put shelves in the garage. Just be sure to anchor them properly for safety.

If, however, you are looking for a completely customized garage complete with cabinets, overhead storage racks, a variety of holders, a wall-based storage system, and new flooring, that is likely too big of a job to handle on your own if you are not well-versed on installing these types of items. Think about the scope of your project before making your final decision on whether you should hire a custom garage company or plan to DIY.

Consider How Well You Can Maximize Your Garage Space

Are you good at looking at a space and being able to configure it to fit what you need to within that space? This is a skill that often takes some honing, though some people are naturally good at it. If you have had experience with being able to visualize how items should go together and you are usually right about the amount of space you need for each grouping, then a custom garage might be okay to do yourself.

Most people, however, need to be able to actually see what a design will look like before they can imagine it on their own. At Space Envy, we use 3D software to design and plan each custom storage space. This means that we can type in the dimensions of the garage along with all of the components that a client wants, allowing us to show homeowners what their spaces will look like once everything installed. If you are not gifted with excellent spatial awareness and you are hoping to add a lot of space to your garage, consider hiring a professional.

Look Into the Type of Pricing You Might Encounter

Many people automatically assume that they will save gobs of money if they do their garage renovation on their own. While this can be the case if you work quickly and efficiently, many times it nearly evens out thanks to the good prices that we can get on high-quality closet components. Remember that we purchase everything in bulk and we can get wholesale prices. We pass those savings on to our customers.

In addition to the cost of the actual components, you might need to purchase or rent tools. You also might need to take some time off from work to devote those hours to the project. While it’s not as much of a problem if you already own the tools and you plan on stretching out the project for many weeks or even months, if you are looking for a high-quality job done quickly, hiring a professional might be the way to go.

Think About Having Garage Flooring Done Professionally

Idaho homeowners who are looking for that “showroom shine” and want epoxy floors poured in their garage are usually better off hiring a professional garage designer. In order to get a flawless finish with stain resistance, you are going to need a high-quality product and an excellent prepping and pouring technique. Unless that is what you do for a living, it is likely that doing it yourself could cause imperfections in the finish. At Space Envy, we install garage floors regularly in this area of the country, so we know how to work with the extreme weather that is common in Idaho. For the most part, we do not recommend putting in your own garage flooring.

Always Keep Garage Safety in Mind

While your completed and well-organized custom garage is probably at the forefront of your mind during this project, it is important to keep garage safety right at the top of your priority list. Whether you are mixing adhesive, running a generator to keep warm in the winter months, or perching on a ladder, it is vital to take all safety precautions possible in order to keep yourself and others safe. Installing shelving without anchoring it could potentially lead to severe injury of a child, pet, or even an adult. Running a generator inside of a garage (even with the door open!) can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in both the garage and the inside of the house. And not knowing how to mix adhesives or use power tools safely could lead to disaster.

If you are unsure of your ability to keep yourself and others in your family safe, please do not attempt a custom garage DIY project. In that case, your first step should be to call a custom garage company like Space Envy. Our workers are professionals who know exactly which steps to take to ensure their (and your) safety both during and after your installation. Contact us today to schedule your free in-home consultation to learn more about getting a custom garage. This appointment includes a free design appointment and it comes with no obligation, so get in touch with us now!

How Custom Closets Can Pay for Themselves

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 19:07:52 GMT

One common question that many Idaho homeowners have when they think about home organization is, “how much do custom closets cost?” The answer to that question is that it depends! The factors that are considered include the size of the closet, the specific accessories that are needed by a particular family, the finishes they choose, and any special requests or unusual features that the project might include. At Space Envy, we offer a free in-home consultation that includes a free 3D design and a price quote, so you will know in advance exactly what your custom closet will cost. In addition to the expense of putting in a custom closet, it’s also important to think about the ways that your bank account can actually benefit from having a customized storage space installed. Read on to learn about how custom closets can pay for themselves over time.

Custom Closets Keep Your Items Looking Newer Longer

Think about getting ready for the day in a crowded, disorganized closet. You might trip over or step on a shoe on your way in. Then you need to push items together as you go through your clothing, looking for the piece you have in mind. Maybe an item falls off of a hanger and onto the floor, where you might step on it before noticing. When you pull out a blouse, it might snag on whatever is next to it, popping off a button in the process. Perhaps you pull out a pair of pants and realize that they are heavily creased and worn from being pressed against the hanger so tightly.

