All About Closets and more

Closet shelving

2011-03-01T07:06:00.002-06:00

The importance of closet shelving is by far often overlooked. The spending habits of consumers are different than that of their parents. Today we can purchase more clothing at a lesser cost than our parents did. This is a big contributor to an overloaded closet. Most people that do not have a closet organizer and have a large wardrobe are constanly frustrated by their unorganized closet. A closet is much like a kitchen. We are in our closet at least 2 times a day. If we did not have the proper cabinetry in our kitchen life would be very difficult to find things. The same holds true for your closet. Properly designed closet shelving is essential to keep your life and clothes more organized. People have told me that they actually purchase less clothes because they can now see all of the clothes they have.

Baby furniture

2011-02-28T13:24:00.002-06:00

Most people think they need to go out and purchase new baby furniture for their new little one. Fact is, you can fit more in a closet with an organization system than you could in a small or mid size piece of furniture. Closet systems can be altered in the future to accomidate a growing child. When a child is an infant your design should have a triple hang which will cange to a double hang in about 3 to 5 years. Having shelving, drawers and baskets are priceless when trying to organize the ever changing child wardrobe. Think about doing the closet of your new little addition before buying the new baby furniture. You might even save money.

3-D drawings

2011-02-28T13:09:00.003-06:00

One of the great functions of using a cad drawing system is that the customer gets a 3-d drawing with color to help visualize how their closet works. When drawing with a computer the customer has a real sense of comfort knowing that they understand what their closet will look like before it is installed. Using the computer allows to make any revisions simple by clicking erase and adding another unit in it's place.

Spring is in the air

2011-02-21T06:33:00.003-06:00

Spring is around the corner. Rain, warmer weather and the need to clean out the garage! I love this garage design that was recently finished for one of our customers. Her husband's frustrations are over trying to search for lost or misplaced tools. Plus, they can actually pull two cars into their three car garage. Custom cabinets, hooks on the walls, sliding baskets for balls and other sports equipment and a work bench completed this organized look.

Contemporary Flare!

2011-02-17T20:05:00.006-06:00

I love this new contemporary look! A customer asked if we could replicate a high end European cabinet that she saw at the merchandise mart except she wanted it in blue. It was so fun to be able to take her ideas and make them a reality. She used to have a small table in this space where all her papers, mail and entertaining stuff ended up. Now she has a beautiful entertaining area where everything is organized and behind doors.

Household Organization Tips

2011-02-16T08:53:00.004-06:00

Struggling with Clutter, chaos and disorganization in your home can waste a lot of time everyday. If you want to make better use of your time and have more peace of mind, then gain control of the organization in your home. Take the time to arrange your belongings and develop methods to keep things under control. This will allow you more free time in the future for more enjoyable pursuits.

Get Rid of Things You Don't Need: A basic method of making your home neater and more organized is to get rid of some things. Go through clothing, books, old toys, kitchen gadgets, and anything else that is cluttering up your house. Box up things you never use and sell them online or give them away to a charity, friend or neighbor. Someone else is sure to appreciate the things that are getting in your way. This will free up more room in your house to organize the things that you need and use regularly.

Make Places for Things: It's hard to put something away when there is nowhere to put it. Designate locations for things and make a point of keeping them there. Use a large built in shelf to hold all of your books. Once you clear your kitchen cabinets of things you don't need, use the extra space to store dishes, staple foods, small appliances, cutlery and lines. Organize dressers and closets to store clothing in a rational and efficient way. The key to making this work is to have more space than possessions. Many people acquire extra space by building an addition or buying a larger house, then simply filling the extra space with even more junk. Go in the opposite direction as much as you can. You will find your house becoming neater, more spacious, and more pleasant to spend time in.

Utilize Inconvenient Space: Every house has space that isn't particularly accessible. Garages, basements, crawlspaces, and the backs of oddly shaped closes are examples. Put the things that you rarely use but don't want to get rid of into these out-of-the-way places. Examples might be camping gear, coolers, sports equipment, or mementos from your youth. Some of these things won't be touched for years, so there's no reason to have them taking up valuable shelf space in your living room. Box them up securely, write what's in the box on the front of the box with magic marker, and hide it in the crawlspace. Now you still have it, but its completely out of the way.

Where do I put my wet boots?

2011-02-15T15:37:00.003-06:00

I didn't know that a mud room could or would bring me such excitement! With two small kids, getting in the door in the winter was always an event. My daughter would walk two feet in the door, drop her stuff and sit down to take off her shoes or boots. The rest of us would be tripping over her and trying to leap over her to get our own shoes off.

I would also find myself screaming from the back of the pile, keep your wet boots on the rug (referencing our small runner that is supposed to catch all the mud and snow from the shoes and boots).

The mud room has changed our entry into the house making it stress free. Now we walk in, each child knows where to hang their coats, hats and where to put their boots. I don't trip over anyone and I certainly don't need to worry about their clothes and boots landing on a small runner.

Thank you mud room.....you have made my days easier.

Everybody's working for the weekend!

