clever-closets

How to Reset Your Custom Closet System in One Weekend

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:18:06 GMT

Even the most organized closets can slowly drift out of order. Over time, shelves get crowded, sections become unbalanced, and small piles start forming in the corners. I’ve seen how easily well-designed custom closet systems can lose their rhythm when daily life gets busy. The good news is that you don’t need a full redesign to get things back on track.

A focused weekend reset can make a noticeable difference. With a clear plan, you can declutter, adjust sections, and restore structure without overwhelming yourself. A simple refresh can help your closet feel functional again instead of frustrating.

Here are some of my recommended tips on how to refresh your custom closet system over the weekend:

Empty and assess the current layout
Edit your wardrobe
Reconfigure shelves and hanging sections
Reset storage categories
Deep clean and refresh
Maintain the reset long-term

Breaking the reset into clear, manageable steps makes it much easier to complete in a single weekend.

Empty and Assess the Current Layout

Resetting your closet starts with clearing it out one section at a time. Taking everything out may feel disruptive, but it gives you a clear view of how your custom closet systems are actually functioning. I’ve found that clutter tends to build quietly in upper shelves and corners where it’s easy to ignore. Seeing the structure completely exposed helps you evaluate the layout with fresh eyes.

As you empty each section, pay attention to what feels overcrowded and what feels underused. Some hanging rods may be overloaded, while certain shelves barely hold anything. Patterns become much easier to recognize when nothing is covering them up. That visibility helps you understand where simple adjustments can make the biggest difference.

This step also creates a clean starting point before you begin reorganizing. Working with a blank slate prevents you from shifting clutter from one area to another. It gives you the opportunity to rethink placement instead of just tidying surfaces. A full reset like this sets the tone for a more intentional reorganization.

Edit Your Wardrobe

Once everything is out in the open, the next step is deciding what actually belongs back inside. Closets tend to hold onto pieces that no longer fit, no longer get worn, or simply take up space out of habit. Sorting items into clear categories such as keep, donate, store, or discard makes the process more manageable. Reducing volume immediately creates breathing room within your custom closet systems.

Pay attention to duplicates and rarely worn items. If something hasn’t been used in months, it may not deserve prime space in your everyday layout. Seasonal pieces can be rotated out to higher shelves or secondary storage areas. Editing down the wardrobe prevents overcrowding from rebuilding too quickly.

Letting go of excess clothing makes reorganizing far more effective. Fewer items mean shelves sit flatter, hanging rods stay balanced, and drawers close without resistance. The reset becomes more sustainable when only useful pieces return to the closet. A lighter wardrobe makes maintaining order much easier moving forward.

Reconfigure Shelves and Hanging Sections

Shelves and hanging rods should reflect the clothing you actually wear right now. It’s common for a layout to make sense years ago but feel slightly off today. Long-hang space can quietly take up more room than necessary, especially if most of your garments are shorter. Shifting part of that section into double-hang space can free up capacity almost instantly.

Shelf spacing can also change how the entire closet feels. Large gaps often lead to uneven stacks or wasted vertical space that isn’t doing much for you. Bringing shelves closer together adds structure and makes folded clothing sit more securely. Small adjustments like this can make the system feel noticeably more balanced.

Hanging sections should feel evenly distributed instead of crowded on one side. Overloaded rods create visual clutter and strain hardware, while other areas sit underused. Spreading garments more evenly helps the closet look cleaner and function better. A few simple changes can bring your custom closet systems back into alignment with how you actually use them today.

Reset Storage Categories

Grouping clothing into clear categories brings structure back into the closet. Workwear, casual outfits, seasonal pieces, and occasion-specific items should each have their own defined space. Mixing everything together may seem efficient at first, but it usually creates visual clutter and slows down access. Clear separation makes the layout easier to maintain.

I like organizing sections based on how frequently items are used. Everyday clothing deserves the most accessible space, while special occasion or seasonal pieces can shift higher or further back. Rearranging categories in this way often reveals that some areas need more room than others. The system begins to feel more intentional instead of crowded.

Defined zones also make it easier to put things back where they belong. When each category has a clear home, there’s less temptation to drop items into the nearest open spot. Order becomes easier to maintain because the structure guides you. Resetting categories strengthens the foundation of your custom closet systems.

Deep Clean and Refresh

A reset isn’t complete without cleaning the structure itself. Dust, lint, and small debris tend to collect on shelves and inside drawers over time. Wiping down surfaces and vacuuming corners gives the entire space a true fresh start. Clean surfaces also make the closet feel noticeably lighter and more organized.

Drawer liners can be replaced if they’re worn or stained. Hardware should be checked to ensure everything opens and closes smoothly. Hinges, slides, and rods benefit from a quick inspection before items are returned. Small maintenance details prevent larger issues later.

This stage also offers an opportunity for subtle upgrades. Adding fresh shelf liners, uniform storage bins, or matching hangers can instantly elevate the appearance. Even minor visual improvements can reinforce the feeling of a reset. Clean, refreshed custom closet systems are easier to maintain moving forward.

Maintain the Reset Long-Term

A weekend reset feels great in the moment, but what really matters is what happens after. Closets slowly fall out of order when small items get dropped “just for now” instead of returned to their spots. One misplaced stack turns into two, and before long the structure starts slipping. Keeping things in place doesn’t require perfection, just small, steady habits.

A quick five-minute check once a week can make a real difference. Straighten a shelf, realign a hanging section, return shoes to their proper row. Those minor corrections prevent clutter from building momentum. Seasonal edits also help keep the system breathing instead of feeling tight and overloaded.

When the layout is clear, maintenance feels manageable. Putting things back becomes automatic because the space tells you where they belong. The closet starts supporting you instead of needing constant correction. Well-designed custom closet systems stay functional because they make consistency easier to sustain.

Conclusion

It’s surprising how quickly a closet can feel out of control, even when it started out organized. A focused weekend reset gives you the chance to step back, clear the excess, and bring structure back into place. I’ve experienced how different a space feels once shelves are balanced and categories actually make sense again. The closet stops feeling crowded and starts feeling usable. Small adjustments, paired with consistent habits, keep things from slipping right back to where they were. With a little intention, custom closet systems can continue supporting your routine instead of creating frustration.

5 Weekly Home Office Organization Tasks That Prevent Clutter

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:19:13 GMT

Clutter has a sneaky way of building up in a home office , even when you feel like you’re “mostly” staying on top of things. A couple of loose papers here, an extra mug there, and suddenly your desk feels crowded and your focus feels scattered. In my work organizing homes, I’ve noticed it’s rarely one big mess that causes frustration; it’s the small piles that quietly multiply. A simple weekly routine can keep your space clear without turning organization into a full-time job.

I like weekly tasks because they’re realistic and preventative, not overwhelming. Instead of waiting for a day when you have the motivation to overhaul everything, you’re doing quick resets that stop clutter from taking root. Think of it like a weekly “closing shift” for your workspace—small effort, big payoff. These habits are designed to support real life, not create another to-do list you dread.

Here are the five weekly home office organization tasks that prevent clutter:

Reset the desk surface
Sort and process paperwork
Reorganize the drop zone
Declutter supplies (physical and digital)
Plan and prep for the upcoming week

You don’t need to tackle these all at once or do them perfectly. Even small, consistent efforts can completely change how your space feels.

Reset the Desk Surface

The desk is usually the first place clutter shows up in a home office, because it’s where you land things while you’re thinking. Even when you’re productive, items like receipts, notebooks, chargers, and sticky notes can gather in your line of sight. I’ve found that a desk reset works best when it’s treated like a weekly reset rather than a deep clean. The goal is to bring your desk back to a calm baseline, not to make it look untouched.

Start by clearing everything off your desktop that doesn’t need to be there every day. Put away reference materials, extra office supplies, and anything that belongs elsewhere in the house. Then take a moment to wipe the surface, because that physical act helps reinforce the idea of starting fresh. When items go back, return only what you truly use daily and group them intentionally.

If your desk keeps filling up, it’s often a sign that something doesn’t have a clear home yet. Adding a small tray, drawer insert, or container can give those frequently used items a designated place. When your desk has a simple structure, it’s easier to maintain throughout the week. Over time, this weekly reset prevents clutter from slowly creeping back in.

Sort and Process Paperwork

Paper is one of the most common sources of clutter in a home office, and it tends to create mental stress along with physical mess. Even a small stack can feel heavy because it represents unfinished decisions. In my experience, the issue usually isn’t the volume of paper; it’s not having a consistent system to move it along. A weekly paperwork routine keeps those piles from building up.

I recommend sorting paper into three categories: file, action, or recycle. Keeping the categories simple makes it easier to decide quickly, which is what prevents paper from lingering. If it helps, here’s what I mean:

File: Documents you need to keep (like tax records or contracts) that go straight into a labeled folder.
Action: Paperwork that requires a next step (like a form to complete or a bill to review) that lives in one dedicated spot.
Recycle/Shred: Anything you don’t need that gets removed immediately so it doesn’t hang around.

If you prefer to keep things digital, a weekly scanning routine can be helpful. I always suggest saving files using a consistent naming system so they’re easy to find later. Once documents are safely stored, remove the paper versions if possible. This habit keeps paper moving through your home office instead of settling in permanently.

Reorganize the Drop Zone

Almost every home office has a drop zone, whether it’s intentional or not. It might be a corner of your desk, a chair, or the top of a filing cabinet where things land “just for now.” I don’t see drop zones as failures. They’re usually a sign of a busy schedule and good intentions. The key is resetting them regularly so they don’t become long-term clutter magnets.

Once a week, clear the drop zone completely and return items to their proper homes. As you do this, pay attention to what shows up there again and again. Repeating items are valuable clues about what needs a more convenient storage solution. Organization works best when it supports your natural habits instead of fighting them.

If something keeps landing in the same spot, consider adjusting where its home is or add a simple containment tool that makes putting it away easier. A few options that tend to work well in a home office are:

A small tray for daily loose items
A vertical file for incoming papers
A basket/bin for cords or tech
A hook for headphones

When storage is easy to access, items are more likely to be put away. That’s what turns a cluttered drop zone into a functional space. And once the drop zone is under control, the rest of the room tends to feel calmer too.

Declutter Supplies (Physical and Digital)

Supplies often create hidden clutter because they’re tucked away in drawers and cabinets. Over time, a home office can fill up with dried-out pens, outdated tech accessories, and duplicates you don’t realize you have. I’ve opened many drawers that look organized until you actually try to use them. A small weekly edit keeps supplies manageable.

Choose one small area each week, such as a drawer section, pen cup, or shelf. Remove anything broken, expired, or unnecessary, and be honest about what you actually use. Keeping fewer supplies doesn’t mean being unprepared; it means you can see what you have and access it easily. When drawers aren’t overstuffed, they’re much easier to maintain.

Digital clutter deserves the same attention. A quick weekly reset might include clearing your desktop downloads, filing important documents, or closing browser tabs you no longer need. I also recommend archiving or deleting emails that no longer serve a purpose. When your digital space feels lighter, your home office feels calmer overall.

Plan and Prep for the Upcoming Week

This step is about preventing clutter before it starts. A home office functions best when it’s set up for what you’re actually doing next, not everything you might do someday. Weekly planning turns organization into support instead of another chore. It helps your space work with you, not against you.

Take a few minutes to look at the upcoming week and identify what you’ll need most. Pull out relevant materials and put away anything unrelated to current projects. Even if something is useful, it doesn’t need to be visible if it’s not needed right now. Fewer items in sight means fewer distractions.

If you like having a simple routine to follow, here’s an easy weekly prep sequence:

Review your upcoming week and top priorities.
Pull out materials for active projects.
Put away anything unrelated to the next seven days.
Stage daily essentials where you’ll reach for them first.

I also recommend ending the week with a quick reset so you can start fresh. Return loose items to their homes and stage the basics so Monday feels easier. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your home office functional.

Conclusion

A clutter-free home office often comes down to having a few simple routines you can return to when life gets busy. When you focus on prevention instead of constant cleanup, your space becomes easier to maintain and more enjoyable to use. Small, consistent habits make a bigger difference than occasional deep cleans. Start small, stay consistent, and let your home office support your work instead of adding stress to it.

How to Prepare Your Garage Storage Systems for the Winter Holidays

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:18:19 GMT

The holidays always change how I use my garage. Decorations come out, winter gear takes up space, and the whole area has to work a little harder than it does the rest of the year. When garage storage systems are set up with that shift in mind, the space stays far easier to manage. There is room to move, and everything feels more organized during a busy season.

Preparing for winter does not require a complete reset. I focus on a few small adjustments that help the garage support both daily routines and the extra holiday workload. These changes prevent clutter from taking over and make setup and cleanup more efficient from start to finish.

These are the steps that help get my garage storage systems ready for the winter holidays:

Clear out old or unused seasonal items
Rearrange storage zones for winter accessibility
Prepare garage cabinets for holiday rotation
Adjust slatwall and wall storage for incoming gear
Protect fragile décor and supplies
Create space for temporary overflow items
Keep winter tools visible and easy to reach
Set up a spot for post-holiday cleanup and returns

Keep reading to learn how each of these steps helps the garage stay organized and ready for the holiday season.

Clear Out Old or Unused Seasonal Items

Before any holiday setup begins, I like to take a quick look at what I no longer need. Old décor, extra wrapping supplies, and duplicate items tend to build up over the years, and they take up valuable space in the garage. Clearing these out early creates room for the items that actually matter during the season.

A simple sort-through makes a big difference. Items that are broken, worn, or no longer useful can be discarded or recycled, while anything still in good condition can be donated. This prevents clutter from piling up in corners or blocking access to storage zones later. It also makes it easier to see which bins and shelves are available for the upcoming rotation.

A brief cleanout keeps the rest of the process running smoothly. With fewer unnecessary items in the way, the garage storage systems can handle incoming holiday décor without feeling crowded. It sets the tone for an organized season from the very beginning.

Rearrange Storage Zones for Winter Accessibility

Winter brings a different set of items into regular use, so adjusting storage zones ahead of time helps the garage work more smoothly. Shovels, ice melt, extension cords, and outdoor gear need to be within easy reach. Moving these items to front-facing shelves or open areas keeps the space safer and easier to navigate once the weather changes.

This shift also makes it easier to see what might need replacing before winter hits. When frequently used items are tucked behind holiday bins or buried in the back, it is easy to overlook something important. I prefer to move winter essentials into a single zone so they are always ready to grab. It also prevents unnecessary digging through cabinets or boxes during the first snowfall.

Taking a few minutes to rearrange these zones saves time later. With winter gear up front and seasonal décor stored higher or farther back, the garage gains a natural flow. Everything sits where it makes sense for the months ahead, and the space supports daily routines without extra effort.

Prepare Garage Cabinets for Holiday Rotation

Garage cabinets often carry the weight of holiday storage, so getting them ready makes the entire season easier. A quick check for leftover clutter, empty containers, or items that can be relocated opens up space for what is coming in. When cabinets have room to work with, the rotation between everyday items and holiday décor feels far more manageable.

Adjusting the layout inside the cabinets helps, too. Shelves can be moved to fit larger bins, while smaller compartments can hold loose accessories that usually get misplaced. I like to keep the most frequently accessed items at eye level during the holidays so I do not have to search for them later. A little reshuffling helps the cabinets stay efficient through the season.

Once the cabinets are set, it becomes easier to move items in and out without creating new clutter along the floor. Everything has a place to return to, and the garage stays organized even as the holiday load shifts. Setting up the cabinets early creates a smoother flow for the entire winter.

Adjust Slatwall and Wall Storage for Incoming Gear

Wall storage becomes especially useful during the holidays because it keeps frequently used items visible and off the floor. Slatwall panels can shift with the season, which makes it easy to reorganize hooks, shelves, and baskets for winter needs. A quick adjustment now prevents the wall from becoming crowded once decorations and winter gear move through the space.

Before the season begins, I like to take a few minutes to reset the layout. The goal is to make room for items that come in and out often while still keeping less-used tools stored securely. Slatwall systems make this simple because everything can be rearranged without major effort.

Here are a few adjustments that help the wall system work better during winter:

Move hooks lower for items used daily. Shovels, scrapers, and winter gloves are easier to grab at a comfortable height.
Shift rarely used tools higher. This opens up the middle section of the wall for holiday traffic.
Add baskets or bins for loose items. Salt, small cords, and extension plug covers stay contained instead of scattering.
Create a clear zone for outdoor gear. Coats, pet leashes, and boots dry faster when they are not piled on the ground.

A few small chang es make the wall system feel tailored to the season instead of cluttered by it. Once everything has its winter place, the garage stays easier to navigate and far more functional.

Protect Fragile Décor and Supplies

Holiday décor often includes pieces that need extra care. Ornaments, string lights, and delicate centerpieces can easily crack or tangle if they are stored in the wrong spot. Choosing safe locations within your garage storage systems helps these items make it through the season without damage.

Cabinets and upper shelves work well for fragile décor because they offer protection from heavy bins and foot traffic. I prefer keeping these items in a section where nothing can shift or fall on them. Clear bins or labeled containers also help identify what is fragile so nothing gets stacked on top by accident.

Packing these items with intention saves time later, too. When delicate décor is stored neatly, unpacking it next year becomes much easier. A few extra seconds of care now prevents frustration and replacements down the road, and the garage stays more organized in the process.

Create Space for Temporary Overflow Items

The holidays bring in more items than most people expect. Gifts, packaging, shipping boxes, and decorations all pass through the garage before finding their final place. Creating a small, designated area for overflow helps keep the rest of the space from feeling crowded.

This area does not need to be large. A single shelf, an empty cabinet section, or a corner marked for short-term storage is usually enough. I like using a spot that is easy to reach but not in the middle of major walkways. This keeps the temporary clutter contained without interrupting the normal flow of the garage.

Setting aside this space also makes cleanup quicker. When everything has a holding place, items do not end up scattered on the floor or mixed into long-term storage by mistake. Overflow becomes manageable, not overwhelming, and the garage stays far more organized during the busiest parts of the season.

Keep Winter Tools Visible and Easy to Reach

Winter tools are only helpful if you can grab them quickly. Shovels, ice scrapers, salt, and extension cords all play a big role once the weather turns. Keeping these items visible and within arm’s reach prevents the frantic search that often happens during the first snowfall.

Visibility starts with placement. I keep winter tools on open shelves, lower hooks, or in bins that sit near the garage entry. These spots make it easy to grab what I need without reorganizing half the garage. It also keeps wet or snowy items away from fragile décor or boxes that could be damaged.

Good placement saves time and improves safety. Clear access points mean fewer chances of tripping, slipping, or bumping into clutter when the floor is icy. When winter tools stay accessible, the garage feels more prepared and much easier to use throughout the season

Set Up a Spot for Post-Holiday Cleanup and Returns

Once the holidays wind down, the garage often becomes the first place where items are set aside for later sorting. A dedicated cleanup spot helps manage that transition. It keeps the space from becoming crowded while you organize decorations, gather returns, or pack away supplies.

This area can be simple. A small section of shelving or an open cabinet works well for holding items temporarily. I try to choose a location that is easy to access without blocking the main pathways. This way, post-holiday tasks can be handled gradually without turning the garage into a long-term staging zone.

A clear cleanup spot keeps the garage from feeling chaotic after the holidays. Items flow in and out of the area instead of spreading throughout the entire room. By giving everything a place to land temporarily, the garage returns to normal more quickly and remains easier to manage.

Conclusion

Preparing garage storage systems before the holidays makes a noticeable difference in how smoothly the season unfolds. A few small adjustments keep the space from feeling overwhelmed and help every task move a little faster, from pulling out décor to putting everything away again. I find that when the garage is organized with the winter months in mind, the entire home feels easier to manage. With a clear plan and a bit of preparation, the garage can support the busiest season of the year without adding to the stress.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Deep Cleaning Garage Cabinets for Lasting Freshness

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:05:04 GMT

If you’re anything like me, your garage cabinets have to pull double duty. They store your tools, your seasonal gear, maybe even your backup cleaning supplies. But they also need to stay clean and fresh, because I spend a lot of time in my garage, doing everything from woodworking to car repair to sometimes just listening to music with the door open. The last thing I want is for it to smell like mildew and mystery chemicals.

So, I take cabinet maintenance seriously. A deep clean really is the only way to keep your space functional, fresh, and safe. Dust, odors, and dampness build up over time, especially here, where seasons and humidity love to mess with us.

There’s an easy way to keep your garage cabinets (and your entire space) stink-free, and it doesn’t take much effort. Here’s my step-by-step guide:

Empty the cabinets completely
Vacuum and dust the interior
Wipe down surfaces with the right cleaner
Address stains, spills, and odors
Clean and inspect hardware
Improve ventilation and moisture control
Organize and refill cabinets thoughtfully
Add freshness boosters

If your garage cabinets are overdue for a clean, don’t worry. There’s a smart way to break it down, so that’s doable and worth your time.

Empty the Cabinets Completely

Start by pulling everything out of your cabinets. Every bottle, box, tool, and half-used can of WD-40. It’s the only way to see what you’re working with.

Group items by type as you go, putting chemicals in one pile, tools in another, hardware in yet another, and seasonal decorations off to the side. That way, when it’s time to put things back, you’re not guessing what goes where.

I also use this moment to declutter. If something is expired, broken, or hasn’t been touched in years, it’s probably not worth keeping. I’ve helped dozens of homeowners who didn’t realize their clutter was the biggest source of the “garage funk” they were trying to solve.

Vacuum and Dust the Interior

Once the cabinets are empty, grab a vacuum with a soft-bristle brush attachment. Start from the top and work your way down. Corners and hinges love to hide cobwebs and dust that look harmless but trap moisture and smell over time. Don’t skip this step. It’s quick, but it makes the next few steps way more effective.

Wipe Down Surfaces With the Right Cleaner

Now that everything’s dust-free, it’s time to wipe down every shelf, door, and handle, inside and out. Just make sure you’re using the right cleaner for your cabinet material.

Wood Cabinets: Use a mild wood cleaner or a solution of vinegar and water. Harsh chemicals can strip the finish or soak in and leave behind strong smells. I use a damp cloth and dry right after.
Laminate Cabinets: A gentle all-purpose cleaner works well here. Just avoid anything too abrasive. Laminate scratches more easily than you’d think, and even soft abrasions can trap dirt.
Metal Cabinets: Use a non-corrosive degreaser or a simple dish soap and water mix. Wipe dry to prevent rust in humid months. I usually follow up with a clean microfiber cloth to buff out any streaks.
MDF Cabinets: These are among the easiest to clean. Most surfaces are sealed with a smooth laminate or thermofoil finish that wipes clean with just a damp cloth and a mild all-purpose cleaner. Stains don’t soak in, and you don’t have to worry about scratching the surface if you’re using soft cloths.

No matter what type you’re cleaning, don’t forget the cabinet tops. They collect a surprising amount of dust and sticky residue.

Address Stains, Spills, and Odors

Stains happen. Sometimes it’s spilled oil. Other times it’s something sticky that leaked from a bottle three summers ago. Spot-treat each area with a mild soap or degreaser. If you’re nervous about damage, test a corner first.

For lingering smells, I use natural odor fighters. Baking soda works great in a pinch, just sprinkle it on a damp cloth and wipe, or leave a small bowl inside the cabinet overnight. White vinegar is another go-to for neutralizing musty air without masking it.

If odors keep coming back, consider lining your shelves with absorbent, waterproof shelf mats. They protect against spills and are easy to toss in the wash.

Clean and Inspect Hardware

Cabinet hardware takes a beating, especially if you’re working with dirty or greasy hands like I often do. Wipe down every hinge, knob, handle, and bracket. Use a damp cloth and a tiny bit of mild soap if needed.

Tighten any loose screws while you’re at it. If a hinge squeaks or a door doesn’t close right, lubricate it now before it gets worse. WD-40 or a silicone-based spray does the job fast and clean.

Improve Ventilation and Moisture Control

Garages aren’t known for perfect airflow, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with stale air and creeping dampness. Check your cabinets for any signs of mold or moisture buildup, especially on lower shelves and backs against exterior walls.

If you notice dampness, use moisture absorbers like silica gel packs or even a small dehumidifier near your cabinet zone. Better airflow keeps odors at bay and protects everything from rust and mold.

Organize and Refill Cabinets Thoughtfully

Once your cabinets are dry and clean, it’s time to put things back, but don’t just shove everything in. Only return what’s clean, needed, and still usable. Group items by category and store your most-used tools and supplies at eye level or within easy reach. I like to keep automotive supplies together, power tools in another zone, and seasonal stuff toward the bottom or top, depending on when I’ll need it.

Labeled bins can, surprisingly, be a big help in your organization efforts. I swear by clear plastic totes with bold labels for keeping things visible and ordered.

Add Freshness Boosters

If you want your cabinets to stay fresh and pleasant to open, it helps to add a few odor-fighting extras. Here are my top choices:

Charcoal Bags: These are fantastic for absorbing moisture and neutralizing odors. I toss one in each cabinet and replace it every month or two. They’re especially useful if your garage gets humid.
Cedar Blocks: These aren’t just for closets. Cedar naturally repels insects and smells clean without being overpowering. Just give them a light sanding now and then to refresh the scent.
Baking Soda Boxes: The same kind you’d throw in the fridge works just as well in a garage. Tuck one in the back corner of each cabinet and swap it every three months.

None of these are high-maintenance, and together they make a big difference. The goal isn’t to make your garage smell like a spa, but to make it feel clean and comfortable enough to spend time in.

Conclusion

Deep cleaning your garage cabinets is absolutely one of the best things you can do to make your space more usable and enjoyable. Clean cabinets are much easier to organize. On top of that, they last longer and keep your garage from becoming a dumping ground. As someone who spends time in the garage daily, I know this routine’s worth doing at least a few times a year. Make it a part of your seasonal maintenance and your garage will be more fun to be in!

Must-Have Garage Storage Systems for a Clutter-Free Workspace

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:37:08 GMT

The garage is where I feel most creative. It's where half-finished ideas come to life, and where my brain gets a break from everyday stress. But one thing I've learned through experience is that creativity doesn't thrive in chaos. Without an efficient garage storage system , even the simplest weekend project can quickly turn into a frustrating ordeal.

High-quality storage creates an environment where creativity and productivity flourish. Here are the must-have garage storage solutions that have completely transformed my workspace, and can do the same for yours:

Wall-mounted cabinets: Utilize vertical space effectively
Overhead storage racks: Ideal for seasonal and bulky items
Modular shelving systems: Flexibility for evolving storage needs
Pegboards and slatwalls: Visibility and easy access
Garage Workbenches: Combine storage with functional workspace

Keep reading to discover the smartest storage upgrades that will turn your cluttered garage into a clean, functional, and inspiring workspace.

Wall-Mounted Cabinets: Utilize Vertical Space Effectively

Installing garage wall cabinets was an investment I should have made long ago. Getting items off the floor instantly made my garage feel larger, cleaner, and far more inviting.

I opted for powder-coated steel cabinets due to their durability and rust resistance. Many homeowners also favor wood for its warmth or thermofoil for its easy cleaning. Wall-mounted cabinets do more than simply store items. They elevate your entire organization system.

Here’s how wall-mounted cabinets have made a difference in my garage:
Locked doors keep hazardous materials like chemicals and sharp tools out of reach of kids and pets.
Off-the-floor storage minimizes tripping hazards and helps maintain a tidy, open space.
Categorized compartments make it easy to separate general tools, automotive gear, and specialty items.
Elevated placement helps prevent water damage in case of minor flooding or spills.
They add visual structure and give your garage a more finished, custom- built look.

Overhead Storage Racks: Ideal for Seasonal and Bulky Items

I never fully appreciated the power of overhead storage until I installed it myself. With a single weekend project, I transformed wasted ceiling space into a highly functional storage zone for seasonal and bulky items that previously cluttered every corner.

Ceiling-mounted racks are incredibly sturdy and often able to support hundreds of pounds. They are ideal for items you don’t need to access frequently.

