| | | | | great service, there are also many do-it-yourself |
| If you live in an older house, you are undoubtedly well | | | | products on the market. If you have a small closet or |
| aware that previous generations obviously didn't have | | | | limited storage needs, it may make more sense to |
| the same closet needs as we do today. Your closets | | | | shop around and purchase your own organizational |
| are likely to be shallow with one rod and perhaps a | | | | supplies. A weekend warrior or do-it-yourself |
| few hooks on the wall. Trying to organize shoes, | | | | homeowner can quickly and easily get started on a |
| clothes, coats and backpacks can be a logistical | | | | closet re-organization project with little cost. |
| nightmare. It's no wonder that custom closets have | | | | |
| become all the rage. With just a little bit of planning and | | | | With a bigger project, you will probably want to call in |
| a small investment of money, you can say good-bye | | | | the experts to ensure you get the job done right. |
| to cramped closets forever and enjoy a fresh, | | | | These experts will give you a turn-key closet |
| organized approach to how you use your closet | | | | organization, giving you the closets you've been |
| space. | | | | dreaming about with little effort on your part. They will |
| | | | | look at overhauling your entire system from the bifold |
| The trend toward customized and organized closets | | | | closet doors to the hooks on the wall. Commonly |
| was first popularized in the early 1980s. At that time, | | | | suggested improvements include drawers that you |
| several companies emerged with the sole purpose of | | | | can pull out for sweaters and socks, shelving units, |
| organizing homeowner's closets, giving homeowner's a | | | | tiered clothing hangers and shoe racks. |
| fresh, organized approach to how clothes and other | | | | |
| items are stored in closets. Since then, other national | | | | Custom closets can cost anywhere from several |
| companies, franchises and local independent | | | | hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the |
| operations have jumped in to offer a wide range of | | | | size of your closet and the features you select. |
| closet services. In addition, many companies provide | | | | Before signing on the dotted line for the sale, make |
| the do-it-yourself homeowner with the tools, ideas, and | | | | sure you ask these vital questions: |
| accessories necessary to turn a cluttered closet into | | | | |
| an organized closet with some time and effort. | | | | Do you offer a warranty? |
| | | | | |
| Most closet organization companies offer closet | | | | Do you use metal or plastic hardware? |
| system design services. You simply make an | | | | |
| appointment with the company for a free home visit | | | | How deep are the shelves? |
| by one of their consultants. During the appointment, | | | | |
| hey will measure your existing closet space and | | | | Does the installation price include tearing out the old |
| inventory your items. Then they make a | | | | closet? |
| recommendation for the that are right for you. | | | | |
| | | | | Will you touch up the paint and dry wall if needed? |
| However, before calling for your free custom closets | | | | |
| consultation, it helps to do a little prep work first. There | | | | Once you have found the right design and the right |
| is no need to pay good money to store items you | | | | organizational system, it is time to put your plan in |
| never use. So take the time to clean out all the excess | | | | action. For a do-it-yourself project, set aside a |
| items that have accumulated in your closet. Weed out | | | | weekend to get the job done. If you are hiring a pro, |
| anything you don't love or haven't worn in a year. If | | | | schedule a time for the installation when you can be |
| you have something of sentimental value that you | | | | home to answer any questions. |
| can't bear to part with – like that 20 year old | | | | |
| wedding dress – consider whether it needs to be | | | | After the project is done, step back, and admire your |
| stored in the closet or boxed up elsewhere. Then, you | | | | new closet – one where there is a place for |
| can take inventory of exactly what you have left to | | | | everything and everything is in its place. |
| be stored. While custom closet organizers provide a | | | | |