NOT ENOUGH TIME….IS YOUR CLOSET THE CULPRIT?

Are There Better Ways to Use The Closet Space You Have?

Closets, and what they hold, are a big part of our lives .  We spend both time and money on them and what they house.  As long as we are alive, it’s an expense we are going to have no matter where we live.  Mansions with staff, family homes with revolving kids, guest and family, cottages by the sea, cabins in the woods, apartments in the cities and even hotels, all have to find ways to accommodate our stuff.  When looking at new homes, or considering a renovation to our existing spaces, this storage is high on the list.  ALL closets look larger empty which is how they lure us into spending more than we should at times.  It’s when we fill them up, sometimes to more than capacity, that our dreams are dashed.  What if we could make changes that made our days run smoother and give us the wow moment every time we peek inside?

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

As we mentioned in our 3mo birthday post on Saturday, our readers like the longer post chock full of info and photos.  Posts that take a little more time, even several views to soak it all in.  I admit, these are the types of posts from other bloggers I savor and treat myself to as well.  So grab a beverage and let’s first take a look at the closets we all think we need, and then at some ideas that perhaps would work if we let them.  Let’s choose to create a closet we really want to care for and one that helps us keep our wardrobes current without being crowded.  One for your perfect LBD.

THE FRED AND GINGER

The decor of this beautiful closet is spot on for perhaps a library.  Not many of our clients deck out in jewels and top hats too often, nor dress in a single color.  I’d never take the time to sit at a makeup area and couldn’t see across to the mirror even if I wanted to.  This one leaves me with the impression of long flowing dresses and tuxes gliding across the dance floor.  Perhaps it is right for you.  If not, keep reading.

 

THE BROOKS

As in Brooks Brothers or any clothing store where shirts are folded and stacked in a wall of cubbies.  Yes, we build these for many clients after they have looked at a zillion online “oh my” closets.  Yes, they look like this for about a day, or until you want one of the plethora of these pastels.  I know that in our house, folding like this requires a table, a folding board and the time of say…a retired guy. (you know who I am talking about) Not me!  I’m a hang up gal which gets frowns regarding sweaters, from all the closets organizers I have been fortunate to work with.  This is now not so much of a problem.  Living in FL I have two sweaters…maybe.  This is another example of a fine dressing room.  It could be perfect for some.

THE BABY BROOKS

We do have a few open shelves for Mr. LBD’s side of our closet. (He’d really like his very own Brooks tho and would fold to his heart’s content.)  After all the homes we have lived in over the years, he pretty much knows how he wants his things stored.  I don’t think I have ever labeled his clothing (yet).  But, I am an artist with blue painters tape and a sharpie for almost everything else in our home that is not moving.  It’s a control thing!  Guilty as charged.  This works for a lot of us.

STIRRED NOT SHAKEN

In every James Bond movie, this man is always getting dressed…or actually redressed.  He seems to always have a fresh shirt and new suit in every country and never even has an overnight bag!  So he must have closets everywhere.  I bet one looks like this.  I’m pretty sure a gal with wet hair is soon heading into this dressing room, straight from the shower and looking perfect.  A guy can dream, right?

IF THERE EVER WERE A MISSES BOND

IF Bond ever did settle down he’d most certainly have a “hers” space.  There is something to be said about A LOT of closed wardrobes in a large dressing room.  The color is over the top perfect.  Closets are a good area to play with your decor.  It’s your space and should make you smile everyday.  Tell James my last name already starts with a “B” so I would not mess up his monograms.  Anyone else out there who could work with this set up?

ONE LAST BOND

His country home and attire.  Go try to have a Bond, James Bond, movie marathon and see if you don’t look at the closets now.  Or at least look at all the eye candy of THE Mr. Bond’s.  Who is your favorite?

THE LEONA

This one looks like it should be in a NY department store.  It’s beautiful, classic and looks like someone really looks smashing coming out of there everyday.  The nice thing about this design are all the drawers. If you are not a hanger gal like me, this is the way to go.  Alas, this is still quite the undertaking for space and funds.  If you got it, flaunt it….you are worth it!