These are the key advantages I’ve enjoyed:

They free up ground and shelf space by storing items like camping gear, holiday décor, or large bins overhead.
Installing them over the garage door utilizes dead space more efficiently.
Adjustable designs allow you to raise or lower the racks depending on item size or ceiling clearance.
You can pair them with clear plastic totes to easily identify contents without climbing up.
They are perfect for homeowners with small garages who need every square foot to count.

Modular Shelving Systems: Flexibility for Evolving Storage Needs

Modular shelving has given me more control over how I organize, grow, and modify my storage setup as my needs evolve. I started small with paint cans and gardening supplies, but eventually expanded the system to include everything from pet care items to auto maintenance tools.

Because modular shelving is adjustable and easy to reconfigure, it’s a long-term solution for homeowners who expect their storage needs to change.

Here’s what makes modular shelving indispensable:

Units are easy to assemble, expand, or reconfigure without special tools.
You can mix materials like wood and metal to match function with aesthetics.
Color-coded bins and labels simplify locating what you need in seconds.
Shelf heights can be adjusted to fit tall tools, totes, or awkward items.
They work well for corner spaces or awkward areas where other systems won’t fit.
Modular shelves can be repositioned to fit futur e storage expansions or renovations.

Pegboards and Slatwalls: Visibility and Easy Access

Few things are more satisfying than having every tool clearly visible and within arm’s reach. Installing a pegboard completely changed the way I approach projects. I no longer waste time digging through drawers for that one missing wrench.

Pegboards and slatwalls help you create a highly visual, customizable storage area. Whether you're hanging screwdrivers or organizing safety gear, these systems keep your essentials front and center.

Here’s how they’ve helped improve my workflow:

Pegboards allow you to build a tool wall suited exactly to your habits and needs.
Slatwalls offer a cleaner, more modern look with easy-to-swap accessories.
Adding hooks, shelves, and magnetic strips accommodates a wide range of items.
Color-coded sections make it simple to organize by type, use, or frequency.
Mounting them near your workbench saves steps and reduces setup time for projects.
Pegboards can double as display walls for frequently used items, improving efficiency.

Garage Workbenches: Combine Storage with Functional Workspace

Every garage needs a solid workbench. My first version, a board balanced on two sawhorses, was wobbly and inefficient. Upgrading to a custom bench with integrated drawers, cabinets, and pegboard backdrops dramatically improved how I work in the garage.

A thoughtfully designed workbench not only gives you a sturdy place to work but also stores your most-used tools and materials right where you need them.

Key features that made the biggest impact for me include:

Integrated drawers for fasteners, adhesives, and hand tools keep clutter contained.
Overhead shelving provides a home for infrequently used or backup supplies.
Built-in power strips or USB ports make it easy to plug in power tools and chargers.
Rolling workbenches give you the flexibility to reposition your station as needed.
Durable surfaces like butcher block or steel tops hold up against heavy-duty tasks.
Side-mounted tool holders or magnetic strips can keep tools visible and easily accessible.

Conclusion

A well-organized garage isn’t just about cleanliness. It’s about creating a space where you can think clearly, work productively, and enjoy the process. Whether your garage is your creative workshop, storage hub, or weekend project base, a smart garage storage system can completely transform how you use the space.

Take time to assess your needs, choose solutions that fit your workflow, and don’t be afraid to combine multiple systems for maximum efficiency. Once you reclaim your garage from the clutter, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.

Remove Any Garage Flooring Stain With These Cleaning Tips

Wed, 14 May 2025 19:37:06 GMT

I spend a lot of time in my garage. It’s part workshop, part hangout zone, part tool “museum”—and I love it that way. But there’s one thing that used to drive me absolutely nuts: the stains on my garage flooring . Oil drips, old paint spills, mystery marks from who-knows-when. They’d pile up little by little until the whole space felt grimy.

It wasn’t just a cosmetic thing either. Greasy spots are slippery, and dust traps in cracks. And honestly, nothing kills a productive Saturday project vibe faster than staring down a stained, chipped garage floor. That’s when I finally decided to get serious about cleaning (and I even upgraded my space with Swisstrax flooring to make cleanup easier). Here’s what you need to know:

Understanding garage flooring materials
Oil and grease
Rust
Paint or chemical spills
Tire marks
Mold and mildew
Hairline cracks
Pitting or minor chips
Peeling coatings (epoxy or paint)
Pro tips for preventing future stains and damage

Whether you’ve got raw concrete or a finished epoxy floor, here’s everything I’ve learned about keeping garage flooring clean, safe, and (most importantly) easy to maintain.

Understanding Garage Flooring Materials

Not all garage floors are created equal—and trust me, that matters when you’re cleaning them. Before you grab a scrub brush or cleaner, know what you’re working with:

Concrete: Most common and most stain-prone. It absorbs liquids easily.
Epoxy Coating: This option is great for resisting spills but prone to peeling if not applied right.
Polyurea Coating: Tougher and more flexible than epoxy; resistant to scratches and UV.
Swisstrax Flooring: Modular interlocking tiles that sit above the floor. Ultra-durable and super easy to clean.
Garage Floor Tiles: Usually rubber or PVC. Comfortable underfoot, but can trap grime between seams.

The right cleaning approach depends on the material. For example, epoxy needs gentler care than raw concrete. And with Swisstrax? Most of the gunk never even reaches the floor—huge time-saver.

Oil and Grease

These were my arch nemesis for years. Until I found a method that actually works.

Blot With Paper Towels: Don’t smear—dab to absorb as much as you can.
Sprinkle Baking Soda or Cat Litter: Let it sit for a few hours to soak up the residue.
Apply Degreaser and Scrub Thoroughly: Use a stiff brush and give it some elbow grease.
Rinse and Repeat: It might take a few rounds to fully clean up grease spots, especially older ones.

Rust

If you’ve got metal shelves or tools, rust stains are inevitable. They look worse than they are.

Use a Vinegar or Lemon Juice + Baking Soda Mix: This combination is natural and surprisingly effective.
Let It Sit: Let the mixture work itself in for 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. This gives the acid time to break things down.
Repeat for Stubborn Spots: Some rust spots may need a second round to fully disappear.

Paint or Chemical Spills

These messes are tricky—especially if the spill dried before you noticed it (don’t ask how I know).

For Fresh Spills: Speed matters here, so absorb any spills and wipe them up right away.
For Dried Paint: You’ll need a solvent or paint stripper—and a respiratory mask. Make sure it’s compatible with your flooring type.

Scrape gently with a putty knife—there’s no need to gouge the floor. Then, rinse the area well: Especially important with strong chemicals.

Tire Marks

Tire scuffs are surprisingly stubborn—and super annoying if you care about a clean floor like I do.

Use Citrus-Based Cleaner or Degreaser: It quickly cuts through the rubber residue.
Scrub With a Stiff Brush: Pressure is key—use your strength to scrub away those tire marks.
Rinse Thoroughly to Avoid Residue: If you skip this step, the spots you cleaned will attract more dirt next time you park.
Repeat Monthly if Needed: I’m always making “hot tire” marks in my car, so I clean them up about once a month—and sometimes even more often in the summer months.

Mold and Mildew

Moisture-prone garages (hello, springtime) are mold magnets. Here’s my go-to method:

Spray With Diluted Bleach or Mold Cleaner: I use a 10:1 ratio for safety.
Let It Sit, Then Use a Brush to Scrub: Don’t skimp on the elbow grease here—get into those corners.
Rinse and Dry Completely: A fan helps speed up the drying process.

Hairline Cracks

Little cracks can turn into big problems if you ignore them. I learned that the hard way.

Clean the Area: Get rid of dust, loose bits, and grease.
Fill With Concrete or Patch Filler: Smooth with a putty knife and let it fully cure if you want to quickly fill small concrete cracks.

Pitting or Minor Chips

These are mostly cosmetic, but they drive me nuts if left untouched.

Sweep Clean and Remove Debris: A good wire brush works wonders for getting a concrete floor truly clean.
Use Patching Compound: Apply evenly and let it dry fully.
Sand Down: You definitely want a level surface when you’re done, and light sanding keeps it looking polished, too.

Peeling Coatings (Epoxy or Paint)

This is one reason I eventually ditched DIY epoxy and relied on the pros. For something as pivotal as an epoxy garage floor coating, expert application is well worth it. Here’s a breakdown of the typical process:

Strip Damaged Area: The pros take the time to do this right, so your new floor coating will completely resist peeling.
Recoat According to Manufacturer’s Instructions: Prep is everything here—and the pros do it right.
Consider Full Reapplication: If your entire floor is in rough shape, invest in a full epoxy coating reapplication. Then, layer Swisstrax on top for a worry-free garage floor.

Pro Tips for Preventing Future Stains and Damage

The best cleaning trick? Avoiding the mess in the first place. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Apply a Durable Coating (Like Epoxy or Polyurea) : Protects against everything from oil to UV rays.
Use Protective Mats: I use mats under vehicles or tools, especially if I’m doing oil changes or projects.
Clean Spills Quickly: Obvious, but easy to forget—remember to wipe up spills quickly to avoid damaging your coated floors.
Create a Cleaning Schedule: I tackle my garage cleaning duties on the first weekend of every month—and it takes just 15 minutes.
Upgrade to Swisstrax Flooring: No lie, this was a game-changer. Stains don’t stand a chance because most stuff never even touches the floor beneath.

Conclusion

Garage flooring doesn’t have to be a constant battle. Whether you’re fighting back against stubborn stains or just tired of seeing oil spots spread, the right cleaning routine makes all the difference. What I think you’ll find is that staying consistent—and investing in a flooring system—makes everything easier to maintain. These days, my garage feels more like a workspace I’m proud of, not a mess I’m dodging. Want to make cleanup a breeze? Start with the floor beneath your feet.

Say Goodbye to Outdoor Clutter With Garage Storage Systems That Work

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:37:28 GMT

I’ve heard the same situation countless times from my clients: Your garage was supposed to be a practical space, but now it feels more like a giant storage bin. You head out to grab the kids' soccer gear or find the rake, only to trip over a pile of random items. Lawn chairs, tangled hoses, and half-empty bags of potting soil have taken over. It is frustrating and makes simple tasks take way longer than they should. The good news is that your garage does not have to be a messy catch-all. With the right garage storage systems , you can transform it into a well-organized space that actually works for you.

Imagine walking into your garage and easily finding exactly what you need, without the wasted time searching for lost tools or stepping over piles of clutter. Let’s talk about how to make that happen. In this article, we’ll cover:

The impact of outdoor clutter on daily life
Why the garage is the perfect storage solution
Types of garage organizers to tame the clutter
Step-by-step[ guide to organizing your garage for outdoor items
Additional tips for a well-organized garage

If you’re ready to say goodbye to outdoor clutter once and for all, take a few minutes to keep reading, and you’ll be ready to start reorganizing your garage in no time.

The Impact of Outdoor Clutter on Daily Life

A cluttered garage is unsightly. It also wastes time, adds stress, and can even be dangerous. The more clutter you have, the harder it is to find what you need, and that can make everyday tasks feel frustrating and overwhelming.

Lost time: Have you ever spent 20 minutes searching for a tool, only to give up and buy a new one? Misplaced items lead to wasted time, and before you know it, you are late for a project or activity because you couldn't find what you needed. When everything has a designated place, it is much easier to grab what you need and get on with your day.
Increased stress: Walking into a chaotic, cluttered space creates mental overload. The sight of an overflowing garage can make you feel like you have an endless to-do list, adding unnecessary stress to your daily routine. Better organization brings peace of mind and a sense of control over your space.
Safety hazards: Clutter increases the risk of trips, falls, and other accidents. Bikes and sports equipment blocking the walkway can lead to injuries. Stacks of heavy boxes or unstable shelving can tip over, putting you and your family at risk. A well-organized garage not only looks better but is also safer.
Pest problems: Piles of clutter create hiding spots for rodents, insects, and other pests. Storing items in sealed containers and keeping the garage organized can help prevent unwanted guests from making themselves at home.

Why the Garage Is the Perfect Storage Solution

Your garage is one of the most underused spaces in your home. With the right setup, it can serve as a functional storage area while keeping everything easily accessible. Since it’s close to your yard, driveway, and outdoor spaces, it is the perfect place to store seasonal gear, tools, and bulky equipment.

Convenience: Unlike sheds or off-site storage, your garage offers easy access to the items you use frequently. Whether you need a gardening tool, your children’s outdoor toys, or holiday decorations, everything can be within arm’s reach instead of buried in a closet or storage unit.
Protection from the elements: Leaving bikes, tools, and outdoor gear outside exposes them to rain, sun, and temperature fluctuations that can cause rust, fading, or deterioration. Storing them in the garage keeps them in better condition for longer.
Space optimization: The garage often serves as a catch-all for random items, but with the right storage system, it can become a well-organized extension of your home. When you use the walls, ceiling, and floor space wisely, your garage can accommodate much more than you might think.

Types of Garage Organizers to Tame the Clutter

Choosing the right storage solutions makes all the difference. The best garage organizers help you maximize space, keep items easily accessible, and maintain a tidy, clutter-free environment.

Wall-mounted systems: Slatwall, hooks, and shelving units free up floor space while keeping tools and equipment visible and within reach. Slatwall racks are great for hanging hand tools, while sturdy hooks work well for bikes, ladders, and larger items. Wall-mounted shelves provide storage for paint cans, gardening supplies, and cleaning products. By using the vertical space, you can keep essentials within reach without taking up valuable floor space.
Cabinets and drawers: Enclosed storage helps keep smaller items organized and protected from dust and dirt. Cabinets are perfect for storing power tools, extension cords, and home maintenance supplies. Drawers work well for nails, screws, and other small hardware that can easily get lost. Keeping items behind closed doors helps keep them clean and also looks neat and tidy.
Overhead storage: Ceiling-mounted racks are ideal for items you don’t use every day. Seasonal decorations, camping gear, and bulky bins can be stored overhead, freeing up valuable space on the ground. Overhead storage is especially useful in smaller garages where floor space is limited.
Bins and baskets: Clear bins make it easy to see what’s inside, while labeled baskets help keep smaller accessories sorted. Bins are great for organizing sports equipment, outdoor toys, and gardening tools. Using stackable bins can maximize storage while keeping everything organized and accessible.

Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing Your Garage for Outdoor Items

Getting your garage in order does not have to be overwhelming. Follow these simple steps to create a system that works for your space.

Declutter: Start by going through everything in your garage. Set aside items you no longer use or need and decide what to donate, recycle, or throw away. The less clutter you have, the easier it will be to organize what’s left.
Categorize: Sort items into groups based on their function or season. Keep sports equipment together, store gardening tools in one area, and create a designated space for home maintenance supplies. Grouping similar items makes it easier to find what you need.
Choose organizers: Select garage storage system components that match your needs. Wall-mounted slatwall systems work well for hand tools and small items, while cabinets or bins help keep valuable items contained. Overhead storage is ideal for rarely used or seasonal items.
Implement and label: Place items in their designated spots and use labels to make everything easy to find. A well-labeled system saves time and prevents future messes. If you have multiple bins or cabinets, consider using color-coded labels for different categories.
Maintain: Once everything is organized, take a few minutes each month to keep things in order. Regularly decluttering and putting things back in their proper place will help your garage stay neat. Consider doing a seasonal cleanup to keep your garage storage system working efficiently.

Additional Tips for a Well-Organized Garage

A few extra strategies can make your storage system even more effective.

Use clear bins for visibility: Transparent containers make it easy to see what’s inside without opening each one. This is especially useful for storing small tools, seasonal items, and kids' toys.
Label everything: A label or color-coding system can save you time and frustration by helping you find what you need at a glance. Use waterproof labels for durability.
Maximize vertical space: Wall and ceiling storage systems keep the floor clear and make use of every inch of available space. Installing shelves above workbenches or along garage walls can free up room for larger items.
Consider DIY or budget-friendly solutions: Repurposing shelves, hooks, or even old furniture can be a cost-effective way to add storage. Simple DIY solutions like hanging mason jars under shelves for small hardware can make a big difference.

Conclusion

An organized garage makes everyday life easier. By investing in useful garage storage systems, you can eliminate the frustration of outdoor clutter and create a space that works for you. Start with small changes, and before you know it, your garage will be a functional, stress-free zone. Take that first step today and enjoy the benefits of a well-organized space.

Tips to Pick the Perfect Garage Flooring

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:59:32 GMT

As a garage organization specialist, I’ve seen it all: cracked concrete floors that turn into dust factories, slippery surfaces that make rainy days a hazard, and garages so disorganized that the flooring is barely visible. If you’ve ever stood in your garage, wondering how to make it more functional and inviting, you’re not alone. The foundation of a garage transformation is the garage flooring .

In this article, we will talk about considerations you need to think about when choosing the right garage flooring for your needs. Here are the factors to keep in mind:

Assessing your needs and usage
Learning popular garage flooring options
Considering key factors
Studying environmental and safety considerations
Planning costs and budget
Choosing the right flooring for your needs

Choosing the right garage flooring can help you create a space that works for you, whether you use your garage to park cars, as a storage area, or even as a workshop or man-cave. Let’s explore everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

Assessing Your Needs and Usage

Before you start looking at flooring options, take a step back and think about how you use your garage. Your daily activities will play a huge role in determining the best flooring for your space.

Do you use your garage primarily for parking? If so, durability and resistance to tire marks, oil, and chemicals should top your list.
Is your garage a workshop or a home gym? You’ll want flooring that can handle dropped tools or weights while providing a comfortable surface to stand on.
Is it more of a storage space? In this case, moisture resistance and ease of cleaning might be more important.

The climate also matters. In colder regions, your flooring should withstand temperature fluctuations and resist cracking. If you live in a humid area, look for materials that can handle moisture without warping or developing mold. By understanding your garage's unique needs, you’ll be better equipped to choose a flooring option that checks all the right boxes.

Learning Popular Garage Flooring Options

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to garage flooring. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular materials and their pros and cons to help you decide:

Epoxy Coatings

Benefits: Epoxy is very durable, resistant to chemicals, and customizable with a variety of colors and finishes. It creates a seamless, polished look that’s perfect for high-traffic garages.
Drawbacks: Installation requires careful preparation and multiple steps, which can be time-consuming. It’s best applied by professionals to ensure long-term performance.

Interlocking Tiles

Benefits: These tiles are a favorite among DIY enthusiasts because they’re easy to install, replaceable, and available in various colors and patterns. They’re also resistant to stains and chemicals.
Drawbacks: The seams can trap dirt and moisture, requiring frequent cleaning. Additionally, interlocking tiles tend to be more expensive than other options.

Concrete Stains and Sealers

Benefits: A budget-friendly way to enhance the look of existing concrete. Stains and sealers protect the surface from minor wear and tear while adding a pop of color.
Drawbacks: They don’t offer significant protection against heavy impacts or chemical spills, making them less durable over time.

Rubber Mats

Benefits: These mats are soft underfoot, non-slip, and incredibly easy to install. They’re ideal for workshops or home gyms where comfort is a priority.
Drawbacks: Rubber mats aren’t as durable for heavy-duty use and often have limited design options.

Polished Concrete

Benefits: For a sleek, modern look, polished concrete is hard to beat. It’s durable, long-lasting, and relatively low-maintenance.
Drawbacks: It has a higher upfront cost and can become slippery when wet, posing a safety hazard in some situations.

Considering Key Factors

When comparing garage flooring options, focus on these factors:

Durability : If your garage sees heavy use, opt for materials that resist cracks, stains, and chemical spills.
Aesthetics : Consider how the flooring aligns with your garage’s purpose and overall home design.
Ease of Installation : Some options like interlocking tiles are DIY-friendly, while others like epoxy coatings require professional help.
Maintenance : Think about how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in keeping the floor clean and in good shape.
Budget : Compare upfront costs against long-term value to avoid sacrificing quality for short-term savings.

Studying Environmental and Safety Considerations

Your garage flooring choice can also impact the environment and your family’s safety. Here are some points to keep in mind:

Eco-Friendliness: Rubber mats made from recycled materials are a sustainable choice. Look for low-VOC (volatile organic compound) sealants and coatings to reduce harmful emissions. Green Seal offers information on VOCs, if you’re unfamiliar.
Safety: Slip-resistant surfaces are a must, especially if your garage floor is exposed to water or oil. Some materials also offer better temperature regulation, keeping the floor comfortable year-round.
Sustainability: Durable flooring options, like polished concrete or high-quality epoxy, minimize waste by lasting longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often.

Planning Costs and Budgets

Garage flooring options span a wide range of costs, so understanding each one’s value, durability, and maintenance expenses is important. Here’s a general comparison of cost considerations and tips to balance quality with affordability:

Upfront Costs vs. Long-Term Savings

Materials like epoxy coatings and polished concrete often have higher initial costs due to the preparation and professional installation required. However, their durability means they’re less likely to need frequent repairs or replacements, making them a cost-effective choice over time. On the other hand, options like concrete stains and rubber mats might be more budget-friendly upfront but could require earlier replacement, particularly in high-traffic or harsh environments.

Maintenance Costs

Maintenance can also impact your budget. For example:

Epoxy coatings are low-maintenance, requiring only occasional sweeping and mopping, but reapplication might be needed every few years in heavily used spaces.
Interlocking tiles are easy to clean and repair; you can replace individual tiles if damaged, saving on overall costs.
Rubber mats are simple to maintain but may wear out faster in areas with heavy vehicle traffic, requiring periodic replacement.
Polished concrete offers excellent durability and minimal maintenance needs, though it may require occasional resealing to maintain its sleek appearance.
Concrete stains and sealers are affordable and straightforward to apply but offer limited protection, so you may need to reapply them more often.

Balancing quality and affordability in garage flooring doesn’t have to be tricky; it just takes a little strategy. Start by thinking about how you use your garage. If it’s a busy workshop or you’re parking heavy vehicles, it’s worth splurging on something durable to avoid future repairs.

Consider whether you’re up for a DIY project. Options like interlocking tiles or rubber mats are easy to install, but for polished concrete or epoxy, hiring a pro ensures better results. Finally, remember that it’s okay to start small: choose a more affordable option now and upgrade later when your budget allows.

Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Needs

Making the final decision on garage flooring can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it easier. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the perfect flooring for your unique situation:

Identify Your Garage’s Primary Purpose: Start by clearly defining how you use your garage. Is it strictly a parking spot, or do you also use it as a workshop, storage space, or even a home gym? Think about whether you need durability, comfort underfoot, or other features.
Evaluate the Climate and Potential Challenges: Climate plays a role in how long your garage flooring will last. In cold climates, you’ll need something to stand up to cold temperatures without cracking, while if you get a lot of rain or snow, slip resistance is important.
Determine Your Budget: Your budget isn’t just about upfront costs; it’s also about long-term value. Consider the cost of materials, installation, and maintenance. Also, think about how long the flooring will likely last.
Prioritize Safety and Environmental Considerations: Your flooring choice should prioritize safety. Some things to think about include slip resistance, eco-friendliness, and temperature regulation. If you have children or pets who will be using the area, safety is particularly important.
Consult With a Professional: If you’re unsure about the best flooring for your garage, seek advice from a professional installer. They can evaluate your specific needs and recommend suitable options.

Conclusion

The right garage flooring can transform your space into a functional, durable, and visually appealing area. By assessing your needs, considering key factors, and exploring various materials, you’ll find the perfect solution to enhance your garage.

Source

https://greenseal.org/guide-to-vocs-in-paint-and-cleaning-products/

Optimizing Custom Closet System Space for the Holiday Season

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:03:18 GMT

The holiday season brings joy, festivities, and a bit of chaos, especially when it comes to staying organized. With celebrations, family gatherings, and gift-giving right around the corner, having a well-organized closet can make a world of difference. My clients often find that having a custom closet system can streamline their daily routines, making it easy for them to find what they need and keep track of all their holiday essentials.

If you want to enjoy a stress-free holiday season, a little prep in the closet can go a long way. Here’s what we’ll talk about in this blog post:

Assessing Your Closet Space
Decluttering and Organizing
Utilizing Vertical and Horizontal Space
Seasonal Rotation of Clothing
Designating Holiday Zones
Maximizing Closet Accessories
Maintaining a Clutter-Free Environment

Read on to discover how to transform your closet into a space that supports the most wonderful time of the year!

Assessing Your Closet Space

Before you jump into a full-on organization session, it’s important to take a close look at your closet’s layout and contents. Assessing your closet now allows you to identify what’s working, what isn’t, and where improvements can be made. Here’s what to do:

Take Inventory: Go through all your clothes, accessories, shoes, and holiday items. Do a quick review to see what you actually wear and use regularly, as well as any items specifically for the holiday season. If you come across items that haven’t been used or worn in over a year, consider whether they truly need to stay.
Identify Underutilized Spaces: Check for overlooked storage opportunities. High shelves, corners, or the back of the closet door can often be used to add hooks, extra shelving, or small bins. Even the floor space under hanging clothes can be useful if you add shelves, shoe racks, or storage bins.
List Holiday Essentials: Think ahead to the events and activities you’ll participate in during the holidays. Make a list of what you’ll need most frequently: party outfits, winter accessories, seasonal decorations. Note where these items are located. This simple list will guide you as you set up accessible storage areas.

By understanding your closet’s current state, you can make more intentional changes, setting the stage for a more organized season

Decluttering and Organizing

Now it’s time to start decluttering. Decluttering before the holidays allows you to create extra space for seasonal items and keeps your closet from becoming overwhelmed by new purchases or gifts.

Declutter in Small Steps: Decluttering can feel daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps helps. Start with clothing, moving on to accessories, shoes, and finally, holiday decorations. Place items into “keep,” “donate,” and “discard” piles as you go. This methodical approach prevents decision fatigue and keeps you moving forward.
Focus on Holiday Items: If you find items specifically meant for the holidays, create a dedicated space for them. Having a special spot for seasonal decor, winter accessories, or holiday outfits will ensure they don’t get mixed up with your everyday essentials, reducing the risk of unnecessary clutter. If you’re having trouble focusing on what to keep, check out these capsule wardrobe ideas from Conde Nast Traveler .
Categorize for Ease: Think about creating sub-categories in your closet, such as “daily wear,” “work clothes,” “holiday attire,” and “out-of-season items.” With clear categories, finding what you need and maintaining a tidy closet is easier. You’ll also reduce the risk of losing holiday items or accidentally purchasing duplicates.

Utilizing Vertical and Horizontal Space

Every inch of closet space matters, and by using both vertical and horizontal areas, you can increase your storage space without overcrowding.

Add Shelving: Shelving is a vital part of any custom closet system . Consider creating a mix of tall and short shelves to hold various items, from shoes and bags to holiday decor bins. Custom shelving can be adjusted to your needs, allowing for a perfect balance of accessible and out-of-reach storage.
Hooks and Racks: Closet doors are often underused but perfect for adding hooks or racks. Use these for smaller, frequently used items, like scarves, hats, or holiday accessories. You’ll keep these items off the floor and have them within arm’s reach.
Stacking Bins: Use stacking bins or boxes for items you don’t need daily access to, such as holiday decorations or seasonal shoes. These bins can be stacked on the floor or high shelves, maximizing every inch while keeping items organized and easy to find when needed.

Seasonal Rotation of Clothing

Rotating clothes for the season is a great way to make room for holiday attire while keeping your wardrobe fresh. A seasonal rotation also helps prevent overcrowding, keeping your custom closet system looking good all year long.

Store Off-Season Items: Move spring and summer items to higher shelves or storage bins, freeing up space for heavier winter clothing. By storing off-season items out of the way, you’ll avoid overcrowding and make room for holiday attire that you’ll need in the coming months.
Prioritize Accessibility: Place items, like holiday party outfits, festive sweaters, and winter coats, in more accessible locations. By prioritizing these pieces, you won’t have to dig through irrelevant clothing to find what you need for seasonal events.
Use Storage Bins: If possible, place out-of-season clothing in labeled bins, so it’s easy to find when it’s time to swap it in. Labels help you keep track of what’s stored, making your next seasonal rotation easier and faster.