2010-09-03T20:11:00.004-05:00

Am I showing my age when the song by Loverboy, "everybody's working for the weekend" pops into my head? What a great catchy tune and also brings me back to those days when I had some of my first jobs and all I looked forward to was 5:00 on a Friday. That dreadful grind that gleamed with hope of better careers to come in the future. One of my first jobs, at the age of 16, was to fold napkins for a banquet hall. I was the best folder and would challenge myself to get more napkins folded than all the other half interested teenagers who were hired to fold napkins into fancy shapes. Although dreadful at the time, I still use a lot of what I learned in those long hours of folding napkins. Discipline, persistence, creativity........When you come over to my house for a dinner party, you better believe you have a fancy folded napkin at your plate!

As this economy continues to hit hard times, I am surrounded by many people who have got laid off, downsized, rightsized, company went bankrupt, etc. These people have found themselves in situations were they are doing whatever it takes to make extra money, even if they have to fold napkins. I couldn't help but reference my latest book that I am reading, "Start Where You Are", by Chris Gardner. Many people know him better by the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness". If you haven't had a chance to watch the movie or read the book, I highly recommend it. I had the privilege to listen to him speak live. He is humble but worked hard (really hard) and made a lot of sacrifices that most people would not be willing to make to arrive where he is today. His main focus was being the kind of dad that he never had the ability to experience.

2010-08-16T16:59:00.001-05:00

Pantries are a great space in your home to organize. Here is my favorite addition to a pantry or space in your kitchen that helps keep everything looking organized and easy to see!

My favorite kitchens

2010-08-10T21:20:00.004-05:00

Monday, Monday

2010-08-09T07:19:00.001-05:00

Does anyone else feel the craze of Monday? Why is it so difficult to get back in the routine after a weekend? Every Sunday, I say to myself I am going to have everything organized so that when Monday morning arrives I can get up, get ready for work, get the kids ready for school, breakfast on the table and leave happily whistling a tune to start my day. Some how that tune turns into screaming, crying and running to make it on time.

I have learned to organize myself at night, kids school items on the table ready to go, shoes and backpacks in the lockers by the door, suit handing on the valet rod in the laundry room, car loaded and ready to go. It works some days but the pressing time restraints that hit on Monday seem to alter any previous organization.

I must run since I late and I hear figting in the background. I just wanted to assure any working mom that you are not alone in your Monday scramble! As an organization guru, no locker system, custom closet, laundry room shelves, etc. can withstand the craze of Monday.

Back to school ritual!

2010-08-06T20:27:00.002-05:00

I have fond memories of going back to school. The fun of getting school supplies, buying new back to school clothes, finding out who my teacher was and who was going to be in my class. Nobody warned me that on the other end of this was a parent who was dreading this "back to school ritual". The time, money, chaos and frenzy that all hits in a small time frame. Who ever started buying new clothes to go back to school anyway? Can't the kids just wear the same clothes they had all summer long and wait until all the fall clothes come out on sale? After all, most clothes are out a full season before you really need them. Being the organization guru, I also feel compelled that when they get their new clothes, that I need to start organizing and purging the old clothes. This, of course, has to be labeled and sorted according to what I am planning on doing with the outgrown clothes. There is a pile for "good will", a pile for my friends who have younger kids and a pile for those couple items I just can't seem to give away. I am not sure what is so sentimental about a couple of frilly dresses and a couple cute sweater vests, but I still hold onto them. I am sure that I have given some of you the advice to get rid of this stuff to declutter, but I truly understand a couple pieces that you just love to keep.

What does all this amount to? Well, I have gracefully learned to accept this ritual for what it is.....the next page in a book for your little one to enter into a new school grade and for you to realize they are one year closer to growing independent. With all its chaos and craziness, I wouldn't miss the back to school ritual. It is almost like a party to celebrate the next year in school. In fact, I think parents should start their own "back to school ritual". We could do it honor of us not being able to fit into our clothes anymore or in celebration of just making it through another year!

Summer is here! Now Lets Enjoy it!

2010-07-22T14:05:00.005-05:00

Summer is a time for rest and relaxation. Having an organized home makes one feel more relaxed throughout the day. We have to put together a few tips to help you get and stay organized so you can enjoy the summer!

Tips for Designing a Laundry Room

Laundry rooms are typically a home organizer's nightmare. They are those little messy rooms that just keep getting cluttered no matter how hard you try to organize them. Here are a few simple and bright ideas to help you make your laundry room a better and more inviting place:

Good Lighting - Lighting up the laundry area can bring up a dramatic difference in the space. Also having windows through which light and air can flow in would be a good boost to the whole washing experience.

Orderly Arrangement - Like any other room, unnecessary clutter can give the space a dirty look. Having a closed basket for dumping soiled clothes rather than heaping them on the floor or inside the cabinet would give a more organized look.

Having overhead closed cabinet spaces gives more space and scope for artistic and creative ideas to flow. The cabinets can be painted in creative designs and colors to bring life to the area.

Keeping detergents, sewing kit, laundry shampoos, start and other such items needed in the laundry room within cabinets gives it easier access and avoids using up other storing spaces in the house.

The wall attached ironing board is an ideal option for laundry areas with less space. Having the iron box in the laundry room ensures that clothes leave the laundry room in wearable form.

Like any other area of your house, you can add to the ambience of the laundry room or area with potted plants, different color patterns.

Bring out your music system to your laundry area, let the music play or get that book you always wanted to read and enjoy it while your clothes spin. Laundry time would never be a chore again!!

