Beyond Beautiful: Creating a Closet That Stays Organized

Photo: Libbie Holmes

 A beautifully organized closet can change the way a home functions, but lasting organization requires more than attractive cabinetry and storage accessories. The best closets pair thoughtful design with systems tailored to the person using them.

Before redesigning a closet, start by understanding what needs to be stored, how often it is used and how you naturally find and put away clothing. Just as important is editing the wardrobe before designing the space.

Photo: Libbie Holmes

It can be tempting to skip this step and move directly to the new closet, but without deciding what is truly worn, needed and loved, beautiful new cabinetry may simply provide a better-looking home for excess belongings.

A professional organizer can help clients sort through their wardrobe, decide what to keep or donate, and give the closet designer an accurate picture of what actually needs to be stored. The closet designer can then create the right balance of hanging space, shelves, drawers, cabinetry and specialty storage based on the client’s wardrobe, routines and preferences.

Photo: Libbie Holmes

Three Keys to a Closet That Stays Organized

Put everyday items within easy reach

Reserve the most accessible drawers, shelves, hanging areas and shoe storage for what you wear most often. Seasonal and special-occasion items can occupy less accessible spaces.

Organize the way you naturally think

There is no single right way to organize a wardrobe. Some people look for clothing by color, others by season, sleeve length, or casual versus professional attire. The best system is one that makes it easy to both find something and put it back.

Leave breathing room

Overstuffed drawers, crowded hanging rods and unstable stacks make organization difficult to maintain. When putting something away requires too much effort, it often ends up in a pile. A little extra space also creates a calmer environment and helps protect clothing.

Photo: Libbie Holmes

Storage products can support organization, but they cannot overcome an inefficient design. A well-designed custom closet uses the full height and depth of the space, eliminates wasted areas and creates a structure around the way the client actually lives. A professional closet company such as Closet Factory brings the design expertise to create that customized framework.

Once the closet is installed, a professional organizer can bring the wardrobe back into the space, thoughtfully placing belongings and establishing systems that are easy to maintain. The closet designer creates the framework; the professional organizer turns that framework into everyday function. Together, they create a closet that isn’t just beautiful on installation day—it’s designed to stay that way.

Photo: Libbie Holmes

Polly Lestikow is the President of Closet Factory in Denver, Colorado, which has been creating completely personalized and unique storage solutions for clients for 34 years. View their profile or reach out for a consultation at 303-690-6901. This article was written by Stephanie Sikora of Sikora Solutions Organizing and Moving Solutions on behalf of Closet Factory. 

Sponsored content for this article provided by Closet Factory.