Designating Holiday Zones

Setting aside a dedicated “holiday zone” in your closet is a simple trick that can bring order to the seasonal chaos. By keeping holiday-related items in one specific area, you can avoid mixing them up with everyday essentials.

Set Up a Holiday Zone: Choose a small section of your closet, like a shelf, drawer, or section of hanging space, for holiday items. This holiday zone should be easy to reach, yet set apart enough to keep festive items separate from your regular wardrobe.
Use Clear or Labeled Bins: Use transparent or labeled bins for holiday decor, accessories, and seasonal wear. Clear bins allow you to see the contents without digging through them, while labeled bins make it easy to locate specific items quickly.
Have a Logical Arrangement: Arrange holiday items in a way that makes sense for your needs. Keep decorations on one side and outfits on another, and place accessories, like jewelry or holiday scarves, in smaller bins or drawer organizers.

Maximizing Closet Accessories

Closet accessories are the secret weapon in any custom closet system. They allow you to organize even the smallest items, ensuring that everything has its place.

Drawer Dividers: Dividers in drawers can be lifesavers, especially for small holiday accessories, like jewelry, gloves, and scarves. Use these to keep small items neatly separated and easy to grab.
Specialty Racks: Use specialty racks for items, like shoes or bags you’ll be using during the holidays. By creating designated spaces for each item, you’ll avoid misplacing things in the rush of the season.
Adjustable Shelving: Adjustable shelves are a versatile option that can be rearranged based on your needs. For example, you can raise a shelf to fit a taller bin of holiday decorations or lower it to add another row of shoes. This flexibility allows you to adapt your closet layout as the season progresses.

Maintaining a Clutter-Free Environment

A clutter-free closet during the holidays is achievable with a few simple habits. By maintaining good organization, you can enjoy a stress-free season and set the stage for a smoother start to the new year.

Regular Check-Ins: Look over your closet for a few minutes each week. Ensure everything is still in place, and make quick adjustments if items have been put in the wrong places. These weekly check-ins will help prevent clutter from building up as the season progresses.
Daily Routine: Commit to a quick daily tidy-up, putting away any items taken out or rearranged during the day. By dedicating just five minutes to tidying up, you’ll keep your closet looking amazing.
Post-Holiday Reassessment: After the holiday season, take time to reassess your closet organization. Donate any holiday items that didn’t get used, return decor to designated bins, and prepare your closet for the new year. This small post-holiday routine will help keep your closet organized and ready for a fresh start.

Conclusion

With a little preparation, your custom closet can become a holiday-ready, organized space that makes life simpler and more enjoyable. By assessing your current layout, decluttering, and taking advantage of smart storage solutions, you can optimize your closet to fit your seasonal needs. Implementing these tips will not only help you stay organized but also bring ease and joy to your holiday preparations. Give yourself the gift of a clutter-free, functional closet this season!

Source

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/winter-travel-capsule-wardrobe

Minimalist Home Office Design Tips for Maximum Productivity

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 16:01:25 GMT

Creating a minimalist home office is becoming a popular way for people to simplify their workspaces, especially with more of us working from home. The goal is to create a space that helps you focus, free of the clutter that tends to distract you from getting things done. When one of my clients wants a custom home office, they generally envision a clear space that helps them to be more productive. That’s what a minimalist home office is all about – cutting out the unnecessary, so you can zero in on your work and get it done more efficiently.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or trying to organize your existing home office, here are some ways to make the most of your space with a minimalistic design:

Declutter and simplify
Choose a neutral color palette
Invest in quality furniture
Optimize lighting
Incorporate smart storage solutions
Personalize with minimalist touches
Create a maintenance routine

In this post, we’ll discuss some simple steps you can take to transform your home office into a minimalist haven. Stick around, and you’ll learn how to create a workspace that feels functional, clutter-free, and, most importantly, designed with your productivity in mind.

Declutter and Simplify

In my years working with homeowners, I’ve learned that most of us have a home office filled with things we don’t need. Maybe it’s paperwork from two years ago, office supplies you’ve never touched, or random trinkets that have somehow found their way onto your desk. All that stuff can be a serious distraction when you're trying to focus. The first step toward a minimalist office is decluttering.

Step-by-Step Decluttering

Start by removing everything from your workspace. Yes, everything! Clear off your desk, empty your drawers, and take a good look at what’s left. Now, separate things into categories – what you use daily, what you need occasionally, and what you never use. For the items you rarely touch, consider donating, recycling, or storing them elsewhere.

Practical Tips for Decluttering

Use Minimalist Storage Solutions: Invest in a few clean-lined storage options, like simple bins, file organizers, or a minimalist desk organizer, to keep things neat and easy to access.
Go Digital: Scan important documents, and save them on your computer to cut down on the physical paperwork.
One in, One out Rule: Anytime you bring a new item into your office, remove something old to keep the balance.

By keeping only the essentials within reach, you'll notice how much easier it is to stay focused throughout the day.

Choose a Neutral Color Palette

Color plays a bigger role in our work environment than we often realize. A minimalist home office should feel calm and organized, and the right color palette can do wonders for creating that vibe. That’s why many minimalistic spaces lean toward neutral shades.

Color Psychology

Neutral tones, like white, gray, beige, and soft taupes help create a backdrop that doesn’t distract your attention from what you're working on. These colors promote a feeling of calm and make the space feel more open and airy. When the surroundings are more subdued, your mind feels less chaotic.

Accent Colors

Now, that doesn’t mean your space has to be bland. You can still add pops of color! Just keep it subtle. Maybe you bring in a baby blue throw pillow, a soft green plant, or a fun pink lamp. These little accents add personality to the room without overwhelming the minimalist aesthetic.

Invest in Quality, Functional Furniture

Furniture is one of the most important parts of any office, and in a minimalist one, it’s all about choosing functional and stylish pieces. You don’t need much furniture, just a few well-chosen items that work for you.

Desk and Chair

Your desk and chair are the two main players in this space, so make sure they’re functional and comfortable. Look for ergonomic designs that support your body, especially if you’re sitting for long hours. Opt for a simple, streamlined desk without a lot of built-in distractions. A chair that provides good back support while looking sleek is key.

Multi-Functional Pieces

If you’re really tight on space, consider furniture that serves more than one purpose. For example, a desk with built-in storage or a bookshelf that doubles as a room divider can help keep things organized without adding unnecessary bulk to your room.

Optimize Lighting

Lighting can make or break a workspace. If your home office feels dark and dreary, it’s going to be hard to stay motivated. But good lighting can keep you energized and focused.

Maximize Natural Light

If possible, position your desk near a window, so you can soak in as much natural light as possible. Natural light has been shown to improve mood and productivity, making it ideal for a home office. You might also want to invest in light-filtering shades or blinds to reduce glare while still letting the sunshine in.

Task Lighting

Good task lighting is a must for those late-night work sessions or if your office doesn't get much natural light. A minimalist desk lamp with an adjustable arm can provide focused light where you need it most. Just make sure your lighting is soft and not too harsh, which can strain your eyes. LED My Place has more tips on choosing the right task lighting for your home office.

Lighting Tips

Stick to warm, soft lighting that complements your neutral color scheme.
Avoid using too many overhead lights, which can feel sterile. Instead, use lamps or wall-mounted lights to create a softer glow.
Make sure you have plenty of light in critical areas where you’re doing the most work. This can help reduce eyestrain.

Incorporate Smart Storage Solutions

Minimalism doesn’t mean you don’t need storage space; it just means being smart about it. Keeping your workspace organized helps you stay on task, and it doesn’t have to involve bulky file cabinets or shelves overflowing with clutter.

Vertical Storage

Maximize your vertical space by adding wall-mounted shelves or cabinets. These options keep your floor clear and give you a place to store things without adding bulk. Plus, you can keep your most-used items easily accessible without having them clutter up your desk.

Hidden Storage

Furniture with hidden storage compartments, like a desk with a drawer underneath or a sleek filing cabinet that blends in with the decor, can help keep clutter out of sight. The goal is to maintain a clean, streamlined look without sacrificing function.

Minimalist Organizers

Invest in simple drawer dividers, file folders, and cable organizers to keep small items neatly contained. The fewer loose items you have lying around, the more organized and focused your workspace will feel.

Personalize with Minimalist Touches

Just because you’re going minimalist doesn’t mean you can’t add some personal flair. The trick is to keep it simple. Pick items that you love and that bring you joy without overwhelming the space.

Artwork and Decor

Instead of covering your walls with pictures and posters, opt for one or two pieces of artwork that really speak to you. Something minimalist in design, like a simple line drawing or a neutral-colored abstract print, can complement your space without making it feel busy.

Plants

Adding a touch of greenery can really liven up your home office. A small plant or two, like a succulent or a snake plant, can improve air quality and make the space feel more inviting. Plus, plants are proven mood boosters!

Personal Items

If you want to include personal items, like photos or keepsakes, that’s totally fine, just do it sparingly. Choose a small frame for your favorite photo or a shelf for a single, meaningful item. You’ll get the personal touch without creating clutter.

Create a Routine for Maintenance

It’s one thing to create a minimalist home office, but it’s another to keep it that way. Clutter has a way of sneaking back in over time if you’re not careful. That’s why creating a routine for maintaining your space is so important.

Daily Clean-Up

Take just a few minutes at the end of each workday to tidy up. Clear off your desk, put away any papers or supplies, and make sure everything is in its place. This simple habit can go a long way in keeping your office looking clean and organized.

Weekly Reviews

Set aside some time each week to do a quick review of your space. Are things starting to pile up? Are there any items that can be stored or thrown away? Doing this regularly will help prevent clutter from building up.

Long-Term Tips

To avoid accumulating clutter in the long run, try to stick to minimalist principles. When bringing new items into your office, ask yourself if they’re really necessary. If not, skip them. Staying intentional about what you allow into your workspace will help you maintain a clean, productive environment over time.

Conclusion

A minimalist home office can be a game-changer for your productivity. By simplifying your workspace, choosing functional furniture, and staying organized, you can create a calm and focused environment that helps you get more done. Remember, the goal isn’t just to have fewer items; it’s to make sure that everything in your office serves a purpose and helps you work better. Start decluttering today, and enjoy the benefits of a more minimalist, productive home office.

Source

https://www.ledmyplace.com/blogs/stories/how-to-choose-the-best-lighting-for-your-home-office

Embrace Minimalism With Custom Closet Decluttering Tips

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 18:55:36 GMT

We've all been there. Standing in a cluttered closet overflowing with clothes, desperately searching for that perfect outfit while precious morning minutes tick by. The frustration is real, and it can set the tone for a stressful day. But what if your closet could be a haven of calm organization, a place that simplifies your mornings and allows you to focus on what matters? This is where a custom closet comes in, and with a little decluttering magic, it can become the key to a more streamlined and stress-free life.

While a custom closet provides the perfect framework for organization, it's the decluttering process that truly unlocks its potential. Here are some of my tips to help you transform your closet from a chaotic jumble to a minimalist masterpiece:

Embrace the power of the empty slate
Sort and categorize
Take the "touch test" and the "joy spark"
Be ruthless (but kind)
Utilize vertical space
Embrace easy access
Maintain the minimalist mindset

Now that you know the basics, I’m going to dive into the details and show you how to make use of these tips in your home.

Embrace the Power of the Empty Slate

As the pros at Better Homes & Gardens point out, smart organizing solutions are paramount in small closets. Begin by removing everything from your closet. This might seem daunting, but it's a necessary first step. Seeing the entire space allows you to assess its potential and provides a clean canvas for the organized world to come. I recommend taking this opportunity to wipe down shelves, vacuum the floor, and give your closet a fresh start.

Sort and Categorize

Now comes the fun part: sorting! Separate your clothes into categories like tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories. Within each category, I suggest you further subdivide by type (casual, formal, seasonal) or color. This visual breakdown allows you to easily identify duplicates, forgotten gems, and neglected items.

Take the "Touch Test" and the "Joy Spark"

As you handle each item, ask yourself two key questions. First, does it fit well? Clothes that are too tight, too loose, or unflattering should be let go of. Second, does it spark joy? This concept, popularized by decluttering guru Marie Kondo, is a powerful way to identify items that no longer serve you. If an item doesn't bring you joy, thank it for its service and move it on.

Be Ruthless (but Kind)

Letting go can be tough, especially with sentimental items. However, be honest with yourself about how often you wear something. If it's been gathering dust for years, chances are it will continue to do so. I think you should consider donating gently used clothes to charity or consignment shops, or hold a clothing swap with friends. For sentimental items, consider taking photos before letting them go, or create a memory box for the most cherished pieces.

Utilize Vertical Space

Custom closets often include shelves and hanging rods at various heights. Take advantage of this by storing out-of-season clothes on high shelves and frequently worn items at eye level. Use drawer dividers and organizers to keep folded clothes and accessories neatly contained.

Embrace Easy Access

Think about your daily routine. I recommend putting everyday essentials like work clothes or frequently worn shoes within easy reach. Seasonal items can be stored in higher cabinets or tucked away in labeled bins.

Maintain the Minimalist Mindset

The key to a stress-free closet is ongoing maintenance. Adopt the "one-in, one-out" rule, where for every new item you acquire, you get rid of an old one. This prevents clutter from creeping back in and keeps your closet feeling streamlined.

Conclusion

Decluttering your closet isn't just about getting rid of clothes; it's about creating a calmer and more organized space that simplifies your life. By embracing my tips and utilizing the features of your custom closet, you can transform your mornings from a frantic scramble into a peaceful and stress-free experience. So, take a deep breath, open your closet door, and get ready to embrace a world of minimalist magic!

Book Your Free Consultation Today

Ready to unleash the full potential of your custom closet? Contact Clever Closets today for a free consultation. Our expert designers will help you create a beautiful and functional space that simplifies your life and sparks joy every morning!

Source

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/small-space-organizing-ideas/

How to Give Your Walk-in Closet a Touch of Luxury for Less

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:15:37 GMT

As someone who has always appreciated fashion and beautiful design, my dream was to one day have a luxurious, boutique-style walk-in closet to store and showcase my wardrobe. However, as a young professional on a budget, that seemed like an unattainable pipe dream reserved only for the uber-wealthy or Hollywood elite. That is until I discovered some clever tips and tricks for elevating my closet space without going wildly over budget. With some strategic planning and a dash of DIY spirit, I was able to transform my bland walk-in closet into a stunning, functional space that brings me joy every single day, and you can do it, too.

Start with a clean slate
Make the most of smart storage
Let there be (good) light
Add some luxe for less
Don't forget the finishing touches

Start With a Clean Slate

The first crucial step in any closet overhaul is to take everything out and start with a blank canvas. I took a whole weekend to empty my walk-in, trying on piece after piece and keeping only the items that truly sparked joy à la Marie Kondo. Being brutally honest with myself, I donated or sold anything I hadn't worn in over a year, as well as anything that no longer fit my lifestyle or aesthetic. It was hard to part with some pieces, but so freeing.

Once my closet was cleared out, I gave it a deep clean from top to bottom. I swept up all of the dust bunnies from the corners, wiped down the shelving, and mopped the floors. Having a fresh, clean slate made the whole space feel rejuvenated and ready for its glow-up.

Once you have your closet clean, keeping it that way will help you maintain your luxury closet additions. Trulia suggests a neat trick for keeping unused clothing from building up in your closet – the reverse hanger trick. When you put your clothes away, put the hangers in backward. Set a reminder for 6 months in the future. When you take clothes out and wear them, replace them with the hangers facing the regular way. When your reminder goes off, check to see which hangers are still backward – these are the clothes you aren’t wearing that can be safely removed and sold, donated, or discarded.

Make the Most of Smart Storage

With my wardrobe pared down to just the essentials, I turned my focus to maximizing every square inch of closet space with smart, strategic storage solutions. I scored some amazing deals on storage pieces from discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Double hanging rods, shelf dividers, over-the-door organizers, and pull-out baskets all helped me keep my clothing, shoes, and accessories neatly arranged yet easily accessible.

For even more storage on a budget, I got creative with some DIY tricks. I repurposed wine crates and attractive baskets to act as shelf dividers, holding everything from clutches to workout gear. Using basic tension rods, I turned one corner into a dedicated accessory display, perfect for showcasing my ever-growing scarf and jewelry collections.

Let There Be (Good) Light

One of the most immediate ways to elevate the look and feel of a closet is with lighting. My walk-in previously felt a bit like a cave, with just a single, dim flush mount ceiling fixture. To brighten and open up the space, I had an electrician install a chic semi-flush mount light as well as battery-operated LED strip lighting along the inside lips of the shelving.

These affordable lighting upgrades allow me to see all of my pieces while getting ready each morning. Plus, the warm glow of the new light fixtures gives the closet an instantly luxurious and atmospheric vibe without me having to spend a fortune on expensive designer lighting.

Add Some Luxe for Less

While custom built-ins and closet renovations can cost an arm and a leg, there are some tricks to get that high-end aesthetic on a budget. I wrapped my existing wire shelving units in peel-and-stick wood veneer for an elevated, seamless look. For under $50, I was able to source gorgeous crystal-and-brass drawer pulls from a trendy home goods site to punch up the glam factor.

My favorite luxury touch? I found an insanely plush ivory sheepskin rug at a major discount at a home decorating outlet. It adds such warmth and softness underfoot, not to mention an undeniable layer of indulgence that makes getting ready each day feel like a treat.

Don't Forget the Finishing Touches

They say that the devil is in the details, and that's especially true when it comes to creating a luxurious closet atmosphere. I sprinkled in some key accessories and decorative flourishes to give my walk-in that finished, editorial-worthy quality. A Hollywood-style lighted makeup vanity with a chic acrylic stool. A sleek velvet storage ottoman that doubles as a place to sit and put on shoes. A gorgeous vintage tray to wrangle jewelry and perfumes.

I arranged my neatly organized purse collection on a high shelf, almost like pieces of art, and found some oversized fashion prints to hang on the bare walls, carefully leaning them against another set of shelves. To keep the space feeling personal and unique to me, I displayed framed photos of loved ones and some of my most cherished mementos amongst the accessories.

Conclusion

With a few smart, strategic investments plus a heavy dose of DIY spirit and styling prowess, it's absolutely possible to curate a luxurious, high-end closet worthy of a boutique or celebrity home – all while sticking to a very reasonable budget. Getting creative, mixing high and low pieces, and carefully considering good lighting and functional storage are key to success. Why settle for a basic, boring closet when a little imagination can transform it into a space that feels singularly you?

Source

https://www.trulia.com/blog/the-reverse-hanger-trick-and-9-more-decluttering-hacks/

How an Organized Walk-in Closet Streamlines Your Routine

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:38:11 GMT

As someone who values orderliness and efficiency in all aspects of life, I can say that investing in a well-designed, custom walk-in closet has been one of the best decisions I've made for streamlining my daily routine. For far too long, I found myself grappling with the frustration and chaos of a cluttered, disorganized closet space. Each morning seemed to begin with a frantic search through haphazardly organized clothing racks and piles of accessories, leaving me frazzled and stressed.

That all changed when I decided to take control and create a sanctuary of order within my home—a custom walk-in closet tailored to my unique needs and lifestyle. Find out how an organized walk-in closet can benefit you and what smart strategies you can use to streamline your daily routine.

The Morning Haven
Time Is of the Essence
The Psychology of Order
Practical Tips for Closet Mastery

The Morning Haven

Mornings are inherently chaotic, with the rush to get ready often setting the tone for the entire day. An organized walk-in closet acts as a sanctuary, a place of calm amidst the morning storm. When every item has its designated spot, you eliminate the frantic search for that elusive pair of shoes or the perfect shirt. Instead, you can focus on preparing for the day ahead with a clear mind.

Time Is of the Essence

Time is a precious commodity, and an organized walk-in closet can save you more of it than you might realize. Imagine knowing exactly where each item is, reducing the time spent on indecision, and rummaging through a disheveled wardrobe. This time-saving benefit extends beyond just the mornings; it empowers you to plan and execute your daily tasks more efficiently.

The Psychology of Order

There's an undeniable psychological impact of a tidy, well-organized space. According to WebMD , a clutter-free environment reduces stress and makes you feel more in control. As you step into your organized walk-in closet, the visual harmony and orderliness set a positive tone for the day. It's a subtle yet powerful way to enhance your mental well-being and face the challenges of the day with confidence.

Practical Tips for Closet Mastery

Achieving the nirvana of a perfectly organized walk-in closet may seem like a daunting task, but fear not. With the right approach, anyone can transform their closet into a haven of efficiency. To maximize the functionality of your walk-in closet and truly streamline your routine, I've learned a few key tips along the way:

Categorize and Group: Organize your clothes, shoes, and accessories by category, such as tops, bottoms, dresses, and footwear. Within each category, group items by color, season, or function, making it easier to identify and retrieve what you need quickly without wasting time searching.
Use Your Vertical Space: Don't let valuable vertical space go to waste. Install hanging rods at multiple heights to accommodate longer items like dresses and coats, as well as shorter pieces like skirts and folded sweaters. This not only maximizes storage but also makes everything easily visible and accessible.
Incorporate Proper Lighting: Adequate lighting is crucial for a functional walk-in closet. Consider installing recessed lighting, LED strips, or even a statement chandelier to create a warm, inviting atmosphere while ensuring visibility for easy item selection.
Implement Rotation: Regularly rotate your wardrobe to keep your most frequently used items at the forefront. This not only streamlines your routine but also helps you rediscover forgotten pieces, maximizing the use of your entire wardrobe and preventing items from getting lost in the back.
Purge Regularly: Be ruthless in purging items you no longer wear or need. A decluttered closet is a more organized and efficient closet, allowing you to focus on the pieces that truly enhance your daily life and reflect your current style.
Invest in Quality Storage Solutions: While custom built-ins are ideal, even well-chosen freestanding pieces like shelving units, drawer organizers, and hanging racks can significantly improve the organization and functionality of your walk-in closet.

Since transforming my walk-in closet into a meticulously organized and efficient space, my mornings have become a breeze. The time and stress saved by this streamlined routine have been invaluable, allowing me to approach the rest of my day with greater focus, productivity, and a positive mindset.

Conclusion

Investing in a custom walk-in closet is not just about creating a beautiful space; it's about investing in your overall quality of life. By prioritizing organization and efficiency, you're cultivating an environment that nurtures your well-being and sets the stage for a successful day. The peace of mind that comes from having a streamlined morning routine cannot be overstated. It's a game-changer that ripples through every aspect of your day, empowering you to tackle challenges with a clear head and a focused mindset.

Source

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-decluttering

Small Custom Closet Changes That Spark a Big Difference

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 19:34:13 GMT

In all my years of home renovation work, one of the most common things I’ve seen is homeowners getting so overwhelmed by the thought of keeping an area clutter-free that they quit before they start. If you focus too much on the big picture, it can be tough to figure out where to start. That’s why the smallest changes can truly make the biggest difference.

From having a designated place for everything to committing to a weekly cleaning schedule, making use of cubbies, and more, there are plenty of small, everyday ways for you to keep your custom closet in order.

Here are my tips for small custom closet changes that spark a big difference:

Have a designated place for everything
Commit to a weekly cleaning schedule
Make use of cubbies
Remember: Labels and color coordination are your friends

Now that you know the basics, let me dive in and show you how to put these tips to work in your own home.

Have a Designated Place for Everything

One of the quickest ways to see your closet overrun with clutter is to just toss things wherever. On the other side of that, by far one of the most effective ways I’ve seen of getting your closet back in shape is to have a designated place for every article of clothing, accessory, and item, and to stick with your system.

This way, you’ll have no problem figuring out where everything goes and, of course, where you can find anything you need as well.

Commit to a Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Instead of letting your closet get overrun with junk, only to find yourself in the predicament of having to do a big overhaul cleaning all over again, I’ve seen clients have much more success when they stick to regular, smaller cleanings.

It’s too easy to get overwhelmed with all you have to do when you’re staring down a closet that's completely out of control. But when you just have a few areas to tidy up and clean every week, it can feel much more manageable to keep your closet in check. And that’s because it is!

Make Use of Cubbies

If you’re looking for tips you can put to use in your home right away, it’s tough not to agree with the pros at Better Homes & Gardens when they recommend making good use of smart storage solutions. And in my opinion, you can’t get smarter and more useful than a cubby system.

Instead of trying to work around your natural inclinations, I’ve found it works best to work with your existing patterns. If you tend to want to just toss items down after getting back from work, put cubbies at floor level so you can do just that without having to sacrifice the organization in your closet.

Remember: Labels and Color Coordination Are Your Friends

If you have trouble knowing where everything goes or just sticking with a system in general, I’ve found it’s best to make the space work harder for you, and not the other way around. With the simple addition of some labels and color-coordinated bins and other organizational systems, you’ll find it much easier to keep everything in order.

This is by far one of the cheapest and easiest items on my list, and it’s something you can put to work in your home right away.

Conclusion

I know keeping your custom closet in order can feel like an impossible task, especially if it’s been a while since the last cleaning. But by sticking with my tips and getting a little bit creative in your personal approach, you should have no problem getting your custom closet clean and organized, and keeping it that way.

Source

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/closets/how-to-organize-small-closet/

Dive Into Organization With This Linen Custom Closet 7-Day Challenge

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:43:19 GMT

A linen custom closet is often the unsung hero of home organization. Tucked away, it quietly holds the key to a smooth morning routine and a serene living space. However, with the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy for this small space to become a chaotic abyss. Fear not! In this 7-day challenge, you’ll learn practical steps to transform your linen closet from a cluttered nightmare into an organized oasis in only a week.

Day 1: Assess and empty
Day 2: Categorize and prioritize
Day 3: Invest in storage solutions
Day 4: Create a folding routine
Day 5: Label and maintain
Day 6: Utilize door space
Day 7: Evaluate and celebrate

Day 1: Assess and Empty

Begin your journey by taking everything out of your linen closet. Lay it all out in front of you. This step not only gives you a clear view of what you own but also serves as a reality check. Sort through your linens, towels, and any miscellaneous items you find lurking in the corners. Discard any worn-out or unnecessary items. This sets the stage for a fresh start.

If you have towels and linens that are too good to toss, but you no longer want them, there are plenty of donation options to choose from. Charitable organizations like the American Red Cross and Goodwill can use them. Animals can also benefit from some linen closet castoffs. Route some of your unwanted towels and bedding to The Humane Society . However, refrain from donating blankets stuffed with feathers or fillings, as those can be hazardous if swallowed by an animal.

Day 2: Categorize and Prioritize

Now that you have a clean slate, categorize your items. Group similar linens together, such as bed sheets, towels, blankets, and pillowcases. Prioritize based on frequency of use.

Keep everyday essentials within easy reach, while seasonal or less-used items can be placed on higher or lower shelves. This simple categorization lays the groundwork for a functional and user-friendly linen closet.

Day 3: Invest in Storage Solutions

Visit your local home goods store or shop online for storage solutions that suit your needs. Consider baskets, bins, or storage containers that fit well on your shelves.

Transparent containers allow you to see the contents of the container easily. Meanwhile, install shelf dividers to separate stacks of linens and keep them standing neatly. Investing in these storage solutions ensures a place for everything and everything in its place.

Day 4: Create a Folding Routine

Use folding techniques that keep the closet neat and tidy, and dedicate time to learning and implementing a folding routine so it remains consistent over time. For example, fold bed sheets into tidy rectangles, and fold towels uniformly. Uniform stacks are more stable and less likely to fall or slide and become jumbled with each other.

Consistency in folding not only enhances the visual appeal but also makes it easier to locate specific items when needed.

Day 5: Label and Maintain

Labels are the unsung heroes of organization. Take a moment to label your storage containers, indicating the contents within. This is an easy task that can save you hours of confusion and effort in the future.