Source: Homedesigning.com

Why choose a closet company?

2010-05-26T11:47:00.008-05:00

Some people ask:
Why would I go with a closet company instead of companies that will sell you the parts?
The answers are simple.
1. The company has not been to your home to see the space or inventory your items. How will you know if your space is designed properly?
2. Any place that will sell you the parts most likely will not install the units. You will either have to transport the material to your home or they will be delivered to your house in boxes from a major carrier.
3. Once you receive and install the units, you own them. If you measured the space wrong, damaged some material or did not install the units properly the responsibility is on the consumer.

The benefits of using a closet company are simple.
1. Closet companies will come to your home to see what the space is and what needs to go back in the space. Designers are trained in closet design. There is a certain way to designing closet systems that most people would not know about.
2. Closet companies will manufacture, deliver and install the systems. This is all done by trained professionals. There is a certain way to install and support the systems to ensure they can withstand the weight and everyday useage. If there is a problem with a measurement or a faulty part the closet comapny will be responsible for any mistakes and will fix it.
3. Most closet companies offer a lifetime warranty. All About Closets takes this very serious. If anything goes wrong with your system we will fix the problem free of charge.
With most services there is a reason why you should pay a bit more. You will have the confidence that it will be done right by a trained professional with a lifetime warranty.
This is one product that the old saying, you get what you pay for holds true.
I have gone to some houses where the customer tried to do it yourself and it is useally not a great result.
Do your research and pay a little more. You will not regret it.

The benefits of having an organized closet

2010-05-25T11:02:00.006-05:00

Can you imagine having a kitchen with no drawers, cabinets or places to store food. That might make your trip to the kitchen a bit frustrating. That is why we have nice cabinets with storage for all of our glasses, plates, pots, pans and so on. We need to be able to find things with ease. This saves time and effort for everybody.
How a closet works
The same holds true for your closet. We are in our closet at least twice a day and sometimes more. You will actually save time and money having an organized closet system. Let me explain how a closet works. You should be able to go to your closet and know exactly where your shoes, dresses, pants, undergarments etc are located. Having a closet organizing system will provide specific areas for each item. This will save you time because you will spend less time looking for things. This will also save you money because now that you can see everything you will be less likely to purchase the same item of clothing twice. Numerous customers have told me that they could not believe how many of the same item they had and some even still had the price tag on them.

As with kitchens you will need to have a professional design your closet system. Each closet needs to have a certain flow for ease of access.

Spring is the Perfect Time to Simplify and Reorganize

2010-03-16T08:20:00.002-05:00

How Do We Cut Through the Clutter?

We comb through each room and choose 5 things to either sell on Craigslist, donate to the local Salvation Army or to a friend. We choose things that are either broken, we don't love or are no longer useful. Maybe we've outgrown a throw pillow, or can accept that we're never going to fix that lamp or that the side table is really unnecessary. When we get proactive abut what we want to keep, it makes us feel empowered to get rid of what's dragging us down. When we choose 5 things (start small if you need to) it feels so good that it motivates us to keep going, making space, lightening the load.

Here are some of the things that have made it out the door over the years:

Frames we were saving "just in case"
Clothes that have holes or we've outgrown (no we don't hang onto them for when we lose weight)
Chipped dishes or dishes we don't love
Side table that ws too bulky in the living room
Books! We keep the ones we love, not the ones to impress guests
Old Towels (we donate them to shelters)
Miscellaneous stuff in the bathroom

Laura Joliet

Keeping your Kids Organized!

2010-02-11T08:43:00.004-06:00

If you can't see the floor of your children's rooms (or are to afraid to open the door) then it is time to take action! Help children organize their rooms in a way that make their space fun and easy to keep clean. Reassure them that putting their room in order doesn't mean they have to throw away any of their good stuff.

Organizing a Kid's Closet

Organizing a kid's closet presents a unique challenge, mainly because most children's clothes are smaller than standard hanging systems. In addition, the space often needs to double as a place for toys and games storage. Below are top tips for organizing a child's closet space:

Keep in mind children grow so adjustable shelving and poles are important
Make it kid friendly. Use baskets to hold odd shaped toys and low shelving to put their favorite toys.
Consider safety. Make sure that the shelving is secure and that it can't easily pull out from the wall.
Don't forget a laundry basket. Wire laundry baskets allow for ventilation to the dirty clothes and easily removed to bring to the laundry room.

New Year New Organized You!

2010-01-05T09:50:00.006-06:00

Did you know that 48% of American's Adults say they are at least somewhat likely to make a New year's Resolution this year? What made your list for 2010? If getting organized and making more time to spend with family and friends tops your list, here are some ideas to get you started and help you find more time.

Closet Organization Tips

If you haven't worn it in the last 12 months, it doesn't fit, if it's out of style or you don't feel good about yourself when you wear it, get rid of it!

Store your clothes according to season you can keep your "off-season" in a different part of the house if you run short on space.

You can organize your clothing according to purpose (formal, casual), type (shirts, pants), style (short sleeves, long sleeves) and color (light to dark).

Seperate out catagories of clothing like men's / women's, pant/shirts by assigning each section a different part of the closet.

You can hang just about anything from hooks or racks attached to your closet walls: purses, belts, ties, jewelry, ect.

