Building A Better Closet :: 3 Ways to Mack Out Your Closet
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Remember when a closet was just a rod, a shelf and maybe three or four feet wide? Today, closets have evolved into rooms, some are even large enough for entertaining. (Yeah! Like I want to hold a party in my closet. Spill some wine on the sacred wardrobe and you’re outta here!)
Mariah Carey’s closet photographed by Scott Frances via Architectural Digest
Gargantuan closets would have made more sense in the 1800’s when women were actually twirling around in ballgowns. But back to the rest of us here today, our closets have needs that can be addressed without a 10′ x 14′ addition.
Here are some clever ideas for achieving the ultimate organized closet.
* Shoe Shelves
The slanted ones are just not efficient, fine for retail but not home use. Plain, straight, adjustable shelves, just like bookshelves will work wonders for organizing shoes whether you prefer to keep them in boxes or not.
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* Lighting
Most closets will benefit from lighting, but not a window unless faded clothing is a goal. Add a luxurious touch to a standard sized closet with LED clothing rods.
Who want’s to get to work only to realize they put on navy pants with a black blazer. This is not what Mademoiselle Chanel meant when she suggested it was okay to pair black and navy.
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* Wardrobe Systems
Popular in Europe where (can you even imagine) bedrooms don’t always come with a closet, wardrobe systems can figure as a sizable and stylish solution. A wardrobe system is often installed at the end of a room, provides the perfect dressing area feel of a spacious walk-in closet.
Snaidero offers a number of very stylish wardrobe systems with plenty of customizable options.
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If DIY is more your taste and patience is not one of your virtues, the high style look is a quick and affordable option from IKEA. For under $500 and in less than a couple of hours this ELGA system can be working closet magic.
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Regardless of size the right amenities can give you the ultimate closet for your particular needs and space. If you have an extra bedroom, the kids have moved on (or need to), here is a great example of a walk-in closet built from non-closet items readily available at IKEA. Great closets can be built within any budget.
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Shout out to designer Lisa Smith aka The Decor Girl, a regular contributor. We too are fans of IKEA. We covered enters at our local IKEA, here. Here’s a nice article from This Old House on Closet Design Principles, if you wanted to learn more. Building Moxie, too, has covered closet design several times. To see more articles, refer to our Closet category. ~jb
My wife wants this something bad! Heck me too… Great post title by the way!
Oh yeah, is there a fashion loving woman who would not want a lounge worthy size closet? Thanks for stopping by. I have to give JB credit for the title – the Wordman!
Lisa
Wow! I could live in those closets. Where’s the kitchenette? Love the LED lighted closet rods!
Well, then we’d need to add a wine cooler too… Aren’t those lighted rods great? Saw them last year at KBIS – can’t wait to try for myself.
Thanks Bill!
Lisa
I think the Europeans have it right – if you don’t have a lot of closet space, you won’t buy a lot of stuff you don’t really need. And I could never pair navy with black. That would bug me.