THE GLASS MENAGERIE

Simply like the glass room within the bedroom concept.  Just cool.  Not too far from attainable for some.  Think about it.

NOW BACK TO REALITY FOR MOST OF US

 

Let’s start with the number one size and configuration closet in America.  The double door, 60-72” wide, 24-30” deep closet. If you have organized it with a big box ready made system it may look like this.  Yes, it is now organized, but it’s pretty tight.  It will take a bit of work to keep it this way and that takes a commitment.  Not too inspirational either.  Right?

WHAT IF WE LOOKED AT LESS EACH DAY?

Here’s an option.  No, it might not hold all your clothes but it will hold enough.  What if it held your “favorites only” in every category.  You know what these items are.  You reach for them 80% of the time.  You like them, you care for them and you replace them when they are too worn to work non stop for you.  This can apply to both work and casual clothes.  For many of us there is not too much of a line between the two anymore.   We’ve only got one body and most of us do laundry at least every few weeks.  This can work for many of us if we just let it.  Yes, we can have total control over our wardrobe.  Pack up all but the essentials.  Keep more pieces than when you travel and just enough that it’s like having a personal stylist layout a wardrobe each week.  Liberating!  The staggered shelves with the single rod is so simple yet design oriented.   This can really house nearly everything we wear.   A few baskets for undies and this is amazing.  Clean, crisp white wood rods and shelves will make an impact and keep you motivated to keep things in order. Leave the closet doors off or on.  Either way this appeals to me. You?

GOT A WALK IN…REPEAT THE ABOVE WITH A FEW SIMPLE ADDS

Got a little more space with a walk in and it’s crammed to the gills?  Everything is crushing the other and each time you enter you think “I have to do something!” yet you don’t.  At least not to your satisfaction.  IF you have an expensive custom set up you might even be a bit remorseful that it did not solve your problem.  We’re certainly not promoting you rip it out and start over, nor trying to cut the closet companies out of work, but what if you implemented the same concept in your built in system?  House your favorites, the things that never let you down.  If you are starting fresh with just walls,  keep the concept we looked at above going…expand to the other walls.  If you have an extra room, and can create a new space, why not consider something like this?

GOT A DRESSER-PUT IT IN THE CLOSET

The coveted drawers, the more the merrier, with added blissful counter space.  Add a mirror above and you have a nice place to put on jewelry and maybe make up with the right lighting.

Additional hanging racks can also go over a dresser.  This hanging over dresser configuration is perfect for a guy.  Can even work in a standard closet with some planning.

Wood Hanging Rods and Open Shelves – wood is always better than wire, or laminate when done right.  Look how a vanity is created with a simple shelf, mirror and lighting.

What can you think of to hang on these bars?  Add an “S” hook and everyday clothing can wait for you here overnight.

Hooks and Rods of all kind are my number one choice for effective, “cheap” storage. Everyone actually uses a hook!

Look at these two ideas.  An Upper Level Perimeter Shelf and a Tall Skinny Cabinet. Yeah, yeah…design on a dime and repurpose of a piece too much of a hassle to ever get it to Goodwill.

PERSONAL FAVORITE

With the exception of too many “things” in this concept of a simple rod, shelf and glorious cabinet, this one I can see myself enjoying everyday.  I’d keep fresh flowers and the mirror.  I could really get close enough to this one to see!  Jewelry and make up would be in all these fantastic individual drawers.  I’d have necklaces hanging on the side of the cabinet.  Shoes lined up below the hanging section and a few totes on the shelf for seasonal things.  This is a space that could take care of me everyday!  There is a perfect LBD for everyone.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Let’s get our wardrobes under control and then move onto Linen Closets. You know that closet that has 20 sets of unmatched sheet sets hiding under who knows what else.  The door you can’t bear to look past unless armed with a glass of wine or have pending company coming!  We’ve all had got one of these looming.

As before, these photos come from years of archiving and the source is unknown. We are using them out of respect to the designers and photographers who originally allow them to be shared on the internet.  Thank you for sharing.  Your work is appreciated or it would not be in this post.

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