northland-closets

Choosing the Best Materials for Your Closet Systems

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:57:02 GMT

Imagine opening your closet door and seeing shelves that bow under the weight of your clothes. It’s frustrating, especially when the space once looked clean and solid. In most homes, I’ve found that high-quality plywood or commercial-grade melamine offer the best balance of strength, stability, and cost for closet systems , while solid wood tends to play a more selective, higher-end role. Here in Minnesota, with our constant humidity swings and temperature shifts, that material choice matters even more.

Closets that break down early usually follow the same pattern. You’ll see sagging shelves, chipped finishes, or loose hardware, and it’s rarely random. More often than not, it traces back to panels or components that simply weren’t built to handle the weight. If you’ve ever wondered why some systems last and others don’t, it almost always starts with what’s behind the surface.

To help you choose the right materials for your closet systems, I’ll walk through why material choice matters, break down the popular material options, and explain which option makes the most sense for your home and Minnesota’s climate:

Why material choice matters
Solid wood
Plywood
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
Melamine and particleboard
Which should you choose

Keep reading, because once you understand how these materials truly perform, you’ll be able to invest in a closet system that looks great and holds up for the long run.

Why Material Choice Matters

When most people think about closet design, they focus on layout, color, and how everything will look once it’s installed. What often gets overlooked is the core material holding it all together. That choice plays a major role in how your closet systems hold up five, 10, even 15 years down the road.

Structural Strength: The material determines how much weight your shelves and rods can handle without bowing, cracking, or pulling loose. Lower-grade cores may look fine at first, but under daily load, they’re far more likely to sag.
Durability Over Time: Closets get used every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. Higher-quality materials resist chipping, denting, and surface wear, so the system doesn’t start looking tired after just a few seasons.
Moisture and Climate Resistance: Here in Minnesota, we deal with dry winters and humid summers, and that back-and-forth matters. Some materials handle expansion and contraction well, while others swell, soften, or weaken when exposed to moisture.
Finish and Appearance: Not every material takes paint, laminate, or edge banding the same way. The smoother and denser the surface, the cleaner and more polished the final result will look.
Long-Term Value: A lower upfront price can be tempting, but it often comes with trade-offs. Spending a bit more on stronger materials usually means fewer repairs, fewer replacements, and less frustration later on.

Choosing the right material from the start means building a system that supports both your belongings and your daily routine. It’s not just about how the closet looks on installation day, it’s about how it performs month after month, season after season.

Solid Wood

Solid wood has long been associated with craftsmanship, durability, and a high-end look, and there’s a reason for that. Hardwood options like maple, oak, and cherry bring real strength along with a natural grain that adds warmth and depth to a space. In certain applications, solid wood can absolutely elevate closet systems, especially in larger walk-in designs where aesthetics matter just as much as function. It’s especially well-suited for face frames, drawer fronts, and visible trim details where the material is on display.

At the same time, solid wood naturally expands and contracts with humidity changes, which many homeowners don’t initially consider. Seasonal shifts can cause subtle movement that needs to be factored into the design and installation. Without proper construction techniques, that movement may lead to warping or small gaps over time. I typically suggest using solid wood strategically rather than for every structural component.

Cost is another factor worth weighing carefully. Solid wood is usually one of the more expensive material options, both in raw material pricing and labor. For homeowners planning a fully painted or laminated finish, the added expense may not always translate into added value. Used in the right places, however, solid wood delivers durability and character that engineered materials simply cannot replicate.

Plywood

If you want a closet that feels solid the moment you place weight on a shelf, this is often the material making that stability possible. Built from multiple thin layers of wood veneer pressed in alternating directions, it forms a dense, balanced panel engineered for strength. That cross-layered construction delivers impressive load-bearing capacity, exactly what long shelves and tall vertical supports demand. In many custom closet systems, it acts as the structural core that keeps everything square, steady, and secure.

Screw-holding strength is one of its standout qualities. Fasteners grip firmly into the layered interior, so brackets, rods, and drawer slides stay tight instead of loosening over time. Wide shelves are far less likely to sag, even when loaded with folded denim, stacked sweaters, or heavier storage bins. Weight distributes more evenly across the panel, which helps the entire system maintain its shape.

Flexibility on the design side adds to its appeal. The surface can be finished with hardwood veneer for warmth and natural character, or paired with durable laminates for a smooth, modern look. Clean cuts, smooth edges, and consistent performance during fabrication make installation efficient and precise. Strength, stability, and versatility all come together in a material that quietly supports the entire space.

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

If a smooth, flawless painted finish is what you’re after, MDF is often the material behind it. Made from fine wood fibers compressed under high pressure, it creates a dense, uniform panel with no visible grain to compete with your color choice. Paint lays down evenly, without the texture or variation you might see in natural wood. For clean, modern closet designs, that smooth surface makes a noticeable impact and helps the entire space feel cohesive.

Precision is another reason it’s widely used. Decorative edges, routed details, and custom trim profiles cut sharply and stay consistent from piece to piece. The interior density remains uniform throughout, so fabrication feels controlled and predictable from start to finish. Crisp seams, tight joints, and sharp corners are easier to achieve when the material behaves the same way every time.

There’s also a solid, substantial feel to it that many people appreciate. Drawer fronts and doors made from MDF tend to feel sturdy and smooth when opened and closed, without flex or lightness. Once properly sealed and finished, the surface maintains that refined appearance and resists minor surface imperfections. For a tailored, painted closet design that looks sleek, polished, and intentional, MDF supports that vision beautifully.

Melamine and Particleboard

Walk into most professionally installed closets today, and you’ll likely find melamine at work behind the scenes. This material combines a particleboard core with a thermally fused resin surface, creating panels that are smooth, bright, and ready to use from day one. No raw wood, no visible grain, no finishing required on site. Everything arrives clean, consistent, and uniform.

Daily practicality is where it really earns its reputation. The surface resists minor scuffs, wipes down easily, and holds up well to the constant sliding of hangers and shoes. Shelves maintain a crisp appearance without needing paint touch-ups or refinishing. Because the finish is factory-applied, color and texture stay even across the entire installation.

Style flexibility adds to its appeal. Panels come in a wide range of whites, neutrals, and realistic wood tones, allowing the design to feel modern, warm, or somewhere in between. Matching components, like drawer boxes and vertical panels, create a seamless look throughout the system. It’s a straightforward, efficient material choice that keeps both the design and the upkeep simple.

Which Should You Choose?

Choosing the right material isn’t about picking the “best” one on paper, it’s about selecting what fits your space, your budget, and how you actually use your closet. Each material brings its own strengths, and the right decision usually comes down to performance, appearance, and long-term expectations. Climate should also factor into the equation, especially with seasonal humidity shifts that can impact how materials behave. In most projects, I find the smartest results come from matching the material to the way the space will truly function day to day.

For Maximum Strength and Longevity: Plywood stands out for structural stability and dependable screw-holding power. Its layered construction helps shelves stay straight and vertical panels remain rigid under consistent weight. Heavier clothing, stacked storage bins, and daily use won’t easily compromise its shape. If long-term durability is a top priority, this material supports that goal well.
For a High-End, Natural Look: Solid wood brings warmth, depth, and visible craftsmanship into the space. Natural grain patterns add character that manufactured surfaces simply can’t replicate. Used strategically in trim, drawer fronts, or decorative elements, it elevates the overall aesthetic. Proper construction allows it to perform beautifully while showcasing its organic appeal.
For a Smooth, Painted Finish: MDF excels when a clean, seamless painted appearance is the focus. Its dense, uniform core eliminates grain texture, allowing paint to sit evenly across the surface. Detailed edges and routed profiles cut sharply and maintain definition. Designs centered around crisp lines and tailored finishes benefit greatly from this consistency.
For Low-Maintenance, Everyday Practicality: Melamine paired with particleboard offers a factory-finished, wipeable surface that’s ready to use immediately. The sealed exterior resists minor scuffs and everyday wear from hangers, shoes, and folded clothing. Consistent color and texture create a cohesive look throughout the closet. Minimal upkeep makes it a practical choice for busy households.
For Minnesota’s Seasonal Climate: Dimensional stability matters in a region with fluctuating humidity. Engineered materials like plywood and properly sealed composite panels tend to respond more predictably to expansion and contraction. Secure anchoring and thoughtful installation also play a major role in long-term performance. Considering climate during material selection helps prevent movement-related issues down the road.

Blending materials often produces the best overall outcome. Using each where it performs strongest creates a system that feels solid, looks refined, and continues functioning smoothly over time.

Conclusion

The materials you select will ultimately determine how well your closet holds up over time. Solid wood brings warmth and craftsmanship, plywood delivers dependable structural strength, MDF creates that smooth, painted finish so many people love, and melamine keeps things practical and easy to maintain. Each one has its place, especially when it’s used where it performs best. Daily routines, long-term expectations, and even seasonal humidity should all play a role in the decision. The strongest closet systems usually aren’t built from just one material, but from a smart combination that works together. Take the time to weigh performance alongside appearance, and you’ll end up with a space that feels solid, functions smoothly, and still looks great years from now.

8 Space Planning Errors That Make a Home Office Feel Smaller

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:17:06 GMT

A home office doesn’t have to be tiny to feel cramped. In my work, I’ve seen plenty of rooms with decent square footage that still feel crowded, cluttered, and hard to work in. Often, it’s not because the homeowner has too much stuff. It’s because of a few space planning mistakes that quietly steal comfort and breathing room.

In most cases, you can fix these issues without a renovation or expensive furniture. Small layout adjustments can make your home office feel instantly larger, brighter, and more functional. When your desk, storage, and pathways are planned intentionally, the room starts working for you instead of against you.

Here are the most common space planning errors that can make a home office feel smaller than it really is:

Pushing the desk into the worst possible spot
Using a desk that’s too deep or too wide for the room
Ignoring clearances (chair space + walkways)
Relying on bulky storage furniture instead of vertical storage
Letting cords, printers, and tech create visual clutter
Placing too many small pieces instead of fewer functional ones
Using poor lighting placement (and missing task lighting)
Choosing the wrong layout for the room shape

If your home office feels tight, don’t worry. As you read through each space planning error, you’ll start recognizing what may be making your office feel smaller, along with simple changes to fix it.

Pushing the Desk Into the Worst Possible Spot

One of the biggest reasons a home office feels smaller is poor desk placement. It’s common to push the desk into a corner or against a wall without thinking about how the room flows, and that can create awkward dead space and make the entire office feel closed in. I always remind clients that the desk is the anchor of the room, so its placement matters more than almost anything else.

A desk shoved into the wrong spot can block walkways, reduce natural light, and make the room feel tight even if it’s technically “organized.” When you sit down to work, your eye line and the surrounding open space affect how comfortable the room feels. If possible, reposition your desk to preserve clear pathways and maximize sightlines. Sometimes even a small shift makes the room feel noticeably bigger.

Using a Desk That’s Too Deep or Too Wide for the Room

Oversized desks are a surprisingly common home office problem. People often choose a desk based on style or surface area without checking whether the proportions suit the room, and a big desk can dominate the floor plan. When furniture overwhelms the space, the room loses balance and feels more cramped.

A desk can be too large even if it looked perfect in the store. If your chair barely clears the wall behind you or you have to squeeze past the desk to access other areas, it’s a sign the desk is taking more space than it should. In smaller rooms, a slimmer desk, wall-mounted option, or narrow writing desk can keep the space functional without shrinking it visually.

Ignoring Clearances (Chair Space + Walkways)

Even a tidy home office can feel cramped when you can’t move comfortably. A common space planning mistake is arranging furniture without leaving enough clearance for chair movement and walkways, which makes daily use feel awkward and restricted. People often focus on fitting items in rather than planning how they’ll actually work in the space.

Your chair needs room to slide back, turn, and move without bumping into walls or storage. Walkways matter too, especially if your home office shares space with a guest room or includes a closet you need to access regularly. I like to plan clear paths first and then place furniture around them, because open movement is one of the quickest ways to make a room feel larger.

Relying on Bulky Storage Furniture Instead of Vertical Storage

Storage is essential in a home office, but how you store things makes a huge difference. One of the biggest space planning errors I see is relying on wide, heavy furniture, like big bookcases or filing cabinets, that eat up floor space. These pieces can make a room feel visually heavy and smaller than it is.

When storage sits low and wide, your eye stays at ground level, which can make the room feel shorter and more crowded. Instead, look for vertical storage solutions like tall shelving, floating cabinets, and wall-mounted organizers. When storage goes up instead of out, your home office tends to feel more open and intentionally designed.

Letting Cords, Printers, and Tech Create Visual Clutter

Tech clutter is one of the sneakiest reasons a home office feels smaller. Cords, chargers, power strips, and printer accessories create visual noise, and even when everything is “put away,” tangled wires can still make the room look messy. And when a space looks messy, it almost always feels smaller.

Printers can be another big contributor, especially when they become the center of a catch-all station for paper stacks and supplies. A simple fix is creating one contained tech area and managing cords intentionally with clips, sleeves, or cord boxes. When tech looks tidy and streamlined, your home office instantly feels calmer and less crowded.

Placing Too Many Small Pieces Instead of Fewer Functional Ones

Another space planning mistake I see often is “furniture clutter.” A home office might have a desk, plus a small cart, plus a side table, plus an extra chair, each one added to solve a small problem. Over time, those mini pieces create a choppy layout that makes the room feel crowded and disjointed.

This usually happens gradually, which is why it’s so common. Instead, aim for fewer pieces that do more, like a desk with drawers that replaces a cart or wall shelving that replaces a floor unit. When you simplify the furniture footprint, the room feels more spacious and easier to maintain.

Using Poor Lighting Placement (and Missing Task Lighting)

Lighting affects how big a room feels, and it’s often overlooked in a home office. Many people rely only on overhead lighting, which can create harsh shadows and leave corners dim. Dark areas make a space feel smaller and less inviting, even if the layout is solid.

Improving lighting is one of the easiest “invisible upgrades” you can make. Try layering your lighting with a desk lamp for task lighting and a floor lamp to brighten darker corners. When lighting is balanced, the room feels more open, energized, and comfortable to spend time in.

Choosing the Wrong Layout for the Room Shape

A home office layout should match the room’s shape, not fight it. One mistake I see is forcing a standard setup into a room that isn’t built for it, like trying to center a large desk in a narrow room or cramming symmetrical storage into a tight corner. When the layout doesn’t fit the space, the office ends up feeling awkward and cramped.

Long narrow rooms, small square rooms, and shared-use spaces all need different layout strategies. Sometimes the best option is a corner desk setup, while other times a floating desk works better than pushing everything to the walls. If your office feels tight, step back, measure the room, and test a few layout options. The right layout can make the room feel bigger without changing the square footage.

Conclusion

A home office feels more spacious when the layout supports how you actually work, regardless of the room’s size. When you right-size the furniture, protect your walkways, and reduce visual clutter, the space naturally feels calmer and more open. If you take just one idea from this list and apply it this week, you’ll likely feel the difference right away. And honestly, that “ahh, I can breathe in here” feeling is exactly what a home office should give you.

Choosing the Best Workbench Surface for Any DIY Project

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:24:17 GMT

If you’ve ever battled slipping tools, dented surfaces, or uneven cuts, your workbench surface could be the real culprit. Even small surface choices can affect both the safety and quality of a project, especially in a busy garage environment. The right surface can reduce frustration, protect your materials, and help every step of a project feel smoother. With so many options available, understanding how each one performs is the first step toward building a more efficient workspace.

Every DIYer’s workflow is unique, so the best workbench surface truly depends on the type of work you do most. I’ve seen how quickly a workspace improves when the bench material matches the task instead of working against it. You don’t need the priciest or toughest option. You just need the one that supports your style of working. Once you identify your priorities, the decision becomes much easier and far more rewarding.

Here are the key factors to consider when choosing the best workbench surface:

Match the workbench surface to your project type
Evaluate durability and impact resistance
Consider heat, chemical, and moisture resistance
Choose the right workbench thickness and support
Think about maintenance and repairability
Prioritize safety features
Factor in budget without sacrificing quality
Customize the workbench for your workspace

Keep reading to explore each factor in detail and feel confident in choosing the best workbench top for your needs.

Match the Workbench Surface to Your Project Type

Choosing a surface that fits your most common tasks makes everything from cutting to sanding feel more controlled. I learned pretty quickly that not every surface behaves the same, even if they seem similar at first glance. Woodworkers tend to prefer hardwood or plywood because these materials grip workpieces gently, while metalworkers almost always gravitate toward steel for its heat and spark resistance. For crafting, electronics, or detail-oriented work, I’ve often found laminate or resin to provide the most reliable consistency.