Of course, it’s important to continue the organization by returning everything to its dedicated space after use. Consistent maintenance ensures that your linen closet remains organized and clutter-free.

Day 6: Utilize Door Space

Don't overlook the space behind your linen closet doors. Install hooks or over-the-door organizers to make use of this often-neglected area. Hang items like bags, extra blankets, or even cleaning supplies. This clever use of space can significantly increase the overall storage capacity of your linen closet.

Day 7: Evaluate and Celebrate

As you approach the final day of the Linen Custom Closet 7-Day Challenge, take a step back to evaluate your efforts. Admire the transformed space, revel in the newfound ease of locating linens, and celebrate your commitment to organization. Reflect on the habits you've developed throughout the week and consider how you can apply them to other areas of your home.

Conclusion:

By the end of this 7-day challenge, your linen closet will have undergone a remarkable transformation. It's not just about creating an aesthetically pleasing space; it's about fostering a sense of calm and order in your daily life. With a more organized linen closet, you’ll notice your daily routines are smoother and less stressful and your home is more harmonious than ever. Now that you've conquered this challenge, carry the momentum into other aspects of your living space, turning your entire home into a haven of organization and tranquility.

Source

https://www.thehumanesociety.org/ways-to-give/donate-items/#approved-donated-supplies

The Investment Payoff of Installing a Custom Closet

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 18:06:26 GMT

You already know that installing a brand-new custom closet can dramatically improve the organization of your home, but can it also increase your home’s worth and resale value? It turns out that it can.

From enhancing the interior design of your home to maximizing storage space, adding more usable square footage, and more, there are real long-term benefits to installing a new custom closet.

Here are some examples of the investment payoff you can expect when you put in a brand-new custom closet system:

It enhances the interior design of your home
Custom closets maximize available storage space
It adds to your total usable square footage
A custom closet makes your home feel move-in ready
It’ll be one less project for a future prospective owner

Let’s dive into the details and see why putting in a new custom closet could be just the investment you need to put in your home.

It Enhances the Interior Design of Your Home

As the pros at Better Homes & Gardens show, putting in a new custom closet can make it easier to find all of your clothes, supplies, and linens while maximizing all available space. But along with those short-term gains for you and your family, you can also enjoy long-term benefits as well.

When a prospective buyer sees that you’ve invested in your home by adding a custom closet system, they’ll look at the rest of the interior design more favorably, and your asking price could be higher as a result.

Custom Closets Maximize Available Storage Space

Prospective home buyers are actively making a list of pros and cons whenever they look at a house, and storage space will always be an important consideration. Nobody wants a cramped space with no room for their things, so any evidence to the contrary in your home will be welcome.

By having a well-optimized custom closet in your home, you’ll be making it far more likely that “storage space” will end up in the pro column.

It Adds to Your Total Usable Square Footage

Beyond giving you more space to store your things, a well-organized custom closet can also free up square footage elsewhere in the home, especially in your bedroom. When a prospective buyer can visualize more room for all of their things instead of a cluttered, cramped master bedroom, they’ll be more likely to choose your home.

A Custom Closet Makes Your Home Feel Move-in Ready

While home buyers know that every home will come with some risks and the potential for having to do some fixer-upper work, the vast majority would greatly prefer a place that’s as move-in ready as possible.

Instead of making a mental list of all the things they’ll have to fix and adjust down the line, a prospective buyer will be seeing opportunities for this new space, which is exactly what you want.

It’ll Be One Less Project for a Future Prospective Owner

You’d be hard-pressed to find a potential home buyer who wouldn’t love not having to worry about undertaking major future projects. By installing a custom closet now, you’re making it so a future home buyer won’t have to do the same.

While this will involve an investment in the short term, it will likely boost your home’s value to the extent that it will fully cover the costs of installation - and then some.

Conclusion

Not only can putting in a new custom closet make your life easier now, but it can also have tangible benefits for you once it comes time to sell your home. From increasing available storage space to enhancing your home’s interior design and beyond, the benefits of adding a custom closet to your home are clear.

Source

https://www.bhg.com/best-closet-systems-6748270

Revamp and Make Your Custom Closet More Fashionable

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 18:28:19 GMT

A custom closet is not merely a functional storage space; it can also serve as a stylish sanctuary that reflects your unique personality and fashion sense. After all, the clothes you choose for yourself are probably the most prominent expression of your personal style, so why shouldn’t your closet also reflect your unique taste? With the right design choices and trendy upgrades, you can transform your custom closet into a chic and organized haven. Touches that range from statement lighting fixtures to creative storage solutions will help you elevate your closet's aesthetic appeal while maximizing functionality.

Make a Statement with Lighting Fixtures
Choose Your Closet Color Palette
Mirrors for Fun and Function
Hype Up Your Hardware
Display Your Footwear
Opt for Open Shelving
Make Use of Custom Hangers and Dividers

Explore these stylish solutions to make your custom closet trendier.

Make a Statement with Lighting Fixtures

Good lighting is essential for any closet. You want to eliminate dark corners and forgotten nooks where clutter can build up. However, you shouldn’t just settle for basic fixtures when you can make a statement with trendy lighting choices.

If you want an opulent closet feeling, choose elegant chandeliers or pendant lights to add a touch of glamor and sophistication. Consider LED strip lighting installed along shelves or inside display cabinets to create a subtle yet modern ambiance. Add dimmer switches so you can adjust the lighting intensity according to your needs.

Choose Your Closet Color Palette

Start by selecting a fashionable color palette for your custom closet. There are different ways to do this, depending on your preferences and your closet's needs. According to Worst Room Home Design , white is the most popular closet color because of the way it makes the space appear larger and causes clothing to pop in contrast.

However, gray also makes a good neutral backdrop. Earthy tones such as beige, brown, light green, dark green, and various shades of brown can blend well with a more colorful wardrobe or a monochromatic one. Dark colors, if done correctly, can make the space stand out, and jewel tones give the closet an exciting and youthful finish.

If you’re decorating a closet that doesn’t have a door, keep in mind that your color palette for the closet will also be part of the color palette for the larger room. In this case, you can either choose the same color as the bedroom walls for the closet, or you could opt to treat the closet like an accent wall using a contrasting color.

Mirrors for Fun and Function

Mirrors not only serve a practical purpose in helping you decide what looks good and how to pair outfits and accessories, but they also visually expand the space and add a touch of elegance. Consider using full-length mirrors on the closet doors or as stand-alone pieces strategically placed throughout the room in a large walk-in closet.

To enhance the luxurious feel, choose ornate or uniquely shaped frames that align with your style. When you integrate glamorous mirrors into your custom closet design, they can amplify the overall chic aesthetic of your custom closet.

Hype Up Your Hardware

Often overlooked, the hardware in your closet can make a significant impact on its overall style. Upgrade your standard drawer pulls and door handles with trendy options that match your desired aesthetic.

Sleek, modern metal finishes like brass or matte black are the best choices to give your closet a contemporary look. If you’re going for a more classical style, choose vintage-inspired crystal or glass knobs to reflect sophistication and luxury. Swapping out mundane hardware for glamorous alternatives is an easy and affordable way to enhance the visual appeal of your custom closet.

Display Your Footwear

Your shoe collection deserves to be showcased in a way that’s trendy but also practical. Install floating shelves or open shoe racks to display your favorite pairs. Consider arranging them by color or style for a visually appealing presentation.

To add a touch of luxury, place a decorative rug beneath the shoe display area. Not only will this create a stylish focal point, but it will also protect your shoes and add warmth to the space.

Opt for Open Shelving

Shelves are great for other closet items as well. One trendy approach is to replace traditional closed cabinets with open shelving units to create a trendy, boutique-like feel.

Utilize stylish storage bins, baskets, or decorative boxes to keep smaller items organized. Showcase your favorite shoes, handbags, or accessories on open shelves, turning them into functional art displays. This approach not only maximizes storage space but also gives your closet the same atmosphere as a small, exclusive clothing shop – one that’s geared entirely toward your needs and wants.

Make Use of Custom Hangers and Dividers

Elevate your closet's aesthetic by upgrading your hangers and dividers. Using the same hangers for everything in your closet not only looks better but also saves space. Slim velvet hangers give your closet a sleek and uniform look while minimizing any overcrowding. Additionally, these hangers are strong and hardy and will hold up in your closet.

You can also invest in dividers to separate your clothes by category, color, or season. This enhances the visual appeal and simplifies the process of finding the perfect outfit. It’s easy to see where one section ends and another begins, so you can always reach out and put your hands on the item you want.

Conclusion

By incorporating the right lighting, colors, mirrors, hardware, displays, shelving, and accessories you can create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Remember to consider your tastes and preferences while integrating these solutions, ensuring that your custom closet reflects your unique taste and serves as an inspiring space to start and end your day. With these tips in mind, your custom closet is bound to become a fashionable oasis that adds joy and convenience to your daily routine.

Source

https://worstroom.com/colors-for-closets/

5 Daily Habits to Keep Your Custom Closets Neat

Thu, 11 May 2023 12:30:47 GMT

If you’ve made the wise decision to invest in custom closets , you need to make the most of them by keeping them neat and tidy—and this requires some consistent effort on your part. Even so, there are simple everyday steps that can help you stay organized.

Here are the five top daily habits to stay on top of if you want to keep your custom closet system in tip-top shape:

Take a reference picture
Throw dirty clothing in a hamper
Keep bulkier clothing in storage baskets
Manage clutter each day
Store frequently used items on hooks

Read on to learn about the simple steps you should take day by day to maintain order and organization in your custom closets.

Take a Reference Picture

When it comes to keeping closets organized, one of the biggest challenges is understanding—and remembering—where everything should go. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick that can help make the process easier and more efficient.

Taking a picture of your closet when it’s organized correctly provides easy-to-reference visual documentation of what an ideal state looks like. From there, you can refer to the photo at the end of each day or whenever you have a spare moment and make adjustments as needed.

Throw Dirty Clothing in a Hamper

While putting dirty clothes in one centralized place seems easy, many people with custom closets fail to do it. When you return home, it can be all too easy to drop your dirty clothes on the closet floor before you relax and decompress.

Taking a few extra seconds to throw dirty clothes in a hamper can make a major difference in keeping your custom closets tidy. Dirty clothes on the floor are never a good look, and the clutter can add stress to your day. If you don’t already have a hamper, adding one is a small investment that can make closet organization so much easier.

Keep Bulkier Clothing in Storage Baskets

According to Bob Vila , baskets and bins are ideal storage solutions for accommodating larger items—especially out-of-season clothing. By folding your bulky sweaters, coats, and bedding and then placing them into their designated basket, you can prevent them from getting dirty, stretched, or lost.

Spending a little time each day to organize your closet and ensure bulky items are in their place not only enhances the appearance of the space but also protects your clothing.

Manage Clutter Each Day

With a cluttered closet, you’re likely wasting time every day struggling to find a decent outfit. This is why it’s best to implement a system for dealing with clutter and unwanted items. The next time you come across an article of clothing that no longer fits, is damaged, or isn't your style anymore, resist the urge to hang it back up or toss it on the floor.

Instead, designate a specific container—like a bin, basket, or empty box—in your closet for these cast-off items. It’s an easy way to keep your clothing rotation fresh and clutter-free.

Store Frequently Used Items on Hooks

Some simple hooks on the back of your closet door can make day-to-day organization so much easier. A few large hooks create a convenient storage option for frequent-use items, including purses, jackets, belts, and anything else you reach for on a regular basis. Over-the-door hooks are also useful because they keep items within easy access and help prevent clutter elsewhere.

If your custom closet doesn’t have hooks, you can easily install these yourself for hassle-free storage and organization. As you choose hooks for your closet, be sure to consider the weight of the items you plan to store and select sturdy hooks for heavier items.

Conclusion

Maintaining an organized closet may seem like an impossible task, especially when you allow mess and clutter to spiral out of control. If you wait until your closet needs a total overhaul, decluttering and organizing will always take longer.

By following the steps described above, you can keep your custom closets neat and orderly. It’s a minimal time investment that’s well worth it, helping you and your loved ones enjoy all the benefits of a more organized and refreshing living environment.

Sources

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/closet-organization-ideas/

Get Your Custom Closet System Prepped for Spring

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:06:26 GMT

As the weather becomes milder and the temperatures begin to rise, you have to start thinking about preparing your closet for the spring. The warm clothing that’s so comfortable in the harsh winter months begins to feel stifling and sweaty as spring comes around. A custom closet system should be something that you can adjust as your needs change, and that means getting it ready for the spring season.

Here are some steps you can take to spring-clean your closet and update your warm-weather wardrobe:

Notice What You Didn't Wear Last Spring
Update Your Clothing Categories
Roll Clothes That Won’t Wrinkle
Use Garment Bags for Hanging Storage

Check out the ways you can work on getting your closet into shape this spring.

Notice What You Didn't Wear Last Spring

As you go through the spring season clothes that you’re getting ready to bring out, take note of anything you never got around to wearing last spring. If you didn’t wear it last year, what are the odds you’re going to wear it this year? Probably low. Purging unwanted or excess clothes one season at a time is easier and faster than doing it all at once, so if you haven’t been doing that, this is the time to start.

Alternatively, you could go through your winter clothes as you’re putting them away until next year and purge what you didn’t wear this season, since you probably won’t want those things next winter, either. Your winter clothing choices will probably be fresher in your mind than last spring’s, so you’ll have a better idea of what to eliminate.

Update Your Clothing Categories

Dividing up your clothes into different categories can help you maintain a space that’s organized and ready for you when you’re ready to pair outfits or get dressed in the morning. When switching from winter to spring closet layouts, your categories will probably have to change.

For instance, the category of pants hanging in your closet will probably shrink, because you’ll have less need for full coverage and heavy pants. You’ll still need some, but because they’ll be lighter and most likely fewer, you’ll want to adjust things to accommodate categories that grow with the changing of the seasons – for example, you may want to wear more skirts or shorts when the weather is warmer.

Roll Clothes That Won’t Wrinkle

Another thing that happens in the switch from winter to spring is that the sweaters get put away and replaced with lighter tops, such as T-shirts. Sweaters are usually best folded and stacked. They shouldn’t be hung, as the hangers can pull the heavy material out of shape. T-shirts and other light clothing items that don’t wrinkle easily could be folded or hung, but there’s another option.

If you have more t-shirts than sweaters but want to use basically the same space your winter sweaters occupied for your spring T-shirts, you may want to try rolling the T-shirts. House Beautiful explains the virtues of rolling over folding: you can fit more in the space, which means that you’re maximizing your drawer space. You can roll and store them horizontally or vertically depending on the space you have available.

Use Garment Bags for Hanging Storage

If you’re wondering what to do with heavy jackets, fur items, and winter-weight suits, you should be thinking about garment bags. Choose cotton garment bags for long-term storage. This keeps sun, dust, and other contaminants away from your clothes and keeps pests out, ensuring that when you open the bags next spring, your clothes will be ready for you.

Once they’re in garment bags, it’s just a matter of finding a good place to hang them. If you have a spare room with a closet, you may want to move your hanging storage there until its season comes around again. Push the garment bags to the back or the sides to leave space for a guest to use the hanging rods if necessary. If that’s not an option, you may be able to move those items to the back of your own closet, or they could be stretched out underneath the bed and stored that way.

Conclusion

When the seasons change, you’ll want to get your winter clothes out of the way so you can easily switch to the items you need for the spring. Prepare your closet by purging unworn clothes, upgrading your clothing categories, rolling clothes that need more space, and choosing garment bags to hang winter storage clothes.

Source

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/a25908506/why-you-should-roll-your-clothes/

Common Types of Household Clutter and How Custom Closet Systems Can Help

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 15:59:56 GMT

If you’ve tried every trick in the book and your house still looks like the picture you’d see next to the definition of the word “clutter,” it might be time to go a bit bigger and see if some custom closet systems can help you get things in order.

Whether you’re dealing with piled-up clothes, a mess of accessories, out-of-control shoe collections, or all of the above, a custom closet can make even the most unruly household neat again. What’s more, you can have a tidy closet that fits your aesthetic.

Here are some of the most common types of household clutter and how custom closets can help get them under control:

They can find a place for all of those piles of clothes.
You can manage your accessories and keep them in one place.
They can get your huge shoe collection back in order.
Custom closet systems can help with a mess of toys.

Now that we know how custom closet systems can help you in your home, let’s take a closer look at how they can make this happen and give you your closet space back.

They Can Find a Place for All of Those Piles of Clothes

Having your clothes piled on the floor doesn’t just make it harder for you to find an outfit; it also makes it more difficult to find nearly anything in your closet. Without enough floor space in the closet, you won’t be able to get around, and the problem can quickly compound.

From built-in hampers to double hanging rods or extra foldable storage room, custom designs can give you back your closet floor and make it so much easier to find all of your clothes in a pinch. You don’t have to sacrifice one thing for another.

You Can Manage Your Accessories and Keep Them in One Place

Accessories are much smaller than bulkier items like pants and shoes, so it’s easy for accessory sections to get out of control in a hurry. Before you know it, your ties, purses, belts, and scarves are spilling out of their shelves and taking up space that you need for your clothes and other things.

Custom closet systems help solve this problem by taking advantage of extra closet real estate, like your wall space. With wall-mounted hooks and shelves, you’ll have room for accessories that would have otherwise just gone unused. Now you can have everything right within reach.

They Can Get Your Huge Shoe Collection Back in Order

One of the most common forms of closet clutter comes from shoe collections that get out of control. Similar to having clothes pile up on the floor, shoes that sprawl across the closet floor hamper your ability to enjoy your closet, and it could lead to you avoiding the space entirely.

To combat this, you might put in a shoe rack that slides out when needed and slides back in to give you even more space to move. And if you’ve got a seriously extensive shoe collection, you might even follow this tip from Bob Vila and convert a bookshelf to a deluxe shoe rack.

Custom Closet Systems Can Help With a Mess of Toys

Children’s closets have a reputation for being ungovernable, and for good reason. It can be difficult for little ones to keep the space tidy, and more often than not, a mess of toys is to blame. With that said, better organization and proper custom closet systems can help.

By adding a system of cubbies and/or bins, you’ll be able to quickly get those toy piles under control while also making it easier for your little one to stick to the new system over time. You could even incorporate color coding and labels to make it even easier for them to stick to it.

Conclusion

If getting your closet in order seems like an effort in futility to you, it might be time to see what a custom closet system can do for you. By trying these tips out and getting creative in your approach, you should soon have a tidy closet and home!

Sources

https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/11-design-inspirations-for-much-better-closet-storage-47828

Whether to Hang or Fold Clothes for the Best Custom Closet System Organization

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 15:13:58 GMT

Should you hang your clothes or fold them? What’s going to result in the most organized custom closet system possible? The answer isn’t as simple as one or the other – there are different considerations to take into account for different kinds of clothes.

Understanding how best to achieve custom closet system organization requires understanding what different kinds of clothes need when you store them.

Items to Hang
Items to Fold
Items to Roll
Flexible Clothing Items

Learn how to decide if you should be hanging, folding, or doing something else when it comes to your clothes.

Items to Hang

Several different types of clothing need to be hung. These are the things that you should prioritize if you have limited hanging space. Formal wear should always be hung. Most dresses require hanging, with a few possible exceptions, such as sweater dresses that are bulky, won’t wrinkle, and may be pulled out of shape on a hanger. Tailored items and any type of clothing that might wrinkle should be hung to help you avoid wrinkling and having to iron the item before you can wear it. Outerwear, like coats, jackets, ponchos, and capes should be hung. Most bathrobes should also hang.

When hanging clothes, it’s important to choose the right hanger for the job. According to Real Simple , the worst thing you can do is keep your clothes on wire hangers, such as the type that come free from dry-cleaning services. Instead, you should look for hangers that will help keep your clothes in the right shape, prevent slippage, and support heavier items. Wooden hangers, while often more expensive, are almost always a good choice for a lot of different clothes. However, slimmer velvet-covered hangers are good for people who have more limited hanging space and can prevent things like silky blouses and spaghetti-strap dresses from sliding off the hanger and ending up on the floor. You may also want to look at using items like pants racks to save space and prevent wrinkling at the same time.

Items to Fold

Just as some items have to be hung, others should always be folded. Shorts aren’t really designed to fit correctly on hangers, so they should be folded neatly and put in a drawer. Athletic wear is somewhat delicate and can be stretched out of shape on a hanger, so that ought to be folded up as well.

Sweaters are an interesting case because hanging them is usually a bad idea. Bulky sweaters can be too much for your hangers, and the hangers can disrupt the shape of the sweater, so folding them is the right choice. However, they aren’t as easily put away in dressers as other types of clothes because of their bulk, and cramming them in or trying to fit more than a drawer should be able to hold is a bad idea as well. They can go in very deep drawers if you have them. If you don’t, you may want to consider stacking folded sweaters on shelves instead. That way, you can build a taller stack without having to crush and cram them into a dresser drawer.

Items to Roll

Hanging and folding aren’t the only two options for your clothes. Some articles of clothing can be most efficiently put away by rolling them up instead. You can usually store items like these in drawers or in baskets or bins that sit on shelves or the floor. They include socks, tights, pantyhose, underwear, leggings, and ties.

Some casual skirts can be rolled and put away, but those that are more prone to wrinkles should be hung instead. Rolling also works for a lot of sleepwear, particularly lightweight sleep shirts and shorts that you might wear in hot weather. Camisole tops and undershirts can also be rolled to save space and put away neatly as well.

Flexible Clothing Items

Now that you have your wardrobe mostly divided into items to hang, items to fold, and items to roll, a lot of what’s left should be items that are flexible, including T-shirts, jeans, and most other denim. What you should do at this point is look to see where you have the most space left. That’s probably where these items will go, as these are clothing pieces that tend to be more flexible and hold up well no matter where you decide to put them. If you have equal amounts of folding and hanging space remaining, just split them up between the two.

T-shirts are truly versatile, as they can be hung, rolled, or folded and stored in a drawer or on a shelf. They can go anywhere that you need them to. You can even fold t-shirts into rectangles and position them like files in a drawer so that you can see each folded edge. You’re unlikely to be able to roll denim, but jeans should be able to fold or hang, as can some other denim items.

Conclusion

There’s no one right way to store clothes. Instead, you have to decide what should be hung, folded, or rolled and what can be stored in several different ways.

Source

https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/best-hangers

5 Tips on Packing Away Summer Clothes in Your Custom Closet

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 20:47:56 GMT

Along with the leaves changing color, pumpkin spice making a reappearance, and spooky decorations sprouting in yards, fall brings with it the opportunity for fresh wardrobes. You’ll need room for all those sweaters, shawls, and scarves, so proper organization in your custom closet system is a must.

It’s best to get a good method in place for the changing of the seasons. Instead of just sliding over your summer clothes or packing them all away, there are a few ways to spruce up your space while properly maintaining your clothes.

Once you’re ready to pack away the summer clothes in your custom closet, you should:

Go through all of your clothes and pare down.
Wash and maintain all garments before storing them.
Make good use of mothballs for safe storage.
Invest in strong, airtight containers.
Find the right place to store your off-season clothes.

Now that you’ve got an idea of the basics for out-of-season clothes storage, let’s dive into the specifics to get you ready for spooky season.

Go Through All of Your Clothes and Pare Down

As Martha Stewart points out , getting your custom closet ready for fall shouldn’t mean just stuffing your summer clothes into a box and sliding it under your bed. Your clothes will need proper maintenance and care to store properly throughout fall, winter, and spring, and that begins with a detailed inventory.

This is a perfect opportunity to make decisions on garments you don’t get much use out of anymore. The best route here is to make a pile of clothes you’ll keep, those you’ll toss, and those you’ll give away. Paring down will make it that much easier to find room for everything later.

Wash and Maintain All Garments Before Storing Them

Since your clothes will be packed away for months on end, you want to make sure that they’re all in great condition to make it through that long stretch. Be sure to wash everything before packing, and look out for any items that might need sewing or mending.

Stains can become nearly impossible to treat after months of sitting in a garment, so this simple step will save you effort later on and prevent you from having to throw away otherwise good articles of clothing. Make sure all of your clothes are completely dry before preparing them for long-term storage.

Make Good Use of Mothballs for Safe Storage

There are few things more disappointing than pulling your summer clothes out of storage, only to find that they’ve been bitten up by insects. Mothballs are a tried and true method of protecting your clothes. You can even opt for chemical-free options that’ll keep your clothes safe without any harsh effects.

If you’d prefer a more natural option, you can also go with cedar. Cedar naturally repels insects without any negative after effects. You can either choose a cedar chest or put a few cedar blocks in your storage container before stowing your clothes away.

Invest in Strong, Airtight Containers

While cardboard boxes might be cheap, readily available, and ideal for moving, they’re the last thing you want if you’re looking for long-term storage. Instead, you should opt for strong, airtight containers that can help keep your garments fresh for months to come.

Plastic bins and containers tend to work the best, especially those with lids that click into place. Be sure not to overfill your containers, though, as doing so can lead to stubborn wrinkles and creases in your clothes.

Find the Right Place to Store Your Off-Season Clothes

Once you’ve taken all of these steps, it’s time to actually store your summer clothes somewhere. You’ll want to choose an area of your home with stable temperature and humidity levels. An upper shelf in your custom closet should do the trick, as should a mudroom if you have one. Even under-bed storage will do the job once your clothes are properly secured.

Conclusion

With the changing of the seasons comes the opportunity to change your entire wardrobe too. By following these five super simple steps, you should have fresh and well-maintained summer clothes to come back to next year!

Sources

https://www.marthastewart.com/2124895/tips-transition-closet-between-seasons

How Custom Closet Systems Make It Easier to Go Back to School

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:18:42 GMT

Back-to-school time is once again upon us, which means more early, frazzled mornings and stressful evenings before the kids are finally put down for bed. Fortunately, with a custom closet system , managing your home is a lot easier. How so?

Custom closet systems make it easier to go back to school in the following ways:

Shoes are always paired together
Belts and ties are easily accessible
Organizers make it simple to choose clothes by season or color
Backpacks are reachable for grab-and-go days

Keep reading for more information on how a custom closet system in your kids’ room or the main hallway will make getting ready in the morning so much less stressful!

Here’s How a Custom Closet System Will Make the Back-to-School Transition Smoother.

Shoes Are Always Paired Together

How many of your mornings start exactly like this?

“Mom! Dad! I can’t find my other shoe!”

Thus commences a 10-minute hunt for your child’s missing shoe, which you evidently find was under the bed or tucked in a corner of the house that no one would have thought to look for otherwise.

Even though you get the kids up with plenty of time to spare before school, losing 10 minutes like that means that you’ll all be cutting it close with your morning today. Already the day is off to a frazzled start and no one's even left the house yet!

With a shoe fence in a kids’ custom closet, gone will be those kinds of mornings. Your child won’t have to wonder where their other shoe is because it will be right there on the shoe fence or rack.

They can grab both shoes, put them on, and be ready to leave for school with time to spare.

Belts and Ties Are Easily Accessible

Does your child have a school uniform that requires them to wear a belt, a tie, or even both?If so, then you know how often these accessories seem to go missing. You’ll ask your child what happened to their belt or tie and they’ll just shrug, point to their closet, and say, “I think it’s in there.”

Opening the closet reveals a deluge of clothes, toys, and shoes. You dig, and maybe you find the tie before your child has to go to school, but then it’s wrinkled.

You have to take a few minutes you don’t have to iron the tie.

It can be hard to concentrate on your own tasks with so much excitement so early in the morning!

With a belt and tie rack in a custom closet, your child will have just the place to put all their thin, easily-lost accessories. They can grab what they need in the morning, you won’t have to iron their ties quite so often, and everyone is happier.

Organizers Make It Simple to Choose Clothes by Season or Color

Closet organizers are one of the best features of a custom closet. You can configure them in nearly any way you want to organize your custom closet by the season or by any criteria of your choosing.