When you have a custom closet, there is enough room for everything in the closet. This means that shoes won’t end up laying on the floor, where they can be tripped or stepped on. Your separates will be able to breathe thanks to not being crammed up against neighboring items, keeping them looking nicer longer. Rather than having to mend or replace items due to damage caused by a too-crowded closet, you’ll be able to enjoy your clothing for longer and wear them more times. This in itself can save you quite a bit on your wardrobe budget.

This benefit doesn’t apply only to master bedroom closets, of course. Children’s custom closets will help your kids keep their items in good shape, too. When you take good care of young people’s clothing, it means that they will often outgrow the items before they wear out. They can then be handed down to a younger sibling or sold at a consignment shop, saving (or even making!) you money.

Custom Closets Can Reduce Duplicate Purchases

How many white blouses, pairs of black pants, and gray cardigans do you have? How many do you need? It is frustrating when you know you have an item somewhere in your closet but you cannot find it. You might assume that it was accidentally left somewhere or that perhaps you donated it, so you spend money to replace the item. Of course, we all know what happens next: You are likely to end up finding the item, which means that now you have two (or more, depending on whether this has happened before).

Another place that this happens is in the kitchen pantry. You might look in the pantry to see what you have, make your grocery list, then when it’s time to put the groceries away, you realize that you have an enormous stash of chicken broth or kidney beans, items that you just purchased because you didn’t know that you had any. Even more frustrating is when you are sure that you have a certain ingredient but once you have everything out for a recipe you want to make, it turns out that you don’t, causing you to run out the nearest convenience store and pay double what the item would cost at your favorite grocery store.

With custom closets, especially a custom kitchen pantry, this type of duplicate purchasing is often eliminated. You will be able to see what you have easily. Pull-out pantry drawers go a long way in opening up your visibility of the space and shelf separators and bins allow you to store like items together. You will notice a decrease in your grocery bill as well as in your clothing budget.

Custom Closets Can Help You Sell Your Home (When the Time Comes)

Perhaps the most dramatic way that custom closets can save you money is by making your home easier to sell. As you remember from when you purchased your current home, buyers look for signs that the previous owner has taken good care of the property. Upgrades are not only attractive in terms of prompting higher offers but also signs that the owners had pride in their homeownership. Someone who added custom closets and performed other upgrades also likely took care of regular maintenance such as having plumbing issues addressed and making sure that the roof was in good condition.

In addition, your custom closets will give you a place to neatly store your boxes and items that you are packing away in anticipation of your move. This will come in very handy when a real estate agent asks to come by in an hour!

Whether or not you are planning on putting your home on the market within the next year or within the next decade, a real estate agent in Idaho will be able to tell you what sort of difference you might expect to see when it does come time to sell.

If you are considering having custom closets installed in your Nampa area home, contact Space Envy to schedule your free in-home consultation. We will be able to tell you exactly what your customized space will cost so you can make the decision that is right for your family.

How to Choose The Best Custom Closet Design Company

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 19:07:34 GMT

Just like when you go to buy a car, when it comes to installing custom closets or storage systems, there are basic features or upgrades to take into consideration. A quality custom closet design company will know exactly how to deliver the results you are looking for. That said, there are several things worth considering when choosing a custom closet company, besides just the price.

A custom closet or storage system is an important investment that will contribute to the value and function of your home. So it is important to choose a company that is going to be able to design a closet system to fit your needs perfectly. One that offers a great range of design styles and finishes who are experts in their industry and that also have a good reputation is equally as important.

10 Tips To Help You Choose The Best Custom Closet Company

With some clever planning and design sense, your custom storage project can not only enhance your individual style but create better organization and order in your home. Before you start it is worth finding a company that can meet your expectations.

The following tips will help you choose the best custom closet designer that delivers both great storage solutions and has the experience to match.

Free Consultations

While many closet companies will just give you an approximate quote or rough design, a reputable and experienced custom closet company will usually offer a free design consultation where a closet designer will come to your home. A good designer will take inventory of all your items making sure to provide an adequate home for everything you need to keep in your closet. They should also be able to provide you with a 3D design which will give you the opportunity to see exactly what your finished closet will look like and how it will function. This is of great benefit in helping you to establish a design that will meet your storage needs.

