Wardrobes, The Unconventional Closet
Designing Dream Dressing Areas
Today on another Friday Favorites we share the many ways to think beyond the constructed closets in our homes. Let’s create and enjoy unconventional wardrobes!
The Definition Of A Wardrobe
- a large, tall cabinet in which clothes may be hung or stored
- a person’s entire collection of clothes
- a room or closet where clothes are kept
These are all definitions found on the internet to describe a wardrobe. Notice the middle definition that talks about keeping all our clothes in one cabinet? Oh my goodness! How in the world can this happen in today’s world? I guess this is how the last definition above came to be and why we all think we need walls and a door to house our fashion fix. But do we?
Friday Favorites
Kristen’s View
The Minimal Approach To Clothing Storage
Our blogger friend, see her site in the link below, recently had a wardrobe mishap. Below is her old wardrobe. On her next post she will show us her new baby and how she continues to do so much with smaller spaces.
See More About This Wardrobe at Minimal-lol.com
Minimalists are able to effectively use a wardrobe, or clothing rack, as the main storage system for clothing. One way these savvy fashionistas do this is by sorting their clothing by season. While this concept may be hard to grasp for some, we agree there is something appealing when looking at these complete wardrobes ready to meet each day.
Learn About A Clothing Mission Here
Let’s Not Forget The Guys – Archzine
Less Than Conventional Closet Systems
Being minimal is attractive at times. However, having less does not always fit our needs. No matter how much we have, it is frustrating to not be able to store the items dear to us in an accessible way. A crowded closet can be nightmare and cause daily stress. Why not think outside the closet…the opportunities are endless. To top it all off, unconventional closets are an asset to the interior design of our homes. Let’s look!
Storing Those Carrie Bradshaw Manolo Blahniks
Ok, let’s admit it, we all love our shoes and may have a little problem with having too many. Nix that, we do not have a problem with having too many shoes. We just do not always have the right way to display store them. Let’s think outside the closet and onto the wall, as so wonderfully featured in these two examples. Surprisingly attractive in both photos. Why not have an everyday item be “art”!
A Wall Of Wardrobes
Many times we have clients who simply do not have enough real estate in a contained closet to house all their prized possessions. Guys and gals alike, who love fashion, often need clothing and accessory storage that can offer more than a small walled off closet.
Again, thinking literally outside the “closet”, utilizing an entire wall of storage behind a bed in a larger room, allows you to create a walk in closet. It can be as easy as a curtain divider, or more permanent, with a designed wall. In a smaller room, we’ve made this kind of division with a home office (no bed) on one side and the wardrobe wall neatly tucked behind. These two examples are both so appealing in their own ways!
The Closet Office
Speaking of home offices, look at these amazing examples of combining wardrobe needs with our home offices. Talk about a play room for grown ups!
The Ultimate Dressing Room
High on the wish list that buyers look for in homes are large walk in closets. Some homes have ample closet space and some do not. Homes with actual dressing rooms send buyers over the moon. No matter how much clothing, shoes and accessories we own, being able to keep them all neatly organized and readily accessible is high on most of our wish lists.
In the yearly “get organized push”, our design firm gets a lot of calls about closet design. One of the first things we evaluate is the opportunity to use existing space for a dressing area. At least 50% of the time, we find existing space to convert. The outcome is a larger area, most times with natural light, that can be configured to meet the basic storage needs plus so much more.
We help our clients create personal rooms that take care of them day in and day out. The beauty of these newly created dressing areas is no two are alike because they are designed with one person in mind….you. Let’s finish with a look at these personalized dressing rooms.
Incorporating vintage pieces with modern pieces available online, and at big box stores, is an attractive way to set up a dressing area quickly. Got a weekend, get a dressing room!
Dressing areas are often designed with a “closet” section as part of the space. The dividers of the room can offer so may additional ways to store items.
Still yearning for some closed storage, built in wardrobes are fantastic in this relaxing dressing room. Who else is ready for a “Me Time” room?
Laurel’s View
Fashion is not something I enjoy, nor am I good at creating outfits that knock off anyone’s socks. However, I do depend on the storage systems we have customized in all of our homes to work to the max for us, not the previous owners. At times it was as simple as relocating the height of a closet rod, other times more detailed. Once it was creating a small dressing “niche” for me so my beloved could have the large, custom closet. Happy hubby, less harried wife. In every home, I can honestly say, we did not give up until we designed closets that worked for both of us every day. Life is so much better when the day starts off peacefully and Mr. LBD can see all his “stuff”.
Looking at this photo I believe this dressing room was a former family or living room. Odd you say? I say why not? Perhaps this space was rarely used otherwise and now is loved on a daily basis. But what about selling a home with a closet like this? Not to worry. Thought out designs like this one can easily be tweaked and become an amazing home office. Our point, and design philosophy remains, using your home for yourself first is always the best plan.
In closing, Mr. LBD thinks that his closet should look like this no matter where we live. Let’s not forget the guy’s gotta look good too!
Bon Weekend!
You are talking my language when it comes to closets!! I was so excited that even though we were downsizing, we found a place with great closets. Somehow that closet has shrunk since…LOL!! Or maybe I just need to purge. I’ll never be a minimalist, but I do need to slow down on the purchases!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Very hard to do in your business I imagine! Literally you need to think outside the “closet” box!
OMW! I feel so lucky because we live in a 2 bdrm apartment and have 2 walk in closets, and a pantry. Whew! I like a very organized closet with room enough so my clothes are not jammed together. My husband is so-so with his closet organization, thus the reason we have separate closets. 🙂
Hi Laurel, thanks so much for the shout-out – very kind indeed <3. Lovely post – even my minimalist heart beat a little faster at some of those beautifully arranged wardrobes, Lxx
I hyperventilate at the thought of having to shop to fill them up!