For example, you can organize the items in your kids’ custom closets according to the season so that their cool-weather clothes are in the front during the autumn and winter and their warm-weather clothes are in the back until the spring.

When spring finally does arrive again, you can do the reverse. The Organized Mom has some good tips on switching out clothes for the season.

You can even use custom closet organizers to sort your child’s clothes according to color if that’s something they find agreeable.

Those two examples are some of many. You and your family should put your heads together to gauge what will work best for keeping your kids’ closets neat with closet organizers.

Backpacks Are Reachable for More Grab-and-Go Days

Your child never leaves for school without their backpack, but it can be easily misplaced.

It’s a lot easier to find than their homework or an errant shoe or a belt, that’s for certain, but nevertheless, it gets frustrating having to go on a wild goose chase every single morning.

This is yet another case where custom closets are so valuable. You can use closet accessories such as valet rods or hooks to hang your child’s backpack in the closet at the end of the day.

In the morning, the backpack will be there, then in the same location day in and day out. This eliminates or at least reduces your morning stress.

Conclusion

Getting into the swing of things after going back to school can be made even harder if your child’s closets are a mess. They’re always losing their clothes and things.

With a custom closet system with handy in-home accessories, you can enjoy a smoother back-to-school transition this year and every year!

Sources

https://www.organizedmom.net/kids-clothes-for-different-seasons/

Maximizing Space in a Walk-in Closet

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:09:31 GMT

Walk-in closets give you plenty more space to work with, sometimes even doubling the available room compared to a standard closet. Without a proper system in place, though, even these closets are subject to clutter, difficulty of access, and unoptimized space.

There are more than a few tried and true ways to increase the available space in your walk-in closet and make more of the area you have.

Here are just a few simple ways to maximize the total available space in your walk-in closet:

Invest in a proper organization system.
Don’t neglect your door storage.
Optimize all of your corners.
Look into pull-down rods.
Keep all of your shoes in one place.
Allow your hamper to slide out.

Now that you understand the basic steps, let’s go in depth to see how you can maximize your closet space.

Invest in a Proper Organization System

As the professionals at Better Homes & Gardens point out , having an effective walk-in closet starts with creating a great design plan. If you have the funds and inclination, you might want to invest in a total closet organization system.

This type of all-in-one solution will combine the best effects of double hanging rods, shelves, drawers and cabinets, shoe racks, and more. Or, if you’d rather do a bit of customizing, you can always opt for certain parts of a system while leaving out others.

Don’t Neglect Your Door Storage

One of the most common things you’ll see in an unoptimized walk-in closet is a bare inner door. The right door organizer will immediately expand your storage space, giving you pockets to store toiletries, clothes, and much more.

The installation often takes seconds, and the best part is that this will almost never interfere with any existing storage system you have in place in your closet.

Optimize All of Your Corners

All too often, corners become dead space in a walk-in closet. If you’re unsure what to do with your closet corners, consider installing a carousel for hanging tops. You’ll double or even triple your total hanging space and add a flair of elegance and variety to your closet.

Look Into Pull-Down Rods

Maximizing space in your walk-in closet is all about making the most of dead space and areas that usually don’t get much use. One of the best ways to get the most out of these awkward areas is to invest in a pull-down rod system.

With this rod in place, you can get to your clothes in a pinch and then store them away when they’re not in immediate use.

Keep All of Your Shoes in One Place

If you’re like many homeowners, you struggle with keeping your shoes tidy and organized. It’s all too easy to kick off your shoes after coming home from work or an event and just leave them where they lie. While this isn’t a problem at first, it can get out of control in a hurry.

By investing in a dedicated shoe rack, you’ll be able to keep your shoes organized while at the same time adding another beautiful focal point in the space. This should also free up a considerable amount of floor space for you.

Allow Your Hamper to Slide Out

Another bane of any closet floor is the clothes hamper. Every closet needs a place for hamper storage, but having a stationary hamper can remove a significant chunk of your available closet floor space.

A quick and effective way around this problem is to look into a sliding rack system for your hamper. Install your hamper on the rack system, and you’ll be able to slide it out only when needed, leaving it against the wall and out of view when not in use. Think of all the extra space you’ll have with your shoes and clothes hamper off of the floor.

Conclusion

Even the best walk-in closet can fall prey to poor optimization and a lack of organization, but the problem doesn’t have to be terminal! Feel free to get a little creative with these tips and customize your approach to best suit your particular needs and style.

Sources

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/closets/walk-in/small-walk-in-closet-design-ideas/

Children's Closet Organization Tips

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:40:51 GMT

If the default state in your child’s closet is “messy,” you should know you’re not alone. Kids often have trouble sticking to cleaning and organizing schedules, so it helps to break the whole process down into smaller, easy-to-digest steps for them.

From clearing out the entire space to categorizing by type, getting creative with storage options, and more, here are the tips you need to keep your tyke’s closet tidy.

The next time you organize your child’s closet, try following these simple steps:

Start by clearing out the closet.
Categorize everything by type.
Get clever with storage options.
Try different containers and bins.
Sort through all of their toys.
Stick to a regular cleaning schedule.

Now let’s take a look at each of these steps in detail.

Start by Clearing Out the Closet

The first and most important step in closet organization is to start with a clean slate. It might save you some time in the short term to just try to optimize what you already have, but this won’t last in the long term. More often than not, messiness stems from an inefficient organizational system, so it’s best to remove everything so you can start over from scratch.

Categorize Everything by Type

How many times have you heard your child say that they can’t find their favorite toy, only for you to find it hiding somewhere in the back of their closet? The best way to prevent things like this from happening is to group everything up by type.

Put dolls and action figures in one pile, video games in another, clothes in a third, and so on. This is also a perfect opportunity to screen out anything in your child’s closet that doesn’t actually belong there.

Get Clever with Storage Options

Once you have all of your little one’s items separated out by type, it’s time to make a plan of attack on getting them back into their closet.

As Better Homes & Gardens points out , it’s best to keep your child’s stature in mind while planning out storage options. You should opt for smaller bins that your child can reach with ease. Another thing that might help would be to install a second, lower hanging rod for ease of access.

Try Different Containers and Bins

Clear bins and color-coded containers will be your best friend while organizing your child’s closet. You can even add labels to the bins you choose to make it even easier for your little one to stick to the organization plan you’ve agreed on.

You could get really creative with it and even take pictures of specific items to use as labels. Be sure to have an open discussion with your child at this stage to make sure that whatever you choose will work for them and be easy to stick to.

Sort Through All of Their Toys

Out of all the items in your child’s closet, their toys will likely take up the most space by far. It’s for that reason that you should sort out all of their toys and look for as many ways to conserve storage space as possible.

Large toys should be put in a large bin together, and smaller items can be grouped together in small, labeled containers so they know where they go. Whenever possible, try to avoid stacking containers on top of each other. This will make it harder for your child to access their items. Instead, look into sliding horizontal racks and trays.

Stick to a Regular Cleaning Schedule

Once you’ve taken all the necessary steps toward complete closet organization, it’s time to make sure that the new changes stick. If dirty clothes are a problem for your child and frequently pile up, invest in a nice, easy-to-access clothes hamper.

Set a calendar reminder to regularly clean out the closet with your child, and set up bins for items (both clothes and toys) that your little one outgrows. That way, you can easily pivot and always keep ahead of the next mess.

Conclusion

While organizing your child’s closet can oftentimes feel like an effort in futility, it doesn’t have to be that way. By following these simple steps and setting up a schedule for regular upkeep, you and your child should have no problem at all keeping things tidy!

Sources

https://www.bhg.com/rooms/kids-rooms/storage/kid-friendly-closet-ideas/

The Best Accessories for a Custom Closet System

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:27:17 GMT

Accessories make the outfit, and they can also make the custom closet system . While it’s true that one of the perks of custom closets is that you can choose which accessories to use and that your closet can look different from anyone else’s, it’s also true that there are some popular accessories that are chosen over and over again.

Some of the most useful custom closet accessories include:

Accessories to Sort Your Shoes
Accessories to Separate an Outfit
Accessories to Expedite Your Laundry

Your custom closet will serve you well for years to come with the right accessories.

Closet Accessories To Sort Your Shoes

If you’re like most people, you’ve lost a shoe at some point. Have you ever been late because you can only find one shoe from the pair you want? Have you ever given up and switched to a different pair – or even worse, bought a whole new pair of shoes – only to have the one you were looking for turn up a day or a week or a month later in some entirely unexpected place?

The truth is, everyone has to wear shoes. Most people need more than one pair, as well. And the more pairs you accumulate, the harder it is to corral them all in one place, especially if you don’t have a system or storage tools for keeping them in place. The more shoes you have, the more you need help storing them.

The site Elbow Room lists a number of tips and tricks for shoe storage, noting that not all shoes need the same type of storage. For example, flats, slip-on shoes, and sandals should be stored in over-the-door hangers. All of your shoes should be stored off of the floor, and fancy high heels should be stored at the top of closets where they’ll be safest. Other types of shoes may belong in cubbies, shelves, and storage boxes, and should be sorted into categories.

Closet Accessories to Separate an Outfit

Does a valet rod seem like something you would use? Even if it doesn’t at first glance, you may discover that it’s one of your most-used accessories after you have one installed. There are more ways this kind of accessory can come in handy than you might think.

The obvious use for a valet rod is to set out your outfit for the next day or next event, allowing you to easily grab just what you need when it’s time to get dressed. This can be a major timesaver as well as helping you get into the habit of organizing and planning your outfits ahead of time. These simple accessories have other good uses as well.

Collecting clothing to pack in your suitcase? Clothes that need to go to the dry cleaner? Put them on the valet rack while you’re collecting them, then you won’t forget anything when it’s time to gather them and go.

When drying delicate clothing or swimsuits that shouldn’t go in the dryer, a valet rack is a convenient place to hang the clothes.

Want to upgrade your style? Techfashionista lists a number of apps that let you plan outfits and give you style feedback and tips. Of course, you’ll need to show the app photos of your clothes, and a valet rack gives you the perfect way to showcase individual pieces and outfits away from the rest of your hanging clothes.

Closet Accessories to Expedite Your Laundry

Even if your clothes closet looks different from everybody else’s, one thing you’re going to have in common with anyone else is dirty clothes. After you wear them, the clothes have to go somewhere. That’s why pull-out hampers are a popular accessory.

After all, no one wants to trip over a hamper in their room every day. In fact, you probably don’t want to look at dirty clothes any more than you have to. A pull-out hamper in the closer lets you dump the clothes inside and push the hamper back in – you don’t have to think about it again until laundry day. What’s more, since it’s in the closet where the rest of your clothes are, you’re also less likely to forget and drop them on the floor or some other place where laundry doesn’t belong.

In Conclusion

When you design a custom closet, you shouldn’t feel pressured to choose any accessories you don’t want – the whole point is to design something unique that suits you and your lifestyle! On the other hand, you should take note of what the popular accessories are and why, so you can determine whether they’re something that would improve your personal closet design.

Sources:

How to Prevent Mold From Growing in Your Closets

Mon, 16 May 2022 14:11:52 GMT

The sight or smell of mold in your custom closets is something you don't want to encounter. Not only is mold disgusting and smelly, but it can pose a health threat to you and your family. Here are some things you can do to prevent this unwelcome intruder from gaining a foothold in your closets.

Repair plumbing leaks
Clean regularly
Store clothes properly
Respond to musty odors
Take moisture-absorbing precautions
Get a dehumidifier

Take Care of All Leaks to Prevent Mold in the Closet

It sounds like common sense that leaks should be repaired, but not all leaks seem like an emergency. If you have a quiet steady drip coming from the kitchen sink, you might not want to get that fixed right away. The fact is, however, even a small leak can cost you a lot of money over the long run and should be addressed immediately.

It’s especially important to be aware of any hidden leaks somewhere within your walls. If there are damaged pipes above or behind your closets, water could leak into the dark space where you keep your clothes - a breeding ground for mold.

To check for hidden leaks, turn off all faucets in the house and take note of the reading on your water meter. Leave everything off, then check the meter again in about an hour. If the reading has changed, then there’s likely a leaky pipe within the walls, and a good time to call a plumber.

Keep the Closet Clean

Mold loves dirty clothes. Feeding off the dirt contained within fabric fibers, mold can flourish in closets containing shirts and pants that have been worn a few times without being washed. Even shirts that pass the “underarm test” should probably head to the laundry instead of being placed on a hanger.

In addition to keeping a closet free of dirty clothing, you’ll want to clean it on a regular basis. Periodically cleaning out a closet serves two purposes: it creates an environment that’s uninviting to mold and mildew, and it gives you the opportunity to check for mold growth so you can stop it before it gets out of hand.

Safely Store Your Clothes

If you're in the habit of keeping some items of clothing stored in tightly sealed plastic bags, now would be a good time to stop. Plastic tends to trap moisture, encouraging mold growth. It’s also important to make sure clothing is dry before storing.

Avoid leaving items on the floor. Don’t ever pile clothes on the floor (no matter how convenient), and even neatly folded items on the floor should be placed up onto shelves or hung.

Don’t Ignore Musty Smells

Trust yourself. If you notice an odor coming from your closet or clothes that seems a little rank, there might be something going on. Instead of ignoring it and hoping it goes away, do some investigating around your closet. You might find the source of the smell with a little research, but if you can’t locate anything specific, there’s a good chance the smell is coming from within the walls, and a plumber might have to be summoned.

Remove Ambient Moisture

If you’ve discovered mold growth in your closet, you’ll need to eliminate it as quickly as you can. Hunker.com has helpful hints here on how to do so. To prevent the mold from returning, you’ll need to make sure everything within your closet is nice and dry.

In humid weather, it’s wise to keep the closet doors closed so the moist air is kept out. To further protect your closet, silica packets are a tried-and-true means of removing moisture from the surrounding air. Other items that serve a similar purpose include baking soda and activated charcoal. Likewise, a low-wattage light bulb can create just enough warmth in a closet to encourage a dry, mold-free, environment.

Dehumidify the Air

In humid weather, your whole home could probably benefit from the presence of a dehumidifier. They’re effective at making the home more comfortable and can help those who suffer from allergies by reducing the presence of mold throughout the house.

Placing a humidifier near your closet doors will perform the same function while providing additional protection for your closet.

Conclusion

Mold is bad everywhere, but it’s especially pernicious when located within your closets. Not only does it create a musty, unpleasant smell in your home, but that same smell follows you all day long trapped within your clothes!

If detected and addressed in time, mold can be eliminated relatively easily. Furthermore, by taking these simple steps, you can protect your closets (and your clothes) from mold’s deleterious effects now and far into the future.

Sources:

https://www.hunker.com/13422926/how-can-i-get-rid-of-mold-growing-in-my-closet

How to Identify & Eliminate Odors in a Closet

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 20:41:05 GMT

Closets range in sizes from large walk-ins to small reach-in closets , but they all have one thing in common: Because they’re cramped spaces with little or no air circulation, it’s easy to see why they can develop foul or musty odors.

How do you keep your closets smelling great and eliminate stale air? It’s not as hard as you may think, and thankfully there are steps you can take to isolate bad odors, including:

Empty Everything Out
Clean Your Closets
Ensure All Clothes Are Clean & Dry
Organize & Reorganize
Periodic Cleaning
Try Natural Odor Preventions
Add Fresh Fragrances

Keep reading to discover more about how to keep your closets smelling great today and in the long run.

1. Empty Everything Out to Isolate Bad Odors

It’s hard to remove foul odors if you don’t know what’s producing them. Closets are crammed full of clothes, shoes, and other items that could be trapping bad odors. It’s also easy for mold to form if moisture is confined in your closet and can’t escape due to poor airflow. Check for signs of any standing water or water leaks that could cause mildew to develop.

2. Fully Clean Your Closets

According to home experts at Skylar Life , once you’ve emptied out your closet, it’s important to clean it from top to bottom. Vacuum the carpet and scrub certain areas (walls, shelves, etc) with a solution of 32 ounces of warm water with half a cup of vinegar. Vinegar is a natural odor eliminator that helps remove musty smells from hard surfaces. Once empty and clean, allow your closet to dry before you restock it.

3. Ensure All Clothes Are Dry

During your inspection, check to see if any clothes feel damp or wet. Because closets hold so much moisture, line drying them in a closet is just asking for funky smells to stay a spell. Always fully dry clothes in the laundry room or on an outside clothesline. If your hamper is stored in the closet, make sure you don’t throw wet pieces or dirty athletic gear in there. Those items will make your dressing area smell like a sweaty gym.

4. Make Sure Your Clothes Are Clean

Another step is ensuring that your clothes are clean. Even if you wear an item once, don't put it back in your closet. Chances are it may be carrying lingering odors. If you have a pile of clothes to take to the dry cleaner, they could also be holding bad smells so it makes sense to drop them off more often and be more vigilant about doing the laundry.

5. Organize and Reorganize Your Closets

It’s time to reorganize your clean, dry clothes! Having clothes too close together doesn’t allow them to breathe properly and prevents air from circulating throughout the area. Take time to remove items you haven’t worn in over a year or pieces that are out of style or no longer fit. Once purged, place your clothes back in the closet, allowing enough space between each piece.

6. Periodic Cleaning

Now that your closets are rearranged and well organized, make a concerted effort to keep it that way. Add "cleaning the closets" to your standard cleaning regime so your clothes continue to smell clean and fresh. It’s easy to let these areas fall through the cracks when you’re focusing on larger rooms, but vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, and wiping down your closets on a weekly or monthly basis going forward will help avoid future messes later.

7. Try Natural Odor Preventions

The eco-friendly lifestyle experts at My Wellness Me share how coffee grounds, activated charcoal, and chalk are natural odor eliminators that help maintain fresh-smelling closets. By adding fresh coffee grounds each month in a small container with holes poked in the lid, bad odors can be easily absorbed.

Activated charcoal will also absorb odors and "purify the air." Place a block in a breathable container in your closet. Chalk absorbs moisture naturally too. Simply place a few pieces of chalk in a sachet, tie it, poke a few holes in the fabric, and place it somewhere in your closet.

8. Add Fresh Fragrances

Scented soaps, potpourri, and scented dryer sheets are great ways to add wonderful fragrances to your closets. Simply wrap a strongly scented bar of soap in a piece of thin fabric and place it in your closet. Buy or make your own potpourri in a variety of fragrances or make hanging sachets.

Scented dryer sheets can be placed on shelves, inside drawers, between folded clothes, or even inside shoes to prevent unwanted odors. Replace them every few months for the best results.

Final Thoughts

Do your closets have unwanted odors? Then you need to find out why. There's no reason to keep living with foul or musty closets and clothes. The above tips will help you find out where unpleasant closet odors are coming from, how to get rid of them, and how to maintain a clean-smelling dressing area.

Sources

5 Factors to Consider When Purchasing Custom Closets

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 17:42:45 GMT

Are you ready to upgrade your home and get more organized by purchasing custom closets ? Custom closet systems are a wonderful investment - and will also add immense value if you decide it's time to sell.

From adorable and adjustable kids' closets to walk-in closets so cool you'll want to show them off to the neighbors, you deserve the very best. There are several important factors to consider when purchasing custom closets:

How big or small is your space?
Your preferred design elements
What storage accessories to incorporate
Which materials to choose
Your overall budget

The exact cost of your custom closet renovation depends on these elements, but it's much more affordable than you might think. Read on to learn how to further maximize your storage potential while getting the biggest bang for your buck.

Utilizing Every Square Inch With A Custom Closet System

The majority of busy families feel like they don't have nearly enough storage. Are shoes, clothes, bags, and evening wear hard to locate when you're in a hurry? If your closets are full to bursting, then it can be impossible to find the things you need to create the perfect outfit.

Don't cause yourself unnecessary stress. Custom closets that are built specifically to address your storage needs will ensure you're utilizing every available inch in the best possible way, from floor to ceiling.

Therefore, it's crucial to evaluate exactly how much space you've got to work with for your new, gorgeously organized closets . Precise measurements can also give you a much better idea of costs when evaluating your budget.

Showcasing Your Style

Another factor that will influence the final cost of your custom closets is the design elements you decide to incorporate. An adorable and useful closet system for your child won't necessarily require a ton of accessories, for example, especially if the existing space is small. Larger closets, on the other hand, are a different story.

There are nearly endless combinations of available base colors, accent colors, finishes, hardware, and accessories. You can also add adjustable shelving, extra deep or divided drawers, or custom cabinetry to make your new closets truly complement your personal style and preferences.

The Importance of Accessorizing

There are a mind-boggling array of custom closet accessories on the market today. No matter what kind of closet you'll be updating, these pieces will substantially maximize your existing storage space.

Here are some of the best ones for your hallway reach-in:

Divided shelves
Baskets
Multi-purpose hooks
Fabric storage boxes

Children need a lot of storage for clothes, shoes, and after-school activity gear. Examples of accessories fitting for the smaller members of your household include:

Shoe fences
Pants racks
Double hanging bars
Full-extension drawers
Adjustable shelves
Slide-out mirrors

If you're suffering from an overcrowded walk-in closet, it might be worthwhile to research the following:

Valet rods
Padded and lockable jewelry storage
Belt racks
A custom island
Built-in laundry hampers
3-way hooks

These clever organizational tools will complement your cabinetry and build a system that keeps you effortlessly together - but keep in mind that the more accessories you choose to have, the higher your price point will be.

Products and Materials

There are a variety of price points for various building materials, and you'll want to do a little homework on the pros and cons of each, according to Westchester Magazine . If you want, for example, hand-crafted wood, that will be understandably more expensive than shelving and drawers built of durable and attractive, thermally-fused laminate (also known as Melamine).

Melamine is a trendy choice due to its many benefits:

Superior resistance to moisture
Beautiful fade-resistant color
Highly durable
More affordable

Creating Your Ideal Budget

All of the above factors will have an impact on the final cost of your custom closet upgrades. But consider it a wise investment - HGTV considers closet remodels as one of the "maximum home value storage projects."

You'll need to do some research to find a custom closet company that will help you create a clear design plan to not only meet your family's needs but also aligns with your budget. Here are some questions to ask the companies in your area:

Can you describe the process? The answer should be straightforward and methodical.
How much experience do you have? Read reviews and ask for examples.
What are my options? A wide variety will give you more customization choices.
How long will it take? Installation should have a crystal-clear timeline. However, that can sometimes change due to product availability.
Who manufactures your materials? High-quality products are a must-have.

Be sure to budget for quality metal hardware, which will last much longer and be more visually appealing than plastic pieces found in big box stores. While it's very likely you'll get a high return on investment with custom closets, you'll also boost the enjoyment of your living space immediately!

Final Thoughts

Deciding to renovate your home is a big decision, and there are several major factors to keep in mind before making the leap. But you can stay in control and get exactly what you want when you do your research and budget accordingly before purchasing your custom closets.

Sources

Prevent Pests From Destroying Your Custom Closets in 4 Simple Steps

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 19:06:44 GMT

Whether it's finding holes in your clothes or seeing bugs scurry away, nobody likes to find pests in their custom closet ! Luckily, there are a few easy steps for preventing pesky bugs from destroying your beautiful wardrobe area.

First, identify what pests are eating away at your clothes, as this will determine what natural repellant you'll use. Regardless of the species, it's important to vacuum your closet often and store seasonal pieces in vacuum-sealed bags or, better yet, in another space. Inspect clothes brought home from the dry cleaners, and always use hot water to wash them.

Keep reading to see how these tips will prevent pests from destroying your closets and clothes.

Identify Closet Pests

It's important to know what pests to be on the lookout for, as your approach may vary depending on the bugs you're battling. In the local Michigan area, moths, silverfish, and carpet beetles are common bugs that can destroy your clothes.

Moths

These tiny, white, shiny moths are one of the most common bugs found in closets, although the moths themselves are not to blame for eating your clothes! It's actually the larvae laid in the fibers that are responsible for ruining your favorite wool sweaters.

Upon hatching, moth larvae love to munch on leather, wool, and silk. As they grow into adult moths, they wean off fibers for food. The more larvae, the more damage they can do. To learn more about clothes moths, check out this article by Michigan State University .

Silverfish

Silverfish are thin, silvery bugs with two antennae at one end and three antennae at the other. Technically, silverfish don't eat clothes; they eat the dirt, debris, and foods "stuck" in the fibers of your clothes. Silverfish thrive in dark environments, such as a dresser, basement, or closet.

Carpet Beetles

These tiny little bugs have a similar circular shape to ladybugs, but they have a black back with a yellow stripe down the middle. As opposed to moth larvae that tend to stay on clothes, carpet beetles can be anywhere in your closet: on the walls, ceiling, or carpet. They chew on all kinds of fabric, as well as fur, mohair, and feathers.

According to BugWiz.com , an adult carpet bug can lay 100 eggs that hatch in 14 days. The larvae can eat clothes for a whole year, which can mean significant damage to your wardrobe!

Pests Be Gone!

Once you know the pest (or pests!) you're dealing with, it's time to get rid of them! Here are a few tips on disposing of pesky critters and keeping them from coming back for good.

1. Vacuum Often

Pests, in general, prefer dark, peaceful environments; the best way to get rid of them is to make your closet an uncomfortable living space! Vacuuming periodically serves several purposes.

First, it disturbs the quiet darkness that these bugs love so they won't want to lay their eggs in your clothes. Second, it removes the potential of continued breeding. Third, you can examine your clothes and closet to see if there is still a pest problem.

Be thorough with your vacuuming! If possible, vacuum every surface, including the top shelf, baseboards, corners, and floor. This will suck away as many pests as possible.

2. Store Seasonal Clothes

Pests have a greater chance of multiplying in unused clothes. For this reason, it's wise to store your seasonal clothes in vacuum-sealed bags.

MarthaStewart.com advises washing all clothes before storing, especially if you've had a pest problem in the past. This will ensure your clothes won't have holes when you pull them out the following season.

3. Use a Natural Repellant

Mothballs are simply not effective because the chemicals can be damaging to humans and pets. Instead, use a natural repellant (and thankfully, they smell so much better than mothballs!). Some of the most common include:

Eucalyptus
Tansy
Cedar
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Lavender

Purchase these fresh, dried, as an essential oil, air freshener, or soap. Hang fresh or dried bunches, diffuse or wipe surfaces with essential oils, spray air freshener, or leave out a bar of soap on a napkin. Additionally, cedar blocks, hangers, or chests are natural repellants. While natural repellants are superior overall, it's worth noting that their effectiveness will fade as the scent does.

4. Use Heat

Larvae and adult bugs will die with hot temperatures. Wash your clothes in the hottest water allowed by the garment(s) and have your dry cleaner do the same. You can also iron clothes (even everyday pieces like t-shirts) if the garment allows, or hang them in the sunlight to kill off the spores and send adult bugs running.

Conclusion

If you notice any type of damage to your clothes, first identify the pest that's causing it. Vacuum your closet often, spread natural repellant, and launder your wardrobe in the hottest water possible without damaging your clothes. Don't forget to store seasonal clothes in vacuum-sealed bags or in an alternative space.

Sources

Four Tips For Organizing Your Custom Closets

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 16:17:11 GMT

If you need closet organization tips, you have probably found that your closets are some of the most utilized spaces in your home. They hold a vast assortment of clothing, linens, and a whole host of other everyday essentials, and off-season items. Thus, it's necessary for them to be thoroughly organized.

There are numerous methods for optimizing your closet's real estate based on what needs to be stored. Rods, bins, shelves, racks, cubbies, and drawers can all be tailored specifically for your needs. Additionally, incorporate the following four tips to help you reorganize the contents of your closets:

Grouping
Light Things Up
Map Out Zones
Every Inch Counts

Channel your DIY energy using the above considerations as guidelines, and continue reading to learn how you can reap the benefits of having manageable and clutter-free closet spaces.

Grouping for Maximum Organization

The most efficient closet is based on the premise that every item in your home should have a “home.” Closets shouldn’t be random catch-alls for just anything and everything but in many homes, they end up being exactly that. Bedroom closets in particular are the worst offenders of “anything goes” storage depots. Always consider what items should live in your closets.