Preview Their Work

One of the best ways to get a sense of the quality of a company’s product is to see a portfolio of their work or visit their showroom. Additionally, companies with showrooms tend to be better established.

Look For Experience

This is not to say that companies that are new to the market do not have experience or cannot provide great service and product. Many new companies may already come from previous extensive background in the industry. However, a company that has been in business a lot of years in business is more likely to be able to stand by their warranty and installations.

Customer Testimonials

Testimonials are an invaluable way of getting a picture of what sort of experience a company delivers. Being able to read about customers’ first-hand accounts of their experiences are a great way to learn about a company.

Work Should Be Guaranteed

A professional closet design company should always offer a guarantee for their products and workmanship. It is important to protect your investment. It also demonstrates the company takes your satisfaction, and their reputation, seriously.

Ensure Qualified Designers

Designers should have backgrounds in design. Off-the-shelf and kit designs are okay if you are doing the project yourself, but a professional expert in design that knows how to conceptualize spaces is part artist and part engineer, and worth the effort to secure. One big advantage of having a professional designer is they have been trained in combining form and function in a way that will match your needs and maximize the space, regardless of the style.

Quality Materials Matter

Your closet can be created from a range of different materials to achieve your style preferences. Depending on your budget, availability of certain materials may vary. However, make sure any custom closet company you choose can offer not only a variety of styles and finishes within your budget but can also explain any benefits of the different materials and options in detail.

Manufacturing Of Your Products

Consider where your closet products and components are manufactured. A custom closet company that manages the manufacturing of many of its products is more advantageous. They tend to have greater control over your closet project and therefore a much higher level of customization can be achieved. With perfect precision cuts, you'll have a closet that looks like it belongs to the home. Custom closet companies that are able to design, manufacture and install are usually more flexible and invested in your satisfaction.

Licensing and Insurance

It may be important to learn if the custom closet company you choose is licensed and insured. Any professional closet company that is manufacturing and installing internal house fixtures should be. This means the company is reputable, responsible and able to handle any problems should they arise.

Installation Arrangements

This is a telling example of an experienced and professional company. A quality company will have its own installation team whose only job is to manage the installation process. Installers who work closely with the company’s designer and manufacturer take responsibility for their workmanship and are more likely to be accountable, which translates into fewer mistakes.

Dedicated To Customer Service

A professional company is aware of how important and invaluable it is to have a focus on quality customer service. Some companies even have a dedicated customer service department solely devoted to handling service requests. This is highly beneficial and can speed up the response time. Be sure to choose a company that puts a lot of emphasis on their integrity to customer service, this will help your entire custom closet project to be as stress-free as possible.

What was once considered a luxury, a custom closet, is now an essential part of maximizing space and functionality in homes. If you are ready to discover how Boise, Idaho’s leading custom closet company can help you achieve your storage goals, then call the trusted experts at Space Envy today and schedule your FREE In-Home Design Consultation!

Effective Organization Tips For Getting Your Closet In Order Fast

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 19:07:20 GMT

Has the clutter in your closets taken over your sanity? Needing a fast solution to getting them organized? A closet makeover is the dream solution, however, if you find it difficult getting the time to re-organize it all, while not the optimum solution, but perhaps some quick tips for regaining some order in your closets could be just the thing to reign in the chaos.

Installing some closet storage solutions to get your closet functional again is the first step. If you're short on time trying some of these fast and effective closet organizing tips could get you off the cluttered clothes hook, metaphorically speaking.

6 Quick & Effective Closet Organization Tips

Space Saving Hangers

If you want to really maximize your closet storage and gain some extra space then investing in proper hangers is key! There is a great range of purpose-built clothing hangers available today that are designed to maximize your closet space. For around $30 you could double your hanging space.

Organize Like Items Together

Grouping all like items together is one of the quickest closet organization tricks around. Sweaters should all be folded together, dresses in their own section, slacks with slacks, and accessories like belts and scarves should be organized collectively.

Color Coding

Number #1 on the list of quick and effective organization tips - not only is color coding an inspiring and aesthetically pleasing way to organize your closet, but it is an invaluable time saver when it comes to coordinating of outfits.

Storage Baskets Are King

If you have any unusual or occasional items, like gym clothes, scarves, sweaters, shoes, hats etc, that need to still be accessible but out of the way of everyday use, then putting them in baskets or bins and keeping them on your top shelf is great space saving trick. It maximizes your storage space whilst still making it easy to retrieve them.