It's a Wrap!

2009-12-15T14:24:00.003-06:00

Gift giving is an exciting part of the holiday season, but the wrapping can sometimes be a little tricky. Here are some creative ways to add a little pizzazz to your gifts this year:

Wrap wine bottles with dish towels
Wrap a gift in plain colored paper towel and add an ornament on top
Use holiday print paper table clothes for extra large packages
Tie up gifts with Ponytail Holders
Use plain white paper and address it as if it were a letter with the recipient's address
Use a brown or white paper bag and decorate it with candy canes and a bow
Place the gift in a holiday print gift bag

Holiday tips

2009-11-22T21:30:00.001-06:00

Holiday Organization Tips:

It’s hard to believe, but the countdown to the 2009 holiday season has begun and planning is undoubtedly at the top of your mind. Here are some ideas to get you off on
the right foot this holiday season.

Make a list & check it twice. Don’t risk your meal planning or holiday list to memory. Great lists to have around this time of year are gift lists, budget lists, meal planning lists, holiday card lists, lists to remind you where you stowed your gifts.

Planning a party? Forget the stamps, send an online invitation! Websites like evite.com make it simple & time efficient. You can capture all of your replies in one section & even find out who has/hasn’t viewed your evite.

Send Holiday cards just in time for New Years! It will be a nice surprise for everyone & definitely stand out from the masses, plus it gives you more time to prepare.

Another important part of the planning process is simply finding last year’s decor. Searching for those extra lights, candles, stockings or outdoor decorations can be time-consuming & frustrating. An organizational system that identifies a place for everything can help relieve this added stress.

Scarey!

2009-10-15T13:40:00.002-05:00

Are you feeling like your house fits more into a Halloween scene than a Norman Rockwell paining? As a space designer, I see more situations where the space is not utilized correctly in a home and as a result, there is no organization. Add some kids into the mix and you have a recipe for chaos. But the good news is there is hope! I have worked with many clients and this the basic plan that helps them get started:
1) Pick one room or area in the home to get started
2) Designate a half a day or a whole day to finishing the space (get a babysitter - trust me it is worth the money)
3) Start in one corner and start sorting the stuff into three piles: Throw away, Give away and Organize
4) Clear the area and look at where you can best utilize the space (baskets, shelving, drawers, etc.) If you are stuck in this area then call an expert for advice.
5) Make sure that you are utilizing all space. Think vertically not only horizontally. How can you utilize the floor to ceiling in a way that represents your style and is clutter free?
6) Put everything into a home and label any bins, baskets, etc. so you know where to find everything
7) Sit back and admire your first organized, clutter free space.

Fall into a Routine

2009-09-10T14:42:00.001-05:00

When it comes to organization, developing a routine can be the key to success.
Below are a few quick tips that if done repeatedly can lead to an everyday organized lifestyle.

1. Plan ahead - Choose your clothes for the next day the night before.

2. Go through your mail daily and divide it into separate categories* Action required
(Pay, call, RSVP)* File* Shred and toss (keep a shredder near your waste/recycle)

3. Invest in a custom organizational system complete with a built-in jewelry drawer, laundry
basket or ironing board (select from dozens of accessories!)

4. If it's dirty-throw it in the hamper! Get your family accustomed to this routine and finding
favorite pieces might get a little easier

5. Designate a space for everything. Start with the essentials (keys, ties,earrings, belts, etc).

Fall is in the air!

2009-09-04T08:19:00.002-05:00

The fall chill is in the air. The days are getting shorter and the kids will soon be inside most of the day instead of outside. What does that mean for parents? Kids are going to be inside, toys scattered everywhere and more chaos inside the home instead of in the backyard.

One of my clients recently called me about this dilemma. Wondering what she should do about the clutter of toys and small parts that land all over the house. The solution is to find any space (an open wall, an entertainment center, a closet) that can be transformed into an organizational haven. I took an empty wall (lined with toys) and designed a wall unit that could easily be used for storage of toys. The baskets are great for the odd shaped toys that don't fit neatly into the shelves. The doors help conceal anything you don't want out and keep a neat appearance to the room. Making the unit floor to ceiling helps utilize the space to its maximum.

Messy Spouse

2009-08-20T11:27:00.002-05:00

There are days when I feel like I live with a teenager sharing my closet. Dirty clothes are on the floor, shirts rolled into balls and funky smells coming from the dirty clothes. I imagine that I am not alone and that someone else also experiences this teenager behavior from their spouse when it comes to organization in the closet. My only advice and saving grace has been a custom closet that at least gives a space to hold the stench of dirty clothes, a shelf that rolled up shirts can land and a drawer for clothes that usually land on the floor. It is not perfect, but at least there is place for everything to land. I can't control the smell coming from the clothes but I can control where the smell ends up.

This works not only for your spouse, but also for your kids. If they have a space to throw their clothes then at least it gets it off the floor. And you would be amazed how special a custom closet makes a teenager feel about their clothes. The investment is worth one less headache and fight!

Help - I have a toy crisis!

2009-08-06T10:10:00.002-05:00

I received a call the other day from a customer who was a having a toy crisis. Her two and four year old children's toys were taking over her house and she needed some way to control it. This is not uncommon and our designers are very familiar with this situation.