For visual appeal and ease of finding items when you want them, group pants with pants, sweaters with sweaters, and hanging items of the same length together. Place shoes in groupings as well, boots with boots, running shoes with running shoes, fancy footwear with fancy footwear. Accessories can be organized in a similar fashion. Check out this piece by Houselogic that talks about why closets are the most important rooms in your home.

Light Things Up

Most closets do not come with lighting and yet are dark areas that require it. There are many motion sensor or quick touch lighting options that don’t require electrical hook-ups, including:

Puck lights
Under the shelf lights
Lightbars
Strip lights
Drawer lights

Most products can be easily hung using double-sided tape, velcro, or mounted with hardware. Illuminating these spaces will make them appear larger than they actually are. Closets are often afterthoughts when a house is built even though they are some of the most used spaces. Adequate lighting provides a warm and welcoming element to any closet space.

Map Out Zones

Half of the battle of organizing any closet, especially those in the bedroom, is finding a system that you and your family can maintain. Creating dedicated zones can help tame future chaos. You don’t want to have to hunt for items when in need and closets that have no plan tend to provide an ongoing challenge.

For a majority of closet spaces, the following zones work well:

Zone 1 -Shelves -Nestle, stack, or place items on shelves using dividers and tiered racks to create additional vertical space.

Zone 2 -Wall Space -Take advantage of any wall space by using hooks, hanging organizers, or small mounted cabinets.

Zone 3 - Hanging Items -Oftentimes, hanging applicable items can free up valuable floor space.

Zone 4 - The Floor- Don’t forget to use shoe racks, cubby systems, or appropriately sized bins, baskets, boxes, or decorative storage solutions to capitalize on any floor space.

Zone 5 - Minimal use/off-season items- For items you only use sporadically, create a zone for them if your closet has higher up shelving. Or, dedicate a guest room closet specifically for minimal use/off-season pieces.

These zones are just suggestions and can certainly be adjusted to fit your home’s unique demands. If you consider your existing closet’s pain points, design defined zones that can resolve them.

Every Inch Counts

Every closet has potential no matter its size, depth, and layout. Thus, make every inch count! Use the back of doors and all vertical space including the walls and the floor. Install an adjustable system that allows you to maximize the full height of your closet. Otherwise, valuable space will be wasted!

Utilizing hooks on the side walls is a great way to store bags, hats, umbrellas, jackets, or get creative with other hanging organizers that fit your space and storage requisites. On shelves, use dividers to assist in generating individual slots and creating boundaries. This goes a long way in maintaining a neater and tidier reality for whatever closet space you are organizing. If your closet is tight on square footage, check out this Martha Stewart article where she shares ways to best arrange a small closet space.

Final Thoughts

Closet organization is certainly not a one size fits all approach. Be sure to evaluate if a particular closet layout is working for you (or not). No sense in being frustrated with a recommendation that simply doesn’t work in your home. Knowing some best practices for maximizing and using them to their fullest potential will allow you to come up with your own list of closet organization tips that work best for your unique storage situation!

Sources

WHAT A DIFFERENCE TRIM MOLDING MAKES!

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 16:36:50 GMT

This gorgeous walk-in closet is outfitted in white with chrome hardware and Shaker drawer fronts. To add an extra finishing touch we installed crown molding along the top. Who wouldn't love this????

AVOID SUN DAMAGE

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 16:53:56 GMT

In this particular master closet our objective was to design the space so the hanging clothes were not in direct sunlight. This closet is our White finish with Modern drawer fronts, Chrome hardware and bar handles.

NEW DOOR/DRAWER FRONT STYLE!

Wed, 31 May 2017 17:00:26 GMT

Our supplier has introduced two new door/drawer fronts; the Milan and the Allegra. Here is an example of Milan in our COCO finish with bar handles.

Cant Find Anything in Your Pantry? Bet I Know Why

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 18:27:56 GMT

Digging through your pantry is not fun. Trying to find items buried in the deep recesses is frustrating. Locating items stored in your pantry should be easy. Most often shelving is too deep and shelves placed to far apart wasting valuable space. Pantry shelves are usually 14" deep, 20" if storing larger appliances.

If you have experienced Pantry Panic let Clever Closets design and install a functional pantry for you!

ALL THE NECKLACES!

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 18:23:47 GMT

Look to Clever Closest to find creative solutions to display and organize your jewelry.

In this particular closet we added slatwall and chrome hooks for all of our clients necklaces. She can easily see them!!!

WE WON!!! Best Of Customer Service on Houzz 2017!

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 19:37:29 GMT

Clever Closets has been awarded Best of Houzz 2017 in the category of customer service. All of us here at Clever Closets are honored and will continue to provide excellent customer service!!!

Here is the official news release from Houzz:

Clever Closets of Clarkston Awarded Best Of Houzz 2017

Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World Clarkston MI, January 17, 2017 – Clever Closets of Michigan has won “Best Of Customer Service on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The 21 year old custom closet and garage company was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2016. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2017” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

“Customer Service has always been, and will continue to be our #1 priority.”
“We’re so pleased to award Best of Houzz 2017 to this incredible group of talented and customer-focused professionals, including Greg Parsons,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “Each of these businesses was singled out for recognition by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts for helping to turn their home improvement dreams into reality.”

Follow Clever Closets on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/gregparsons/clever-closets- inc

About Clever Closets
We design and install high quality custom laminate organization systems including bedrooms, pantries, utility rooms, offices, wall beds, garages and garage flooring.

About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.

SHOES!!!!

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 19:49:48 GMT

Custom Closet Shoe Organization Idea

Want to really get organized? Box and label every pair of shoes!

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS ICY!!!!!

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 19:45:41 GMT

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow will stop Clever Closets!!!

CUSTOM HOME ORGANIZATION NEWS & TIPS

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 19:55:58 GMT

The holidays are a time for family and friends to come together. Good food, gifts and visits from old friends make this an especially magical time of year. When the festivities happen to be at your house, however, there is an extra element involved with holiday preparations: the home! Your house is actually your best tool when it comes to creating a company-ready space. Here are our best tips to get your home organized just in time for the holidays so you can enjoy more time with houseguests and less time on the house.

Guest Room Guidance

The guest room is often your houseguests’ first impression of the home. It’s tough to sleep on lumpy fold-out beds, especially if your guests have any kind of joint pain or spent a great deal of time traveling recently. Instead, we recommend offering your guests a comfortable, Murphy-style wall bed that blends in to your home décor when it is not in use and can be easily folded out when it is time for bed. We offer both steel and aluminum frames as well as your choice of Queen or King size wall beds for a completely custom fit that can accommodate your loved ones comfortably.

Perfect Pantries

For the most functional pantry, organize everything based on how often it is used. Baking essentials should generally be front and center during holiday season. Similarly, breakfast cereal and coffee grounds should be visible for houseguests who aren’t familiar with the layout of your home. Keep plenty of treats on a low shelf for the kids to discover when they come over!

Baking Essentials

Be sure to stock up on all the essentials you’ll need for impromptu baking this season. Here’s what’s on our seasonal shopping list to make the holiday even sweeter:

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Confectioner’s sugar
Vanilla extract

All of these items can be kept at room temperature and will last a very long time if stored properly. That organized pantry of yours is about to come in handy!

Ornaments and Décor

Ornaments and decorations should be safely packed away in sturdy, see-through containers when the holidays are over. This should make unpacking decorations the following year easy, clean and safe. Use bubble wrap to pad fragile items and heirlooms. We recommend using overhead garage storage systems to keep these bins out of the way until you need everything again next year.

There are a variety of ways to make your holiday entertaining go smoothly this year. Proper home storage and organization can play a large role in the success of your holiday soiree, so don’t skimp on the things that matter!

THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ARE SADLY COMING TO AN END

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 20:35:57 GMT

Meet BOZ who is soaking up the last of our beautiful summer days! Boz is the 'son' of one of our clients!!!!

CUSTOM CLOSETS ARE A SOUND INVESTMENT FOR YOUR HOME!

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 20:40:08 GMT

I came across this article on the website HOUZZ in which a designer lists her Top Ten Tips for Increasing Your Homes Value!!!

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/a-designers-top-10-tips-for-increasing-home-value-stsetivw-vs~70532974?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u3758&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery16

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WILL GREET YOU AT A DESIGN APPOINTMENT!!!!

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 20:44:43 GMT

This morning as I pulled up to a home to meet the client and measure for closets I was greeted by Kevin the neighborhood peacock. In Michigan. Beautiful way to start the day!

5 Ways to Transition Your Wardrobe for Fall

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 20:51:45 GMT

The kids are back in school, the NFL preseason has begun, and pumpkin spice lattes will soon be back in season. The signs of autumn are unmistakable. With the changing temperatures also come different fashions – and different storage needs as you transition to a warmer wardrobe. Our experts have the advice you need to put together your perfect look for fall, and some closet design tips to keep your fashions organized all season long. Discover a whole new look for fall – and maybe even snag some closet design tips to boot!

Invest in Fall Colors

Pantone has named Serenity and Rose Quartz the hot new colors of 2016, but we predict an even better trend for fall: Marsala. Burgundy hues are hot this season for both men and women, which means soft pastels should probably take a backseat as temperatures cool down. Our custom closet organizers can include options like valet rods, so you can plan each outfit the night before and color-coordinate all your colors.

Update Your Accessories

While spring and summer usually call for lighter accessories, gold tones and pastels, cooler months invite you to get a little more formal. Incorporate some silver pieces, heavier jewelry and deep, rich tones that will pop against autumn leaves and winter snow. Our jewelry organizers offer the perfect storage space for your summer pieces while bringing chunkier fall accessories to the forefront of your wardrobe. Catch-all sliding acrylic trays easily store smaller items like cufflinks, earrings or pins.

Layer It

Update your favorite summertime outfit with a statement blazer for fall, then bring the look together with a dressy tie for men or a silk scarf for women. These small details give the maximum impact on your look so you can keep wearing your existing wardrobe well into fall. Our premium hanging rods keep jackets and sweaters wrinkle-free, while slide-out tie and scarf racks help keep everything organized so you will always find the right finishing touch for your outfit. You don’t have to splurge on a new wardrobe to get the look you want for fall!

Fall Footwear

Invest in some good quality boots, booties or other footwear that is moisture-resistant. In many places, fall brings rain or even early snow as we get into November. It’s important to keep your footwear updated so your toes can stay warm even when the weather is bad. Don’t be afraid to continue wearing your favorite sandals well into autumn as long as you are comfortable. Proper shoe storage, like our angled shelves with oil-rubbed bronze shoe fences, can help extend the life of your favorite footwear so you can enjoy your favorite pair of shoes for many seasons to come!

Be Prepared

Fall weather can be unpredictable, so check the weather report each morning. Many cities experience rainy mornings followed by sunny afternoons and chilly evenings, so you may want to layer your outfit or keep an emergency coat handy in case of unexpected weather. Our custom closet designs can be personalized to hold both your daily wardrobe, as well as outerwear, if you choose. Adjustable shelves are a great way to store bulky coats or even stash summer pieces you don’t plan to wear again for a while.

The time has come to transition to a new fall wardrobe with the help of some style tips from the experts at Organizers Direct. With these tips, you can keep wearing your favorite pieces from summer with updated accessories to accommodate the colder weather. Our closet organization systems can help make the transition as easy as a wardrobe change. Locate a dealer near you and organize your fall wardrobe today!

Original post by Organizers Direct

CLOSETS FIT FOR TWO PRINCESSES!!!

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 20:56:57 GMT

One of our favorite client's had Clever Closets return to their home to design and install custom closets for their two young girls. As you can see they turned out beautifully! The details: white Pillowtop doors and drawers. Our client chose to purchase her own knobs which we installed for her. Mom has reported back that the girls love their new closets!!!!

4 Home Décor Ideas for Empty Nesters

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 21:05:24 GMT

When the kids are away, the parents will play! …or at least we’re pretty sure that’s how it goes. In any case, the kids are off to college and empty nesters often find themselves with an unoccupied room in the house. There’s no reason to waste perfectly good space in your home. Put it to good use with a completely custom design that enhances your routine and adds value to your home.

While you might be tempted to go all out and fulfill your dreams of an in-home sauna and steam room, there are some other very practical choices that can easily be installed in any home. Here are our recommendations for turning your child’s old room into a usable space you will love:

Home Office

It’s easy to work from home now that you have the space all to yourself. Don’t bother with time-consuming DIY options; get the home office you want right now with our custom home office solutions including cabinets, countertops, and desk organizers. This is the perfect time to create an executive workspace right there in the comfort of your own home.

Guest Room

Why make a guest room that looks like a guest room? We offer wall beds that fit into any space and include concealed storage perfect for luggage, toiletries and other belongings your guests might bring along with them. Wall beds are a great addition that turn any room into a multipurpose space. This is one of our most popular offerings because it is so easy to use, functional and attractive. The kids can even use this when they come home for the holidays – or to do laundry on the weekends.

Luxury Closet

Create the ultimate walk-in closet with a little help from your friends at Organizers Direct! We have everything you need to design a dressing room even celebrities would envy. Get a custom floor-to-ceiling shoe rack and indulge in a pair for every occasion. Get velvet-lined jewelry drawers to keep your valuables safe and complete the look of luxury.

Hobby Room

Whether you want a spacious craft room or a place to showcase your guitar collection, a hobby room is the best way to expand your interests and showcase what matters to you. Our designers love a challenge and these unique spaces often leave a lot of room for play in the design. Get custom cabinets, shelving or even hooks to organize all your favorite things in a way that makes it easy to enjoy your favorite activities.

Once the kids are settled into their new college dorms, it’s time to treat yourself. Allow our designers to provide a completely free in-home consultation to evaluate your free space, decide on the best use of the room, and then create an organized space you can enjoy for years to come. It’s your home – get the design you want!

This has been a guest post via Organizers Direct .

BRILLIANT WAY TO PURGE YOUR CLOSET!!!

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 21:09:39 GMT

A client told about this great way to weed out unused clothing: Turn all of your hangers backwards. As you wear the clothing hang them back up frontwards. After a few months all clothing still hanging backwards gets donated as you clearly aren't wearing them! Viole a purged closet!!!!

NO NEED FOR DRESSERS!

Wed, 06 Apr 2016 21:14:12 GMT

Many people are deciding not to use dressers in their bedrooms but adding drawers in their closets. Clever Closets offers many drawer front styles and drawer depths to fit all of your clothing needs!

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

Wed, 09 Mar 2016 22:18:59 GMT

Here is an example of what can happen with shoes on the floor - they take over the space, multiplying in the night. Our objective as closet designers is to make sure everything in your closet has a HOME. One of our tasks when designing your closet is to get shoes and boots off the floor. The floor has no discipline or boundaries.

A WONDERFUL GIFT FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS!!!!

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 22:23:11 GMT

Recently one of our clients purchased closets for her three grand daughters, two of which are twin girls arriving the end of March. What a thoughtful gift to help the new parents to stay organized!

NEW ASSISTANT HIRED AT CLEVER CLOSETS!

Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:26:55 GMT

All of us at Clever Closets are HUGE dog lovers! Most of us live with at least one. Whether on a design appointment or at an installation we are always meeting new friends!

VALET ROD? WHY DO I NEED A VALET ROD???

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 22:31:33 GMT

Clever Closets offers many accessories to customize your closet. We offer valet rods, scarf, belt, and pants racks all available in finishes to match your closet hardware.

YIKES! WHAT DO I DO FOR VALENTINES DAY?????

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 22:35:14 GMT

The pressure. The expectations. Hmmm why not give the gift of a new closet or garage to your loving partner??? Gift certificates available to slip into a card or box of chocolates.

AN ACTUAL HAND WRITTEN NOTE!!!!

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 22:38:43 GMT

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Dreams Come True

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:54:30 GMT

When you get a clever closet you will feel the need to spend as much time getting dressed as possible because you'll be able to find that outfit you couldn't find before. You will have a place for everything, long hang, intermediate hang, standard hang, belts, ties, jewelry, socks, underwear, pant hangers, scarf racks, mirrors, baskets, and you name it we will find a way to do it. We are so confidante you will love you're closet because it is made for you, not your neighbor. This closet consists of a double hutch with ten drawers, two pants racks, belts, ties, hooks, crown molding, and base molding.

How to Organize the Kitchen Pantry

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:47:10 GMT

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home. It’s a place for the family to gather each evening as they enjoy dinner together. It’s also where your day starts; you might enjoy a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper, or maybe you spend a few minutes putting together nutritious lunches for your children to take to school.

When the kitchen is disorganized, however, it can really put a damper on the way the room functions. If you’re finding that you’re pulling expired items out of the kitchen pantry or you often get stuck in the middle of making dinner because you’re missing a vital ingredient, it’s probably time to organize the pantry! Follow these steps to get the job done.

Choose a time when you’ll have a couple of hours to devote to the task. Cleaning out the pantry can be done in one fell swoop, but it will take some time to do a good job.
Clear off the kitchen table and the counters, if they’re not clean already. You’re going to need a place to put all of the items that are currently residing in your pantry.
Grab a box and a garbage bag. The box will be for items that are still good, but that your family won’t eat. It will be dropped off at a food pantry the next time you drive by one. The garbage bag will be for expired items. (Do not donate expired goods to food pantries.)
Take everything out of the pantry. You might want to do this with a damp rag in hand, because some of the items might be dusty or sticky. This way, you can wipe them off before setting them on your table or counter.
Try to keep like items together. For example, put all of the cans on one section of the table, the boxed pastas on another section, and the bottles of juice on yet another. You get to decide which items count as “like items.”
Once everything is out of the pantry, wipe down the walls kitchen shelves. Check to be sure that the shelving is all secure. Then, sweep and mop the floor.
Consider installing pantry pull-outs: These are shelves that, as the name would imply, pull out so you can see everything better. These and other pantry organizers can be found at home improvement stores or you can order better quality ones from a custom closet company like Clever Closets.
Put the lighter items toward the top of the pantry. You might put paper goods on the very top shelf, then put your boxed goods on the next shelf down.
Put the heavier items toward the bottom of the pantry. Bottles of soda and juice can go on the floor, and cans and glass jars can go on the shelf directly above them. The middle shelves will likely hold items such as peanut butter, small bags of rice and other medium-weight foods.
If you keep small appliances in your pantry, make a space for them on the floor if possible. Otherwise, use a less accessible corner of the pantry. (You’ll go through the trouble of getting them out if you need them, but you might not make the effort to rummage around in the corners if you just need to check the expiration date of crackers.)
Place small items, like envelopes of seasoning or cupcake-decorating supplies, in bins or other types of kitchen organizers. Just leaving them on the shelf is a recipe for losing or spilling them.
Put potentially sticky items, like honey and maple syrup, on trays or even upside down disposable container lids. This will keep dripping to a minimum.

By the time you’re done, your kitchen pantry should be clean and tidy. It will function more efficiently and you’ll feel less stressed out during mealtime preparations.

Couples Hideaway

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 13:52:56 GMT

Clever Closets hopes that every customer would like to take a retreat in their organized closet but as long as the time spent in their new closet is relaxing we have done our job. There's a couple reasons why I named this blog "Couples Hideaway", no pun intended. The number one reason was that this job was a his and hers master walk-in closets. Number two his closet had a deep and narrow section that we suggested to pull out flush with the wall, creating a hidden space behind the hanging section. This spot is great for luggage and other bigger items that are tough to find a storage place. Now onto some clever ideas in her closet. As you walk into the closet you notice that there is triple hang in an adults closet, not a nursery. Since she is on the shorter side and has a lot of short hanging we were able to go a little higher than standard height and fit triple hang. She also has a bank of Premier drawers, belt rack, and shelving.

Closet Cove

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:02:57 GMT

Not only is this closet a little cove so is the location of their house. The slopping ceiling dictates the height of the closet and the height of the single hang on the back wall. On design day Clever Closets made sure that you wouldn't hit your head on the ceiling when you bend down to get a piece of clothing. The slopping ceiling on the right wall made it possible to put intermediate and double hang. As you walk into the closet and right next to the light switch we were able to put a tower for shoes or folded clothes. Now pirates can't beat that cove!

DOES THE THOUGHT OF ORGANIZING YOUR HOME MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE THIS?

Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:43:13 GMT

Don't run away from a daunting task!!! Call Clever Closets and we'll help get you back on track with your closet, garage, home office or pantry!

A Little Coco Goes A Long Way

Wed, 30 Dec 2015 14:50:06 GMT

When Greg arrived on the design he had to make this small space feel larger and more functional. The closet had some angled walls and a small cove in the back of the closet. He proposed that they double hang the back wall and put shelving behind the hanging clothes. We also could fit two rich coco towers in the closet, one with two satin nickle pants racks.

A Space & Place For Everything

Sun, 27 Dec 2015 14:57:10 GMT

This is another case in which the wire shelving came tumbling down over night. Wire shelving is only rated at ten pounds per linear foot and it is very easy to exceed the limit. The customer wanted a space for everything with some added shelving. Clever Closets incorporated their dresser, file cabinet, and ironing board into the design. We also put a raised panel drawer with a jewelry tray insert. Greg Parsons (Owner & Designer) was able to exceed the old closet specs while incorporating all their needs into the new closet.

Slate is Great

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:04:11 GMT

An organized garage is key to having an organized life. The garage is the first room you enter and the last, 95 percent of the time. So why not have it nice and organized with no head aches every time you walk in. There's a few ways to organize your belongings in the garage; slot wall, shelving, and drawers. Slot wall is great for brooms, hoses, ladders, hardware, bike racks, baskets, and the list goes on. The hooks attach to the plastic slot wall with two horizontal grooves which is much stronger than the old pegboard, and it's also water resistant. The shelving is an inch thick so it won't sag and they are all adjustable. Most of the time the cabinets have doors but it also can be ordered without them. Finally the drawers come in three sizes; 3 inch, 7 inch, and 15 inch drawers. The 3 inch are great for organizing your tools and the deeper drawers for cans, power tools, dog food, and whatever you need it for.

Why You Need To Invest In A Small Closet

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:12:44 GMT

A custom closet system is an investment, and many people can see the benefit of spending the time and money necessary to have a professionally-installed organization system installed in their large walk-in closets. Most homes have several small, reach-in closets, as well, including hall closets, guest room closets and kids’ bedroom closets. Is it worth the investment to have a closet expert rework these smaller closets as well? Yes, most of the time it is! Here are some reasons why:

Hallway closets perform a vital function in the home

During Michigan winters, having a place to easily and efficiently store and locate your coats, hats, gloves and boots will make life so much simpler. You know how it is when you have to quickly slam the closet door shut for fear of your winter items tumbling out; you won’t have to worry about that anymore when you have a custom closet installed. Everything will have its own place, eliminating the problems of lost mittens and missing scarves. During the summer, it can be frustrating to have to hunt through all of the heavy winter coats when looking for a light jacket; a custom closet in your hallway can provide you the space that you need to store all of your out-of-season items easily and neatly.

Kids’ closets can quickly turn to mayhem

Children are notorious for having messy bedrooms, and this extends to their closets. Most clothing rods are placed too high for little ones to reach, and there is often a lack of safe and child-friendly shelving and drawers in kids’ bedrooms. A custom closet in your child’s room will mean that he’ll be able to put his own clothing away, whether that means hanging items on hangers or folding them and putting them in drawers. As a safety feature, custom closet drawers won’t fall over on your child, like a bureau might. Don’t forget that as your child grows, the closet can grow right along with him, so the system that you buy for your preschooler will still work when he’s a teen!

Guest room closets often need to serve double-duty

Unless you host guests the majority of the time, it’s likely that you’re storing some random belongings in your guest room closet. These might include craft supplies, children’s schoolwork and boxes of memorabilia from when you were a teenager or young adult. Secondly, if you do have guests come to visit, it’s nice to be able to give them a place to store their clothing so that they’re not living out of their suitcases. A custom closet in your guest room can allow the space to fulfill both functions: There will plenty of room for your extra “stuff,” along with space for your guests to hang and store their clothing while they stay in your home.

If you are having your master walk-in closet reorganized with a custom closet system, why not consider doing the rest of the closets in the home, as well, particularly the coat closet, kids’ closets or guest room closet? Talk to your custom closets professional how having small closets organized can change the flow of your home.

The Princess Closet

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:19:09 GMT

As everyone knows the princess only deserves the best. Even when it comes down to her closet. This little girls closet was painted pink making the white really pop out matching the door and molding. The closet was built to grow as the girl does, because we all know time flys. Clever Closets added double hang across the back wall and some long in the front right corner. While at the moment she can fit five to six pairs of shoes on a shelf, a women would be able to fit four on a shelf. Not only does she have hanging and two towers for shoes and folded clothes but she also has two white baskets and a chrome swivel belt rack.

Got Antique?

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 15:25:20 GMT

When it really comes down to it, life is a lot less stressful when you're organized. Clever Closets came to the rescue once again when the customer has more clothing than space to keep it all organized. This closet was limited due to the slanted ceiling on the back wall. It was the perfect height for standard hanging and even intermediate hanging. We added a pants rack in one of the antique white towers for added hanging space with no clothes intruding past the tower. The customer also requested a bank of drawers on full extension tracks. Now that's an antique!

A Couple of Cocos

Fri, 11 Dec 2015 15:52:42 GMT

Not only was Clever Closets given the opportunity to install these two elegant closets but we were also fortunate to work with this couple. The two closets are both coco with base and crown molding but that's where the similarities end. First off, her walk-in has two slanted walls with the crown molding terminating into the slant. Another couple features in her closet is the custom bench with a premier drawer and a bank of four drawers with one locking drawer. Now for his closet the first thing you see when you walk in is a hutch with four 20inch deep premier drawers. Greg (Owner, Designer, & Installer) worked with the electrician to place an electrical outlet just above the 1inch pull out shelf for his watch case. Another satisfied couple!

Getting Your Mudroom Under Control

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:11:24 GMT

One area that commonly attracts all sorts of dirt and organization is the mudroom . Whether you have a dedicated area for storing coats, boots, mittens, keys, backpacks and other items that are brought into the home, or you’re using a more formal entryway or utility room for this purpose, you may need some help in keeping it looking neat, tidy and well-maintained. If your mudroom tends to be the place that children and adults use to literally throw their items as they walk in the door, here are some ways that you can get it under control.

Make it User-Friendly

Who is using your mudroom? If you have young children, you’ll need to install hooks that are low enough for them to use for hanging their coats. Cubbies and shelves also help little ones to keep their cold-weather gear, such as hats, scarves and gloves, organized and separated from those of their siblings. If yours is a household of adults, more attractive areas for storage might be desired; you can also keep your belongings up high and out of the way. Larger families will need more space for shoes and boots than couples or singles. Take a few minutes to assess the needs of your household before you start reorganizing the mudroom.

A Place for Everything

If the prevailing theme in your mudroom is that everything ends up in a heap, then you have some retraining to do! Once you have appropriate hooks, racks, shelves, bins and shoe racks installed, it’s time to walk your family members through the system. Tell everyone exactly where coats go, where they can store wet mittens, how to store snowy boots so that they will dry without getting everyone else’s shoes sopping wet. Doing this now, before the snow-and-ice season begins, will mean that everyone will be on the same page before the first flakes start falling.

Provide Seating and a Place to Empty Pockets

If you have room, a bench or chair is a welcome addition to any mudroom. This lets you sit down while putting on and taking off your shoes, which is particularly helpful to children and those with difficult-to-remove boots. Also, place a table with a pretty bowl or basket on top for you to use in emptying your pockets. Once per week, go through it, throwing away any receipts that you don’t need, putting loose change in a jar and dealing with whatever little thingamajigs that you find. This can help keep other areas of your house, such as your kitchen counters, free from extra clutter.

