So your frustration levels have peaked and you’ve decided your closet needs updating now! Whether it’s a walk-in closet or a reach in closet, here are a few thoughts to consider when organizing your closet.
1) What are you storing in your closet?
Consider what you’re actually putting in your closet. Is this going to be something you access every day or is also going to house every single shoe you own as well?
If you’re going to use this for in season and off season clothes, you will have to rotate their storage so extra shelves above your every day use will be needed. This is also the perfect time to take a weed whacker to your closet inventory. Weed out what you’ll never wear again (donate), get rid of clothes that are worn out (garbage) and ditch the jeans that will never fit (donate). With some of your wardrobe evicted from the closet, you will have even more room to store your good clothes properly!
2) Double Hanging VS Long Hanging VS Shelving
This goes back to knowing your clothes. Over the years, we have found that people rarely have a lot of long hanging clothes ie. long dresses, coats etc. Dedicate as little as possible to long hanging if you can no matter what your designer says. Shelving is a great multi-tasker since adjustable shelving can house not just sweaters, pants but also shoes.
3) Islands in Your Closet
If you have the space, a closet island is a great way to house some of your smaller items in one handsome location. Islands are the perfect spot for your unmentionables as well as valuables such as watches, jewelry and the other accessories such as scarves and ties.
An closet island with a glass top can act as a centering device for not just showing off a favourite vase but it is a chance to add a stylish stone counter top. A chandelier or deluxe lighting device above also helps add your own personal stamp to your space.
4) Send them to the bench
Not sure if you’re like myself or not, but If you’ve ever tried to put your socks on standing up, you’ll appreciate having a bench or firm chair in your walk in closet. Remember, this is again a chance to show off some of your style. Pick a bench or chair that screams unique and stunning but still comfy for your sensitive bottom !
5) Heel, boy!
Ask any woman about her shoes, (nicely of course to avoid THE LOOK) and you’ll soon realize she has more than three pairs. As a result, storage for all of her shoes is essential. I don’t have many shoes myself but still have over a dozen sets and have friends that actually do own dozens and dozens!
For most of our clients, I recommend a narrow wall of shelves for shoes. Whether you use simple adjustable shelves or go for convenience and choose pull-out shoe shelves, this is the time to pitch the shoes you don’t wear any more and be prepared to keep the ones you really love.
6) To Clasp or Not to Clasp!
Something else to consider are purses. I don’t know one woman that only has one purse (or admits to it).
Simple shelving is great but why not put them behind glass doors so you can see them better or show them off on crystal clear glass shelves.
Why not show them off?
While you’re at it, why not illuminate your shoes since as you realize, they are not just shoes but fashion statements!
Keep in mind when you’re organizing your closet, enjoy the process. From the planning stage to the design stage and then construction, a newly re-organized closet will be an asset not just for you but for your home. Just remember one thing, if you’re going to have fun doing this, show off your style and personality. After all, this is your closet not anyone else’s!
Now that you’re ready and know what you want, call in one of our experienced professional designers and get your closet done! We have been around for over thirty years and have hundreds of satisfied repeat clients. Why not give us a try.
We love beautifying your home.
Closet Planning Questions, Answered
How much long-hanging space do I actually need?
Far less than most people think. After thousands of GTA closets we’ve found long dresses and coats are a small fraction of any wardrobe — dedicate as little space to long hanging as you can and give the rest to double hanging and adjustable shelving, which work much harder.
What should I purge before a closet redesign?
Three piles before any design work: donate what you’ll never wear again, throw out what’s worn beyond repair, and donate the jeans that will never fit. Every shelf you don’t fill with dead wardrobe is a shelf your good clothes get back.
Why add a bench in a walk-in closet?
Try putting socks on standing up — that’s the answer. A bench or firm chair makes dressing easier, and it’s also a chance to add one genuinely stylish piece to the room. Pick something comfortable enough to use every morning.
How do I store dozens of pairs of shoes in one closet?
A narrow wall of adjustable flat shelving holds the most pairs per square foot. Flat shelves beat angled displays for capacity, the spacing adjusts as heel heights change, and the same shelves can take sweaters or bins if your collection shrinks.
Should I plan space for off-season clothes?
Yes — if winter and summer wardrobes share one closet, put the off-season rotation on shelves above the everyday zone. You keep every piece in the room, but the clothes you reach for daily stay at eye level.
