Walk-In Closet Organization
Hanging Items
Maximize your closet's height with a double-rod closet organizer. Organize shorter clothes, such as blouses and tank tops, on the upper bar, and pants and skirts below. Trim down on wasted space by designating a place for empty hangers, such as an end of one bar. Reserve shelf space for folded garments, such as T-shirts and sweaters, that don't necessarily need to be hanged.
Folded Items
Wire closet organizers look nice and streamline walk-in closet storage, and they are also a good way to let clothes breathe. Ventilated shelves allow clothes to air out so they are less likely to harbor mold and pests. Many wire shelving systems offer snap-on shelf dividers that let you to sort clothes more thoroughly. Remember to sort like with like, and keep stacks of clothes below 1-foot in height to ensure they don't topple over.
Hamper Solutions
Where there are clean clothes, dirty ones are usually nearby -- and likely in a jumble on the floor. Make walk-in closet organization and laundry day easier by adding a hamper inside your walk-in closet. Choose a portable hamper with handles or wheels, or free up floor space with an over-the-door design. A divided laundry bag allows you to presort items before washday.
Storing Shoes
Did you know that the average woman owns 40 pairs of shoes? Before deciding how to store your shoes, take a meticulous inventory of what you have. There are many shoe storage options for walk-in closets -- from small cubbies to spacious pullout shelves. Keeping shoes visible, sorted, and easy to access encourages an efficient morning and cleanup routine. Slender shoes, such as flats and flip-flops, can fit two to a cubby. Tall boots can sit atop high shelves when out of season and on boot trays on the floor when worn frequently. A tall, glass-front cabinet pairs shoes in one convenient place that's easy to see. Acrylic shoeboxes achieve a similar effect and can be stacked on shelves or on the floor. Over the door and hanging shoe organizers are great ways to free up floor space and enlist vertical storage.
Accessories Ideas
Accessories come in all shapes and sizes, calling for a personalized storage system to accommodate every little thing. If your closet is also your dressing area, create a small vanity with a mirror for a mini grooming station, and place a jewelry tree or jewelry box on top to ease your morning dressing routine. Drawer organizers are another jewelry storage idea if you feel more comfortable keeping items out of sight. Purses can hang neatly on hooks and hangers, and small clutches fit perfectly in shoe cubbies. Place seasonal items such as scarves, gloves, and hats in lidded bins. Adhesive storage labels take closet organization to the next level and cut down on search time.
A custom closet system, available at local home improvement centers, is an easy way to update a typical 8x10-foot master closet -- and it can be installed in a weekend or less. Choose from a selection of drawers, clothes rods, shelves, and shoe storage to make the most of your closet space. Customizable accessories, such as modular drawer dividers, can help you further organize your walk-in closet. Consider adding a small charging station to your walk-in closet so that cell phones, music players, and tablets can recharge overnight.
Lighting: Dress in Style
Good lighting is often overlooked when planning a closet makeover, but it's an important feature to consider in clothing closets so you can see colors accurately. Look for a ceiling-mount light that will provide extra illumination in walk-in closets. Lamps and closet windows are also great lighting options. If your walk-in closet has a window, install a light-blocking shade for privacy and to prevent clothing items from fading in the sun.
Tour the Ultimate Walk-In Closet
-A walk-in closet is at the top of many wish lists. Typically, they offer a lot of space, but no organization. I'm Jill Waage with Better Homes and Gardens and I'm going to show you my favorite tricks for creating a hard working walk-in closet. And best of all, this one's made with it easy do-it-yourself components that cost thousands less than custom. And in order to keep this dream closet attainable, we [unk] and ready to assemble storage components available at home centers and online. These units assemble quickly with a few basic hand tools, and you can take them with you if you move. And best of all, a closet of ready-to-assemble components can cost thousands less than a custom built one. So, let's take a look at how we pack this 8 x 10 walk-in closet with strategies that target all your day-to-day storage needs. First and foremost, closets are for clothes. This closet features several hanging bars for short garments such as shirts and skirts as well as the small section for long dresses and coats. Monogram hangers throughout offer a touch of refinement and personality. A sliding trouser rack keeps pants neat and wrinkle free. Labelled drawer units organize folded clothing. This closet is a shoe lover's paradise with angled shelves to hold all of the footwear while a motorized revolving rack puts a clever spin on necktie storage. Belts and socks stay in place thanks to pull-outs with divided inserts. Cellphones can recharge in 1 convenient drawer. And jewelry easily lifts out on trays so you can try on bits of bling at the nearby dressing station. A 6-section insert to this large compartment categorizes purses and more. Even the door plays a role in organizing accessories with a canvass shelf that unfolds to hold hats and bags. Clothing needs to be cleaned and cared for, a fact of life that this closet doesn't neglect. This bottom hinge door opens to reveal a deep wire hamper. Bags to gather hand washed items and dry cleaning are close at hand as is a shelf of stain treaters. Best of all, the closet features a built-in ironing board for quick touch-ups. The entire unit folds up in seconds and requires just a sliver of space 8 inches wide. Off-season clothing and extra bedding are housed in coordinating canvass bins that feature sturdy metal frames and zipper closures. Hat boxes make the most of the closet's highest shelf while drawer inserts bring extra purpose to the bottommost areas. Just make sure your flooring allows the drawers to open smoothly. To get the most out of your walk-in closet, think of it as any other room in your home and plan for the special features you'll really use. I'm Jill Waage with Better Homes and Gardens.
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