Underbed Bed Storage

Under the bed is the perfect place to store your winter coats, woolen garments, etc., in vacuum sealable bags over the summer months. The same things apply for storing all your summer clothes during the winter. This one thing alone can almost double your storage space in your closet.

Minimize Your Clothing

This is probably half the challenge in having a good closet organization. A good rule of thumb is, if you haven't worn something inside of 12 months (unless it holds sentimental value) then it’s time to let it go. Every piece of clothing uses valuable closet real estate, so make each item count!

Are you ready for a complete closet makeover? Do you want to discover how you can achieve the ultimate closet organization? Then call in the experts in custom closet and organizer solutions at Space Envy and schedule your No-Obligation FREE In-Home Design Consultation today!

Recover a Few Hours per Week with Better Closet Organization

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 19:06:57 GMT

It’s well-known that if when you are disorganized, you lose something as precious as money - Time. The very first place that should be organized is where you start and end your day, and that’s the closet system in your bedroom. When you wake up every morning, you usually need to figure out what you need to wear for the day, and with the added hurdle of a foggy morning brain, delays are expected to happen. If your closet is disorganized, it takes longer to find what you’re looking for so let’s take a look at some ways you can save a few hours a week by implementing the following tips.

Four Time-Saving Closet Organization Strategies

Clutter Management

The first step to mastering closet organization is to go through every item in your closet inventory. Yes, it may be a tedious task; however, it’s a necessary step that you should do and not think too much about. You’ll want to categorize your clothing items to Donate, Keep, and Trash. Remember the K.I.S.S method, Keep It Simple Stupid? By keeping it simple you’re more likely to start and complete the task at hand.

Closet Organizers that Work

What will determine how your clothes are organized are the closet storage system that you have available. If you’re still using a standard closet (a single hanging rod with a shelf up top), then you’ll want to consider upgrading your closet storage cabinets to a more customized one that is tailored to you.

If you think about it, no closet organizers mean that all of your items will be on the floor. How your closet is designed and implemented will play a huge part in the ease of staying organized as well as your priceless peace-of-mind. Everyone’s closet storage needs are different depending on who you are, your gender, where you work, what you do recreationally, and more.

Every Item is Homed

Once you have your closet organizers in place, then it’s time to determine the home for each individual item. Yes, every item should have a section that it ONLY lives in when not in use. This is one of the main foundations of closet organization. Once you use your new closet system for a little while, then staying clutter-free becomes second nature and you may notice that other areas of your life will be positively affected.

Sustainable Habits

So how do make closet organization second nature? The answer is pretty simple - establishing sustainable habits so you can do it over and over again automatically without effort. Here are just a few simple habits that you can begin implementing right away.

Every night before bed, home all scattered closet items in their proper sections; then, choose what you’re going to wear the next day and set them aside. Clear anything else up in your room and re-organize your nightstand if necessary. Go to sleep in a clean room. Just decide that you’re going to do it because if you want to establish good organization habits, this is a must.

Then every morning when you wake up, your clothes are already chosen, your room is clean, and you don’t have much to think about! If you decide to choose different clothing and are in a rush, no worries; at the very least, fold your clothes and place it on your bed to put away later. That way, when you come home tired, you’re more likely to put away folded clothes versus organizing a scattered pile - ‘catch my drift’?

3 Top Secrets Revealed For Organizational Bliss In Your Home

Fri, 25 Mar 2016 19:06:41 GMT

Have you ever wondered why some people’s homes always seem so clean and well organized even though they don’t even hire a maid? It makes you feel elevated when visiting but sullen when returning to your place, because you know your home could look great too if only you could be more organized. Do you want to know exactly how they manage to do it?

It’s actually quite simple; it’s all in your storage systems and the habits you implement around them. Custom closet and other storage systems with purposeful organizers throughout your home combined with some good habits hold the key to non-stop organizational bliss.

3 Secrets For Organizational Bliss in Your Home

Here are some simple secrets to organizational bliss in your home that will help you foster new habits permanently.

Letting Go Of What Doesn’t Serve You

It is a lot more complicated to organize your stuff if there are items you don’t really need or use anymore. This is where you have to get serious and start letting go of some things to truly achieve organizational bliss. Get 3 good sized boxes - Designated them as ‘keep/store’, ‘throw away’ and ‘donate. Then move through every room in your home filling them up accordingly. With what you have left to keep or store you can begin assigning them a newly designated place.