Here are the surface types that pair best with different kinds of projects:

Woodworking Projects: Hardwood and plywood tops grip materials well and protect cutting tools from unnecessary wear. These surfaces also reduce vibration, making shaping and sanding tasks feel more controlled.
Metalworking Tasks: Steel surfaces withstand sparks, heat, filing, and grinding without damage. They offer exceptional durability when working with heavy or abrasive materials.
Electronics and Craft Work: Laminate or resin surfaces provide a smooth, easy-to-clean workspace. These materials also resist stains and support detailed, delicate tasks.

Evaluate Durability and Impact Resistance

Durability should be at the top of your list if you frequently clamp, hammer, or work with heavy tools. Hardwood is a common choice because it provides a sturdy feel without being too harsh on your equipment. Steel is another excellent option for high-impact environments, though it can be louder than some people expect. I’ve used MDF and particleboard out of convenience before, but they tend to wear down quickly if you push them too hard.

To compare durability, it helps to look at how each common material performs under pressure:

Hardwood Tops: These surfaces deliver excellent durability and can be resurfaced when they show wear. They absorb impact well, protecting both tools and materials.
Steel Work Surfaces: Steel resists dents, heat, and heavy pressure better than most other materials. It is ideal for demanding environments where reliability is crucial.
MDF or Particleboard: These budget-friendly options work for basic tasks but lack longevity. They are vulnerable to moisture and can sag or chip under heavy loads.

Consider Heat, Chemical, and Moisture Resistance

If you often work with chemicals, heat, oils, or adhesives, it’s worth choosing a surface that won’t warp or stain. Steel and phenolic resin handle temperature swings and chemical exposure especially well, which is why they’re so common in welding and automotive environments. I’ve had resin surfaces last for years with surprisingly little wear, even after a lot of spills and rough treatment. Unfinished wood, on the other hand, tends to absorb liquids quickly unless you take the time to seal it properly.

These materials vary widely in how well they handle heat, chemicals, and moisture:

Phenolic Resin Tops: Resin offers superior resistance to chemicals and moisture, maintaining stability even with repeated exposure. It’s also easy to clean and ideal for demanding project environments.
Steel Surfaces: Steel handles extreme heat and chemical spills without losing structural integrity. Its durability makes it a great choice for metalwork or high-temperature tasks.
Unfinished Wood or MDF: These materials absorb liquids quickly and may warp or stain. They require sealing or protective mats to remain functional in moisture-prone areas .

Choose the Right Workbench Thickness and Support

A sturdy workbench starts with adequate thickness and proper support. Heavy-duty tasks, like rebuilding an engine or assembling large furniture pieces, typically require a top at least 1.5 to 2 inches thick. This prevents flexing and ensures the surface can support significant weight. Reinforced frames or braced undersides also help maintain stability, especially for larger or mobile benches.

A strong support system can make even a lighter material feel more secure. I’ve upgraded the base of a workbench more than once, and the improvement in stability is often dramatic. When your bench doesn’t wobble or shift, your cuts, sanding, and assembly work become much more precise. A solid foundation can make just as much difference as the material on top.

Think About Maintenance and Repairability

Each workbench material ages differently, so your willingness to maintain it should influence your choice. Hardwood tops are very forgiving because they can be sanded, refinished, or patched when they show signs of wear. Steel and resin surfaces are simpler to clean and less likely to stain, but deep scratches or dents are difficult to reverse. I like a clean-looking workspace, so I appreciate surfaces that hold up well without constant upkeep.

Each surface material also has its own maintenance expectations and long-term behavior:

Hardwood Surfaces: These can be repaired, sanded, or refinished when they develop marks. Their long lifespan makes them excellent for active DIYers.
Steel Tops: Steel offers minimal maintenance and easy cleanup. However, it is challenging to fix once dented or scratched.
Resin or Laminate Surfaces: These options resist staining and require very little upkeep. They remain consistent in appearance even with frequent use.

Prioritize Safety Features

Safety should always play a role in choosing a workbench surface. Slip-resistant materials help keep tools steady during use, which is especially important during detailed work. Rounded edges can prevent scrapes and bumps when you’re navigating a tight garage setup. If you work with electrical tools on a metal surface, grounding your bench is a simple way to add extra protection.

A safe workbench always contributes to better focus and more comfortable working conditions. I’ve worked on surfaces that became slick with sawdust or oil, and it made every task feel riskier than it needed to be. When your bench stays predictable under pressure, you spend less time worrying about mishaps and more time getting the job done.

Factor in Budget Without Sacrificing Quality

Your budget is important, but it doesn’t have to limit your workspace potential. Affordable materials like plywood or MDF can work extremely well when reinforced or sealed properly. Higher-end options such as steel and hardwood offer long-term durability that’s worth the investment if you use your bench heavily. I’ve seen both budget and premium setups perform beautifully when chosen with purpose.

By understanding your project requirements, you can invest where it truly matters. For instance, woodworking may justify a premium hardwood top, while crafting or electronics work may not require such durability. A balanced approach prevents overspending without sacrificing performance. Quality and affordability can absolutely go hand in hand with the right planning.

Customize the Workbench for Your Workspace

Customization is one of the best ways to create a workbench that truly supports your workflow. Modular inserts, protective mats, and add-on accessories help you adjust your surface without committing to a full replacement. Multi-surface layouts can be especially helpful if you switch between different kinds of projects. I’ve added small upgrades over time, and each one has made my workspace more intuitive and enjoyable.

Tailoring your bench to your habits helps keep tools organized and projects running smoothly. Integrated storage, vise mounts, or tool racks reduce clutter and give you easy access to the items you use most. Even small adjustments can dramatically improve productivity. When your workbench is designed around your routine, every project becomes more efficient.

Conclusion

Choosing the best workbench surface is about giving yourself the foundation you deserve for the projects you pour your time into. When the surface supports your workflow, you notice it—not just in the results, but in how much calmer and more focused you feel. I’ve had moments where the right setup made me excited to start the next project instead of putting it off. With a surface that truly works for you, your garage becomes a space that pushes you to build, fix, and create with real satisfaction.

How to Clean and Maintain Swisstrax Flooring for Long-Term Performance

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:57:05 GMT

Swisstrax flooring is one of my favorite upgrades to recommend for garages. It’s strong and attractive, handling moisture better than just about any flooring material I’ve worked with. But even the best flooring needs regular upkeep if you want it to perform well over the long haul.

If you’ve invested in Swisstrax flooring (or you’re thinking about it), it’s worth maintaining your investment. I’ll walk you through how I care for mine, both as a garage designer and as an individual with a busy, messy household.

Here are simple steps for taking care of your Swisstrax flooring:

Establish a regular cleaning routine
Perform periodic deep cleaning
Act fast on spills and stains
Tackle seasonal challenges
Inspect tiles for damage
Maintain proper drainage
Protect tiles from heavy wear
Refresh the look periodically

Establish a Regular Cleaning Routine

My rule of thumb is that light, frequent cleaning beats deep scrubbing any day. It prevents build-up and makes the whole job easier in the long run. Follow these simple maintenance steps to keep your floor looking and performing at its best:

Sweep or Vacuum: Even though Swisstrax tiles are perforated, debris still builds up on top and underneath. I do a quick sweep twice a week, and I do it more often during leaf-blowing season. A shop vac works great for corners and around tool benches.
Mop: Every couple of weeks, I give the surface a once-over with a mop and a bucket of warm water mixed with mild soap. No need for harsh chemicals. The goal is to break up dirt, not damage the tile surface.
Rinse: For a faster option, I’ll occasionally hose the floor down, especially after bike-cleaning days or muddy spring afternoons. It’s surprisingly effective, and my kids think it’s hilarious to help squeegee the water out.

Perform Periodic Deep Cleaning

Even with regular care, grime sneaks in under the tiles. I make time once a season to do a deeper clean. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.

I start by lifting a few tiles near the garage door or other high-traffic areas. You’ll often find dust, sand, or bits of leaves hiding underneath. I sweep or vacuum that out, then wipe down the subfloor with a damp rag. If it's unusually dirty, I’ll bring out the hose or even a low-pressure washer and give both the floor and tiles a solid rinse.

You should let everything dry fully before putting the tiles back. If I’ve got the time, I’ll rotate a few tiles while I’m at it to keep wear patterns even.

Act Fast on Spills and Stains

If you’ve got a garage that doubles as a workshop, gym, or kid bike repair station like mine, spills are going to happen. What matters is how fast you respond.

I’ve learned to treat oil, gas, and chemical spills like urgent care. The longer they sit, the more they work into the tile. I keep a basic degreaser on hand and wipe up messes with a microfiber cloth as soon as I see them. For stubborn stains, I go at them with a soft-bristle brush and tile-safe cleaner.

Never use steel wool or anything abrasive. You’ll end up doing more harm than good. Even after 10 years of installs, I still see people make that mistake.

Tackle Seasonal Challenges

Every season brings its own set of messes. Here's how I handle each one:

Winter: Road salt is no joke. It leaves a gritty residue that can eat into finishes and collect under tiles. I sweep often, rinse when the weather warms, and give the garage a deep clean once the slush season ends.
Summer: Between soccer cleats, sandy flip-flops, and lawn tools, the floor sees a lot of dry grit. I usually hose everything off once a week and double-check for stuff that might clog drainage channels.
Rainy Season: We get our fair share of damp days, and that moisture adds up. I keep an old towel near the garage entry to blot up puddles and check that the water’s draining toward the edges like it should.

Inspect Tiles for Damage

Swisstrax tiles are tough, but nothing’s indestructible. I take five minutes each month to walk the floor and look for cracks, warping, or worn-down corners.

The nice part is you don’t need to tear up the whole setup to fix a single tile. Keep a few spares stacked on a shelf and you’re always ready for a quick swap. I’ve replaced maybe three tiles in five years, and every time, the fix took less than ten minutes.

Maintain Proper Drainage

The airflow and drainage design under Swisstrax is one of its biggest perks, but only if you keep it clear. I make a habit of popping off a few tiles near the garage threshold every couple of months. Pine needles, pet hair, random screws, and so much more all collect underneath. If anything’s blocking the water channels, I sweep it out right away.

Good drainage isn’t just about what’s under the floor, either. Check your garage’s slope, especially near doors and drains. If water's pooling where it shouldn't, that’s your sign to adjust.

Protect Tiles From Heavy Wear

With three kids and all their sports gear, I’ve learned to be proactive about protecting high-traffic zones. I keep rubber mats under our workbench, just in case something drippy gets set down without thinking. I’ve also added small pads under rolling cabinets and our freezer to prevent grooves from forming over time.

If you need to move something big, never drag it. I once watched a neighbor gouge three tiles dragging a full toolbox across his brand-new Swisstrax floor. That was a mistake he didn’t have to make. Luckily, it was easy to pop out the tiles and replace them.

Refresh the Look Periodically

Sometimes, your floor just needs a refresh instead of a full reset. If certain sections are starting to look dull or worn, I swap them with lower-traffic areas. Most people won’t even notice, especially if your tiles follow a checkerboard or modular pattern.

When I’ve had to replace a group of tiles, I’ve used the opportunity to experiment with a slightly different color layout. It gives the whole garage a fresh look without buying a new floor. Also, don’t forget the grout lines or seams. A stiff brush and a little elbow grease will get rid of the grime that hides in between.

Conclusion

A little care goes a long way when it comes to Swisstrax flooring. If you stay on top of cleaning, respond quickly to spills, and adjust for each season, your tiles will hold up beautifully for years. It's a system I use at home and on every install, and it's never let me down.

Why Overhead Garage Storage Is a Smart Choice for Seasonal Item Organization

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:52:24 GMT

My garage used to be a mess of seasonal gear I barely touched for half the year. I didn’t want to get rid of anything, but I couldn’t stand the clutter either. I didn’t need a bigger garage; I just needed to look up and take advantage of the space I already had. Overhead garage storage turned out to be the smartest way to keep everything I love without sacrificing space or sanity. Over the years, I’ve installed dozens of ceiling storage systems for homeowners facing the same frustrations, and the results speak for themselves.

Here are just some of the benefits of overhead garage storage racks I’ve experienced firsthand:

Free up floor and cabinet space instantly
Find a place for items used only once or twice a year
Enhance garage safety and organization
Maximize vertical space in smaller garages
Customize for your garage layout
Protect belongings from pests and moisture

These aren't just perks; they’re practical solutions to everyday garage problems. Let's break down exactly why overhead storage can completely change how your garage functions.

Free Up Floor and Cabinet Space Instantly

When I added ceiling-mounted storage racks, I could physically feel the space open up. It felt like breathing room I didn’t even realize I needed. My shelves used to groan under the weight of rarely used bins, and I was constantly shifting things around just to get to a broom or ladder.

Now? Those bins are overhead, tucked away but still reachable with a step stool or small ladder. My cabinet doors close again. I don’t trip over Rubbermaid tubs when I’m getting out of the car. I’ve reclaimed the floor, and it actually feels like a garage again, not a storage unit.

Even a single 4x8 overhead rack can instantly free up 50 to 100 cubic feet of space. That’s the difference between a garage you avoid and one you can actually use.

Overhead racks clear bulky bins and boxes that eat up shelf space. This helps restore accessibility to everyday tools and cleaning supplies.
Items once piled in corners now have a designated home above eye level. This reduces visual clutter and makes the garage feel twice as large.

Find a Place for Items Used Only Once or Twice a Year

Some things you just don’t need on hand every day. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to part with them. Overhead garage storage gave me the perfect place to stash seasonal and infrequent-use items, so I don’t have to dig through piles every time I need something.

Here’s what now lives overhead in my garage:

Bins of holiday decorations, labeled by season and sorted for fast access.
Beach umbrellas and folding chairs that only come out in the summer.
Winter gear like sleds, snow boots, and tire chains I only need a few weeks a year.
Cushions and outdoor furniture covers I don’t want collecting dust or moisture.
Portable heaters and box fans that serve their purpose but don’t need daily access.

Keeping these items overhead has cleared up valuable wall and shelf space while making it easier to rotate seasonal gear in and out.

Enhance Garage Safety and Organization

I can’t count how many times I stubbed my toe or nearly twisted an ankle stepping over a pile of stuff I meant to “deal with later.” Once I lifted those bins off the ground and into overhead storage, the floor became a clean, safe workspace again.

The safety improvements go beyond just avoiding tripping hazards. When storage is elevated, cleaning becomes easier, airflow improves, and there are fewer dark corners for pests to hide.

Keeping clutter off the floor eliminates common accident risks. This is especially important in garages with shared uses like laundry or tool work.
A clean and open floor allows for more effective sweeping and mopping. That means fewer allergens, less dust, and a more pleasant garage environment overall.

It’s not about creating showroom perfection. It’s about reclaiming your space in a practical, sustainable way.

Maximize Vertical Space in Smaller Garages

My garage isn’t massive. It’s a standard two-car space, but once you add shelves, bikes, trash bins, and tools, the walls close in fast. I tried rearranging everything more times than I care to admit. But the layout never truly worked until I started using the ceiling.

Most garages have 12 to 24 inches of unused space beneath the ceiling. That’s a storage opportunity most homeowners completely overlook.

Overhead garage storage lets you take advantage of cubic feet, not just square feet. This is especially critical for single-car garages or townhomes with tight layouts.
Ceiling racks are ideal for long, flat items like skis, lumber, or seasonal decor tubs. They stay out of the way but are still easy to reach when you need them.

When your garage has to serve as a multipurpose space (storage, workshop, gym, or utility area), making the most of every inch is not just helpful, it’s essential.

Customize for Your Garage Layout

Here’s what I’ve learned through trial, error, and more than a few client consultations: there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to garage storage. The key is matching the right system to your needs, space, and lifestyle.

Some common overhead storage options I recommend:
Pulley-based hoists for bikes, kayaks, or ladders that need lifting but not daily access.
Motorized lifts for people who want accessibility without using a step stool. These are great for heavier bins or seniors who want to avoid strain.
Adjustable fixed racks that allow you to change heights or slide bins in and out easily.
Wall-mounted overhead shelves for long gear like fishing rods or seasonal tools.

With professional installation, these systems are anchored securely into your ceiling joists. That makes them strong enough to hold hundreds of pounds safely without risk of collapse.