Make it Pretty

Your mudroom is part of your home, and it’s often the first part that guests see upon entering. No one wants to come home to a messy, dirty and unattractive house, so taking care to make your mudroom look nice can do a lot for your spirit as you return after a long day. Choose color coordinated bins and baskets. Paint the walls a shade that goes nicely with the rest of your home; using semi-gloss or high-gloss paint allows you to scrub walls without damaging the paint job. Hang up some artwork or family photos to create a welcoming touch.

As summer comes to an end, take the time to organize your mudroom in preparation for winter’s rapid approach; the time to get this type of project underway is now, before the season for snowy boots and sopping-wet mittens gets here!

Author Resource: Michelle Kulas writes about Getting Your Mudroom Under Control, for Clever Closets. Clever Closets is an affordable and reliable Company for Custom Closet Design

Shhh it's a secret

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:02:30 GMT

It's the simple things that can really make a work area. The customer wanted to have a space for his printer and files, easy enough right? Well what I'm about to tell you is our little secret. We custom made a one inch pull out shelf with tracks on the bottom. This way requires an extra shelf to mount the tracks on versus the tracks on the side. With doors on the cabinet it makes it impossible to put them on the side because the tracks will hit the doors. A file drawer is straightforward usually but for this situation Clever Closets had to fit a printer and file drawer in one base cabinet so a drawer and small doors wouldn't work plus it would look bad. We custom made a drawer that would fit behind the doors as seen in the picture. This work station also had base molding and an ogee top with satin nickle handles.

Spring has Sprung!

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:16:28 GMT

What a nice way to bring in the first day of spring with a nice sunny day. We all know it's time to clean out the winter clothes and pack in the summer wear. Here are a few tips we would like to share with everyone. First, if you have double hang put the pants up high and the shirts down low. This makes the closet feel bigger because pants hang narrow giving you more space near your head. Second, if you have flat shelves for shoes put the toe out. It will be easier to see and it makes it look like they are tipped without spending money on tilted shelves with shoe fences. Last but not least, it's the perfect time to sort out your clothes. We call it the eighty twenty rule, you wear twenty percent of your clothes eighty percent of the time. Have a nice spring everyone!!!

Clever Closet Solutions in the Surrounding Detroit, MI Areas

Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:23:09 GMT

Do you feel like you are always low on storage space? At Clever Closets, we specialize in finding unique ways to recreate your space to give you the most storage in your Michigan home! If you need a new walk-in closet, small closet, or even a custom pantry or home office, do not hesitate to call your number one source: Clever Closets!

SPRING CLEANING

Sun, 29 Nov 2015 16:28:44 GMT

Finally Spring has arrived or will shortly! After this long winter how do your closets look? Are they functioning well for you? Can you locate items easily? Or when rooting around do you discover items you haven't laid eyes on in years? Take a good look!

Spring is the perfect time to reorganize your home including closets, pantries and the garage. Get rid of items that you never use. Be honest with yourself here. For many people space is at a premium so why use up any for clothing, tools, small appliances, etc. that you don't need/use/want. And someone else can always use what you don't.

Keep on Sailin

Fri, 27 Nov 2015 16:34:53 GMT

This sailing couple needed to take advantage of the space in their closet for when they were back on land. Designer and installer Greg Parsons highly recommends pants racks to save space by keeping the pants in the framework of the tower plus there isn't a hanger. Each 24inch pants rack holds twelve pants nice and neat. Sail on!!

Candlelight Delight!

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:46:19 GMT

On design day our designers wanted to combine functionality with showmanship. The client wanted a lighter look with our contemporary pillow top drawers. Clever Closets also wanted make the space feel larger with nothing hanging in your face, so we set the poles further back than normal for her to save a few inches. Since he is taller, we raised the double hang section in the back of the closet to accommodate his longer clothing and to make sure his clothes wouldn't drag. Last but not least we added a jewelry insert with an earring tray.

Elevator to Heaven

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:40:05 GMT

The sky's the limit when it comes down to custom organizational products like closets, pantries, garages, and even murphy beds just to name a few. Clever Closets doesn't just design and install their product in your home but we will also go to great heights no matter where you need our services. In this case we installed a modern white queen murphy bed in a high rise. The customer was looking for a more contemporary look and added two brushed nickel bar handles. Now that's top of the line!

Oakland Township Antique White Closet

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:51:51 GMT

When we arrived on the design the homeowner had three wire shelves and a pole on all the interior walls. This made the isle space too narrow due to the hanging on both sides of the closet. Before the closet measured 26 square feet of shelving and 28 linear feet of hanging. We measured their wardrobe and discussed what they wanted to accomplish. They wanted to increase shelving space and keep the linear feet of hanging around the same number. In the design we double hung the back wall, figured in four shelf towers for shoes, folded clothes, and even added a bench. We also added in three drawers for socks, underwear, and one that had a jewelry tray insert. The new design came out to have 109 feet of shelving and kept the linear feet of hanging the same.

Bronze Nickel

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:04:20 GMT

To make the space feel larger Clever Closets double hung the back wall to square the closet up. Greg (Owner, Designer, & Installer) also put the hutch on the right wall so when you walk in that's what catches your eye. The hutch comes with five premier drawers with a wood veneer box and a set of premier doors with soft close hinges.

Let the Light Shine Through

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 18:08:04 GMT

Another dream comes true after a long day of painting and installation. Clever Closets wanted to accomplish all the customers needs and more. First there was a big window with lots of natural light that we needed to incorporate into the design. The customer wanted white because it matched with the trim and it also makes the closet feel bigger. He also was looking for a more contemporary look with our pillow top drawer fronts. We used our satin nickel hardware which included the poles, pants rack, belt & tie racks, handles, and the baskets. These baskets not only pull out on a full extension track but have black leather wraps.

Chocolate Frenzy

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 18:13:01 GMT

The crew arrives on the job to install a chocolate pear double hutch with eight drawers, a satin nickel pants rack, two hampers with satin nickel baskets, and a custom spot for their ironing board. The double hutch was finished with an ogee edge in chocolate pear. Since the double hutch rested over the air duct we cut a rectangle into the toe kick so the vent would be exposed(see picture). Then we channeled the air to blow out the vent otherwise it would flow through the hutch. We finished the closet with our 1 5/16" satin nickel poles to match the handles and baskets. To make the isle feel bigger, the double hang was positioned in the back of the closet so the clothes aren't hanging in your face. Another satisfied customer!

On the Brink of Failure

Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:18:33 GMT

Not only do wire shelves fall unexpected but so do wood shelves that are only supported by triangle brackets. It is a very poor use of space because you can only place so much on the shelf and there isn't any long or double hang. Another bad use of space was hanging to hanging in the corner because clothes stick out 24 inches from the wall and shelving is only 14 inches deep so it's easier to see the clothing. We fixed these problems by adding double hang on the right and left sides of the closet, we also added long hang and shelving for shoes and clothes in the middle.

RUNNING OUT OF CLOSET SPACE???

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 18:22:34 GMT

This is an example of a Clever Closets custom built-in unit in a bedroom. The unit fills an entire wall and houses our clients television in addition to clothing, both hanging and folded. A beautiful solution which includes both crown and trim molding giving it a very custom look!

Here is the testimonial from our client:

"Greg and Laura came out and spent time with me to measure the space, measure the amount of clothing I had and to see what would work the best for me. We ordered the closets and they came in and were installed in the time that I was told. The gentlemen that did the installation were nice, friendly and efficient.The closets work great, look wonderful and they are better than I had hoped. Thank you for making everything from start to finish easy."

Thanks,

Jennifer

A Touch of Mahogany

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 17:28:23 GMT

Mahogany isn't just your typical wood it's a tropical hardwood with a hint of red and brown. The customer was looking for a contemporary/modern look so Clever Closets suggested flat modern drawer fronts in mahogany. To get that rich look we added satin nickel poles, shoe fences, and baskets. The closet looks so nice that the customer choose to leave the doors off.

Coco Frenzy

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:35:04 GMT

Function is everything in the closet business, period. Our goal was to design a functional space that works and most of all exceeds the customers expectations. We were able to fit all their existing wardrobe plus a pull-out ironing board, pants rack, jewelry tray, two 3-way hooks, valet rod, belt rack, and a premier hamper. All the poles, handles, and accessories were in our oil rubbed bronze finish that really brings the closet to the next level. Not to mention we also made a spot for a bulletin board on the customers request. There was an angled wall to the left that was unusable so we squared it off and put backing board for two hooks and a bulletin board. Goal accomplished!

SCAMP Home Tour to feature home and garage tricked out in Clever Closets products

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:57:57 GMT

SCAMP is a summer camp for children and young adults with special needs located here in Clarkston MI. The annual home tour is their largest fundraiser. This years tour is June 6 & 7. One of the featured homes belongs to Russ Parsons of Motor City Garages and Clever Closets. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a very worthy cause and tour some beautiful homes.

Set in Stone

Fri, 09 Oct 2015 18:04:53 GMT

Clever Closets was fortunate enough to design this elegant chocolate pear walk-in closet. This space had ample natural lighting with helps the closet feel bigger and brighter even with a dark wood finish. Another nice feature is the base molding that wraps around the whole closet and is up against the light tile. As you walk into the closet you notice the shelving underneath the window and a couple premier drawers and a hamper. On the right wall is the vocal point of the closet with eight drawers with satin nickel handles and shoe shelving in the middle. Another closet built to last!

Bronze, The New Gold!

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 18:11:07 GMT

Times have really changed since we started in the closet business over 16 years ago. With only one laminate finish to offer, Clever Closets was swamped with basic white and chrome. Now we have eight laminate finishes, six hardware finishes, and four door and drawer styles. Although white is still the most popular and least expensive, the customer wanted to use white with our oil rubbed bronze to keep the closet looking nice and ageless. We also used our upgraded wood veneer drawer boxes, raised panel drawer fronts, and an oil rubbed bronze pants rack.

An Antique from Floor to Ceiling

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 18:23:59 GMT

An antique is always unique, even when it's falling apart or restored. There is that desire when you know it would look great by your fireplace. The same is true with our product. Our designer and owner has been organizing people since 1996, his designs are unique to each and every customer. We start by measuring your space and discussing the customers needs. Then we come up with the most functional design that fits you and your family. For example this customer needs to get to the plumbing so we designed a tower that would be narrow towards the bottom and wider after the top of the access (pictured to the left). To make the closet look built in we went from floor to ceiling; base molding, four premier drawers, custom glass doors, and ending with the crown molding. This closet also has two more 6 inch drawers with a hamper underneath. To make everything fit nicely we measure their clothing for the right height. Now they have four different heights of hanging so everything has its own spot.

Smooth Out Your Morning Routine With Custom Closets

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 18:17:27 GMT

Do you have a hard time getting everyone out the door in the morning? Whether you live alone or you have a houseful of children to contend with, it seems like Murphy’s Law tends to reign in the first sleepy hours of the day. If shoes can go missing, if there’s no cereal left, or if a recently-ironed blouse can become wrinkled, it’s likely to happen before 9:00 am.

Having custom closets systems installed in your home can go a long way toward alleviating these problems and making your mornings run more smoothly. How? Let us count the ways:

Clothes and Accessories Are Where They Should Be

If you can’t find your red cardigan or your navy flats, it can throw off your entire morning. As your grandma used to say, you need a place for everything, and everything must be in place. With a custom closet organization system, you’ll have the drawers, cabinets, racks and accessories that you need to neatly hold all of your belongings.

In the evening before you go to bed, choose what you will be wearing the next day and place it on a valet rod in your closet. When you are out of the shower the next morning, your outfit will be ready and waiting for you. You’ll waste less time, which will get you off to a good start.

Kids’ Closets: The Answer to Your Morning Woes

If it’s not you, but the little people in your life, who are making your mornings chaotic, you’ll be glad to know that having a custom organizational system installed in your children’s closets can go a long way toward helping them get ready for daycare or school.

Clothing racks and hooks at kid-friendly heights allow them to reach what they need. An organizer that has the space to hold five or seven outfits even lets you choose a week’s worth of clothing for them at once. No more battles over what to wear in the morning!

When everything looks nice and neat, children are less likely to get distracted and start doing something other than what they’re supposed to be doing. It might be that custom kids’ closets would be a great investment!

Custom Kitchen Pantries Make Breakfast Simpler

Once everyone is dressed and ready for breakfast, how simple do you find it to serve up the most important meal of the day? If the kids’ favorite cereal box is empty or you can’t find that muffin mix that you are sure you bought, chaos can reign.

When your kitchen pantry is neatly organized, it’s easy to see what you have. This, in turn, makes preparing and serving meals a snap!

Putting some effort into organizing your storage areas can make for smoother mornings, which helps everyone leave the house with a smile on his or her face. As you already know, the morning can set the tone for the rest of the day.

Give us a call if you need some help in getting your closets or pantry organized. We can help! Your first consultation is free, and you could be on your way to easier days ahead.

Turning Your Spare Bedroom Into a Walk-In Closet

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:22:52 GMT

Many homeowners run into the problem of having inadequate storage space in their homes. This is particularly problematic in older homes, which don’t often come with large walk-in closets .

After living in a home for a decade or more, you may have accumulated a lot of belongings that are currently spilling out of your small reach-in closets. What’s the answer?

If you have an extra bedroom, you might benefit from turning it into a roomy walk-in closet. If you have a college student moving off to a dormitory or a guest bedroom that isn’t used very often, this is something worth considering. Imagine having a place for everything, and everything in its place! You could have shelving and drawers installed along walls, and rods installed at various heights to allow for hanging dresses, coats, suits, pants, blouses, scarves and more. Best of all, you don’t even have to give up the possibility of hosting guests (or of having your college student home for the holidays)! Here are a few questions that you might have:

What About Resale Value?

You might be concerned that once you turn your spare bedroom into a walk-in closet, you may lose some of the value of your home. When Clever Closets installs your closet system, the products are able to be removed and relocated! If you decide to put your house on the market, your bedroom will still count as a bedroom, and, best of all, you won’t lose a penny of your investment: You can take your custom closet with you to be used in your new home.

How Will I Host Guests?

During your consultation, your Clever Closets professional will talk to you about what other uses the room might have. One attractive and convenient option is to have a Murphy bed installed: This is a wall bed that folds away against the wall, but is easily pulled down for use when you have sleepover guests. This way, you’re not tying up an entire room for the few weeks per year that you might have guests, but you also never have to turn away friends or relatives, or make them sleep on air mattresses or the sofa. It’s the best of both worlds!

How Do I Get Started?

Call us to schedule your free consultation appointment. You’ll be able to tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll design your closet organization system around your budget and preferences. You’ll be able to see what your extra room will look like on our 3D software.

If you have an unused room, put it to good use by installing a quality closet organization system that will benefit you for years to come. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a bigger storage area and better use of your existing space, and you won’t be losing a thing.

Author Resource: Michelle Kulas writes about Turning Your Spare Bedroom Into a Walk-In Closet, for Clever Closets. Clever Closets is an affordable and reliable Company for Walk-in Closets Bloomfield MI.

Clever Closets Makes it in the Detroit News

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 18:57:52 GMT

Beth Kirchner has a nickname for the old, cramped walk-in closet she and her husband shared for three years before building their dream walk-in last year: the cave.

"It was like a tunnel," says Kirchner, who lives in a large colonial near Clarkston's Deer Lake with her husband, Mark, and two children. "There was still a girl's side and a guy's side, but it was hard to both be in there at the same time. You couldn't walk past each other."

So when the couple decided to renovate the upstairs of their home last year — gutting the master bedroom bathroom and adding another upstairs bathroom off their daughter's room — the master bedroom closet was on their to-do list. They tore down a wall to make it bigger, worked with a professional closet company to design the new space, and today, "the cave" has become a "Mack Daddy" closet where everything has its place.

"I have 12 drawers for myself, hampers, built-in cabinets, shelving for 100 pairs of shoes — all sitting there, and I love it. I look at my shoes and decide what I'm going to wear for the day," says Kirchner, 43, a stay-at-home mom.

With a new year upon us, many are making organization a top priority. And is there a bigger organizational black hole for the clutter-prone than the bedroom closet?

Greg Parsons, owner of Clarkston-based Clever Closets Inc., who designed the Kirchners' dream closet, says most people adhere to the 80-20 rule: They wear 20 percent of their clothes 80 percent of the time. If you can't see what you have, you won't wear it, he says.

"Have a place for everything, and the floor isn't one of them," advises Parsons, whose business includes his wife, Barbara, and son Russ. "I can't stress that enough. … The floor has no boundaries or discipline. It just grows."

The Kirchners started working on their closet more than seven months ago. Beth, who admits that organization has always been "a downfall," turned to Parsons for help after being referred to him by their builder.

Their first order of business: making the closet bigger. The couple decided to tear down a wall to an adjacent bonus room that wasn't really being used to add square footage to the closet.

At their first meeting, Parsons spent five hours with the Kirchners, going through their closets, assessing their wardrobes. Using special design software, he designed three possibilities for the closet layout.

They considered putting an island in the space, but it would've taken up too much room. Beth says they also contemplated putting up a wall in the newly expanded closet to create separate closets for her and Mark, but "we would've lost space."

Instead, the roughly 250-square-foot space has ample room for both Mark and Beth and still feels roomy. Each spouse has a custom 71/2-foot cabinet with shelves and drawers for items such as T-shirts and sweaters. Both have space for shoes (60 pairs for Beth, though there's room for 100). There are built-in hampers to hide dirty clothes. And atop a full-length mirror is a little area for a small flat-screen TV.

Mark, 40, a financial advisor with UBS, "likes to watch TV before he goes to work. He likes to watch the news," Beth says.

Beth worked with interior designer D'Ann Colombo of Heart of the Home Interior to decorate the space. A rubbed bronze chandelier adds light and warmth to the closet and also ties with all the bronze hardware in the room. In the middle of the closet is a plush, circular ottoman. Sheer beige curtains with some embellishments hang from the closet's two windows.

Throughout the closet are little details and touches to personalize it — framed family photos, picture boxes and two pheasant figurines — and keep everything in its place. A narrow row of shelves holds Beth's purses. An ironing board is tucked away into a narrow custom cabinet with its own door. And next to Mark's shirts are what Parsons calls premiers — devices that hold ties or belts that can be pulled out and pivot so the choices can be fully seen.

"Whenever I design, it's all about the flow and the function," says Parsons, who also designs storage areas for mud rooms, kitchens, home offices and garages. "You've got to see your stuff."

Having the bigger, more organized closet has freed up room in the Kirchners' bedroom, which is what the couple wanted all along. A dresser in the bedroom is now used for ski gear.

"Everything has a spot," says Beth. "I can find everything."

Parsons says creating and designing a revamped walk-in closet can cost around $2,500, though the Kirchners spent much more. Beth says they decided to go all out because they had the space and "we'll never do this again."

"We plan to raise our kids in this house," she says.

Beth says her designer Colombo warned her that the new closet would change her life — and it has.

"I consider it almost like another living space," says Kirchner, who eventually plans to tap Parsons to help her organize her garage. "Everyone wants to come over to see the closet."

Tips for organizing your closet

Clear it out: Empty out your closet and separate clothes and shoes you wear and those you don't. If you haven't worn it in a year or are waiting to lose weight to wear it again, get rid of it.

Get rid of mismatched hangers: Irregular shapes take up more space, and wire hangers are hard on your clothes.
Remove out of season items: Clean your winter gear or summer gear and then box or store it somewhere else.
Smart storage: Use clear bins with labels to hold accessories, scarves, nicer shoes or hats.

Keep items you frequently use at eye level: Put items you rarely use higher up. Move snow boots, rain boots or other outdoor gear to your front hall closet.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130118/LIFESTYLE01/301180333#ixzz2J1CAGopV

Glass is Class

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 19:04:02 GMT

There is no limit on which you can customize you closet. Drawers, doors, baskets, belt, tie, and pants racks to just name a few. This closet called for two sets of glass doors on either side of the window and a bench with two custom drawers to fit nicely under the window. The customer also found her own glass handles and knobs to go with the classy doors. The ceiling was tall enough to make the towers all 96inches compared to our standard 85inch panels. This adds an extra shelf above double hanging and almost a foot taller for towers. Clever Closets also incorporated some long hang and a basket for laundry.

Triple It!

Sun, 20 Sep 2015 19:30:18 GMT

Go from your wire single hang to a space saving design by Clever Closets and the next meeting we will tear out, patch, and install all in the same day! Oh yeah and we forgot to mention we tear out and patch for free. This customer most of all needed more hanging and shelving for shoes and a lot of it. Greg (Owner, Designer, & Installer) came up with a design that included triple hang, double hang, long hang, a 30inch shoe tower, and a 24inch tower with a pants rack. This saves a lot of space by having like height clothing in the same area and a matter of fact there's five different lengths of hanging so if it drags in one area it won't in another. Now that we accomplished the goal we also added a belt rack, valet rod, and our new scarf rack. Another closet to the max!

Update Your Closet Doors

Sun, 20 Sep 2015 19:23:25 GMT

No matter what the inside of your closet looks like, most of the time it's kept undercover with doors. Many homes feature closet doors that are similar to the bedroom doors. Have you considered upgrading your closet doors to complement your sense of style and decor?

The possibilities are endless. Because it's a small area to update, you can really have fun going all out. Make your doors as fancy, elegant or whimsical as you would like! Here are some ideas for closet doors on Houzz.com . You'll see mirrored doors, doors that blend into the wall and interesting uses of colors.

If you are ready to customize what's behind those closet doors with your very own custom closet organization system, give us a call for a free consultation. We can evaluate what you have and come up with a custom storage solution that fits your closet and your life.

How A Custom Closet Can Help Sell Your Home

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:39:18 GMT

In today’s slow real estate market, homeowners are looking at resale value when it comes to making improvements on their homes, and rightly so: The more “extras” your home has, the more likely it is that it will be purchased before it can languish on the market for several months, or even longer! Having custom closet systems installed is one investment that will pay off later, should you decide to sell your home. Consider these facts:

Homebuyers are looking at photos

Most buyers use websites such as Zillow.com, Homes.com or Realtor.com in order to screen homes before they ever call a real estate agent to schedule a showing. Having custom closets installed in your home and having their photographs up on those real estate websites can absolutely impact potential buyers to schedule showings or attend your open house. The more people who see your house, the more likely you are to get a bid.

Homebuyers want “something special”

To be realistic, most homebuyers can “make do” with any house that has their required number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and is located in the area where they’d like to buy. If the average person looks at dozens of homes, eventually they all start to blur together in their minds. Having an impressive custom closet system, however, will stand out. It just might be that “something special” that turns a “maybe” into a resounding “yes!”

Women, in particular, are concerned with storage space

Let’s face it: in most homes, it’s the woman who handles the day-to-day housework and organization projects, including switching out seasonal clothing, taking out holiday decorations and putting laundry away. When a couple comes to view a house, the man might head for the garage or shed, while the woman might head for the kitchen and the closets. Is there enough cabinet and closet space to hold all of the household items? A custom closet provides the storage space that she’s looking for.

Custom Closets help you keep your home in show-ready condition

When your house is on the market, you need to keep things in tip-top shape at all times; you never know when a real estate agent is going to call, and it’s frustrating to have to turn someone away because the house isn’t ready for show. You won’t have to worry about not having a place to stash your packed boxes; your custom closet organization system will help you keep everything out of the way to make showings easy and low-stress.

A custom closet system will make your home function better and will give you a lot of extra storage space that you never even knew you had. It does something else, too, which is to make selling your home that much easier. Call your local custom closet professional today to talk about how you can make this investment in your home and in your future.

Customer Service

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 19:43:02 GMT

After each installation by Clever Closets we call our clients to confirm they are satisfied. Below is a recent response!!!!

"Hi Laura,

Oh my!!! I *love* the closets! They’re perfect and they look very nice. Great investment! It’s been a pleasure working with you."

- Toni

p.s. You were right. When you called, I was putting my stuff in the closets.

Three and Out!

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 19:50:11 GMT

"The Parsons family was on their game with three rooms to organize, a pantry, a mud room, and a hall closet. Greg and Russ tore out and patched the old closets to get them ready for Barb to paint them the next day. The doors in the hall closet were set down a few inches so they wouldn't hit the soffit. In the pantry we custom fit the corner shelves to get better access pantry goods. Last but not least we made two sets of lockers in the mud room with six hooks for kids coats."

And before you know it the day is over with another satisfied customer.

Tools for Back-to-School Success

Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:55:06 GMT

It’s back-to-school time, and parents are scrambling to pick up the crayons, notebooks, folders, calculators, rulers and boxes of Kleenex that will help ensure a successful year for their children. This is also the time of year that prompts moms and dads to swear that this year will be the year that is different: The kids are going to get their stuff and their schedules under control, once and for all!

Don’t let this declaration become as fruitless as a typical New Year’s resolution! There are some tools that you can buy that will give your kids a leg up when it comes to organizing their materials, their time, and their lives. Obviously, you’ll need to do more of the preparation for smaller children, while middle- and high-schoolers can take more responsibility for their own belongings and schedules. Here are some ideas:

Marking Time

For smoother mornings, get your elementary-school-aged child an alarm clock and teach her how to use it. Depending on you or an older sibling to wake her up can cause a child to procrastinate; she knows you’ll be back to make her get up eventually. Handing her the responsibility by giving her her own alarm clock puts the ball in her court. Sure, she can press the “snooze” button, but if she does it too many times, she’ll be late, and will have to reap the consequences. Another time-tracker for a child in middle school and up is a weekly calendar. A family calendar in a centralized location (like the refrigerator) is great for you, but she should have her own pocket- or purse-sized planner to help her keep track of what assignments are due when, whose birthday party is coming up on which weekend and when her soccer games are. She should be responsible for putting the items that you need to know about on the family calendar; if she forgets, you might not be available to arrange transportation!

A Place (and Time) for Homework

Between school and bedtime are lots of activities: phone calls with friends, sports practice, a shower, television time, snack time, dinnertime... and the list goes on. Homework needs to have a dedicated time slot to avoid it getting shuffled right out of the priority list for the evening. Whether your child does his homework immediately upon coming in from the bus, or saves it until after dinner, make this an unbreakable part of his routine. To keep him on track, don’t be afraid to utilize technology: have him set a reminder on his phone, for example. Your child also needs a place to do his work. Whether it’s the dining room table, a desk in the corner of your office or sprawled out on his bed, he should have easy access to everything he needs (pens, pencils, paper, a dictionary, etc.). Get him a caddy to fill with materials if he’s not working at his own desk with shelves for his writing implements and other necessities.

Accessories to Make Life Easier

Help your child find a spot to keep her clothes for the next day. Before she goes to bed at night, she should decide what she’s wearing, including belts, earrings, shoes, a purse and whatever else she needs for a complete outfit. Keeping these accessory items together in a basket or on a chair makes getting dressed a breeze. Magnets for her locker at school can be helpful. She can hang up a copy of her class schedule, notes regarding when assignments are due, and reminders of things she needs to bring home. Her own mirror in her room can make bathroom routines run more smoothly when a bathroom is shared with other family members.

Buying some tools that will help your child stay organized should be part of your back-to-school tradition. Each year, think of ways to streamline another routine or process, and make notes to help make the next school year run more smoothly. Have a simple and pleasant transition back to school!

Author Resource: Michelle Kulas writes about Tools for Back-to-School Success, for Clever Closets. Clever Closets is an affordable and reliable Company for Kids Closets Troy MI.

That's the Coco Spirit

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 20:06:07 GMT

Style and comfort come to mind when you walk in to this elegant closet. Knowing that there's a place for everything in your closet will relieve your mind. You're not looking for your shoes all over the ground but instead they are neatly sorted on your shoe tower. The list can go on and on, but here's another happy customer that made the switch to a more organize way of life in the closet. Clever Closets started out with a 30inch tower to the left that's for shoes, folded clothing, and anything else that goes well on a shelf. Greg (Owner, Designer, & Installer) put the double hang across the back wall and on the right when you walk in with a total of eighteen and a half feet of hanging, plus a shelving tower with two canvas fitted baskets. Searching for lost clothing is now over.

