Creating Your Custom Closet

Your closet is one of the most vital spaces in your home. Since your closet houses the important clothing that you need on a daily basis, having a well organized closet can be key to saving time and providing the protection for your wardrobe. Whether yours is a reach-in or walk-in, a custom designed system can significantly lessen the amount of time rummaging through your closet for that perfect outfit. While you are at it, your efforts will pay high dividends when it comes time to sell your home. Following are some considerations as you approach your project:

Function
Function is likely first and foremost on the minds of those looking for storage in their closets. Builders often leave the homeowner with a system that is composed of partial board nailed to the wall. It is not dynamic in anyway, and often times the least efficient means of storing your cloths. There have been many advances in the areas of functional hardware the past few years.

Design
Who wants to spend hard earned money on something that is unattractive? Can not say anybody comes to my mind. Reworking storage space does not need to be an expensive proposition, but nonetheless it will set you back several hundred dollars for a small closet. While many people believe that in order to achieve the function they desire that they must sacrifice in the area of beauty. This is no longer true. Advances in laminate materials has made the possibility of having a high quality cherry, maple, oak, or other wood looking product as the materials used to build your closet. Some prefer, even enjoy, a stark white closet organizer. These people remain easy to please, but no longer must anybody settle for lack of color.

For those who have larger walk in closets, we recommend that you have high expectations for your space. A walk in closet is an exceptional asset for your home. It is also likely a place you spend much of your time preparing for your day. In this case, your closet really should be a comfortable place. Well lit and appointed so that you feel at home, not like you are in some dim vault. If space provides, leave room in your design for a place to sit. A full length mirror would be handy as well.

Budget
A variety of materials and systems are available from either your local home center or a custom closet dealer. The costs of these products vary as much as their aesthetic appeal. The products found at your local home center very well may meet you needs, and more likely your budget. You will be limited by their selection of hardware, colors, and the size of closet, whereas a custom closet dealer will have a wider selection of materials and the ability to build to suit.

Size
Size need not be a limiting factor in your closet renovation. While a large walk-in closet offers a great deal of options, your greatest gain in functionality might come from reorganizing a smaller space. If your reach-in or coat closet is still outfitted with the hardware installed by the builder, chances are that you could make much better se of that space. These spaces can become a great place to recoup useful storage, especially if you are lacking adequate storage throughout you entire home.

If you should be the benefactor of a large walk in closet, your options abound. Your closet is beckoning you to utilize it in far more efficient ways than you imagined. If configured well, you have the opportunity to rid your bedroom of any furniture storing clothing, like a dresser, chest, or armoire. This will free up useful space in the master suite for a sitting area, or that art you so desired to put on display.

Materials
One of your greatest opportunities to have great design will come with the tone of materials you choose. While if you are extremely budget conscious, white will likely always be the least expensive option, there are many other tones and textures to choose from. Most closet system manufactures provide storage systems that are made from high quality laminates. These laminates are not real wood veneers, but are photo laminates made to look like their solid wood counterparts. These products are good quality products. Compare their durability and variety to that of the several laminate floating wood floors. Since real woods are not used, once you determine you are not going to use whites, there is less of a cost difference between a maple, cherry, or walnut toned product. Tones and woods once reserved for the high end, expensive projects are now available for use in your closet!

Perhaps you are looking for a higher end closet. Some cabinet companies do offer closet storage that is constructed much like traditional cabinetry. These systems are exquisite and greatly add to resale as well as to your appreciation of the space. These products will be of a greater cost as they are built with sold woods and veneers.

Content
What are you storing? A closet should never be designed with out an onsite quantitative analysis of the contents of your closet. Every person requires a varying amount of shoe storage, sitting space, full / double / triple hanging space, and shelving. You may also require more than one hamper for dirty cloths. How you use your closet is a great deal important when laying out the design. Your closet consultant may also recommend new ways that you could utilize the space that you never conceived of. This is vitally important when it comes to the function of your new space.

All things considered, your closet may be one of your best opportunities to increase your quality of life in you home without the addition of square feet. Maximize your use of existing space, and perhaps create a room that offers you comfort during that precious prep time every morning.

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