Custom sizing is available for odd-shaped garages or those with lower ceilings.
Add-ons like safety nets, drop-down hooks, or clear bin lids can help enhance visibility and access.

Protect Belongings From Pests and Moisture

I’ve had things ruined by mice. I’ve had things ruined by humidity. So, when I realized that storing my off-season items up high actually helps avoid both of those problems, I felt like I’d discovered a hidden secret.

The truth is, garages are notorious for attracting rodents, bugs, and dampness. Keeping items off the floor can drastically reduce damage risk.

Rodents are less likely to access items stored overhead, especially sealed plastic bins. They tend to stay low to the ground where it’s easier to find food and shelter.
Elevating belongings helps protect against flooding, spills, or leaky appliances. Even a minor water leak can destroy cardboard boxes sitting on the floor.

Since making the switch, I’ve seen fewer bugs, less dust build-up, and almost zero mold or mildew on stored items. It’s peace of mind that takes very little effort to maintain.

Conclusion

Overhead garage storage might not be flashy, but for me, it’s been one of the smartest home upgrades I’ve made. It gave me my garage back. Now, I even have a little pride every time I walk in and see how tidy everything is.

Whether you’re just looking for a bit more elbow room or want to turn your garage into a truly functional extension of your home, overhead storage is a practical, cost-effective solution. It helps organize your gear, reduce tripping hazards, and create breathing space you didn’t know you had. It’s also adaptable for almost any garage layout and adds long-term value to your home’s usability.

If your garage feels like it’s closing in around you, try looking up. That’s where the space is hiding.

Essential Garage Cabinet Accessories You Didn’t Know You Needed

Thu, 22 May 2025 18:08:39 GMT

I spend tons of time in my garage. It’s where I unwind, work on projects, and sometimes even escape for a little peace and quiet. So, when the clutter started exploding out of my garage cabinets —cords hanging out of drawers and hardware thrown everywhere—I knew I needed to upgrade my storage. I needed smart solutions—the kind of accessories that actually work well with the cabinets instead of just sitting inside them.

I knew it was time to get serious about garage cabinet accessories. Not just another shelf or a basic bin—but purpose-built upgrades that transformed the way I use the space. Whether you're a DIY lover or someone who just wants a garage that stays clean for more than five minutes, the right garage cabinet accessories make life so much easier. Here’s what I’ve learned, and what I honestly wish I had discovered sooner:

Benefits of accessorizing garage cabinets
Must-have garage accessories
Garage cabinet customization options
Choosing the right accessories for you

If your garage cabinets stress you out more than they support you, it just takes the right accessories to help them function better. Let’s talk about them all in depth.

Benefits of Accessorizing Garage Cabinets

The accessories aren’t just there to make your garage look nice (though they definitely help). For me, they’ve added real functionality to every square inch. I’m not talking about fancy gimmicks—I’m talking about practical, easy-to-use solutions that make everyday life smoother.

Saved Time Searching: I no longer waste 15 minutes digging through a drawer looking for that one bit I swear I had last weekend. Dividers and labeling systems have made every tool findable at a glance.
Better Use of Vertical Space: Accessories like overhead hooks and wall-mounted racks made me realize how much dead space was hiding in plain sight.
Improved Safety: Locking drawers and pull-out bins gave me peace of mind knowing sharp tools and flammable liquids weren’t accessible to my kids.
More Enjoyable Workflows: When everything has its place and I’m not constantly moving things around just to start a project, I actually look forward to being in my garage.

Must-Have Garage Cabinet Accessories

Once I started exploring my options, I realized just how many ways I could improve my setup. Here are the accessories I swear by now:

Drawer Dividers and Organizers: These little additions were a total revelation. No more rattling chaos—just clean, easy categories for everything from Allen wrenches to wire cutters.
Adjustable Shelving: Flexibility makes all the difference. I love being able to shift shelves up or down depending on what season I’m in or what gear I’m storing. One month it’s storing oversized camping gear, the next it’s bins of winter coats and salt.
Workbench Add-Ons: Hooks, magnetic strips, small parts trays—these make my workbench feel like an actual workstation, not just a flat surface to pile stuff on. Now when I start a project, everything I need is already in arm’s reach.
Wall-Mounted Tool Racks: This was a huge space-saver for me. Mounting these to the inside doors of my tall cabinets freed up shelves and made it easier to grab tools fast without opening a dozen drawers.
Pull-Out Bins and Trash Cans: I didn’t think I needed this until I got one. Game-changer. Now I can sort recyclables, toss rags, or organize screws by size—without dragging out giant containers.
Locking Drawers or Security Cabinets: If you’ve got kids or expensive tools, these are a must-have. I store solvents, power tools, and even a few valuables where only I can access them.
Overhead Storage Hooks and Panels: So much room, just sitting above my head. These have been great for seasonal gear, tarps, and even lightweight ladders I don’t use often.
Labeling Systems: Nothing fancy here—just simple adhesive labels and a label maker. But now I know exactly what’s inside every drawer and bin without playing the guessing game.

Garage Cabinet Customization Options

Ready for the fun part? Most of these accessories aren’t one-size-fits-all. You can customize them to match how you use your garage.

Bike Racks for Weekend Riders: A wall hook wasn’t cutting it for me. I now have a dedicated cabinet bay with vertical storage for bikes and helmets.
Gardening Station Setup: My partner turned one half of a cabinet into a potting shelf, complete with a pull-out bin for soil and hand tools stored vertically.
Paint and Finish Drawer: Small bottles and jars used to be impossible to keep organized. Now they’re in foam-lined drawers sorted by color and type.
Power Tool Charging Drawer: A built-in outlet and slide-out drawer for cordless tools means no more tangled chargers.
Finishes and Colors: Matching the cabinet accessories to my wall panels and drawer fronts makes everything look polished—even if I’m just grabbing a wrench.

Choosing the Right Accessories for You

I had to learn a few lessons the hard way here. Just because something looks cool doesn’t mean it’s what you need.

Start With Your Habits: Think about what you actually do in your garage. Your cabinet setup should reflect that—not some idealized Pinterest version.
Go Slow, and Add as Needed: You don’t need every accessory right away. I started with drawer dividers and upgraded from there based on what I used most.
Match Accessories to Cabinet Type: Some accessories only work with certain builds. Wall panels? Floor-mounted units? Make sure the add-ons fit your setup.
Consult the Pros: Getting advice from a designer helped me avoid buying accessories I didn’t need—and steered me toward solutions that would actually hold up.

Conclusion

Garage cabinet accessories are truly the difference between a space that frustrates you and one you actually want to spend time in. I’ve turned my garage into a place that works for me—and the right accessories were the secret. Whether you’re storing tools and sports gear—or just trying to create a clutter-free space that feels good to walk into—trust me: accessorizing your garage cabinets is one upgrade you absolutely won’t regret.

Is Swisstrax Flooring Worth the Investment for Your Garage?

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:25:41 GMT

Your garage floor takes a serious beating. Oil drips, tool drops, tire marks, and whatever dirt life throws at it—if your garage is anything like mine, it’s a battlefield. For years, I tried every fix under the sun—concrete sealers, epoxy coatings, even those cheap roll-out mats that never stayed put. And guess what? None of them held up—until I found Swisstrax flooring .

I’ll tell you right now—it completely changed how I use my garage. With Swisstrax flooring, I can comfortably and safely use my garage as my workshop, my storage space—and honestly—my favorite place to hang out. But is it worth the investment for you? Here’s what you need to know:

What is Swisstrax flooring?
Benefits of Swisstrax flooring for your garage
Comparing Swisstrax to other garage flooring options
Potential drawbacks of Swisstrax flooring
How to maximize the value of your Swisstrax investment

Keep reading to discover exactly why Swisstrax flooring just might be the very best investment you’ve made in your garage.

What Is Swisstrax Flooring?

Swisstrax flooring is a modular tile system designed for garages, workshops, and other high-traffic areas. Unlike traditional concrete sealers or epoxy coatings, these tiles snap together to create a durable, flexible, and stylish floor that stands up to almost anything. There are different styles to choose from, each with its own benefits:

Ribtrax: Best for high-drainage areas (great if you deal with snow, rain, or spills).
Diamondtrax: A solid surface option that delivers durability with a clean, industrial look.
Vinyltrax: Designed to mimic the look of wood or stone while still offering Swisstrax’s durability.

What makes Swisstrax different from other flooring options? It’s built to last and easy to install. Even better—it completely transforms the look and feel of any garage.

Benefits of Swisstrax Flooring for Your Garage

A garage floor should do more than just simply exist—it should work for you. Swisstrax delivers real, functional benefits that make life in the garage cleaner and more enjoyable.

Durability and Strength: I’ve put my Swisstrax floor through absolute hell—dropped tools, rolling tool chests, car jacks. Not a single tile has cracked. These tiles can handle up to 60,000 pounds of rollover weight, meaning even the heaviest vehicles won’t dent or warp them.
Easy Installation: No glue, no curing time, no complicated process. You just snap the tiles together, trim where needed, and you’re done. I had my entire garage done in an afternoon.
Aesthetic Appeal: Most garage floors look terrible. Mine used to. Swisstrax gives your garage that showroom-quality finish. You can mix and match colors, create patterns, and even add logos if you want to get fancy. My garage went from looking like a neglected storage shed to a space I actually wanted to spend time in.
Maintenance Made Easy: With concrete, I used to scrub oil stains and mop up spills constantly. With Swisstrax? I just hose it down or vacuum underneath the tiles. The ribbed design allows dirt and liquids to drain through, so I’m never left with puddles or grime.
Enhanced Comfort and Safety: Concrete is cold, hard, and slippery when wet. Swisstrax has an anti-slip surface that adds grip, even when wet or covered in sawdust. And standing on it for long periods? Way more comfortable than hard concrete.

Comparing Swisstrax to Other Garage Flooring Options

There are plenty of options when it comes to garage flooring. So, how does Swisstrax compare to the usual suspects?

Epoxy Flooring
Durability: Epoxy is tough but can crack and peel over time, especially in areas with fluctuating temperatures. Swisstrax stays flexible and doesn’t chip or fade.
Maintenance: Epoxy stains easily. Swisstrax tiles lift up, making cleaning spills effortless.
Installation: Epoxy requires multiple coats, long drying times, and careful prep work. Swisstrax snaps together in hours.
Concrete Sealers and Paints
Durability: Basic concrete paint wears out fast, especially under car tires. Sealers help, but they still don’t offer Swisstrax’s resilience.
Aesthetics: Even the best concrete sealers don’t have the same polished, professional look as Swisstrax.
Interlocking Rubber Tiles
Durability: Rubber tiles are soft and absorb impact but can wear out over time, especially in garages with heavy traffic. Swisstrax will not degrade.
Maintenance: Rubber can be harder to clean and sometimes traps moisture underneath. Swisstrax allows air circulation to prevent mold and mildew.

Potential Drawbacks of Swisstrax Flooring

No flooring solution is perfect, and Swisstrax is no exception. While it has a ton of benefits, there are a few factors to consider before making the investment:

Higher Upfront Cost: Swisstrax is an investment—it’s pricier than painting or sealing your garage floor. But in my experience? It’s worth every cent. The durability alone means I’ll never have to redo my floor again.
Not Ideal for Extreme Heat Outdoors: If your garage gets direct, intense sunlight all day, the tiles can expand slightly. Proper installation (leaving space for expansion) prevents buckling, but if you live in a scorching climate, it’s something to consider.
May Not Be Best for Certain Commercial Uses: For a regular garage, Swisstrax is unbeatable. But if you’re running a commercial-grade shop with welding, constant heavy impact, or chemical exposure, you might want to look into industrial epoxy coatings instead.

How to Maximize the Value of Your Swisstrax Investment

With a little planning and the right setup, you can make sure your investment looks great, lasts longer, and works exactly how you need it to.

Prep Your Garage Before Installation: Even though Swisstrax is easy to install, clear out your garage first. Sweep, vacuum, and make sure the floor underneath is clean before laying down the tiles.
Choose the Right Tile Type: If you deal with a lot of moisture, Ribtrax is your best friend. If you want a solid, high-end look, go for Diamondtrax.
Keep It Clean: One of my favorite things about Swisstrax? It barely needs maintenance. A quick vacuum or hose-down keeps it looking fresh.
Get Creative With Colors and Layouts: Don’t be afraid to customize. Mix colors, add stripes, or even create zones in your garage. I used different colors to separate my workspace from my storage area, and it’s made a huge difference.
Consider Adding Edge Pieces: If yo u want a polished look (and smoother entry points for rolling carts or vehicles), install edge ramps along the entrance of your garage.

Conclusion

So, is Swisstrax worth the investment? From my experience—absolutely. I used to see my garage as just a place to store tools and park my car. Now? It’s my workshop and personal retreat. It’s become the one space in my home that’s truly mine. If you’re serious about transforming your garage, Swisstrax is definitely worth every penny.

How to Keep Your Custom Closet System Looking Like New

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:55:20 GMT

A well-designed custom closet system is more than just a storage solution – it's an investment in your home's organization and functionality. As someone who's spent years helping homeowners maintain their closet spaces, I've learned that proper care of custom closet systems isn't just about preserving their appearance; it's about protecting your investment and ensuring lasting functionality. Regular maintenance doesn't just prevent wear and tear; it enhances your daily routine and maintains the value of your organizational investment.

When I first installed my own custom closet system, I discovered that a well-maintained space creates a sanctuary of order that makes getting ready each day a pleasure rather than a chore. However, without proper care, even the finest custom closet systems can lose their luster and functionality over time. Ready to discover the secrets of maintaining your dream closet? In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about:

Routine cleaning and decluttering
Protecting closet materials for long-term durability
Organizing strategies for maximum longevity
Regular inspections and timely repairs
Seasonal deep cleaning
Maintenance for a fresh and inviting space

Keep reading to transform your closet maintenance routine and ensure your investment stays beautiful for years to come.

Routine Cleaning and Decluttering

The foundation of closet maintenance begins with consistent cleaning and organization. I recommend establishing a weekly cleaning routine that includes dusting shelves, wiping down rods, and vacuuming the floor area. For wood components, use a soft microfiber cloth slightly dampened with a gentle wood cleaner. For laminate surfaces, a mild all-purpose cleaner works well, while metal elements can be cleaned with a damp cloth followed by a dry one to prevent water spots.

Decluttering should be a monthly ritual. I suggest setting aside time at the end of each month to review your items and remove anything that hasn't been used in the past year. This prevents unnecessary strain on your storage systems and maintains the clean, organized look that makes custom closet systems so appealing.

Protecting Closet Materials for Long-term Durability

Your custom closet system's longevity depends largely on how well you protect its materials. Installing shelf liners not only prevents scratches but also makes cleaning easier. For drawer bottoms, consider using felt or velvet liners to protect both the drawer and its contents.

Never exceed the weight capacity of shelves or hanging rods – a good rule of thumb is to leave about 20% of space unused to prevent stress on the materials. In humid areas, I strongly recommend using a dehumidifier to maintain optimal moisture levels, preventing warping and mold growth. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets serve the dual purpose of natural pest control and pleasant fragrance.

Organizing Strategies for Maximum Longevity

The way you organize your closet significantly impacts its longevity. Investing in quality wooden or padded hangers prevents stretching and damages both your clothes and the hanging rods. When storing heavy items like winter coats or suits, distribute their weight evenly across multiple hangers to prevent rod strain.

Always place heavier items on lower shelves or in bottom drawers. This creates a stable center of gravity and reduces stress on the overall structure. For accessories and smaller items, clear acrylic organizers or fabric boxes help maintain order while preventing scratch damage to shelves.

Regular Inspections and Timely Repairs

Monthly hardware inspections are crucial for maintaining custom closet systems. Make it a habit to check all screws, brackets, and hinges on the first of each month. Listen for unusual sounds when opening drawers or doors – they often signal developing issues. Keep a small toolkit nearby for immediate fixes, including a screwdriver, Allen wrench, and wood touch-up markers.

When you notice any wobbling or misalignment, address it immediately. Small issues can quickly escalate into costly repairs if ignored. If you're not comfortable making repairs yourself, contact your closet system's manufacturer or a qualified professional.

Seasonal Deep Cleaning

Twice-yearly deep cleaning sessions help maintain your closet's pristine condition. I schedule mine during spring and fall wardrobe transitions. Remove everything from the closet, including hangers and organizers. This is your chance to thoroughly clean areas that usually get overlooked, like corners and hardware joints.