Upon arrival to the customer's house, the situation was clear. There were toys in every room, hallway and space in the house. Small parts were scattered throughout the rooms and the two year old was having a melt down because her doll's shoe was missing.

I quickly pulled out my computer and started to draw a solution to the problem. I put together a plan that would put a wall unit in the play room with pull out baskets for the large, odd shaped toys. I also added some small shelves and cubbies in an existing hall closet designated for the small loose toys. We walked into the basement to see the same situation but even more toys. I designed another wall unit with doors so that all the toys could be concealed behind closed doors.

A couple weeks later, the company installed all the ideas and quickly the toys were contained behind beautiful wall units. The customer was thrilled and felt like she had her house back. The bonus to the units was the children started cleaning up after themselves because they had a place to put all their toys! What could be better than that?

I am excited to share such a simple solution to a common problem in many homes.

Clothing Closet Organization Tips

2009-06-03T11:43:00.001-05:00

It’s my favorite season…Spring cleaning. The time when we not only scrub our baseboards but also venture into those tombs of mass containment or should I say our closets. After months of putting multitudes of misc items in any open space, we realize it’s time to sort, toss, and reclaim our belongings.
So how do you get started???

DEFINE: What is the purpose of this closet? What do I want to store here?

CATEGORIZE: By keeping like items together, you will be able to see what you have. This not only saves time but also prevents duplicate buying.

BUY A STEP STOOL: One of the biggest mistakes that I see is people not using the full space in their closets. Top shelves can be used for items that aren’t used on a regular basis or are off season.

One of my favorite things to organize is clothing closets. Yes, this organizer is a fashionista. I have helped lots of men & women find their style and reclaim their wardrobe. Here are a couple of my favorite tips.
1. Use thin hangers to save space-huggable hangers are my personal favorite
2. Use your shelf space. Fold what you can, including sweaters, tanks, and jeans.
3. If your closet is very small, flip it seasonally-pack away your off season clothes.
4. If you are saving items that don’t fit, remove them from your closet until you can wear them again.
5. If you are a visual person, use open shelving to store items and label each shelf.
6. Organize your clothes by style and color.
7. Contain the shoes. Depending on your storage space, pick a proper shoe solution. There are built in shoe racks are great!
For more great advice contact Erin Kelly at 773 490 3760
www.arrangedbyerin.com

Office clutter suggestions

2009-04-30T12:15:00.003-05:00

With spring in the air, it is the perfect time to reorganize your work space. Do you have a functional, beautiful work space that you want to go to everyday? Studies show that by having a space that is organized and provides ample room to work increases one's productivity.

Take a look at where you spend most of your time working? Answer these questions honestly:
- Do you have enough space to work?

- Is your work space covered in papers?

- Can you locate any folder, paper, file immediately? Could a coworker?

- Do you enjoy being in your work space?

- Can you find your computer? phone?

After you answer these questions, start to reevaluate your work space. How could you make it more functional and accessible to the important items that you need everyday? If you start to answer these questions and get overwhelmed, it is time to call in a designer to help you honestly assess the situation. The designer can offer design ideas and uncover unmet needs for your space. A professional designer will offer a complimentary consultation which will give a better idea of how to organize, file and bring a sense of peace to your space. Go to www.mydreamclosets.com for more ideas on how have a beautiful, functional work space.

Spring has sprung and so has the clutter

2009-04-23T11:15:00.005-05:00

As the warm weather descends upon us, the clutter in the house starts to become more apparent. The following areas in the home are the most obvious places were the clutter starts to accumulate and grow:
Entryway/Mudrooms - This is where everything is thrown upon arrival to the home. The shoes are left in the middle of the floor, the coats thrown in a pile, the umbrellas opened in the corner and bags stacked on any empty space. This is the perfect area to have custom built cabinetry or lockers put in. This gives everyone in the household a space to place their stuff and eliminates time running around looking for lost items. Custom organizational systems or built in lockers also add a great amount of storage area to the home since this area is an open space with no purpose except to collect stuff.

Home Offices - Home offices are a great place for clutter to linger. Paper work in piles, kids toys, DVDs, bills, etc. It all seems to find a place in the office. This is an opportunity to build a custom system designed around the family. Pull out baskets behind cabinets are a great space for odd shaped toys. File drawers keep the paperwork organized and doors on cabinets offer a safe hiding place for DVDs, computer programs and any other odd items that tend to accumulate on desks.

Bathrooms - Most households feel there is never enough storage in bathrooms. As a designer, I can identify dead space that can be used to build a cabinet, linen closet or some other storage area that looks beautiful and at the same time is functional. The bathroom is one room in the house that could use more creativity in the storage area that will make life easier in the morning when getting ready for work, play or to start the day.

Garages - What a perfect time of the year to declutter the garage. This is the time of year that I get really busy finding ways to organize and design organizational systems for garages. This is also one of the most crucial places where the systems are needed (besides closets) to organize and gain some sanity in the home. A couple strategic cabinets, hooks, benches, etc. and the garage goes from a clutter dump to a beautiful functional room.

