Do you ever look at the beautifully designed closets in all the magazines...and drool just a little? Does your mind go to....... how do they do that or I wish it was affordable? Or quite simply to I WANT ONE?
Well, let me tell you a secret. I’ve seen a lot of closets and all the fluff, cool lighting and fancy gadgets are not what makes a well designed closet. It makes a pretty closet and a beautiful space but......that doesn't mean it is actually a functional one. I have seen gorgeous closets, where the rods were placed too low and there was clothing dragging on the floor or some shelves were cut at a cool angle but empty, because nothing could fit on them properly. I have often been unimpressed!
So what does warrant the title "A well designed closet"? Not fancy materials, not pretty pictures and not big name brand companies. YOU can create your own custom designed plan and build it however YOU want to. These four steps will tell you how:
1. TAKE DETAILED MEASUREMENTS: This first step seems simple enough but it is the most crucial. Imagine designing and ordering your dream closet and having taken a measurement incorrectly.....the pieces won't fit and you will have wasted your money. Take an accurate measurement of the wall(s) that you will be building on. Look for obstructions such as light switches, plugs, vents etc and note where they fall on the walls. Once you have everything measured, draw the space on a piece of graph paper using 1/2" scale (1/2" = 1').
2. ASSESS AND ANALYZE YOUR WARDROBE: Yes, this is meant to be as detailed as it sounds! You need to count how many pieces you have, measure how long they hang, as well as how wide and how high items are when they are stored folded. You want to make sure that you do not leave your clothes dragging on the floor or create shelves that will only fit 1 1/2 pairs of shoes instead of 2! Make notes of how much long vs short items you own, how many piles and how many pairs of shoes. Create paper "sections" (for example 3 feet long hanging, 8 piles of sweaters take 2 feet of space) to match the same scale as your graph paper.
3. MAKE SURE IT WILL ALL FIT: Remember that mess takes up less space than organization. If you want to move all of your shoes off the floor, they will take space away from something else! Using your scaled floor plan, and the cut "sections"and lay out the space that will be used for each category you noted. Remember that you can double hang short items or add extra shelves above a rod. If you find that you are quickly running out of space then you will have to come up with compromises or give something up!
4. PROPER PLACEMENT: Once you know what you will be keeping in your new space, make sure that you place the sections where they make the most sense. Go back to the obstructions you measured. Will you be covering a plug? Will your drawers open? Will you have easy access to the clothing you wear the most? Once you are comfortable with where everything is.......you have YOUR very own custom made closet!
The only thing left to do is order your creation and have someone install it for you! Easy peasy right?
Are you thinking "Is she crazy? That's a lot of work! OR I can't do all that"! I know, it can seem overwhelming........well.....I have another secret for you: There are other options!
First, I have created a service which will take the 4 steps out of your hands and put them into mine! All you have to do is fill out some forms, shop and arrange installation. Does that take some of the stress away?
Second, I have created and on line course that will teach you these steps in detail! Imagine, being able to not only create your own custom closet.......but perhaps start a new side business of your own!
I have been doing closet design for so long and I am delighted to help pass the skills onto others! Feel free to contact me with any questions and I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback in the comments!