Use this opportunity to assess your storage solutions' effectiveness. Are your drawer dividers still working well? Do you need additional organizing tools? Making thoughtful upgrades during these sessions helps your custom closet system evolve with your needs.

Maintenance for a Fresh and Inviting Space

Creating an inviting atmosphere enhances your closet experience. Install LED strip lighting under shelves to illuminate dark corners and add ambiance. Moisture-absorbing sachets placed strategically throughout the space help maintain optimal humidity levels while adding a subtle fragrance.

If you want a little more of a scent boost, Angie’s List suggests solutions like adding cedar, pine, or eucalyptus sprigs to the closet. Not only do these items add a natural fresh scent, but they can also help inhibit mold growth or repel bugs.

Consider adding labeled containers and coordinated storage boxes to maintain visual harmony. These small touches not only make your closet more pleasant to use but also encourage maintaining its organized state.

Conclusion

Keeping your custom closet systems in pristine condition requires consistent attention and care, but the results are worth the effort. By following these maintenance guidelines, you'll ensure your closet continues to function beautifully and maintain its elegant appearance for years to come. Remember, a well-maintained closet isn't just about preserving an investment – it's about creating a space that brings joy and efficiency to your daily routine. Start implementing these care tips today, and enjoy the lasting benefits of your custom closet system.

Source

https://www.angi.com/articles/9-easy-ways-make-your-closet-and-clothes-smell-good.htm

How to Declutter Your Custom Closet Before the New Year

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:18:33 GMT

The New Year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and what better way to begin than with a beautifully organized custom closet ? A tidy closet reduces stress and makes daily routines smoother and more enjoyable. Imagine starting your day by effortlessly selecting an outfit from a clean, streamlined wardrobe tailored to your needs. Decluttering your custom closet before the New Year offers a sense of accomplishment and sets the tone for a more intentional and stress-free year.

From setting clear goals to implementing storage solutions, learn how to create a space that sparks joy and stays organized all year long. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Set your decluttering goals
Prepare sorting categories
Take everything out for a fresh start
Sort and edit: Be selective with each item
Organize by category or season
Make use of closet organizers and storage solutions
Refresh and add personal touches
Do these tips for maintaining a clutter-free closet throughout the year

In this blog, I’ll guide you through a step-by-step process to refresh and declutter your custom closet. Keep reading to transform your custom closet into a space that works for you, not against you. Let’s get started!

Set Your Decluttering Goals

Do you want to create more space, simplify your wardrobe, or organize items by season? Having a specific objective helps keep you focused and motivated throughout the decluttering process.

Write down your goals or visualize how your custom closet will look and feel when you're finished. Whether it’s reducing wardrobe choices for a minimalist lifestyle or freeing up space for new additions, knowing your "why" will make decision-making easier and more intentional.

Prepare Sorting Categories

Decluttering is much easier when you have a system. Start by preparing four sorting categories: keep, donate, sell, and discard.

Keep: Items you wear regularly and love
Donate: Clothing in good condition that no longer fits or suits your style
Sell: High-quality pieces that are worth listing online or taking to a consignment shop
Discard: Anything damaged, stained, or beyond repair

Use labeled bags or boxes to keep these categories organized as you go. Having a clear sorting system helps you stay decisive and prevents unnecessary second-guessing.

Take Everything Out for a Fresh Start

Yes, everything! Remove all items from your custom closet, and lay them out in a designated area, such as your bed or a clean floor space. Seeing your entire wardrobe at once can be eye-opening—it’s amazing how much we accumulate over time!

This step may seem overwhelming, but it’s crucial for creating a "blank slate." Once the closet is empty, you’ll have a better perspective on how to reimagine your space and make the most of it.

Sort and Edit: Be Selective with Each Item

Now comes the heart of the decluttering process: deciding what stays and what goes. Pick up each item and ask yourself:

Does it still fit?
Do I wear it often?
Does it suit my current style or lifestyle?
Does it bring me joy?

Be honest with yourself. Let go of “just in case” pieces or items you feel obligated to keep. Trust that a simplified wardrobe filled with pieces you truly love and use will serve you better.

Organize by Category or Season

Once you’ve narrowed down your wardrobe, it’s time to put everything back in an organized manner. Group items by category—like tops, pants, and dresses—or by season, depending on what works best for your lifestyle.

Organizing by category or season makes it easier to find what you need and helps you see how much you have in each area. Plus, a tidy and categorized closet saves time on busy mornings and reduces decision fatigue.

Make Use of Closet Organizers and Storage Solutions

Custom closets are designed for flexibility, so make the most of them by incorporating storage solutions that maximize space. Add shelves, dividers, bins, and hanging organizers to keep items neat and easily accessible.

For example:

Use drawer dividers for accessories, like belts and scarves.
Invest in undershelf baskets for shoes.
Add hooks for ties or necklaces.

These tools prevent clutter from creeping back in and help maintain a tidy space. It’s OK to get creative about storage too. For instance, if you have a collection of purses, Nordstrom demonstrates several options, from hooks and other hanging solutions to boxes and drawers, to options that allow you to display and store, such as wall shelves or smaller shelving units. When displayed, those items become not just another item you need to store, but also a decorative element of your closet.

Refresh and Add Personal Touches

Take a few minutes to give your closet a little TLC. Wipe down shelves, dust surfaces, and consider adding a fresh scent with lavender sachets or cedar blocks. Small decorative touches, like a favorite framed photo or a stylish box for keepsakes, can make your closet feel special and inviting.

Treat your custom closet as a curated space that reflects your style and personality. When your closet feels intentional and personalized, you’re more likely to keep it organized and clutter-free.

Do These Tips for Maintaining a Clutter-Free Closet Throughout the Year

Now that your closet is decluttered, keep it that way with these simple tips:

One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you bring in, remove one item to maintain balance.
Seasonal Check-Ins: Dedicate time at the start of each season to assess your wardrobe and remove anything that no longer serves you.
Mindful Shopping: Buy with intent and purpose to avoid accumulating unnecessary items.

Consistency is key! Regular upkeep prevents clutter from building up and ensures your custom closet stays organized year-round.

Conclusion

Decluttering your custom closet before the New Year is a rewarding process that brings clarity, space, and a fresh mindset. With less stress and more organization, you’ll start the year feeling ready to tackle anything. So set aside some time, follow these steps, and enjoy the transformation as you create a closet that sparks joy and makes your life easier.

Source

https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/content/blog/how-to-store-handbags-purses

Streamline and Organize Your Closet with Closet Organizers

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:55:39 GMT

Have you found that even with a custom closet, you’re still running out of room, and clutter is slowly yet surely seeping out again? It sounds like you’re a perfect candidate for custom closet organizers . With organizers, you can streamline your space, making it more efficient. You’ll also have more optimal levels of clutter control to help you achieve and maintain a functional and aesthetically pleasing space. What do you need to know as you get started?

This guide will expand on closet organizers, giving you the know-how to make a confident choice. You'll discover:

Benefits of using closet organizers
Types of closet organizers
Choosing the right closet organizers
Tips for efficient installation
Installation and setup

Yet how do you choose the right closet organizer? And what do the various organizers do to create a neater closet? You’ll have answers to these questions and more, so make sure you stay tuned.

Benefits of Using Closet Organizers

No matter your type of custom closet, from a walk-in closet to a reach-in or a kids' closet, yours can benefit from organizers. Just take a look at some very compelling reasons to give organizers a chance:

Improved Efficiency

A good organization system can make all your favorite items more accessible. Custom organizers help you sort your closet by color, season, or use. As a result, you can simplify your daily routine, as you’ll be able to find exactly what you need much faster.

Who doesn’t love saving time in the morning? You can spend a few extra minutes on your hair or makeup, or even hit the snooze alarm an extra time (or two) without being late.

Maximized Storage Space

Even custom closets have their limitations. Fortunately, organizers help you make the most out of every square inch of your closet space. You can introduce more horizontal and vertical storage without having to expand your closet’s footprint.

Enhanced Closet Aesthetics

You love a well-designed closet, which is why you opted for a custom design in the first place. Closet organizers will help you achieve your closet aesthetics, as a neat space is a more visually appealing one.

Types of Closet Organizers

Now that you’ve realized the potential of organizers, you’re probably more excited than ever to explore your options. Without further ado, then, here are the various types of organizers for a spotless closet every day of the week.

Shelving Systems

One of the most popular custom organizers is shelving systems. You can select from three types: floating, adjustable, and fixed shelves.

Floating shelves adhere to a wall without support, although sometimes with hidden fixings, which provide the illusion that the shelves float on the wall. Due to their design, floating shelves must always be affixed to a wall, unlike other shelving styles.

One of the biggest benefits of floating shelves besides their undeniable aesthetics is their addition of vertical storage space. You can put variously sized items on the shelves depending on their width and depth, especially small accessories.

Secondly, there are adjustable shelves. As the name suggests, these shelves offer various configurations according to your needs. For example, if you’re only storing thin or small items, you can minimize the amount of space between one shelf and another.

However, if you wanted to organize larger or heavier items, you could expand the space between the shelves. The biggest advantage of adjustable shelves is that their versatility makes them suitable for use all year long.

Finally, there are fixed shelves, which remain in one position, unlike adjustable shelves. Floating shelves are usually fixed, but this style also refers to any other type of shelf that has a static position.

The biggest perk of fixed shelves is that they’re sturdy and reliable for containing heavier items (although always check the weight limit of your shelves before you fill them up).

Hanging Organizers

How about another type of closet organizer? Hanging organizers include shoe organizers, garment bags, and hanging racks. Let’s take a closer look at how to use each of these types of organizers in your custom closet.

Shoe organizers may include racks or other vertical styles. Everyone knows how frustrating it is when you can only find one shoe out of the pile, and shoe organizers will eliminate that strife. Each pair of footwear you own will be proudly on display and paired up.

Hanging racks can hold an assortment of items, from extra clothing to belts, ties, scarves, and even sizable jewelry (like costume jewelry). You can use hanging racks to display the outfit you plan to wear the next day, saving even more time during your morning routine.

Garment bags are an excellent solution for preserving and storing your clothing. You might be able to fit several outfits per bag while keeping your favorite items safe from pests, dirt, and grime.

Drawer Systems

Custom closet organizers include myriad drawer systems designed to help you make the most of using your closet. For example, you can choose from modular drawer units and/or built-in drawers.

Modular drawer units are designed for portability. You can take yours anywhere, transferring it from your bedroom to the kids’ rooms, hallways, and elsewhere in the house. The units include several drawers for storing clothing, small accessories, and even jewelry.

Built-in drawers come installed with your custom closets. Ask about full-extension drawers, which are more spacious than your average set of drawers. The key lies in how the full-extension style can open further, allowing you to store more.

Accessory Organizers

Keeping your accessories tidy is a major concern, as you want to be able to browse through your collection to pick the right piece that will make any outfit look better. Accessory organizers are designed for storing ties, belts, and jewelry.

Your tie collection will be fully accessible – thanks to tie hangers. You can affix each tie you own to the hangers then store them in your closets. Each morning when you get ready for your day, you can look through your ties and choose the one that suits your mood.

Belt racks work in much the same way. You can store several belts on a rack, which is optimal for space saving. You’ll always have the right belt within reach.

Jewelry trays are designed to hold onto your keepsakes and prevent them from becoming knotted and tangled with the others in the tray. You’ll also prevent frustrating cases of lost earrings, bracelets, and pendants.

Choosing the Right Closet Organizers

So many organizers, so little time! How do you select the one that’s the most suitable for your custom closet? Consider the following points:

Assessing Your Needs

First, begin by evaluating your personal storage needs. Think about how much closet space you currently have available, how often you use it, and what kinds of items you keep in your closet. Don’t only plan for right this moment but all throughout the year.

For instance, do you use your closet for winter and summer storage? Do you keep only clothes in there, or also accessories and shoes? Maybe linens as well? The easiest way to answer these questions is to create a list of your storage requirements first.

From there, you can easily narrow it down to the best organizers for your needs.

Measuring Your Closet

Of course, your closet dimensions will influence your choices. If your closet is on the narrower or smaller side, you might not have access to as many organizers as someone with a larger closet.

Measuring the dimensions of your custom closet properly requires you to calculate the height and width. You can use a flexible measuring tape for this job. Just make sure you account for any obstructions in your closet, such as hanging rods, as they will influence your organizer options.

Selecting Materials and Styles

Custom closets come in so many different and unique materials, from plastic to wood and metal. You have to bear that in mind when you browse organizers, and you want to ensure a match between the style of the organizer and the rest of the closet.

The materials should be complementary and visually appealing to you.

Tips for Efficient Closet Organization

While custom closet organizers are certainly one option for a neater closet, having good organization habits will also help you maintain a tidy space. Follow these pointers to get your closets under control.

Declutter Before Organizing

Organizing without decluttering is essentially sorting clutter into new piles. It seems effective at first, but time will prove otherwise.

Make it a point to declutter your closets by removing items you don’t use or wear. Sort them into their own pile to deal with them later, but don’t keep sticking them back in the closet. They’re better off being donated or even thrown away.

Categorize Items

Create categories for the items in your custom closet. For example, you could organize by function, such as work clothes vs. at-home clothes. You could sort by color or season, or even similarity, such as all your shoes together and all your shirts.

Select whichever categorization option makes the most sense to you and the one you think will be easiest to maintain long-term. You’ll find it’s far easier to keep an orderly closet.

Labeling and Maintenance

Labels are your friends when keeping a neat custom closet. Use labels on drawers, bins, and shelves, so you can always find what you need at a glance. Labels also make it easier to put everything back where it belongs without any confusion or second-guessing.

Even still, be ready to commit to regular maintenance to keep your custom closet in tip-top shape. Keep the surfaces clean, including the floors, drawers, and shelves. Go through the items in your closet at least twice per year, and empty everything out, so the space never gets overfull.

Installation and Setup

Lastly, don’t miss this guidance on closet organization setup and installation as you proceed with your new storage system.

DIY vs. Professional Setup

Compared to installing a custom closet yourself, DIY closet organizer setup is doable. However, even that depends a lot on your personal skill level and the complexity of the organizer system. If you don’t feel comfortable, you’re better off paying a skilled professional to handle the job instead.

That way, you can feel confident your organizer is installed properly and correctly without any risk of falling or causing damage. You will also save money, as you won’t have to replace damaged parts since the installation will be done right the first time around.

Step-by-Step Setup

What does the setup process for closet organizers entail, anyway? It all begins with assembling the components before installation then arranging them in the proper places in the custom closet. Next, technicians will adjust settings as required, such as for shelf heights.

Installation issues can arise without prior experience. For instance, you might buy an organizer that’s too big and struggle to fit it properly, or you could even discover your organizer is too small!

Misalignment is another big problem. If you don’t have a level and some basic handyperson experience, you could end up hanging up your shelves crooked. Then you’d have to take them down and try again. You could end up weakening the walls that way and leaving a lot of holes.

Fortunately, by measuring and preplanning your project, most closet organization installations should go off without a hitch.

Conclusion

Using custom closet organizers is key to maintaining a neat closet long-term. You can select from many types of organizers, from accessory organizers to drawer systems, hanging organizers, and shelving systems. Each is designed to assist with different storage issues. By taking this first step to decluttering, you can have a neater space you’ll love.

Source

https://shelfology.com/blog/faq-what-is-a-floating-shelf-how-are-floating-shelves-installed/

Safety Considerations in Creating a Fun & Functional Kids’ Closet

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 18:00:33 GMT

As a parent, you have likely spent a lot of time considering whether the various rooms in your home are safe for your little ones. Babyproofing when your child is small turns into childproofing later on. When I design a kids’ closet , I always take into consideration the age of the youngest child who will be using the space, and from there, I make sure the space is both safe and functional.

Here are some of the ways you can make sure your kids’ closets are safe for them to use:

Assess their needs
Get to know essential safety features
Add fun and function
Maintain the system

At Northland Closets, we are proud to offer a variety of children’s closets along with our typical home organization systems. Call us to schedule a free consultation if you’re interested in investing in a long-lasting adjustable kids’ closet.

In this article, we’ll be going over how to improve the safety of your children’s storage spaces. If you’re ready to learn more, keep reading!

