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

Holiday tips

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!

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.

Help me unclutter my world

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!