Contemporary Chocolate

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:13:12 GMT

As you walk into this master closet you'll notice a spectacular space with no door. With natural lighting the chocolate pear stands out and really brightens up the room. The customer was looking for a contemporary look so Clever Closets suggested the modern drawer fronts with bar handles. To maximize space Greg(Owner, Designer, & Installer) placed two 24inch pants racks one above the other, saving 8inches per pants rack due to the removal of the hanger. Another space saving idea was to extend a standard 36inch tower to a custom 40inch tower to fit an extra pair of shoes on a shelf. Last but not least Clever Closets installed a hutch with five drawers, a double tower with ten drawers, a belt rack, a tie rack, a valet, and two satin nickel single hooks.

Birthday Wish Comes True!

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 20:17:35 GMT

What a wonderful husband to give his wife the custom closet of her dreams. The timing couldn't have been better, as Clever Closets installed her dream closet on her actual birthday. The wire rack that was supplied by the builder helped speed the process along as it crashed to the floor one night. Wire shelving is rated at only 10 pounds per liner foot, and we see this unfortunate situation all the time. On the birthday girls side of the closet, we installed a black velvet jewelry insert with acrylic earring tray. There were also satin nickel 3 way hooks for robes, a pulled out necklace rack, garment valet rods, tip out sports hamper along satin nickel poles.

Cleaner Closets Can Lead to a Cleaner Garage

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:26:50 GMT

Did you know that in Seattle, only about a quarter of homeowners use their garages for storing their cars? This is according to Nazim Nice , an architect in Seattle. Now, we don't know what the stats are here in Michigan, but it seems like parking the cars on the road or in the driveway is a trend everywhere.

Having custom closets installed in your home can help. At first glance, you might not see the correlation, but it's interesting to note that a lot of the items stored in the average garage really doesn't need to be there. Outgrown children's clothing, musical instruments that aren't in use anymore, old books...all of these can be stored elsewhere in the home.Also, if you're tight on storage space, custom closets are a way to make more room for these items. In turn, this allows you to clear out your garage and maybe even have a custom garage installed. Soon enough, you might even be able to fit your cars inside!

If you would like to take the first step toward taking control of your closet clutter, give us a call for a free consultation. There's no obligation, so you have nothing to lose; contact us today!

Space is the Limit

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 20:34:25 GMT

Everyone has heard of the saying, sky's the limit. Times have changed and now space battles have become the norm. Clever Closets comes to the rescue in this high rise to take advantage of the high ceiling we used 96inch end panels instead of the standard 85inch. This adds extra shelving to the towers and over double hang. The customer was looking for a light contemporary look. Our candlelight finish fit the bill especially with our modern drawer fronts with brushed nickle bar handles. These drawers come with a full extension track and a wood veneer drawer box. Last but not least we added a chrome three hook that is great for picking out the days dress.

Coco Iron

Sun, 28 Jun 2015 20:44:11 GMT

Right when you open the door to your closet you shouldn't feel the sense of untidiness. Clever Closets wanted to make this space feel bigger and a much cleaner look. We did this by using drawers to corral socks and underwear, a door for the pull-out ironing board, and baskets for dirty clothes. The customer was looking for a rich traditional look when they walk in, so we showed them our premier coco finish. From there on we were dedicated to produce a perfect product just like how it was in the design. Greg also suggested to paint behind the towers with a dark color instead of putting on backs for a furniture look. This is a great way to save money and still get that built in look.

That Bench is Hot!

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 20:54:23 GMT

Once and a while on installation day there's times where we need to address an issue to solve a problem that the design program can't simulate. On this job there was a heat register across the back wall which caused a few issues. First, all the bottom shelves and end panels needed to be cut to fit, which isn't a problem. But there were two banks of drawers that are 14 inches deep and cannot be cut, so after the customers permission we raised the drawers up nine inches to clear the heat register. The drawers were our pillow top fronts that are more contemporary with satin nickle crescent handles. There was also a nice spot for a heated bench from the radiator that was perfect for under the window.

Going Green!

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:58:35 GMT

Not only do consumers participate in Earth Day but so does Clever Closets. First off we recycle all of the cardboard boxes to Royal Oak Recycling which helps save trees. Secondly we just leased a new Fiat 500 that will be used on design consultations, finishes, and any other long distance trip. This not only saves money on gas but it also will reduce the ware and tear on our work truck. There will also be a blog post only about the design car when we letter it. Last but not least we will be planting more trees around the warehouse. I hope everyone had a nice Earth Day!

Knights in White Satin Nickel

Sun, 31 May 2015 21:05:38 GMT

This master closet was apart of a new addition the customer added on this past year. Clever Closets wanted to help them maximize the shelving and hanging in the closet so the White & Satin Nickel Reach-In designer suggested to double hang in front of the closet window. This added over 30inches of hanging in front of the window plus a few 30inch wide shelves. The customer also wanted to go from wall to wall with custom sized drawers. We also installed a reach-in in white with satin nickel hardware, five raised panel drawers and a satin nickel basket.

Royal Oak White Reach-In

Wed, 27 May 2015 21:14:23 GMT

This reach-in closet originally had a single shelf and pole that is very common in many homes. The pole was set at the long hang height with a shelf above it. This wasted a lot of space from the floor to the bottom of their clothing. The homeowner wanted to utilize the whole closet but also needed function. She also requested drawers for a clean and organized look. We proposed that she turn the poles and put them back in the return wall so the clothes don't get lost in the back of the closet. Which also makes it very visible and accessible. This also allows us to fit eight raised panel drawers.

Depth in White

Tue, 12 May 2015 21:20:26 GMT

While we usually use 14 inches for one of our standard closet depths, we can always alter it to fit a customers closet. Our other standard depths are 20 and 24 inches deep but some of the space in the customers closet was less than 14 inches deep. We ended up using three different depths with this closet so the shelving tower wasn't sticking out in front of the doorway. We needed to use a standard depth with our accessories (Pants Racks, Baskets, and Drawers) so they would fit within the frame work of the closet. Function is our number one priority in designing closets.

HIDE THE GARBAGE CANS NOW!

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 21:30:07 GMT

Don't like walking into your garage only to have your garbage cans staring you in the face? We can alleviate that issue once and for all!

Now you see it!

Now you don't!

Mirror That!

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 21:39:44 GMT

Right from the get go the customer wanted a grandioso closet. Greg Parsons (Designer, Owner, and Installer) was called in before they started to knock down the walls. He was able to help the customer make important advise to make sure the closet got the "wow" factor. Since he was able to design the closet off of the blue print, he was able to let the builder know where to put plugs. For example the TV stand above the custom premier mirror needed the cable and power to be in the right spot. The moment you open the door you set your eyes on two towers loaded with drawers, doors, and crown molding. The massive window and chandelier make the closet feel even bigger and brighter. This closet also has a custom door to encase the pull out ironing board, two oil rubbed bronze pants racks, three tie racks, two belt racks, valet rod, and last but not least two hampers under the window.

A Taste of Cognac

Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:47:04 GMT

Yet again Clever Closets comes to the rescue when the common wire shelf comes crashing down in the middle of the night. Most wire shelves are rated ten pounds per linear foot and it is very easy to exceed the limit. The customer still needed a lot of hanging but also wanted some shelving towers for folded clothes and shoes. Since pants don't hang as long as dresses, tops, and jackets we were able to go closer to the ceiling to fit in triple hang for pants folded over the hanger. The designer (Greg) suggested to write off the small angled wall to terminate the poles into a panel. This also is nice because clothes don't hang in front of clothes.

Bungalow

Sun, 29 Mar 2015 21:57:27 GMT

Bungalows can be difficult to work with and finding ways to maximize your space without hitting your head. Greg Parsons(Designer, Installer, Owner) kept all the hanging on the back and right wall to help open up the space. The left side has three white baskets, a satin chrome pants rack, and shelving. The baskets are good for undergarments, socks, and dirty laundry while shelving is better for folded clothes and shoes. There was even a little cove that could be used for a suitcase.

Twice as Nice!

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 22:03:13 GMT

It's nice knowing that you have your own closet space that won't get taken over by your spouse, or at least that's how it's designed. Clever Closets takes in the customers wardrobe and designs the best functional closet that fits around you. When designing his closet, Greg (Owner & Designer) put all the hanging and the pants rack across the back wall to square the closet up. This also made a great spot for a couple raised panel drawers and a couple tie racks. For her closet, Greg put long hang in the right cove and double hang on the back to maximize hanging space while still fitting her needs. Like his closet we installed two raised panel drawers for her plus a valet rod. Now that's a happy couple!

Log Closet

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 20:24:56 GMT

Not everyday do we have an opportunity to install a custom closet for a unique log home. With different spaces comes different solutions, for example Clever Closets had to make it a hanging system because the logs at the floor of the closet would interfere with the end panels. The closet was finished in our candlelight color with oil rubbed bronze hardware. The 30 inch pants rack holds fifthteen pair of pants within the framework of the tower.

Creative Ways to Use an Extra Bedroom

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 20:37:08 GMT

Extra bedrooms in a home are often utilized as a guest room, a home office or perhaps a catchall for all types of random items that wouldn’t otherwise have a home. With some creativity, extra organization and out-of-the-box thinking though, you may be able to change your extra bedroom into a space that better suits your sense of style. Here are a few options to think about:

A Home Gym

Why spend all of that money on a pricey gym membership, when you have space available in your very own home? Clear out the room and bring in whatever gym equipment you have already, along with a mini trampoline, a few floor mats and maybe a television and DVD player for watching aerobics videos. Better Homes and Gardens has more tips for setting up a home gym; now you’ll have no excuses for not staying in shape, and you won’t have to wait in line to use the stationary bicycle or shower in public, making this a win-win situation.

A Hobby Room

Do you scrapbook, sew, or have some other indoor-type hobby? A dedicated work area allows you to leave your projects out while they’re still in process without disrupting the rest of the household, as you would if you were to leave scrapbooking materials all over the dining room table for days on end. Invest in shelving and bins to keep your materials organized, and set up a table or large desk as a workspace. The Chic Geek has some ideas, as well as inspirational photos, for setting up such a room.

A Home Library

If you love to read and your books are taking over your home, install shelves, set up a few cozy chairs or sofas, and turn your extra bedroom into a library. A couple of small tables to hold mugs of tea and perhaps a desk for when you need some quiet working time will also fit right in, if you have the room. The Home Interiors Zone has some great ideas for organizing your collection.

The Ultimate Walk-In Closet

Particularly if your closets are small or if you have many members in your family, an extra bedroom can function as a huge family closet. With installed shelving, clothing racks at different heights, hooks on the walls, bins, boxes and other closet accessories, you’ll never be wanting for more closet space again.

Media Room

Do you have (or long for) a big-screen TV? The acoustics in your living room or family room might not be the best for surround sound. Bring the experience of the movie theater home by setting up a few recliners and a popcorn machine, and you’ll have the perfect place to host parties or just enjoy movie nights with the family. Modern Home Theater offers some technical tips for getting the best sound in your media room.

Be creative when it comes to setting up your extra room, taking into consideration how your family members tend to spend their extra time. Is there a way that you’ve used your extra room that is out of the ordinary? Share your ideas with our readers!

Author Resource: Michelle Kulas writes about Creative Ways to Use an Extra Bedroom, for Clever Closets. Clever Closets is an affordable and reliable Company for Home Organization .

White Bliss

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 20:47:48 GMT

Clever closets wanted to make sure the customer felt extreme happiness when they opened the door. We wanted to achieve this by making the closet feel bigger, flow nicely, maximize storage, and look amazing. Number one Greg (Owner & Designer) put the hanging in the back of the closet and away from the walk way. Second off Greg was able to fit a pants rack in between double hang because he raised the height of the closet and the customer had some shorter clothing. Last but not least there was a jewelry drawer, two pants racks, two tie racks, and a belt rack. Another job well done!

Welcome Home!

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:01:40 GMT

An organized garage is the key to a functional lifestyle. Not only is it a place to put your car but it also has the most foot traffic as you come and go from your home. It's important that everything has its spot so you're not wasting your time looking for tools or anything else that can be lost. For this garage system Clever Closets used grey slotwall to match the walls and all kinds of hooks and baskets to store brooms, shovels, helmets, bikes, and you name it, it can be stored neatly. Our bike racks store the bikes horizontal with a basket for helmets and any other bike accessories. The white cabinets have massive one inch shelves that can be adjusted depending on what you store in them. In the bottom half of one of the cabinets we put four 15inch tall drawers. The customer also had his own tool box that was incorporated in the design. Everyone should come home to a nice organized garage.

Loco Coco

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:54:20 GMT

This local job was a nice walk-in closet system in warm coco. The customer was short on space so we proposed a couple pants racks. Pants racks are really nice in situations with space battles. They save a lot of space by taking the hanger out of the equation and they don't hang out past the tower so it isn't in your face. We also added a black velvet jewelry insert with an earring tray. The earring tray is our new design that slides on the drawer and not on top of the jewelry insert giving it more clearance. The customer needed a spot to put their safe so we reinforced the bottom shelf to support the heavy safe.

First Customer Now Twenty Five Hundredth

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:27:00 GMT

Clever Closets has now been in business for seventeen years. One of our first customers just recently called us back to remove our old product to install it in her daughters home. Thus installing brand new closets and a pantry. Our old product was still in good shape to install it into a new home. This pantry was a little different than most, it had multiple angled walls that called for exact measurements to fabricate it on site for a perfect finish. The tower in the back was complete with two premier doors. The bigger opening is for large brooms and a vacuum. On the left side of the pantry there are two wine racks and three baskets in our Oil Rubbed Bronze finish. Now they have a place for all their kitchen needs.

Gone in 60 Minutes!

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:16:28 GMT

Like the saying goes, "Keep it Simple Stupid" is a great way to describe simple reach-ins. Only so much will be able to make it back into the closet so just remember that sometimes less is more. Clever Closets and the customer agreed on using top shelf and pole brackets instead of a hang panel on the left and right sides of the closet. This saves money and keeps the closet functional. A basket was added to corral clothing that doesn't do well on a shelf like socks and underwear.

Ugly Duct Work No More

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 21:34:15 GMT

On the design Greg recommended that Clever Closets can box in the exposed air conditioning tubing with the same finish as the closet. Clever Closets cut a couple pieces of wood to create an enclosure for the tubing. The customer choose the light wood finish candlelight so the closet feels and looks brighter. They also wanted a place to put their luggage bags so to save space we cut a couple inches off to open up the closet. We also installed a pants rack and tie rack.

How One Woman Got The Closet of Her Dreams!

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 21:37:30 GMT

Here's how one of our clients got her new closet!!!! Brilliantly done Robin!!!

"For the past few years I've been asking my husband to have my closet re-done. Each time he would say sure, get me some names and I'll call, but I had no clue of who to call and would put it off, until one day I ran out from work to pick up lunch when parked next to this car decorated in the company name Clever Closets. I took a picture of the car, sent it to my husband and said here you wanted a name, now you got one! Obviously the rest is history... Loving my new closet.. Thanks Clever Closets..."

Coco Castle

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:44:08 GMT

Clever Closets comes to the rescue when a customer really is in some need of organization. The customer was looking for a darker wood and hardware finish which coco and oil rubbed bronze fit the space perfectly. For the master we used our raised panel drawer fronts in the double hutch to get the wow factor when you walk into the closet. On the other side of the house for the kids closet we used the same finish but this closet was a little different. The closet was wide and shallow with only one door opening on the right and a small archway for a little kid. To get the most use out of the space Greg the designer suggests to write the left side off and square the closet up by turning the poles perpendicular to the back wall. Another goofy closet organized.

Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal for Summer!

Fri, 02 Jan 2015 21:55:47 GMT

The snowy winter and muddy spring are over in Michigan, and it’s time to start thinking about curb appeal. Now that the grass is growing, the leaves are in and flowers are blooming, this is your opportunity to get outside in the fresh air and make your house and yard the envy of the neighborhood. If this seems like an impossible project, don’t despair! Here are the top five simple things that you can do to boost your home’s curb appeal.

1. Fix up your front entry

Is your door looking dingy? Either repaint it in a color that will make your front entry pop, or else replace it. See what the House Beautiful experts have to say about hot door colors. Buy new hardware if yours has seen better days, and hang up a seasonal wreath. Power wash the whole entryway, knocking down any cobwebs and sweeping away dead insects. If your light is dim, change the bulb or just try cleaning the fixture; it’s amazing what a difference removing a layer of dirt and grime can make.

2. Do some simple landscaping

Trim bushes and shrubs, weed the front garden and replace old mulch. Fill window boxes and add some flowers in large containers for weed-free flower gardens. Mow the lawn and trim around the edges and sidewalks. Spending a weekend getting the front lawn and flower beds into shape will boost your curb appeal, big time.

3. Add outdoor accessories

Outdoor art, such as wind chimes, birdbaths, waterfalls and garden sculptures add interest to your yard. Now is the time for summer sales for these types of items; for example, Birdbaths.com is offering up to 50 percent off some of their items, and free shipping besides. The key is knowing when enough is enough; buying everything you see will make your yard look tacky, not classy. Take your time in choosing what you might want; and don’t buy anything unless you have the perfect spot for it, and purchase with your home’s style and color in mind.

4. Check your mailbox

Do you have a standard black box with a red flag? Consider replacing it with something a bit more spiffy. If you’re feeling whimsical, consider one of the creations from Dean’s Custom Mailboxes , or for something more traditional, try Mailbox Collections, Etc. Make sure that whatever you choose is approved by the USPS.

5. Clean or replace gutters or downspouts

Nothing screams “neglected!” like overflowing gutters filled with last fall’s leaves. Get out your ladder and spend a few hours cleaning them out. If your gutters accumulated too much snow and ice this year and are warped or sagging, replace them; it will make a big difference in how your home looks from the curb! Once you’ve accomplished one or more of these projects, walk out to the street and spend a few minutes admiring your work. Take a few minutes to determine if there’s anything else you can do to spruce up your house’s curb appeal, and keep a running list. Everything makes a difference when it comes to your home’s appearance.

Author Resource: Michelle Kulas writes about Your Curb Appeal for Summer, for Clever Closets. Clever Closets is an affordable and reliable Company for Custom Closet Design .

There's Nothing Like Hitting a Homerun

Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:57:00 GMT

With kids growing up and new additions to the family, it has become more and more popular to take an extra bedroom and turn it into a closet. The customer still wanted to be able to use the bedroom but also wanted to use one of the walls as closet space. Clever Closets tore out the existing reach-in and added double hang and a section of intermediate hanging for long jackets or dresses. Before we left they had already put away their clothing, including the husbands Detroit hats. They also had us redo their pantry. To maximize space in a small walk-in pantry, we wrapped the adjustable shelving around so they could access the corner. We were also able to install a couple drawers and rattan baskets, all with full extension ball bearing tracks.

Relax, Kick Back and Have a Scotch!

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 15:03:24 GMT

Clever Closets and KH Home sponsored a scotch tasting the night of March 1st, for a nice way to introduce our local businesses. With seven single malt scotch's to experience from all the regions of Scotland, there was something for everyone. Even if you're not a scotch drinker or not a drinker at all, we all need some time to take a break, socialize, and have some fun. Nice weather is on the way and a lot to look forward to. Stay in touch. Relax, you deserve it.

White Chocolate from Floor to Ceiling

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 15:14:22 GMT

Not only is white chocolate appropriate on Valentine's Day & Halloween but it is also acceptable when you finish your lavish closet. When you open a box of chocolates there's that sense of love in the air. Clever Closets wanted that same reaction when the customer opens the door to their new closet. This closet had all the bells and whistles, from the base molding to crown molding and everything in between. Right when you walk in there's an antique white premier hutch tower with five drawers & in the upper cabinet we split half of it for her necklaces with black velvet and the other half was shelving. Right next to the hutch there is a premier hamper. To the left we tipped the shelves and put satin nickle shoe fences on for one of the towers. Last but not least on the right we installed a satin nickle pants rack.

I love my closets!!! Everything is as promised and more

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 15:17:54 GMT

Your attention to detail shows that you take great pride in your work. I have had many contractors and they all always leave something unfinished looking, but not you. I also wanted to thank you for all the suggestions that you had. They were great, innovative suggestions that addressed of all of my needs. You were very easy to work with and I would recommend you to anyone.

Storage to the Max!

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:23:49 GMT

Home storage is either cluttered or organized period! Clever Closets' mission was to maximize the small walk-in space and keep it functional. One of the problems in the last closet was that the hanging was perpendicular to the back wall which makes it hard to see and to get to. We solved this problem by double hanging parallel to the back wall to square the closet up. The customer also wanted to maximize storage space by running a top shelf over the door and round the closet. This is a good place to keep out of season clothing or anything else that doesn't need to be accessible on a regular basis. Last but not least we installed six 30" raised panel drawers. Now that's a clever closet!

Wonderful Closets!

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:28:39 GMT

"We thank both you and Barbara for your fine work and especially your work ethics, of coming on time and honoring all that you had planned to do for us. This is a rare thing these days. We have been showing off your handiwork to our family and friends. Again, if you ever need to show our type of space off to others here in our community, we would be glad to be available for you."

Kim and Chris Bishop

Warm Office

Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:36:09 GMT

Here's another case of changing a bedroom into a home office. It's usually a perfect size to fit all your office needs. In this work place the customer was looking for a desk, cabinets, and a built in hutch. To give the space a more elegant look we installed base molding to all the furniture. This lowers the bottom shelf and gives more space for the doors and drawers. The tower was designed for her wrapping paper so Clever Closets installed a wood finish so that the paper wouldn't slide out(pictured above). The hutch was custom cut to fit in the cove towards the back of the office. We pulled the plugs out so that they would be on the panel while everything is finished nice. This space is for their printer, router, and shelving for books. Their was room for three drawers in the desk, including two six inch drawers and one ten inch drawer. The door and drawers are our premier fronts made in Italy.

Dark Chocolate From Floor to Ceiling

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:44:59 GMT

Not only is dark chocolate filled with antioxidants but is also rich in flavor. The customer and Clever Closets worked hard to make sure the closet was rich in appearance. Like its sister closet "White Chocolate from Floor to Ceiling" it has base molding and crown molding from floor to ceiling. All the shelves in the closet were bull nosed instead of the standard straight edge. This gives it the extra wow effect when walking into the closet. We also added a bank of drawers, hamper, pull-out shelf, pants rack, valet rod, swivel belt rack, and tie rack. Everything a guy needs in a closet.

Scenic Overload

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 14:52:25 GMT

After the busiest month ever we had a business trip planned for early March to visit our supplier in Scottsdale, Arizona. Right when we arrived at the Phoenix airport we went to visit Premier Garage's factory that our supplier just purchased. There's a couple of new plans going on for Clever Closets. First, we are getting rid of our current garage cabinets and replacing them with new cabinets with more finishes and options. Second, we will be getting into the epoxy garage flooring business. Although the trip was for business we had a few fun and relaxing days while we were there. On Sunday we left early in the morning to see the red rocks in Sedona, Arizona. We ended up renting two quads to take on the scenic trails. If you ever get the chance to visit Arizona, I highly recommend visiting Sedona. It's always nice to come home to nice weather and getting back to business.

Solid as a Stone

Sun, 28 Sep 2014 14:59:49 GMT

Not only does Clever Closets give a lifetime warranty but we also build it to endure anything you throw at it. To make this small walk-in efficient Greg (Owner & Designer) double hung the back wall and added two pants racks to save space. Some other features were two oil rubbed bronze valet rods, base molding, shoe fences, and a granite counter top with a mirror.

Soft as a Pillow Top

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:25:09 GMT

It is always fun when there is a challenge that takes some creativity to design a closet. The big challenge was to create a functional closet that flows nicely with a funky section that breaks up the back wall. We got lucky that the width of the cove was 18 inches, which a standard 18 inch pants rack could fit. This pants rack holds 8 pairs of pants plus they had two 24 inch pants racks that both hold 12 pairs of pants. The cove made it hard to hang on the opposite wall so we designed in some double hang in the corner of the closet and long hang near the door. This made the closet flow with nothing hanging in your face.

The Rare Triple Hutch

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 17:16:48 GMT

The way the closet was laid out before the tear out, it had double hang all across the two long walls with pneumatic pull downs. When you would go to pull them down you end up backing up into the double hanging on the other side. Right away Greg (Owner, Designer, & Installer) suggested moving the hanging on the short walls which makes the closet feel bigger because there isn't that narrow isle way. Another challenge that came across was a riser that had just enough room for a hutch but since you can't stand on the riser we had to cut the hutch bottom and put one less drawer in so that the top drawer wasn't too high. This closet had a candlelight wood finish with satin nickle hardware and two satin nickle pants racks in the hutch.

Spice Things Up!

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:55:09 GMT

Seeing everything is the key with pantries because if you can't see it you won't eat it. Clever Closets uses 14inch deep shelving instead of the standard 20inch and even 24inches, this way it doesn't create the dark tunnel effect. We also suggest to put like height objects on the same shelf to save space. For this pantry we installed three wine racks and three spice racks that pull out on full extension tracks so you can see everything. Right when you walk in there's a premier antique white drawer with three baskets underneath it. Now that's spicing things up.

Give The Gift Of A Custom Office!

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:23:04 GMT

A recent Clever Closets installation was a custom office for our client Kelly of Grand Blanc, Michigan. Kelly gave herself a custom office as her birthday gift! Her custom office includes drawers with hanging file folder hardware, upper cabinets with lots of storage behind doors and a wonderful countertop/work space all finished Clever Closets white Shaker style cabinetry. The office was custom designed to fit perfectly in her space.

If you are in search of a unique gift for yourself or someone else consider a custom home office designed by Clever Closets!

Private Island!

Sun, 31 Aug 2014 17:33:24 GMT

Everyone has dreamed about owning an island, well Clever Closets will sell you one for a very affordable price. As you open the door to this massive closet your eye goes straight to the custom island with a couple of chandeliers. The island consists of eight drawers, eight shelves, and a brown and black formica top. This master is a bonus room over the garage with a slopped ceiling on both sides, so Greg(Owner, Designer, & Installer) made sure that the hanging and the shelving could be accessed without hitting your head. Next to the main entrance we were able to fit a standard tower with hanging above their laundry baskets and a shoe tower with satin nickle shoe fences. Now what are you waiting for, get your island now!

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:40:19 GMT

On the other hand what can I do on a rainy day??? Purge closets, pantry and my garage! Grab some boxes for donations and some garbage bags for garbage. Make a gloomy day productive! Throw out clothing that you haven't worn in one year, food past it's use by date and any products in the garage that have expired. DONE!!!!

Candlelight, What A Sight!

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 17:52:04 GMT

The Pictures don't do it justice with this candlelight custom closet. It really gets your attention with our premier five piece recessed panel door and drawer fronts from Italy. These doors come standard with soft close door hinges, and the drawers were upgraded to a wood veneer drawer box with full extension tracks. The customer choose to use satin nickel hardware for the poles, crescent handles, basket, shoe fences, and pants rack. Clever Closets built a custom slot for their ironing board with a couple shelves for the iron and other supplies.

Bloomfield Township Antique White Walk-In

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:08:15 GMT

Clever Closets just completed a closet installation, satisfying our customer's need for shoes towers. We tipped the shelves in one of the towers and used shoe fences to showcase the shoes. He also wanted the option to switch one of the shelving towers into hanging (at a later date) so we cut two poles to fit where the shelving is. Greg designed the closet so the hanging is across the entire back wall and towers flank the left side. This creates an open feeling in the room. No clothes should ever hang in your face. This also made the narrow part of the closet wider because hanging takes up 24 inches and shelving is only 14 inches deep.

Thank you for visiting!

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:26:47 GMT

Thank you for visiting our site! This is our news section, stay tuned for the latest from Clever Closets!