Assessing Safety Needs

Understanding the Age Group

When it comes to kids' closets, one size definitely doesn't fit all. Here’s how you can choose safety features to fit your child’s age and needs:

Toddlers and Preschoolers: Little ones are curious explorers! Keep potentially dangerous items, like heavy objects or small things that could be swallowed, out of their reach. Also, all shelves need to be securely anchored to the wall.
Young School-Aged Children: Your elementary school-aged kids are all about independence. Make life easier for them (and safer for you) by providing lower hooks and bins for their everyday essentials. This can prevent them from climbing to reach items that are stored too high (though the shelves should still be anchored).
Older Kids: Older children have their own set of needs. Secure shelving is a must for heavier items, like books or sports gear. Make sure they can easily access their frequently used stuff; remember, the key is to prevent climbing while also keeping those shelves mounted to the wall.

Identifying Potential Hazards

Kids' closets can be a treasure trove of potential hazards. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

Sharp Edges: Opt for furniture with rounded edges to avoid those dreaded bumps and bruises.
Unsecured Shelves: Ensure all shelves are firmly anchored to the wall to prevent any tipping accidents. Lakeland Regional Health has more information on the importance of preventing tipped-over furniture.
Small Objects: Little hands love tiny things. Keep small items, like buttons or tiny toys, in well-sealed containers and out of reach of your toddler or preschooler.
Loose Hardware: Regularly check for any loose screws or fittings, and tighten them up to avoid accidents and injuries.

Essential Safety Features

Rounded Edges and Corners

Kids are always on the move, and sometimes their boundless energy can lead to bumps and bruises. That’s why rounded edges and corners are a must-have in kids' closets. Imagine a dresser with sleek, curved edges instead of sharp corners. It’s not just safer; it also adds a touch of style. Look for furniture and fixtures designed with these rounded features to keep those little foreheads bump-free.

If you do have sharp edges, you can always add bumper cushions or even a pool noodle to help soften them temporarily while you’re waiting for your young child to grow a bit. Foamnoodles has some tips on using pool noodles to make your home safer.

Secured Shelving and Furniture

Have you ever had your heart jump into your throat watching a bookshelf wobble? Secured shelving and furniture are essential to prevent any tipping accidents. Use sturdy wall anchors and brackets to ensure everything stays put. This is important for climbing toddlers, and it’s just as vital for older kids. Think about those heavy textbooks or sports trophies—keeping shelves securely fastened means peace of mind for you and a safer space for your child.

Childproof Locks and Latches

Kids are naturally curious, which is fantastic for learning but can be a bit nerve-wracking when it comes to safety. Childproof locks and latches on drawers and cabinets are lifesavers -- sometimes literally. These handy gadgets keep hazardous items, like small objects, out of reach. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in keeping your little explorer safe.

Non-Toxic Materials

When choosing materials and finishes for your child’s closet, non-toxic options are the way to go. Kids are more susceptible to harmful exposures, so it’s important to avoid paints and finishes that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Look for certifications, like UL GREENGUARD or labels that state they are free from harmful chemicals. It’s all about creating a healthy environment where your child can thrive.

Proper Ventilation

Closets might not be the first place you think about needing good airflow, but proper ventilation is key to preventing mold and mildew. These sneaky culprits can cause health issues, especially for kids with allergies or asthma. Ensure your child’s closet has adequate ventilation to keep it fresh and dry. A small vent or even leaving the door slightly ajar can make a big difference.

Fun and Functional Design Elements

Interactive Features

Closets aren’t just for storage. Make your child’s closet a fun and engaging space with some interactive features like these:

How about a dress-up station with a mirror and a few costumes? It can turn getting dressed into a creative adventure.
A chalkboard wall is another great idea—it gives your child a space to draw and express themselves, right in their closet.
Create a cozy reading nook with a few cushions and their favorite books. These little touches can make the closet a magical place your child loves to spend time in.

Adjustable Storage Solutions

Kids grow quickly, and so do their storage needs. Adjustable storage solutions are a game-changer because they can adapt as your child gets older. Think about shelves that can be moved higher or lower or rods that can be adjusted for different heights. This way, you’re not constantly buying new furniture as your child’s needs change. This can also encourage your child to keep their space organized since everything has a place that they can reach, no matter their age.

Personalization

Let your child’s personality shine by personalizing their closet. Use their favorite colors for bins, baskets, and even the walls. If they love a particular theme, like dinosaurs or ballerinas, incorporate those elements into the design. You can also add decorative touches, like nameplates, wall decals, or framed art. Personalization not only makes the closet look fantastic but also gives your child a sense of ownership and pride in their bedroom.

Regular Maintenance and Safety Checks

Routine Inspections

Keeping your child’s closet safe and functional isn’t a one-time task—it requires regular check-ins. Make it a routine to inspect the closet periodically to ensure it’s all still safe, secure, and functional. Check that shelves are firmly attached, any locks and latches are working properly, and there are no loose or broken parts. It’s a simple routine that can catch potential issues before they become problems – giving you peace of mind and keeping your child safe.

Updating as Needed

As your child grows, their needs and abilities change. Their closet should evolve with them. It’s important to update safety features and storage solutions to match their current stage. For example, you might need to adjust the height of shelves or add new storage bins as they acquire more stuff. Keep an eye on how they’re using the space, and make necessary adjustments. Updating the closet isn’t just about adding new things—it’s also about making sure the space is still practical, safe, and enjoyable for your child.

Conclusion

Your child means everything to you, and you’ll do anything you can to make their spaces safer for them. By tailoring safety features to their age, addressing potential hazards, and adding essential safety elements, you can create a space that’s both secure and engaging. Don’t forget to sprinkle in some interactive and personalized touches to make it uniquely theirs. If you're still not quite sure what to do or if you want some professional guidance, please give my team a call to schedule a free consultation. We’d be happy to set you up with a free design and show you how we can transform your kids’ closets into works of art that are both safe and functional.

New Title

The Best Materials for Your Custom Reach-In Closet

Fri, 17 May 2024 15:14:05 GMT

Your custom closet system is more than just a storage area. It’s also a reflection of not only your style but also your organization needs. I work with clients who ask me what the best material is for a custom closet. Choosing the right materials ensures your reach-in closet looks great and stands the test of time.

Here are the materials commonly used in reach-in closets:

Wood
Metal
Wire
Glass and Acrylic
Composites and Laminates

Northland Closets has been working with clients for decades and helping them organize their homes with high-quality materials. Give us a call anytime to set up a free consultation!

The materials you choose for your closet will affect how long your closet lasts, how it looks, and how it functions. Keep reading to learn more!

Overview of Common Materials Used in Custom Closets

You have a lot of options when it comes to your custom closet system. Here are some of the factors that will help you make your choice:

Budget: Some materials are more expensive than others, like solid wood are more expensive than others, like wire.
Style: The appearance of your closet will depend on the materials you choose. Is your style modern, minimalistic, Victorian, or classic?
Durability needs: Is it just you using the closet, or will it be used by several children? How much are you storing? Stronger materials will be better suited for higher durability needs.

Wood

Wood is a common choice for reach-in closet systems. There are lots of different options available.

Solid wood lasts a long time and looks beautiful. It also ages well. You can choose from different types of wood, including maple, oak, and cherry. One drawback is the higher cost and maintenance required when you use solid wood; it isn’t water-resistant, for example.
Plywood is a good choice if you’re looking to balance quality with a lower cost. It is relatively strong, but it may need reinforcements. You can get a variety of finishes and veneers to make it look great.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is another option to consider. It’s easier to take care of than hardwood and less susceptible to cracking or warping. Again, you have a few choices:

Medium Density Fiberboard or MDF is smooth, which makes it great for painting. It is, however, susceptible to moisture, so it’s best to use coated MDF.
Particleboard is less expensive. It’s not extremely durable, but if you’re looking for a wood-based product at a low price, it can be a good option. It is not suitable for humid or high-moisture environments, though.

Metal

Metal components and frames can be a good option for your custom closet system. Commonly used metals are steel and aluminum. They’re durable and they add a sleek, modern look to your small closet. One consideration to keep in mind is that metal can be heavy and difficult to install. Additionally, it can be susceptible to corrosion over time if it’s not properly treated.

Wire

Wire closet systems are inexpensive and practical. One benefit is that it allows for good ventilation. Some people prefer it if they like a minimalistic design.

Unfortunately, there are several drawbacks:

Wire doesn’t go well with a classic or traditional decorating style.
It doesn’t add much to the value of the home.
It bends and can break fairly easily, and if it pulls out of the wall, it can cause damage.
Wire can snag items – ruining them.

Glass and Acrylic

Doors and shelves can be made of glass or acrylic. Both are transparent and can make the closet appear larger. Acrylic is typically deemed better because it is strong and unlikely to break, whereas glass can break easily and cause not only damage but also injury.

You do need to keep both glass and acrylic clean, since it will tend to show streaks and dust. Also, particularly with glass, you’ll need to take care to prevent scratches and shattering.

Composites and Laminates

Composites and laminates are available in a range of colors and patterns, which is appealing to people with all types of styles. There are a lot of other benefits, too:

Laminates are scratch-resistant.
They’re easy to maintain; simply wipe them down with a dry or damp cloth.
They’re cost-effective when compared to solid wood or other luxury materials.
They are attractive and most people think they look nice.

How to Choose the Right Material for Your Closet

When choosing the right materials for your closet, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:

The closet size will affect your budget, so if you have a large closet, you may need to choose a less expensive material. A reach-in closet is usually on the smaller side, so you might have more choices within your budget.
Your climate will play a role if you don’t have central air conditioning. High levels of humidity can affect materials, like engineered wood and untreated metal.
Your personal style will also play a role. Nina Hendrick talks about the elements of decorating style and how to tell which type of style you have. This can help you decide which materials will work best and be most appealing to you.

Talking to a professional designer at Northland Closets will help you decide which materials will work best in your storage space.

Conclusion

When having your reach-in closet designed, it’s imperative to choose the right materials. You want to build a space you love and that you want to spend time in, so pick something that appeals to your sense of style. Choosing the most durable materials, you can also go far in making the closet system last longer. I invite you to give my team a call to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable and talented designers.

Source

https://www.ninahendrick.com/find-your-decorating-style/

Walk-In Closets: The Best Materials for Vanity Tables

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 20:37:18 GMT

One of my favorite parts of my job is working with clients who have big dreams for their walk-in closets . Many have seen lifestyle television shows on HGTV and similar channels, and they may be thinking about turning their closet into a dressing room of sorts. Even a smaller walk-in closet can often accommodate a vanity, which is a popular addition. One question I often receive is about the top of a vanity table. Which materials are best?

Here are my thoughts on some of the most popular vanity top materials in a walk-in closet:

Glass
Granite
Laminate
Marble
Quartz
Wood

Let’s do a deep-dive on some of these materials and why I recommend certain ones over others.

Glass

Glass vanity tops are popular because they are transparent, which lends a clean, streamlined look to the closet. They’re easy to clean and can be customized – thanks to techniques, like tinting, frosting, and etching. You can also use LED lighting underneath to light up the top, which can be helpful when putting on makeup.

One drawback of glass is that it can show scratches and smudges easily. This makes maintenance a bit more intensive, since you’ll need to be wiping down your vanity just about every time you use it. It can also be susceptible to chips or cracks, particularly if you accidentally drop something on the surface.

Granite

Granite is one of the natural stones used for countertops and vanity tables. It’s timelessly elegant, and it comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, so you’ll be able to suit your sense of style. It’s also low maintenance; granite generally hides fingerprints and smudges, and it’s highly resistant to scratches, so you won’t have to do much to keep it looking good.

On the other hand, granite can stain, particularly if you were to spill makeup on it. It’s also very heavy, which makes installation challenging. Finally, the cost can be prohibitive, depending on the quality of the slab and which shape you want.

Laminate

Thermally-fused laminate, such as melamine, is affordable and comes in a wide range of colors and designs. It’s easy to maintain; simply wipe it down with a damp cloth, and it won’t show fingerprints or smudge marks easily. It’s scratch- and stain-resistant, and it’s also lightweight and not difficult to install.

As far as disadvantages go, melamine has limited heat resistance, so you would need to be careful using a hot curling iron or other hot styling tools. Also, it’s not as durable as natural stone; there will be some level of wear and tear over time with heavy use.

Marble

Marble is another popular material made of a natural stone. It’s durable and long-lasting, and it can look beautiful for many years. It comes in a range of colors and patterns. It’s considered a luxury material and can increase the value of your home when used not only on vanity tables but also in the bathroom or kitchen.

Marble is susceptible to scratches, so it’s important to be careful not to scrape sharp objects across its surface. It’s also a bit more high-maintenance than some of the other choices, as it needs to be sealed regularly and cleaned in order to prevent etching. It’s also expensive and not a budget-friendly material to use in your custom closet system.

Quartz

Quartz is an engineered stone and is very resistant to scratches, stains, and chipping. It comes in a variety of colors, and it’s basically maintenance-free. It doesn’t need to be sealed and won’t need to be cleaned in any particularly careful manner.

But then again, this material can be expensive, and it has limited heat resistance. In addition, it’s quite heavy and might require additional support from the vanity underneath. While it’s not an issue in most walk-in closets, you do need to keep quartz out of the sun, so if you have a window or a skylight in your closet, this may be a consideration.

Wood

Wood is attractive and warm to the touch, as well as to the other senses. It can be repaired rather easily if scratches or dents occur. Many people like using wood in their homes because it’s timeless and can be used in most types of decorating styles.

Wood isn’t very resistant to moisture, scratches, or dents, however. It also carries the potential for mold or mildew if it gets wet, and it’s not a good choice to rest a heated styling tool on.

What I recommend if you want to use wood is to have it coated in laminate, so you’re getting the best of both worlds – a timeless material with the protection of melamine laminate.

Conclusion

It’s really up to you what type of material you want to use in your walk-in closet for your vanity table. My recommendation is usually to use wood coated in melamine, as it offers a lot of finish options, stain- and scratch-resistance, and low maintenance. It’s also lightweight – making for simpler installation. For more vanity ideas in a closet system, check out this article by The Style Du Jour .

Source

https://thestyledujour.com/small-spaces-decor-inspiration-create-vanity-closet/

Closets with Character: Custom Closet Systems Infused with Personalized Functionality

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:32:28 GMT

In my line of work, I have consulted with countless homeowners who want to upgrade their storage spaces with custom closet systems . Sometimes, however, they forget that putting in a new closet is just as much about creating an appealing space as it is creating an organized space.

Here are four practical steps to customize your closet system in a way that will help you stay organized while also expressing your sense of style:

Assess your needs
Consider your personal style
Optimize the space
Invest in quality

If you’re ready to say goodbye to a boring or non-functional closet, keep reading!

Assess Your Needs

Before you can customize your closet, you’ll need to take a good look at what you have and what you need to store. This is a vital part of my team’s in-home consultation. We look at the different types of clothing, shoes, accessories, and any specific architectural details (like windows in the closet or a sloped ceiling).

From there, we can determine how much room you need for each category. For example, your designer would talk to you about the different ways to store shoes if you have a large shoe collection. If we need to work around a window, we’d discuss how we can arrange shelving or perhaps place a bench underneath with storage inside. It’s important for purposes of function to ensure the closet system will physically hold the belongings you’d like to keep inside.

Consider Your Personal Style

Here’s the fun part – think about your preferred aesthetic and how you might fit it into your closet. Consider first your style. Do you like your home to reflect modernity, minimalism, tradition, or an eclectic blend? What about color? Would you prefer a white or neutral closet system that allows you to add pops of color, or would you rather have your favorite shades integrated into the components themselves?

Take a look at the rest of your home, and see if you can determine your overall style. You can find various quizzes online to find out what design style works best for you. Wayfair.com is one source to consider that offers a quiz. From there, you can look on Pinterest or various decorating websites to find ideas for making your closet appealing to look at and use.

Optimize the Space

One of my specialties is optimizing the space in the closet system for my clients. The goal is to use every nook, cranny, shelf, and cabinet to its full potential, so you can store items neatly and efficiently.

Some ways my team does this is by using adjustable shelves, double-hung clothing rods, and pull-out accessories. We might also use vertical shelf dividers and drawers of various sizes for items, like jeans, jewelry, and lingerie.

Having lots of closet storage options to choose from is important, and so is organizing the items as you put them away. It’s best to put the clothing and accessories you use most frequently in the most easily accessible part of your closet. This will prevent the space from getting disorganized from moving things out of the way to get to what you need.

Invest in Quality

Finally, after all of the effort you’re putting into creating a stylish and functional closet, you’re going to want to make sure it lasts. The longevity of your closet will depend on the materials and craftsmanship you use.