Now is the time to reevaluate your home and find areas where you can maximize the space. All About Closets offers a free quote with detailed drawings of your personalized organizational systems. Even if you don't feel that now is the time to invest into your home, it is worth having a designer come out and give you more ideas on how to tackle the clutter with custom systems. You can do one area at a time or all at once, but once you start you will be amazed how it transforms your family's life.

Time to work through the clutter!

2009-04-16T11:48:00.003-05:00

Spring is here! Time to pull out the bikes, the gardening tools and the tennis rackets. If you are like most of my clients, it takes a while to find where you strategically placed all these items in preparation for winter so they would be out of the way in the garage.

Most clients call me around this time looking for help on how to best organize and utilize their garage. I have some that can't fit their second car in the garage so it has become a one car garage with a storage area next to it. And after a long winter, who wants to start rummaging through the storage depot that has accumulated over the winter. That is my job. I come into the garage, assess the space and start designing a function, beautiful space. It is amazing how adding some accessories and lifting items off the floor can increase the usable space. Plus, with minimal time and money, I can transform a storage depot into a haven for your car, gardening tools, toys, etc.

Keep posted for some exciting tips and ideas on how you can transform your garage into a space your love and want to show off to your friends and family.

Welcome Spring with an organized home!

2009-04-02T14:28:00.001-05:00

Start one room at a time and make it a family event. A good place to start is the garage, which stores most of your gardening tools and outdoor toys. Begin by making different piles of items to keep, donate and throw away. Sorth through these at least twice and then decide what organization style works best for your family-by name, activity, similar items or a combination of things. Better yet, call All About Closets (http://www.mydreamclosets/) for a free consultation. We’ll design a system that fits your lifestyle and maximizes your space.

TODAY’S PERSPECTIVE HOME BUYER: ELEVATED EXPECTATIONS

2009-04-02T14:25:00.001-05:00

The buyer in today’s real estate market is more discerning than ever. Their expectation level about the interior of the home they will purchase is more important than before. There have always been three factors that sell a home and in order they are: Location, Price and Condition. The condition factor is steadily elevating. The idea of having to update a home is passé. To compete in the market place you must have certain interior appointments in place. If you are thinking about marketing your home please consider the following to make the home superior to the competition:
●Living Room/Dining Room: Updated neutral carpet or hardwood floors.
●Kitchen: Solid surface or granite counter tops. New or newer cabinetry and hardware. Stainless steel appliances. Flooring other than vinyl. Neutral decorator colors.
●Baths: Soaking or jetted tub. Neo-classic lighting fixtures and hardware. Ceramic, marble or travertine floors.
●Home Office: Space design that reflects office. Technology wired for high speed, desk and organized storage area.
●Closets: Professionally designed organizer system in place reflecting maximum space for closet size.

In general the property inventory in today’s marketplace is plentiful. To become the buyer’s choice you must be competitive. To achieve a competitive edge, your home must be in updated condition to attract the diminished supply of buyers. Consider consulting a professional to assist you

For more great advice contact Barb Heinzel at 847-337-7751 or Holly Arnold at 847-508-5504.

2009-03-26T11:29:00.010-05:00

Little by little we’re seeing hints of it everywhere….Spring! Every year I look forward to that first day of the year when I can finally bring out the sandals and pretty colors of spring.

I also love the idea of clearing the closet of those bulky coats and sweaters and making room for pretty tops and SANDALS! Did I mention sandals-yes, I love them! Having a shoe system in my closet makes it even better, because I have a lot more room for my shoes plus they’re all there for me to see. But this isn’t the best part… I greatly enjoy the clearing of the closet and sense of calm and joy that comes with it.

I read an article on about.com that discusses the correlation between stress and clutter. It’s true! Think of how you feel when you come home after a long day at work and walk in to the sight of piles and piles clutter.

Ok, so we did some research and compiled a few tips to help you organize your closet. Having a professional designer come to your home and create a custom closet design for your closet is first and foremost. Most closet companies, such as All About Closets in Chicago, offer a complimentary consultation where they will come to your home/office, measure your space and design a custom closet unit that maximizes your space (sometimes even doubles it) and fits your lifestyle.

In any case here are some useful tips to get you started on your closet spring cleaning:

Put on some fun music, grab some garbage bags or storage bins , cleaning spray and paper towels or cleaning rags
Go through your closet and sort it into three different piles

Things to throw away (does it have holes?)
Things to donate (have you worn it within the past two years)
Things to store (next season’s clothes)
Things to keep

Wipe clean the rods/shelves
Go through your “to keep” and “to store” piles and ask yourself

Have I worn this within the last year?
How many of these do I need in this color?
Does it fit? If not, set a goal for yourself of 6 months and put the date on the bag. If they don’t fit by this date- donate them.

Finally, go through your final “to keep” pile and organize clothing by tops, bottoms and accessories
From this set, you can furhter organize by color, outfit, etc

Bravo…spring cleaning has begun. Enjoy!

Favorite closets!

Closet Solutions for a Stressed Mom

2009-03-17T16:28:00.002-05:00

Ok, so we made it out to Chicago and after consulting with my dear friend and measuring her children’s closet, we came up with a functional closet design that everyone is excited about. She loved the design and approved it on-site on our first visit. We quickly manufactured her closet and voila it was installed just a few days later. She called me late this afternoon and was excited to inform me that so far this week, they’ve made it out on time and she is even giving herself and extra 15 minutes a day to sleep in. The girls love it and promised to keep everything in place. We’re glad they’re off to a great start. We were all so excited we thought we’d share some pictures. Next, we’re working on getting designing a wall unit for her play room and maybe a locker unit for her mud room-can’t wait!

