Horrid closets-- how to organize?

16 years ago

Calling all closet experts! My husband and I are in the middle of a gut reno for our tiny NYC apt. We like the apartment, except for one thing... CLOSETS! Our current places is 1/2 the size w/ better closets. Ugh. Can anyone help me figure out what to do with them. There are only TWO closets in the whole apartment (neither of which are in the bedroom -- ha!).

One is: 34"(w) x 32.5"(d) x 112"(h)

The other has vertical sofits inside so it's wider in the front than the back. Generally, though, in the back it's:

39"(w) x 38"(d) x 112" (h)

In the front: 50"(w)x 38"(d) x 112" (h)

These closets need to fit everything except linens (building a small linen closet). Yikes -- coats, dresses, etc. We need to get an armoire to help, but... I also need to MAXIMIZE the space. If you hadn't noticed, the closets are very deep. Almost as deep as they are wide. How does this work? How can I hang things and use the space behind or in front? I am so confused!

Many, many thanks!

Featured Answer

jaybird

16 years ago

I have A 36" square closet. My handydandy hubby put a dress length plus 18" rod on one side going from front to back. On the other side from front to back there are two rods (one above the other) that are jacket length apart.
Above the rods is a deep shelf that is open to the ceiling.
In the middle is a denim hanging sweater stacker and a hanging shoe stacker.
Obviously dresses go on the dress length rod. Under that are two square plastic laundry baskets. One holds socks and hosiery, the other purses and totes. On the other side, shirts, blouses and jackets go on the stacked rods.
In the sweater stacker are scarves, sweaters and pj's. The shoe stacker holds clutch bags, belts, potpourri, swiffer rags, room spray...etc.
On the inside of the closet door there is a fabric shoe bag with 48 slots. It holds all sorts of household items including flashlights and static remover spray.
On the big shelf at the top, there are boxes that hold silver and crystal serving pieces. Also on the front wall of the closet.....over the door, there is a series of big cup hooks that hold other silver serveware and baskets.
HTH

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Comments (9)

pammyfay
16 years ago
Hi-- one of the other great forums on Garden Web is "Organizing the Home," and there are some really great ideas over there, from posters including Talley_Sue. You might try posting over there, as wel! (and there are a lot of organizing-store aficionados, too!).
User
16 years ago
I would look into some kind of motorized hanging storage that will bring items on hangars around to you, sort of like the ones at dry cleaners.

Or, you could get something that manually rotates vertically, instead of horizontally. For very high storage there is a hanging bar that can be pulled down and in front of the other hanging clothes, either by electric motor or by using a long hook to disengage and pull the bar down.

Here is a link that might be useful: motorized closet storage
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User
16 years ago
This site has a video of such a rolling shelf closet.

Here is a link that might be useful: video of rolling shelves
simoneb
Original Author
16 years ago
Neat ideas! I'm going to look at both of these. Also, I didn't see the organizing the home forum. Will post there too. If anyone else has ideas though, keep 'em comin!
elizgonz
16 years ago
Have you looked at all of the closet system websites (California Closets, Easy Closets, Container Store, etc.)to see if any of the designs might work for you? I have inadequate closet space in my home and have been scouring these websites to determine what configuration I want for each one of my closets. In the kids' closets, I've settled on Elfa because they are adjustable. In the other closets, I'll have a carpenter build something for me.

In my home, it's a constant battle to keep on top of the closets and all of the furniture that serves as storage (chests, dressers, linen press, etc.). Each one of those spaces is doing double duty so I have to be keeping thins tidy and purging ALL the time.

Good luck!
Elizabeth
teacats
16 years ago
Pick up the latest issue of House Beautiful magazine (September) -- see pages 56 and page 58 for photos of designers' closets -- some great ideas!!

And consider switching to a heavy linen curtain to get rid of the "swing area" for the doors.

Do check out the website for the Container Store too -- might be some more ideas there.

Is there enough room to move the bed slightly to the middle of the bedroom? THEN construct a "closet" behind it using "Billy" shelving units (or any of their closet shelving) by Ikea. The backs of the shelving units would for a kind of headboard (or backing) for the head of the bed. You could cover the backs with fabric -- or simply cork and burlap!
simoneb
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, guys! Jaybird, if you are still out there, I would LOVE to see pics of your closet. My hubby is probably not as handy as yours, but maybe we could give something like that a shot :-) Thanks to everyone!
mclarke
16 years ago
Are you using roll-away storage under the bed?