Don’t be tempted to use the cheapest option; instead, rely on professionals, like those on my team, to help you make the most of your space. You’ll also want to choose high-quality materials, like sturdy shelves and durable hardware. I can walk you through the various options available for your budget.

Conclusion

In the end, making your closet what you want it to be depends on your personal preferences and the team you work with. I’d love to help you transform your space into a well-organized storage area that meets all of your needs and also matches your personal style. Let’s work together to create a closet that’s as unique as you are!

Source

https://www.wayfair.com/sca/ideas-and-advice/styles/design-style-quiz-whats-your-design-style-T21651

Increasing Marketability: How Custom Closets Enhance Staging

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 20:31:30 GMT

I often work with homeowners who are planning on putting their houses on the market in the coming months or years. You might wonder, why would anyone install custom closets when they’re going to be moving anyway? Well, while the primary purpose of customized storage space is to enhance organization, the benefits extend to potentially increasing the value of the home.

Here are some ways custom closets can improve your staging – leading to the possibility of a quicker sale or even a higher asking price:

Set a better first impression
Maximize storage potential
Adapt to diverse needs
Streamline organization when selling

If you’re planning to sell your home, you should check with a real estate agent to determine how to best stage your home, but in the meantime, keep reading to learn about how a custom closet system can put you a step ahead of the competition.

Set a Better First Impression

You’ve heard the adage: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. When potential buyers walk into your home, their first impression is crucial. You want them to immediately feel welcomed, intrigued, interested, and most importantly, “at home.”

A home staged with a well-appointed custom closet can become a focal point in the room it’s located in – showing the functionality and style of the space. You can choose a style that complements the current style of your home, though if you’re selling the home, you’ll probably want to choose something somewhat neutral, so it appeals to anyone who looks at it.

Maximize Storage Potential

Most home buyers want a house with plenty of storage space. In fact, it’s often a top priority on “must have” lists they talk about with their real estate agents. Forbes even goes so far as to say that closets can make or break a deal. Home buyers know that cramped, overcrowded closets are an indication that you don’t have enough storage space, and that can scare them away.

Having your custom closets in well-organized shape, however, is a signal that not only do you have plenty of storage space but they will, too. Declutter your closet prior to any showings, so your potential buyers will see how well your clothing and accessories fit.

Adapt to Diverse Needs

One nice feature many of my clients love about their custom closet systems is that they are truly versatile. Drawers can hold a wide array of folded items, including undergarments, t-shirts, jeans, and sweaters, in addition to belts, ties, and other accessories. House hunters will be able to envision their own items in these drawers.

Even more important, custom closets are adjustable. This is something you might consider asking your real estate agent to add to the listing or to point out to people they’re showing the house to. The new homeowners will be able to move the hanging rods up or down and reconfigure the closet shelves as needed. Knowing this can help your potential buyers begin to envision their own items in the space.

Streamline Organization When Selling

If you’ve sold a home before, you know the challenge of keeping it “show ready” at all times. Your closets will perform the secondary function of providing you with plenty of space to stash unused items, so they’re not cluttering up your home. Many real estate agents will ask sellers to put away personal items, like framed family photos, and your closet is a good place to store these items.

If you have a large walk-in with extra space, you might consider using part of it to store your packed boxes. Buyers do expect to see boxes; they’re aware that one household is moving out while they move in. If you’re still living there, don’t be afraid to use this space to keep boxes out of the main living space. With that being said, no matter what you’re storing, make sure they can see your high-quality components and storage options.

It’s important to keep your closets looking as good as the rest of the house. The good news is that this can be accomplished in just a few minutes per day. Glenn Beese at Pacific Closet & Garage recently published a post about how to keep a closet in good shape with daily tasks.

Conclusion

I’ve worked with many homeowners who are putting in custom closets with the intention of selling their home relatively soon. They’re a great investment in your property and boast a good ROI. At the same time, they often make your home more attractive to potential buyers and can make staging simpler. Let me know if I can help you improve your closets prior to putting your house on the market.

Sources

Elevating Your Custom Closet: Tips to Make it Trendy

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 19:31:16 GMT

Your custom closet can be more than just a storage space. It can also reflect your personal style and maybe also the times you’re living in. Just as you might update your home to fit in better with the modern trends, you can do the same for your closet system.

Here are 10 ways you might elevate your custom closet and make it a trendy haven:

Personalize the layout
Add luxurious lighting
Choose a chic color palette
Install furniture and seating
Don’t forget about the flooring
Add smart storage solutions
Install mirrors
Experiment with textures and patterns
Accessorize the space
Refresh regularly

Let’s get started on your trendy closet makeover.

Personalize the Layout

Keep in mind that your closet should be personalized to fit your needs. So, before you start adding trendy extras, look carefully at the space to determine what you need to add or take away to ensure there’s plenty of room for what you’re storing. A well-organized layout will serve as the foundation for a trendy, stylish closet.

Add Luxurious Lighting

You’ll want to be sure your closet is completely visible, so evaluate your lighting needs. The space probably has a light overhead. Do you like it, or would you rather switch it out for something different, perhaps a chandelier? In addition to overhead lighting, consider adding LED strip lights to the undersides of the shelves, dimmable lighting for different times of day, or even a spotlight to really get a good look at your outfit.

Choose a Chic Color Palette

When it comes to color, you have tons of options. It’s easier to change out colors later if you start with a neutral backdrop, like white, gray, or beige. From there, you can add pops of your favorite colors. You can match your closet to your bedroom or try something really bold, like neon green, fuchsia, or maybe gold or silver.

Install Furniture and Seating

You can make your closet more elegant by adding something, like a gorgeous vanity, a comfortable chair, or maybe a fluffy ottoman. These pieces of furniture are functional, of course, but they also introduce some luxury to what might otherwise be a utilitarian space.

Don’t Forget About the Flooring

Chances are good that your closet floor is the same as your bedroom floor. Whether your flooring is carpet, tile, or wood, you can change it out for little money. Consider adding a throw rug on top of whatever floor you already have. If you have a hard floor you’re not happy with, you could learn how to stencil it or even try peel-and-stick laminate squares in a variety of colors or patterns. Use your imagination!

Add Smart Storage Solutions

Custom closets can hold a lot of clever storage organizers. For example belt racks can pull down from out of sight, and closet rods that are set up high can be pulled down for easy reaching. Pull-out shelves and shoe organizers are also popular. These all allow you to save space while also enjoying chic storage.

Install Mirrors

Mirrors add depth and style to any space, and the closet is no exception. Work with the lighting you have, and also think about what you might want to reflect off of them. In addition to looking elegant and making the closet seem larger, a mirror is perfect for last-minute outfit checks before you head out of your bedroom.

Experiment With Textures and Patterns

Since the closet is a small space, you can really enjoy having fun with trendy patterns and textures. Think about adding wallpaper, a patterned rug, or small items, like colorful storage bins. The Spruce offers tips for mixing and matching patterns, and their top tips include using colors of the same intensity (all jewel tones, all pastels, and so on) and including some swaths of solid colors to give the eyes a rest.

Accessorize the Space

You can actually beautify your closet with your accessories. Try hanging your scarves from hooks on the wall, for example, to add a pop of color. Jewelry can also be used to decorate if you hang statement pieces on wall-mounted jewelry organizers. Hats can hang from nails placed along the top of the wall.

Refresh Regularly

In order to keep a closet trendy, it needs to be updated regularly. You should be going through your wardrobe seasonally or at least annually, so use this time to spruce up, add a piece or two, or maybe change up the color scheme as desired. As you refresh your clothing, you can also refresh the layout or accessories to keep everything up to date and appealing.

Conclusion

Remember, keeping a space trendy doesn’t mean just following the latest fads. It also means creating a space that you enjoy using and looking at. It should reflect your sense of style and accentuate your wardrobe, and it can change regularly as your preferences change.

Source

https://www.thespruce.com/design-dilemma-patterns-2213501#

Finding Hidden Space in Your Small Custom Closet System

Mon, 08 May 2023 19:31:00 GMT

Your custom closet system may seem unmanageable because it’s so small. You can’t make the closet bigger – does that mean you’re stuck with limited space?

It doesn’t. There may be hidden space you could find in your small custom closet system if you know how to find and use it.

Take a look at these strategies for finding hidden closet space and putting it to work for you:

Move the Clothing Rods Up
Store Folded Clothes Vertically
Position a Mannequin Near the Closet
Take the Doors Off

Keep reading to find the best ways to free up closet space, even in narrow or shallow closets.

Move the Clothing Rods Up

Consider moving the clothing rods in your closet up. You still want to be able to reach them, but if they’re higher, you’ll have more room to store other items underneath. You could stack shoe boxes in that space or fill baskets with folded clothes or accessories.

Alternatively, you could install a second rod underneath the first one. This is a good idea if you have a lot of hanging clothes and not enough room. Use the lower rod for items that aren’t going to brush the floor – longer tops will need to be on the top rod.

Store Folded Clothes Vertically

If the problem is finding space for your folded clothes, how you fold them can make a big difference. Horizontally folded stacks may seem like the easiest way to put folded clothes away, but it’s not very efficient. Not only does this method take up more space than necessary, but stacks of clothes get disorganized easily.

Instead, you can try folding clothes vertically, also known as the file-folding method. It allows you to store each piece standing up, so you’ll be able to see everything inside without having to dig through stacks. Another option is to roll the clothes and stand them vertically. This works for most clothing that can be folded and may be simpler than vertical folding.

Position a Mannequin Near the Closet

If you have a small closet and some extra space in your bedroom, Displays2Go suggests standing a mannequin near the closet. Why? For one thing, a mannequin is a fun and funky decoration that will give the space some dressing room ambiance. However, that’s not the only reason.

Do you have something large that’s taking up space in your closet, like a puffy winter coat or formal gown you don’t wear often? Get that rarely worn garment out of your way and gain a fun decoration at the same time. If space is at a premium, a mannequin is a fun way to test outfits and set out clothes for the next day.

Take the Doors Off

If you’re in need of closet space and can’t find it any other way, you may consider removing the doors. Depending on the type of closet door and the way it’s positioned, you could free up some valuable space just by getting rid of it.

If your closet is neat and attractive, you may be okay with leaving the opening exposed. However, if it bothers you leaving the space open, you could always install a curtain across the doorway. It will cover the area but still give you the space freed up by removing the doors.

Conclusion

It’s frustrating when you don’t have enough room for your clothes and accessories, but there are good ways to create more space in your custom closet system. You can try adjusting the clothing rod, changing the way you fold, adding a mannequin, and even removing the closet doors entirely.

Source:

https://www.displays2go.com/Article/5-Artistic-Ways-Use-Mannequin-Home-210

Achieve Better Custom Closet Organization With These Small Steps

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 20:30:52 GMT

Maybe you don’t have the time right now for a big closet reorganization project. You may or may not need to do a big purge and reorganization at some point, but it can wait. In the meantime, there are small and simple steps you can take right now that will start bringing your custom closet organization under control. The idea is to set yourself up for success with little actions that will lead to a big payoff.

Here are some small actions you can take to start getting your closet neater and tidier:

Have a Toss/Sell/Donate Box
Make Reaching High Shelves Easy
Hang Necklaces on Hooks
Use Dividers To Separate Items

Take a look at some small changes you can make to achieve better custom closet organization

Have a Toss/Sell/Donate Box

Nearly everyone winds up with things in their closet they just don’t wear anymore. You come across a shirt, a pair of pants, a dress, or something else and notice that it doesn’t fit anymore, or that it’s damaged and not worth repairing, or that you just don’t like it anymore. Do you immediately remove it from the closet?

Almost certainly not. You’re busy! You have to get dressed and go to work or school or perform whatever other obligations you have that day. That’s completely understandable. Do you deal with it later, though, or do you forget all about it until this has happened so many times that clothes you don’t want are taking up a bunch of space on your hanging rod and in your drawer, or you have a large pile on the floor?

If you often forget to take care of these items, there’s an easy solution. Just put an empty box in your closet. The next time you pull out a clothing item that you’re definitely not going to wear anymore, place it in the box. When the box starts to fill up, take some time to go through and separate things to be thrown away, sold, or donated. You’ll be purging unwanted items from your closet a piece at a time, rather than having to do it all at once.

Make Reaching High Shelves Easy

An intuitive way to organize your closet is to put the things you use often on the most easily reachable shelves and put the things you don’t need very often up high. This method works well – at least until it’s time to put something away on one of those high shelves.

If you’re not tall enough to easily reach the items that you don’t need that often, putting them away will be a point where the organization system breaks down. When you need them, you’ll go get a stepladder or stool to reach them. When you’re putting them away, though, you won’t feel the same urgency. It’s easy to just set those items down on the floor or shove something on a lower shelf aside, undoing your organizational plan.

Do yourself a favor and bring a small stepladder into your closet. Hang it on a hook or stand it in a corner. That way, when you need to put something away up high, your height boost will be right there – no need to go search for something to stand on. This makes it a lot simpler to maintain your organizational plan even if you’re not feeling very motivated.

Hang Necklaces on Hooks

A jumble of necklaces that have knots in the change and are stuck together isn’t the best look for your surfaces or jewelry trays in the closet. They can also get caught up with other jewelry, like bracelets or dangling earrings, making even more of a mess.

Better Homes and Gardens has several suggestions for better jewelry organization. One great idea is hanging your necklaces on hooks. They’re not big, so any blank spaces on the wall are fine spots for your necklaces to go. This way, they can’t get tangled, and they provide decorative flair to your closet walls at the same time.

Use Dividers To Separate Items

Stacks of folded items tend to collide and get mixed up on shelves or in drawers. This happens when you open and close drawers and when you disturb things by looking through stacks to get what you want. The items hanging in your closet can also get mixed up this way – when you’re in a hurry to put something away, you may put things back anywhere on the rod, and pretty soon your hanging clothes are a mess.

Dividers are simple solutions for both folded and hanging clothes. Use divided drawers and shelves or make your own dividers to separate stacks of shirts or keep socks in one part of the drawer and underwear in another. Hang cardstock with a hole big enough for the hanging rod between different categories of clothes to help maintain separation between different kinds of clothes. Dividers are a simple addition that can make a big difference.

Conclusion

A major closet project may be too much to handle right now. Try taking small steps instead. Give yourself a place to collect unwanted clothes and an easy way to reach high spaces. Hanging your necklaces on hooks instead of letting them get snarled, and use dividers to keep clothes separated and prevent them from becoming jumbled and mixed up in your closet.

Source

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/how-to-organize-jewelry/

What to Store in the Custom Reach-in Closet in Your Guest Room

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 20:30:37 GMT

You have closets all over the house, but the one in the guest room may be the most complicated to stock and organize. That’s because a reach-in closet in the guest room usually has to do double duty – it’s a space for guests, and it’s also additional storage space in your home. You can design a custom reach-in guest room closet that meets all of your needs.

Save Space With Double Hanging Rods
Maximize Your Shelf Space
Stock Up on Guest Essentials
Don’t Forget The Lights

Take a look at how to think about arranging your guest closet.

Save Space With Double Hanging Rods

Unless you’ve got a guest coming for a very long-term stay, they probably aren’t going to bring many hanging items with them. You probably don’t need to hang much of anything in the guest room closet either, so maybe you don’t need a large rod that stretches across the entire width of the closet.

Instead, you could install hanging rods going across one of the side walls, or install a divider and use only half the closet width for hanging. While you’d be using a smaller rod, install two instead of one, one above the other. That way, you still have plenty of hanging room for your guests or your own needs, but you also have more space for other things.

Maximize Your Shelf Space

What your guests probably will need more of is shelf space. For many people, the winter holidays are the most likely time that they’ll have guests. That means that visitors will be packing clothes like heavy sweaters and sweatpants. These types of items are best stacked on shelves – hangers can pull sweaters out of shape, and heavy winter items take up a lot of drawer space.

A shelf can be stacked with as many folded sweaters or pants as desired. You can install sliding baskets underneath some shelves that will allow your guest to store smaller things like underwear and socks. As a bonus, items on shelves or in see-through baskets will be easy to spot, which means your guest is less likely to forget things when packing to leave.

For many of the things that people store in their own guest room closets, shelves are also a good choice. Is that where the family’s board games live? Do you keep craft or sewing supplies in there? Maybe it’s a place where you keep trinkets or mementos that you’re not displaying elsewhere right now, but don’t want to get rid of. All of these can go on shelves. Use baskets or bins to separate different kinds of items. Store your things on the higher shelves so that when guests come, they have easy access to the shelves at eye level.

