What is the investment of a custom closet?

Taking Stock of Storage


A tip-top closet is a substantial investment, so it is wise to enlist the expertise of a closet-design specialist. On average, a professionally designed closet will cost around $2,000, but depending on the size of the space, the size of your wardrobe, and the amenities you choose, you can easily spend $40,000 or more.

The first step in any closet design is tabulating inventory. To ensure the most space-efficient layout, every tie, earring, and pair of shoes must be accounted for. "We want to see it," David Linda, president of SpaceMan Home & Office, always tells new clients. "We don't want you to tell us, we want to see what [clothes] you have." The average person, he adds in his defense, has no idea how many clothes he or she actually has until they come to him for an audit.

Storage preferences also play an important role in the design process. Jennifer Williams, president of St. Louis Closet Co., never overlooks any lifestyle detail when considering a new design: "Are your pants hung over the hanger or by the cuff? Do you roll your ties or hang them? Are sweaters folded or hung? Do you want drawers for your undergarments?" Those are a few of the detailed questions she asks clients.

How Much Room?

The space itself is the next major concern. In new homes, designers typically have a lot more control over the size and shape of a closet. David Linda's SpaceMan Home & Office is based in Houston, where a good chunk of business comes from newly developed high-end properties. "Everything here is new and more modern, and they actually plan for closets, as opposed to old houses," he says. "They frequently have 15-by-20-foot closets."

Many people in the market for a closet makeover don't have the luxury of a newly built space—particularly those in confining urban apartments. Some closet designers specialize in making efficient use of small spaces. For one job in a tiny loft apartment in New York's Tribeca neighborhood, Charlton brought in a library-style rolling ladder and added a roll-out shelving system to take advantage of the closet's vertical dimensions.

* Article from Business Week

Where do I put my wet boots?

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.

My favorite kitchens

Fall is in the air!

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.