Dress up your home

2009-03-05T10:53:00.002-06:00

We came across these helpful tips from Tara Gruber, Interior Designer, that will guide you in putting the spot light on your home. We specifically like her ideas under "Details" on the importance of utilizing your spaces to their fullest potential. Pantries, utility rooms and mudrooms are ideal spaces to have custom organizational units.

If you had the opportunity to attend the Emmy’s or the Oscars, what would you wear? Wouldn’t you love to be pampered and dressed by a professional stylist? This is when all the details matter…the stilettos, the clutch handbag, the chandelier earrings, and the fake eyelashes! When selling your home, the same rules apply. You have to present your home fully dressed and accessorized. Forget about your daily mundane responsibilities like laundry, cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc. It is all about presenting the fantasy. A well staged home presents a vision for potential buyers and photographs well for online buyers. They want to visualize living in your home!!

Why does staging provide a faster sell with a higher profit?

Staging is an important marketing tool to emphasize your homes strongest assets while minimizing the weaknesses.
Real Estate is a very competitive market and continues to produce better return rates than the stock market.
Buyers will notice all the flaws…bad paint, cracks on walls, missing light fixtures, etc.
How can I dress up my home in anticipation to sell it faster and maximize profits?

De-clutter: Open your home up as much as possible. Potential buyers need to visualize where they are going to place their things. It doesn’t mean throwing away all your precious memories, but store them. Space sells!! Avoid distracting your buyer with your personal clutter and amaze them with the details!!

Drama: Give a home personality and create a memory point. Buyers may view many homes in a given day. How is your house going to stand out? Focus on the 5 senses. Captivate them with freshly baked cookies in the kitchen.

Details: Showcase your most utilized rooms as the most efficient rooms. People lead busy lives and they require quick and easy solutions. Kitchens, pantries, utility rooms, mudrooms, and bathrooms are great selling opportunities to offer generous & tidy storage options. Consider custom cabinetry to feature organized spaces. Or add architectural interest to a room with custom molding.

You can contact Tara at or 630-773-3990 or visit her website at www.tgiinteriors.com

Tales from a stressed mom

2009-02-26T12:40:00.001-06:00

I got a call from a much stressed mom and dear friend looking for solutions to her unorganized closets. She knew our story and love for closets, so as soon as I picked up the phone she began…
“We should be able to treat ourselves to an extra few minutes of sleep once in a while, but considering my morning experience I am not sure it can be called a treat….”
“As you know, I am not a morning person, so when my alarm went off at 5 a.m. I did the usual “oh no”, but responsibilities awaited, so like every morning I went to get up, but then I thought “just 5 more minutes” and so five more minutes turned into 20 minutes, there I was at 5:20 awakened by my internal clock screaming that kids had to be awakened, dressed and breakfast had to be served and somewhere in between I had to get dressed and ready to leave by 6:30…the rush began. I quickly woke everyone up and got the routine in motion. Finally, it was 6:30 a.m. and yea…we were all dressed and ready to go except my 6-year-old. She had searched and searched for her matching sock and just couldn’t find it… we all searched and searched because “no way” could she leave with mismatched socks. We searched in the closet, out of the closet, through drawers…I thought oh great it’s now 6:45 a.m. and no sock! So, I finally gave up and the child had to wear mismatched socks…there were tears and too much drama to discuss, but we had to go.
I realized this cannot happen again. I have to figure out a way to get some organization into our lives. A missing sock should not rob us of 15 plus minutes. If I add that up, let’s say twice a week for six months….we’ve lost 12 hours! That can’t be, but yes the numbers don’t lie. Messy closets and lack of organization can cost my family up to 12 hours of wasted time in just six months. Time is too precious for this. So help!”
As a designer, I completely understand, in fact, it’s this same realization- how much time is wasted searching and sorting through stuff- that often leads many of our clients to contact us. I immediately offered to come out and look at her space and design a closet system that maximizes her space and compliments their design style. Stay tuned…

Help me unclutter my world

2008-08-22T19:26:00.003-05:00

Have you ever walked into your house, room, office and felt that stuff has taken over your life? Don't feel bad, you are not alone. There are so many great things available to us it is difficult to resist that urge to bring it home and how could you possibly throw anything away? It all comes with a memory and a need that was to be met at the time. Plus, you spent how much on it? You can't possibly throw it away or even give it away. What is the solution?

You first have to start by prioritizing what is important in your life and then looking at each item and ask yourself when is the last time you actually used it? Moving it from one cluttered spot to another in your house does not count. If you start with your closet, ask yourself when was the last time you actually wore that item. If it has been over a year, that is your first item to donate to charity or sell at a garage sale. No, that piece of clothing won't come back in style and no, you won't lose that extra 25 pounds any time soon so you can wear it again. Trust me if you lose that weight, you will want to buy new clothes for yourself!