Stock Up on Guest Essentials

While you’re customizing the closet with shelves, baskets, hooks, rods, and other features, you should also consider stocking it for guests. Large wicker baskets look cute and can be filled with a lot of things. Use one for an extra set of sheets, a blanket or throw, an extra pillow, guest sets of towels, hand towels, and washcloths, and any other linen that your guest is likely to want.

Fill a second basket with toiletries. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant toothpaste, and mouthwash are good. Try to choose unscented or neutral scents and gentle formulas. You might want to add packages of toothbrushes and disposable razors. Chances are that your visitors will try to pack their own toiletries, but forgetting something is very common, and most visitors will be glad that they don’t have to ask you for these things because you’ve already stocked them. Set the baskets on the floor or an empty shelf designated for guest items.

Don’t Forget The Lights

Your visitors will be staying in a strange home; they don’t automatically know where everything in the closet is. Good lighting will help prevent confusion and middle-of-the-night accidents. It could end up helping you, too, if you have to find something in the middle of the night. You may know your own closet like the back of your hand, but that probably doesn’t hold true for the guest room closet.

Homes and Gardens outlines some of the popular choices for closet lighting that you might want to consider. One particularly good idea is using lighting sensors that automatically provide light when they sense motion. That way, your guests don’t have to fumble for a light switch late at night.

Conclusion

Designing a guest room closet can be tricky, but if you keep your guest’s most likely needs in mind and work your own needs around them, you’ll end up with a custom closet that can serve your visitors well and that you can use during the times you don’t have guests.

Source

https://www.homesandgardens.com/bedrooms/closet-lighting-ideas

Improve Your Coat Closet With a Reach-in Closet Organization System

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 19:30:20 GMT

As the cooler weather sets in, warm coats and other outdoor gear become more crucial for the everyday routine of everyone in the house. Rather than take up a lot of space in the bedroom closets, it can be useful to have a coat closet that provides you with the space your household needs for outdoor gear. When it comes to a reach-in closet system for your coat closet, we've got some tips:

Choose the Right Hangers for the Job
Use Baskets, Bins, and Hooks for Smaller Items
Don’t Put Coats Away Wet
Have A Plan For the Off-Season

With a good organization system, your hall closet will stay neat and accessible so that you can find what you need when you need it.

Choose the Right Hangers for the Job

Your hangers matter more than you think. You can maximize your space and create a consistent appearance by using the same kind of hanger. You don’t want to just hang up coat closet items with whatever hangers you grab; chooses coordinating hangers that fit together and will look nice while keeping your coats in good condition.

Wooden hangers are widely considered the best hangers overall, and they’re usually the best choice for jackets and heavier coats specifically. However, if you need to save space and wooden hangers are just too large, then look for velvet non-slip hangers that are slimmer but can handle heavier weights like coats.

Use Baskets, Bins, and Hooks for Smaller Items

Coats are not the only articles of outerwear that you might need, especially in the winter. Items like umbrellas, rain hats, gloves, mittens, ear muffs, and scarves are all items that you may want to be able to grab when headed out the door. They’re also items that are easy to lose, especially if you’re just setting them down at random when you come inside.

Closet accessories like bins, baskets, and hooks can help you keep track of these items. These are all items that can be hung on hooks or tossed into baskets. You can label bins or baskets so that umbrellas go in one box and gloves and mittens go in another, so it’s even easier to find what you want when you need it. This way, your important items are kept in one place and easy to find when you’re getting ready to leave the house.

Don’t Put Coats Away Wet

An important part of an organized closet system is following steps to keep the closet in good shape and functioning optimally. Never walk inside from a rainstorm and immediately hang your soaking wet coat in the closet. Similarly, rain or snow boots and hats and other accessories and outerwear shouldn’t be put in the closet while wet either.

For one thing, your wet items will most likely touch other items in the closet, so dry things will end up wet and perhaps dirty as well. What’s more, when you put wet items in the closet, you run the risk of mold and mildew growing in the closet. It doesn’t take a lot of moisture or a long time for mold to develop. Make sure these items are dry before being replaced in the closet.

Have A Plan For the Off-Season

Another important part of taking care of your closet and the clothes in it is having a plan for the off-season. Eventually, the temperatures will rise again, and while you will still need rain gear, you might want to put away the heavy coats and replace them with light jackets or sweaters for the occasional cold night or visit to a venue that you know has cold indoor air. That’s fine, but you need to have a plan for the off-season.

Start by cleaning the coats and other items that you’re going to put away. Don’t store dirty garments away before washing them. The Guardian explains how you can store heavy coats on hangers inside a calico suit bag if you have the hanging space, but if you can’t hang them, you can pack them folded in plastic bins with clear lids and put acid-free tissue paper around them. Since these clothes can also be vulnerable to moths, make sure to store them with some type of moth repellent. Natural moth repellents that smell good include cedar planks, pine blocks, or a potpourri of dried rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender, or bay leaves in a cloth bag.

Conclusion

A good closet organization system protects your clothes and helps ensure you can leave the house with what you need without having to search for it. This is just as important for a hall closet as it is for a bedroom closet.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/16/setting-store-how-to-keep-woollen-coats-and-puffer-jackets-packed-away-safely

Kitchen Pantry Necessities

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 19:30:02 GMT

Are you looking to stock your kitchen pantry but can't decide on a final checklist? Below are some absolute must-haves for any pantry and tips to help keep everything organized.

Here are 10 essentials every pantry needs:

A good stock of spices is vital
Don’t forget the EVOO
A variety of vinegar keeps variety in the kitchen
Grab some baking essentials
Sweeteners and morning pick-me-ups are key
Rice and grains give you options
Don’t forget the snacks
Prepare for rainy days with canned goods
Categories are key
Now it’s time to get organized

Have you been meaning to get your pantry in order but have no idea where to start? Here’s a little guidance and more than a few ideas!

A Good Stock of Spices Is Vital

One of the easiest ways to switch up a stale cooking routine is with a variety of spices. Along with salt and pepper, invest in a bottle of allspice, some basil, cinnamon, and cloves. Garlic powder is remarkably versatile, and you can use it in a number of cuisines and dishes. Cumin is a great spice to have, too. A dash of that will make any egg dish or Indian curry more interesting.

Don’t Forget The EVOO

Extra virgin olive oil is one of those kitchen staples where once you start using it, you’ll wonder how it took you so long to hop on the bandwagon. Whether you’re roasting, baking, or frying, EVOO is one of the best ways to impart extra flavor while staying healthy. As Healthline notes , experts agree that extra virgin olive oil can "reduce inflammation," help protect against and prevent heart disease and strokes, and it "may help fight Alzheimer’s disease."

A Variety of Vinegar Keeps Variety in The Kitchen

Many people tend to overlook vinegar, but they shouldn’t. There aren’t many other kitchen essentials you could use to pull off a salad dressing and a pan sauce, after all. You can use white wine vinegar to make your own homemade pickles. White distilled vinegar can even be used as a highly effective cleaning agent!

Grab Some Baking Essentials

Even if you’re not a baker, staples like flour and baking soda are always handy in a pantry. Add some baking powder, and you’ve got several multi-purpose pantry favorites that’ll work well in any kitchen.

Sweeteners and Morning Pick-Me-Ups Are Key

Granulated sugar is vital, but you should also stock a similar, often-overlooked item: brown sugar. Aside from baking needs, brown sugar is excellent for candied yams and savory dishes like brown sugar meatloaf. Try dabbling in making your own brown sugar BBQ sauce!

Rice and Grains Give You Options

Rice, pasta, and grains are perfect for those long days when you’re tired and want to make something simple. As with everything else listed, this category's versatility elevates it to “necessity” status.

Don’t Forget the Snacks

You deserve to treat yourself, even if you’re watching what you eat. For that reason, no pantry is complete without a snacks section. The folks at WebMD , note that snacking is actually a healthy habit. In fact, those who consume more than 3 meals or snacks daily are more disciplined with maintaining a healthy weight and appetite.

Prepare for Rainy Days With Canned Goods

Beyond the usual suspects like soups, green beans, and tuna, plenty of other canned goods also deserve a place in your pantry. Canned chiles will (quite literally) spice up any dish that you use them in, and canned tomatoes are perfect for anything from homemade chili to a quick and easy pizza sauce.

Categories Are Key

With all of these new additions to your pantry, it might get a little tricky to find everything you’re looking for. First, break your space down into clear and distinct categories. Having a designated spice section, baking section, and snacks section will help make everything easy to find, but feel free to categorize in whatever way makes the most sense to you. With your categories set, you might need a few extra items to get everything properly in its place. Which means:

Now It’s Time to Get Organized

One of the easiest ways to organize your pantry is to invest in storage containers and a label maker. Can corrals and Lazy Susans are never a bad idea either. Don’t forget to maximize wall space and even your door space too. Behind-the-door organizers are quite convenient for storing extra plastic bags, kitchen utensils, spare snacks, or just about anything else you can think of.

Conclusion

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re trying to stock and organize your pantry, but the truth is, it can also be a lot of fun! Give yourself license to get creative, and don’t be afraid to let that energy follow you into the kitchen. After all, why not try out some new culinary experiments to celebrate your new pantry space?

Sources

How to Organize a Home with Little Space

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 20:29:51 GMT

Organizing a small home is tough enough, especially if you are working with very little square footage. As the expression goes, “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” and with the proper tips for maximizing space, there is a way to stay organized.

To optimize your small space and stay organized:

Declutter Your Small Home
Remember Aesthetics
Get Creative with Awkward Spaces
Use Rooms Correctly
Upgrade Your Closets

You may have a small home, but that doesn't mean you can't maximize its potential to your advantage. Want to learn how? Settle down and read on!

Declutter Your Small Home

Being mindful of the items in your home is very important. Similar to how you would go through your closet and decide which clothes to donate or toss, you should go through each room of your home and toss or donate items that no longer benefit you.

Playing the “keep, toss, or donate” game always sounds easy until it’s time to part with something that holds sentimental value. Although sentimental value is important, you need to be selective since your home is small.

It’s also pretty typical that people keep items for those “just in case” occurrences that usually never happen. If you haven’t needed something in a year, it’s safe to say you probably shouldn't hold onto it any longer. The Spruce provides a breakdown of the most common items within each room to toss, especially for those trying to maximize space.

Remember Aesthetics

While the main focus is organizing your small space, it doesn’t hurt to also make a few aesthetic adjustments in the process. For starters, picking the right color schemes throughout your home can create an illusion of additional space.

For smaller rooms, paint colors that work well with natural light are the best option, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to only those shades. Moving.com suggests 9 paint colors and also recommends having an accent wall.

Color schemes can also extend to the flooring in a home, which is just as critical to making a room feel bigger. Lighter wood floors are a wise choice for a small space, but updating or changing the floors may not be an option. In situations where you can’t touch darker wood or tile floors, your best bet is to add a brightly colored rug. The Lazy Loft offers a detailed guide to other color schemes to be mindful of as well.

Get Creative with Awkward Spaces

There are many spaces within a home that are considered awkward because they don’t function the way you wish they did. However, in a smaller-sized home, space is space and you need all you can get.

Corner furniture pieces are a wonderful way to maximize an awkward space that you may have had to forfeit otherwise. They not only provide you with a creative alternative but also add to the illusion that the space is bigger than it is. This doesn’t just pertain to corner storage pieces; it’s also valid for corner couches, sofas, and headboards.

Purchasing multifunctional furniture pieces is another smart move that serves a dual purpose – decorating a space and providing storage. Some examples of multifunctional furniture include:

Storage ottomans that open up to hold blankets, movies, or games
Trundle daybeds that can be used as a couch in the daytime and then a guest bed at night
Adjustable coffee tables that store magazines, mail, or notebooks
Mirrors that open up to store jewelry or items meant for safekeeping

A clear floor in a small room can make a difference as well. When there isn’t clutter, the floor seems larger, as does the rest of the room. One way to keep items off the floor is by using wall space. Mounting a television and adding a tall bookcase are ideal options for bedrooms or living rooms. In a laundry room, you could also stack your washer and dryer, while in the kitchen bring in additional cabinets.

Over the door and behind the door storage is a creative way to store items. In the laundry room, over-the-door storage can be used to hold detergent, dryer sheets, and other miscellaneous items. In your bedroom, you could utilize behind-the-door storage to house socks, shoes, and whatever else you desire.

Behind the door storage can be especially useful in offices to hold pens, pencils, glue, or craft supplies. Even still, wrapping paper, ribbon, and gifting accessories can also be kept in hidden storage compartments.

Use Rooms Correctly

The idea that each room in a house needs to be solely dedicated to one purpose is a thing of the past. Dual-purpose rooms are gaining popularity, especially among smaller homes. Try to figure out if there are any rooms in your house that can be used for more than one purpose. For instance, maybe your office can also act as a guest bedroom (you can use your trundle daybed here). Perhaps your kitchen and dining room don’t have to be two separate areas? Can one table serve multiple functions?

Take it a step further by creating zones to keep your rooms tidy. For example, you may not want to make it obvious your living room acts as your office , but it would probably be a good idea to have a designated zone where your work stuff would go (perhaps it’s an adjustable coffee table).

Within your created zones, anticipate “dumping areas.” Everyone is guilty of having dumping zones in their homes – whether it’s the area by the front door where piles of shoes are collected or a spot on the kitchen island where you toss the mail. By thinking ahead and anticipating where you would “drop” items quickly, you can plan accordingly and implement ways to reduce clutter.

Upgrade Your Closets

A small home usually doesn’t have large closets , but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a fully functioning one. Strategically setting up your closets holds an array of benefits, starting with concealing items and lessening the likelihood of having clutter all over.

An upgraded closet looks different for everyone. For some, a closet with matching baskets and bins is enough to make a difference – both spatially and visually. For others, a fully custom closet is the necessary option to maximize all possible space. Built-In Closet & Garage Designs explains how custom closets also increase the value of a home . This tidbit of info is something to keep in your back pocket if you’re hoping to eventually sell your house and upgrade to a bigger one.

A professionally renovated custom closet is only beneficial if it’s kept in order. From swapping out seasonal items to including dividers, drawers, and shelves, Connecticut Closets & Garages provide 5 core tips for keeping your custom closets organized .

Conclusion

Having a home small in size does not mean that it will be small in memories or personality. Taking some time to think about your space and what you can do to provide yourself more storage will help you keep your small home organized.

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Zen Home Office Design Ideas

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 20:29:33 GMT

There are many ways to create your optimal home office design, but creating a Zen atmosphere will keep you relaxed and focused. Zen brings calmness to each of the five senses.

To create a zen home office, try some of these ideas:

Sense of Touch: Use an ergonomic chair and give room to stretch throughout the day
Sense of Sight: Pick a calming paint color, bring in beautiful art and greenery, use natural light, and declutter and organize your space
Sense of Smell: Use aromatherapy
Sense of Hearing: Listen to calming music or tones
Sense of Taste: Sip on a favorite beverage

Each of the above ideas will be examined in greater detail below.

Sense of Touch

Your focus, attentiveness, and mood can be decreased when uncomfortable. A calming space will support your body's need to be comfortable and active.

Ergonomic Chair

It's hard to stay clear-headed and focused when you're constantly squirming in an uncomfortable chair. An ergonomic chair allows for many adjustments, such as height, armrests, lumbar and neck support, and a padded seat. These functions will help keep your spine in ideal alignment so you don't have achy joints at the end of the workday.

Give Space to Stretch

If you sit at a desk all day, chances are you are aching to move and stretch after an hour or two. Have a small space for a yoga mat to meditate or stretch your muscles and joints several times a day. This can reduce mental and physical stress as well.

Sense of Sight

What you see has a profound effect on your temperament and focus. A beautiful and inspiring atmosphere can make all the difference in mood, both while working and afterward.

Greenery or Potted Plants

Besides bringing beauty to your home office space, potted plants have some amazing health benefits. Just a few that Psychology Today notes are increased attentiveness & productivity, "improved well-being," improved job satisfaction, and decreased blood pressure.

Paint Color

You may have heard that color affects emotions, so it should be no surprise that the color of your home office walls can affect your mood. According to the London Image Institute , brighter colors such as red, yellow, and orange are associated with excitement, passion, and big emotions. Calmer colors such as blue, green, and purple, can help you feel peaceful, relaxed, and ambitious, which lend themselves better to a Zen-like atmosphere.

