Tips for an Organized Closet
Every morning, I enter my new walk-in closet – and want to shout at the top of my lungs “It’s About Time!”. I feel like a real grown up and in some sense, I feel like I’ve made it with my new custom-built closet. It’s the small things in life, right?
We partnered with local custom closet makers, Built to Last Custom Closets, to craft our closet storage solutions in our new home. Efficient storage, beautiful finishes for added texture, and elevated hardware selections were just a portion of the decisions we made when customizing our closets throughout our entire home.
All photos by Chelsie Lopez Production
All good design starts with a list of our goals, how did our past closets fall short, how do we currently put away our clothing, and considering other important storage needs such as accessories and keepsakes.
Organized Solutions
Custom storage allows you to maximize your solutions, there aren’t any fillers in any of our spaces or dead corners that aren’t being used. We had Built to Last Custom Closets provide detailed drawings of the proposed spaces and spent time sorting through our current clothing inventory to be sure everything had a home. With ease, we were able to make adjustments to these drawings before materials were ordered.
It’s important to separate the storage into hanging (tall and short hanging – think about those summer dresses and the seasonal blazers), folded options for quick and easy grab and go (jeans and sweaters), closed storage for underwear, socks and exercise clothing.
Closet Within a Closet
It was decided after framing of our new home, my closet felt too massive. I’ve always wanted a cedar chest, a place for keepsakes. With some brainstorming, we created a built in cedar closet. Our team handled the framing and cedar planking, BTL outfitted the beautiful gold hanging rods and shelving above. It worked out so well, I actually keep my long hanging in this closet. Yes, cedar has an odor – a few sprays of my favorite Jo Malone perfume handles that.
Accessory Storage
We’re talking about the other 50% of the things we keep in our closets. I have grown accustomed to shoving purses and shoes into tight spaces. Often all over the floor or shoved in a drawer where they are forgotten about. In our closet plan we optimized this storage with shelving above our hanging options, hat and shoe racks with plenty of open shelving to stack additional non garment items. Let’s not forget the built in hamper, we debated on this one – but oh so glad we added it in. I would be so bummed with the final product to now stare at a hamper filled with dirty clothes in the corner.
High End Finishes
Standard custom closets come with white melamine material. While it gets the job done, especially in kids rooms or linen closets, we opted for a few upgrades. A wood grain melamine in the his and hers closets paired with elevated brass rods. The cabinet hardware we sourced on our own from Restoration Hardware. Charlie’s closet, as it is visible from the hallway we opted for a gray painted melamine as well, also paired with gold hardware. In one final closet on the lower level, we changed the hardware to a matte black, as it pairs with the door hardware on this floor of the house.
The options to add personality, different finishes, and hardware combinations are endless. Have fun with it, and don’t let this be the final decision of your new space. Make a plan early on, custom closets have lead times as well. This is a craft and the install crew likes a solid plan in place that lends itself to a successful install for everyone.
Final tip: Go the extra mile and splurge for the wood hangers. It’s ok to dump the wire and plastic hangers. Purge your closet of items you no longer wear (even if they’re still cute), for a clean aesthetic that makes getting ready easy and functional every day. Way to set yourself up for success!
Give our friends at Built to Last Custom Closets a follow for additional organizational inspiration.
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Thanks for following along,
Katie Kath + Jkath Team
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