A Designated Place For Everything

You need to have a designated place for every item in your home. For example, where do your car keys go? Do you have a designated hook or bowl for them next to the door? Where do your pens go? Do you have a pen holder? What about your magazines, sports gear or hobby items? How are they organized/stored? It is important to make a designated “home” for big or small everything needs a designated place. Having adequate storage and closet organizers will also help this habit to function better.

Put Things Away Immediately

A habit many people have is to leave items they use lying around, thinking, “I’ll just put it away later”. But then life gets in the way and clutter accumulates. Putting them away later is more likely to be avoided if clutter piles up. So get in the habit of putting things away immediately after use. The few moments or even minutes this takes will pay off immensely! Having designated storage systems in place is going to help you maintain this habit a great deal.

Keeping A To-Do Calendar or List Handy

Trying to remember everything that needs to be done ALL of the time can just add to the chaos and translate as clutter in your home. Instead, have a small notepad handy in your purse, put a calendar up on your wall at home and an erasable whiteboard up on your fridge. Every time you remember something that needs doing, write it down and check off your list or add it to your calendar by the end of each day. This habit alone is life-changing.

Clean Up As You Go

This habit is highly effective because it is so much easier to clean as you go than to let it pile up and do a big clean up later. So if you’re in the kitchen, wash your dishes as you use them, wipe counters down too. In the laundry, fold and hang as you finish each load. In the bathroom, include cleaning as a part of your shower routine.

Developing these simple routines and systems will have life changing effects on the organization in your home. Are you a resident in Boise, Nampa or Meridian? Would like the assistance of an expert designer to visit your home for FREE and show you how you can achieve organizational bliss? Then call the team at Space Envy today and mention this article to claim your FREE In-Home Consultation.

5 Great Ways A Custom Closet Designer Will Make Your Life Better

Fri, 19 Feb 2016 20:06:17 GMT

Today there are so many options when it comes to improving the organization of our living spaces, especially with your closet. However, knowing which ones will perfectly suit your needs can be a bit of a challenge and sometimes even overwhelming. Whether you are unsure of how to get started or quite simply lack the time to do it, a professional custom closet designer can help you achieve your home organization goals.

5 Great Reasons To Work With A Professional Closet Designer

If you have never had the opportunity to work with a professional closet designer and learn first hand of all the wonderful and beneficial ways they can make your life better, then here are five great reasons to consider hiring one for your next closet organization project

Experience Is Everything

A professional closet designer will bring the benefit of having an experienced skillset and a fresh pair of eyes for your project by creating a custom design that best suits you and our needs. The designers at Space Envy will think outside the box to create solutions in ways you may never have thought of. They have the knowledge and experience of how to solve just about any closet organization challenge.

Space Efficiency

Where are the best places to install hanging rods for shirts, pants or dresses, or even store shoes and accessories? How about designing around unusually shaped spaces? Your Space Envy designer will know exactly how best to utilize your closet space in the most aesthetically pleasing and efficient manner possible. Having a well-designed closet will help you to keep everything uncluttered, well-organized and make it much easier to find what you need when you need it.

Save You Time

If time is an issue to the point it is a challenge to even find time to design anything due to your busy schedule, a Space Envy designer can look after all of that for you. Within a couple of days, a professional closet designer can have a design ready for you to review whilst communicating with you about any changes or additions required. It’s a fast, fun and interactive process that will make the best use of your limited time.

Reassurance

Have you already come up with your own closet design? Then if you request it, the team at Space Envy can offer you a free review. One of their qualified designers can review your design and provide you with suggestions or ways in which you can improve or enhance your closet organization. They will make sure you are being provided with quality solutions and will answer any questions you may have.

Save Moola

If you’re like most of us and like saving money, then a professional closet designer is going to be your greatest asset. The designers at Space Envy know exactly how to get the most out of your space whilst keeping to your budget. They can recommend various options and ideas to help you keep the functionality of your space without compromising your budget. In addition, the experts at Space Envy offer their design service for FREE!

Are you ready for a well-organized home and custom closet systems? If you’re around the Boise, Nampa & Meridian area give the experts at Space Envy a call and book in your In-Home Design and Consultation today at our expense. Make your life better by using the services and expertise of a professional closet designer.