Once you have gone through the process of uncluttering, now you are ready to find a home for what remains. If you get stuck in the uncluttering process or find you can't part with any items, I recommend calling in a professional organizer to help you out. Throwing everything behind closed doors is not considered a home for your stuff. You need to continue the organizing by getting racks, bins or building custom shelves that will provide a spot for your stuff. If you get stuck at this step, I recommend calling in a custom shelving company such as a closet company that understand spacial organization.

Once you start the process, you will see the changes almost immediately. Starting can be a challenge sometimes so call a friend or family member over to get you started. Plus, someone else does not have that same emotional bond to your stuff so they will be more practical in helping you part with your items.

Have fun!

Unique solutions to sloped ceilings

2008-07-31T12:47:00.003-05:00

Sloped ceilings can be a homeowners worst fear when we are talking about a closet space. Most customers feel that this eats away space and the single shelf and pole running around the closet does not maximize the space. There is no need to fear. This can actually turn into a great space with a little creative design and quality installers.

In most situations, the best solution is to build a custom system right off of the sloped wall. If done correctly the lowest point of the slope can be used for extra storage for those bulky items like blankets, luggage, etc. It depends on the width of the space but there are many solutions that include additional hanging space, shelving and drawers. It is also important to look at the space and find ways to utilize every corner, such as with purse or hat hangers, belt racks, tie racks, etc.

Tackling a small space

2008-06-25T20:44:00.002-05:00

We work with a lot of customers in the city of Chicago who are dealing with a small space and wondering how to maximize this space and make it functional. Today, I worked with a couple who had a beautiful condo overlooking the lake but were in need of more space. The challenge was what to do with their extra room? He wanted an office space and she wanted a guest bedroom for her sister when she came to visit. We were able to accomplish both with a custom wall unit that had a murphy bed. A murphy bed folds up into the wall so that when it is not in use, the floor space is better utilized. It also keeps the room looking neat and allows for more working space for the desk that was put in the room opposite the unit. The great part about the murphy bed is that it is comfortable and practical.
The room is now functional and meets both his and her objectives for the room. In addition, they now have some additional shelf space to house some great antiques handed down from her great grandmother.
You can view a picture of a murphy bed at this link http://mydreamclosets.com/showroom.html

Organize or bust!

2008-05-22T10:44:00.005-05:00

A customer called today wondering where to start in her quest to be organized. Her goal was to get started this weekend and she was not coming out of the house until something was started. She felt overwhelmed with "stuff" that was slowly creeping into her personal living space. My suggestion is to start with a personal organizer. They can make sense of the "stuff" and give you the permission to get rid of items that you don't use or donate it to a charity. Once the "stuff" is sorted through that is where the custom closet companies come in and decide how to best utilize the space with built in systems. That is when it gets really fun because you can add all kinds of accessories that make your life easier.

There are some great professional organizers that are linked to the custom closet companies. All About Closets - chicago (mydreamclosets.com) has some links that can get your started on your quest to simplify and organize your home.

Take A Walk Through Your Closet

2008-05-08T10:59:00.004-05:00

I was exposed to a new world today called Second Life. As I flew around the different islands, I was able to redesign a kitchen and customize it to my liking and then I walked through it to see what the newly designed kitchen and appliances would look like. We have a similar program at All About Closets-Chicago that allows the customer to get a 3-D version of what their closet will look like when it is completed. At that point, the designer is able to print it out or download it for the customer so that they can show friends, family and anticipate their new purchase. It does not have the capacity to "walk or fly" into the closet but that would be really impressive to a client to be able to walk around or even start filling their virtual closet with clothes, shoes, etc.

Market to make it!

2008-04-24T09:19:00.003-05:00

As an owner of a small business, I can speak first hand about the importance of marketing. It is essential to the success or failure of a business. The best concepts in the world don't sell if no one is aware or them or do not know how to get them. Where do you start to even put together the concepts? We have discussed it many times.......ask, ask, ask everyone their opinion. Elicit responses on your product from friends, family, coworkers but don't stop with just those people. We surround ourselves with people who are like us, so it is possible they see the same view points as you. I would highly recommend going to networking events, joining chambers and organizations and doing your own informal discussions with strangers. You need to find your target market and talk to them! Find out their needs, wants, desires and then start to build your whole marketing campaign around this research. Once you have ideas, thought, outlines and plans on paper, hire a professional (unless you are one). Following my own advice, I will pose the question to you. What would you search for on line if you were looking for a custom closet or your dream closet? Where would you start? What do you want to see when you get there?

Once you get those suggestions, consider looking into Google Adwords. It is a great marketing tool that will assist with your web page traffic.

Where do I start

2008-04-17T10:02:00.004-05:00

People often ask me where to start when they need their life organized? The easiest way is to pick a room and get started! The initial first step is the hardest, but once you get going you will see what progress you will make quickly. First, you need to assess the situation. What are you dealing with? Do you need to discard some items or move items to different rooms that are more functional. For example, put the staple in the office not the kitchen. Do you need help? Is it time to call in your friends who owe you a favor or your family to support you through this cleansing?

Are you crazy?

2008-04-11T19:35:00.003-05:00

I love organizing! It makes me happy in every way. After a long hard day there is nothing better than opening up your closet to neatly organized clothes, shoes, accessories that are all color coordinated and easy to see. My closet is my place of escape. Between the kids, the phone, my husband and the pets where else do you go to get away?