Natural Light

Just like potted plants, natural light has many health benefits. Healthline adds that natural light increases Vitamin D levels, relieves seasonal affective disorder, & has a positive impact on sleep patterns. Whenever possible, let the light flood your room!

Wall Art and Decorations

Zen art is so much more than Buddhas & Chinese art! You can bring Zen to your office space with art and decorations that encourage joy, serenity, and focus.

Wall art and decorations are very person-specific. For example, bring in figurines from your childhood, photos of your grandparents, or knick-knacks from your international travels. Creating a vision or goal board can help keep you inspired in your daily work. However, avoid bringing in too many decorations or wall hangings, as these can clutter your workspace and make it harder to be productive.

Declutter and Organize

A Zen space is usually a minimalist space. Keeping your home office decluttered and organized will help maintain a peaceful atmosphere that can maximize your focus and productivity.

Sense of Smell

Using aromatherapy is another way to stay focused. There are various ways to do this, such as candles, diffuser reeds, essential oil diffusers, and more. This article from LabAroma provides suggestions for aromatherapy recipes to encourage a calming atmosphere.

Sense of Hearing

Calming music or tones is another way to bring Zen to your home office. There are many playlists on music streaming services that offer a wide variety of listening options to keep you on the right track.

Sense of Taste

Last but not least, keep yourself focused and calm by sipping on a favorite beverage. Consider switching out caffeine (which can increase anxiety) for a calming tea, or spice up your plain water with flavored water. Change up the flavors throughout the day for more variety!

Conclusion

Bring Zen to your home office by addressing each of your five senses through comfortable seating, inspiring artwork, natural light, aromatherapy, calming music, and a favorite beverage. Each of these additions to your home office design will help improve your mood, focus, and productivity level.

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How to Properly Arrange The Clothes in Your Closet

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:29:19 GMT

Believe it or not, there is a proper way to arrange the clothing in your closet that will maximize your space and extend the life of your wardrobe. Whether you have a custom closet or not, you can get the most out of your closet space and have everything you need easily accessible and ready to wear at a moment's notice.

When deciding how to best arrange your closet, you'll want to consider these factors:

What to hang versus what to fold
What kind of hangers to use
How to organize clothes based on season
How to organize clothes by color
How to arrange shoes on a shoe rack
How to store accessories

Keep reading to learn exactly how the above tips will help you banish clutter and get your closets looking neat and orderly.

What to Hang Vs. What to Fold

The first step in arranging your closet is to determine what clothes are going in it. To help you decide, you need to determine what garments are best stored on hangers versus being folded.

Organizing guru Martha Stewart provides a handy manual for making this very decision.

Hang

Linens
Flowy fabrics
Suits
Dresses
Blouses
Ties & Scarves
Anything that wrinkles easily

Fold

Knits
Sweaters
Jeans
Shorts
Most T-shirts
Leggings
Workout wear
Socks
Gloves
Anything that will stretch out if hung

Choosing Hangers

Choosing the right hangers can preserve the life of your wardrobe. Eliminate wire hangers from your closet as they can actually do more harm than good.

Instead, choose:

Padded or slim fuzzy hangers for delicates, lace and silk items
Wooden hangers for heavier pieces, such as dress pants and heavier slacks
Plastic hangers for T-shirts, dresses, and cotton items
Suit hangers for suits and blazers
Clip hangers for lightweight slacks and skirts

Hang dress shirts with the cuffs and collars buttoned to keep them crisp looking.

Organize by Season

The best way to organize your clothes by season is by using the rotational method, suggests the pros at How Stuff Works.com . Rotating clothes in and out of your closet each season also gives you an opportunity to assess your wardrobe. Take the opportunity to toss or repair any damaged items and donate pieces that no longer fit.

Clean clothes before storing, but avoid using “bleach, fabric softener, sizing or starch,” which can draw in bugs, according to the experts at HGTV . Store freshly laundered, out-of-season clothes in a spare closet or vacuum-sealed bags. Use a different-colored bag for each season: yellow for summer, green for fall, blue for winter, and pink for spring. Label each bag by season.

Organize by Color

There are several ways to organize your wardrobe by color. The Spruce suggests the following two methods:

Rainbow Method
Light to Dark

In the Rainbow Method, organize your closet into sections, with the following categories: dresses, skirts, pants, blouses. Then put clothing into sections by color. Organize colors in this order: white, tan, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, gray and black. Multi-colored items should be grouped together within each section.

In the light-to-dark method, organize clothes in sections from the lightest to the darkest: From whites to neutrals to pastels, grays, and finally black. In addition to your clothes, you may want to color-code accessories as well to maintain the same color theme. Choose neutral colors, white, wood, or colored plastic hangers and color-coded baskets to keep the look uniform.

How to Arrange Shoes

Start by sorting your shoes by season and then grouping them by category. Depending on how many pairs you have in each category, you can organize them into groups like:

Athletic shoes
Casual/flats
Dress shoes/pumps
Sandals
Special occasion heels
Boots

Shopping and lifestyle blog Closetful of Clothes.com offers up these options for storing shoes:

Floor racks
Over-the-door racks
Wall racks
Shoe Boxes
Shoe cubbies

Organize shoes by how often you wear them. Put frequently worn pairs in easily accessible locations in the front. Store special occasion shoes and boots, and other seldom worn pairs on the top shelf or in the back row.

How to Store Accessories

For storing accessories, The Spruce suggests sorting items into groups and storing like items together:

Belts
Scarves
Purses
Necklaces
Earrings
Sunglasses

The gals over at One Crazy House.com have some creative suggestions on how to store accessories:

Hang long chunky necklaces from a wall peg coat rack
A wall wine rack can hold wallets and clutches
Use shower curtain rings for heavy purses and bags
String wire across a picture frame to hang sunglasses and jewelry
Install towel bars on closet walls to store purses
Hang scarves from drapery hooks installed on closet walls or door backs
Use a tiered hanging basket to store belts, scarves and small clutches

Custom Closets

Perhaps the best way to arrange your clothes is in a custom closet. To help determine the costs, the pros at DASI Innovations outlined the six factors that come into play in: What Factors Influence The Cost of Purchasing Custom Closets .

Things to consider include:

The area you have to work with
The type of materials you would like used
Your design preference
Style of doors and drawers
Additional features
Cost of installation

Conclusion

Learning how to properly arrange the clothes in your closet doesn't always have to be a dreadful experience. The key is to begin the reorganization process one step at a time. Organize items by category, determine what pieces need to be folded versus hung up, evaluate accessory storage options, and if all else fails, research investing in custom closets.

Sources

Refreshing Design Ideas for Your Small Home Office

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:29:00 GMT

If you have a small room or area within your home that you want to transform into a home office , don't feel frustrated by the limited amount of space. How can you create a home office when your space is limited? It's not as difficult as you may think.

Following a few tips can help you create a beautiful workspace that you'll enjoy using. Keep reading to learn more!

Start with a Desk

There are countless options for bringing a desk into your small home office without leaving your work area feeling congested. One idea is to secure a tabletop surface to a wall by using shelving brackets to hold the desk in place. You can add brackets beneath the desk for additional stability.

Another option is to use a folding table as your desk. This option gives you a larger work area and provides a more reliable surface for your computer, printer, and other electronic equipment. Why you ask? Because it's affixed to the wall! When the table isn’t in use, you can store it away. Alternatively, look for a corner desk that will help you eliminate negative space in an awkwardly shaped room.

Don’t Leave Corners Unused

If you are dealing with a lack of space, Ideal Home suggests taking advantage of the corners! For example, filing cabinets can be set flush in the corners to turn those areas into useful storage & work areas. If you don't have a lot of need for storage, use the corners to arrange one or two plants or an eye-pleasing sculpture.

Turn a Dividing Wall into a Workstation

If you have an open doorway or dividing wall, you can also make use of this area by adding a nightstand, small desk, or bookshelf. The unit you set in front of the dividing wall or open threshold can be used to store books and files, or it can be used to organize your incoming and/or completed tasks.

Attach a pegboard or corkboard to the wall over the nightstand or desk to create more storage space. You can hang notes, key rings, and other items that need to be stored conspicuously. This is also a good place for a second computer station if you're kids want to work next to you.

Make Better Use of The Closet

If your small home office includes a closet, use it to help keep clutter out of the way. Invest in a small cart with wheels to hold pens, staples, paper clips, & other office supplies. It can also provide a great place to store printer paper and envelopes. Roll the cart into your closet and keep it there until you need more supplies. You can also use the existing shelves and racks to store folders or books.

Get Creative with Décor

Once you have the basics covered, it’s time to make your home office a more welcoming and comfortable environment. Look for things that inspire you or help you feel invigorated. Keep an eye out for unique paintings and artwork to add to your workspace.

If you want to create a theme for your office, art from local creators can complement that vision perfectly! Turn to nature as well. Adding reclaimed driftwood, stones, seashells, or sand can help you bring more of a natural feel to your workspace.

Add Some Chairs

Seating is another important feature in your office, and you’ll want to ensure you feel comfortable. In shopping for a new office chair, be sure to look for one that offers firm lumbar support. You should also be able to sit upright with your feet still resting comfortably on the floor.

Add a small loveseat or futon if you have unoccupied space. This will provide comfortable seating for clients, should they visit you at home. Alternatively, a futon is a great place for your children to hang out and catch up on some homework.

Use The Door

The door(s) to your home office shouldn’t be discounted when it comes to storage. Real Homes suggests bringing in vertical storage options, such as hooks or a hanging rod. Use these tools to choral additional office supplies or spare jackets. Keep the essentials in this area to give you a convenient place to grab them and go.

Maximize Natural Light

If there’s a window in your home office, you’ll want to make sure you can maximize the sunlight you get from this opening. To begin, be sure you don’t block the window with any cabinets or shelves. It may even be better to set up your desk in front of the window or nearby.

Even if you only have one small window, you can increase the natural lighting by strategically placing a mirror or two throughout the room. The reflection from the mirrors will make your office seem bigger. As the sunlight is reflected, you’ll find that your office also feels brighter and warmer.

Go Low for More Storage

You can also add more storage by sliding boxes and plastic crates under your desk or beneath shelves, but not too many. Depending on the type of work you do, you may need more storage space than the average at-home employee. If that’s the case, look for creative ways to store your supplies. Make use of cubbies and nooks beneath staircases to keep things in order. Stackable crates make it easier to store more things in one confined area.

Conclusion

Feel free to be creative in designing your own small home office. This will be your work area, so you should feel free to use your imagination and create any look that appeals to you. Look for ideas as you stroll along the beach or visit your friends. You never know where or when inspiration will strike!

Sources

Closet Organization Ideas for Kids

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:28:44 GMT

Have you looked inside your child's custom closet lately and just thrown your hands up in despair at how untidy and disorganized it is? Keeping up with a growing child's clothes and toys might seem like a daunting task, but with a few tips, you can have it whipped into shape in no time.

Here are eight easy steps to get your kids' closets in tip-top shape:

Declutter and Purge
Hangers are Here to Help
Increase Hanging Space
Bins, Bins, Bins
Arm Yourself with Labels
Pegboards and Hooks are Your Friends
Think Vertically
Conceal The Clutter

Don't throw in the towel just yet. There are still plenty of ways to maneuver through the mess that is your kiddos' closets & actually have them looking more than presentable. Read on to learn more!

Declutter and Purge

As with any cleaning project, you'll first need to de-clutter the area and purge anything that you will not be keeping. Empty the entire closet. Yes, the whole closet! You will want to start fresh. Pitch, or donate anything your child has outgrown. The pros at Premier Closets and Storage Solutions add that this step applies to any closet in your home that needs to be reorganized. For additional closet organization tips, check out 7 Versatile Accessories for Organizing Your Custom Closets.

Hangers are Here to Help

Make the most of your empty space by investing in space-saving, kid-sized hangers. Slimline hangers use less space and allow for more clothes to be hung up. Purchase the velvet kind instead of plastic as then the clothes won't fall off the hangers and onto the floor.

Increase Hanging Space

Now that you've got your new hangers, another great investment to help organize your child's closet (s) is putting in double hanging rods. The more independence you can provide your child, the better. Even little ones can begin learning how to coordinate outfits. Plus, it'll be one less stress for you to worry about on busy mornings!

Bins, Bins, Bins

There is nothing better than bins. Plastic or cloth, these containers can store your child's shoes, toys, or stuffed animal collection and keep the mess off the floor to a contained area. Incorporate different colored containers to add some fun to their closet (s). Clear boxes that slide into a small cubbie or dresser also make it easier to see what's inside.

Arm Yourself with Labels

Now that you've bought hangers, a double rod, and more bins than you'll ever need, what's next? Labeling everything! Otherwise, how will you & your child know what's inside each bin or box? Separate the bins into whatever categories you like, from hair accessories to socks, to undershirts.

Pegboards and Hooks are Your Friends

For older kiddos, say middle school or high school age, maybe they would like a place to hang accessories (scarves, jewelry, purses, hats)? All you'll need to accomplish this is a pegboard and a couple of spare hooks. Hooks are also great for hanging jackets, coats, and bookbags.

The experts at HGTV suggest this cute idea of using monogrammed letters to spell out your child's name to give it a personalized flair but still keeping functionality in mind.

Think Vertically

If you have a narrow or small closet, it's important to make creative use of the space. Use the lower shelves for your child's favorite clothing and toys, while using the higher shelves for out-of-season clothing or bedding.

Conceal The Clutter

Adding a dresser to your child's closet is a great space saver for storage. You can place it under clothing racks and keep toys and other items in neatly contained bins.

Conclusion

Organizing your child's closet doesn't have to be an overwhelming project. Effective kid's closets include using a lot of bins, hangers, baskets, and shelves. The shelves should be adjustable so they can be changed around as your child grows. Teach your child everything has a place and that way, good housekeeping habits will be ingrained from a young age.

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What Items Should I Avoid Storing in My Garage?

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 19:28:31 GMT

More often than not, garages go beyond a simple spot to park the car, serving as a great storage space for all extra household items. However, there are certain things that should never be stored in a garage, whether it's a custom garage or not.

For instance, never store items that can be damaged by fluctuating or extreme temperatures, which is especially true for those harsh Minnesota winters. Additionally, you don't want to store items that are hazardous to the health of your household. With those rules in mind, check out this list of items to keep out of your garage, at all costs:

Food
Wine
Books
Artwork and Photos
Paint
Propane Tanks
Firewood
Electronics
Clothing
Important Documents

Take a closer look below at why it's imperative that the above items be stored away from your garage.

Food

Shopping in bulk is a cost-effective solution for any household; however, your garage is not an ideal space to stash the leftover bulk. For one thing, as The Spruce points out, food attracts rodents and other pests, who can easily chew through the packaging.

Additionally, exposure to fluctuating heat and humidity can quickly spoil your groceries and even rust canned food. The same rule applies to pet food as well.

Instead, store bulk food in an unused closet or cupboard inside your house. Even better, stash this food away in airtight containers away from direct sunlight.

Wine

Have bulk wine waiting to be consumed? Well, it's best to not store that wine in the garage. Why? Fluctuating temperatures cause the alcohol to expand and contract, leading to oxidation, which is essentially the death of your wine.

Additionally, these extreme changes in temperature can also develop "off" flavors in your wine, significantly altering the taste of it, which your wine club will more than likely detect.

Instead, store bulk wine in a wine cabinet or, better yet, a wine refrigerator within your house.

Books

Saving you childhood books for your kids or grandkids? Or, are you an avid reader with a book collection that rivals any library worth its salt? Either way, keeping books in the garage isn't the best idea.

Silverfish, which are insects that thrive in damp, dark environments, love feasting on starchy substances, such as the glue binding in books. Since these insects frequently live in garages and basements, storing your books in the garage is essentially offering an open buffet to these little buggers.

Artwork and Photos

While you may not be an art dealer, you probably still have a few pieces of art laying around for one reason or another. If so, it's best to not keep those paintings or pictures in your garage. For one thing, fluctuating temperatures can cause art to discolor and canvases to loosen. Additionally, wooden frames may warp from constantly expanding and shrinking due to temperature changes.

Similarly to artwork, photos can also discolor if stored in the garage for too long. The photos can also warp or stick to the frame due to the temperature changes. Since photos are memories of the past, it would be a shame to lose those cherished memories from improper storage.

Instead, store artwork in a cool, dark room. Also, keep photos inside acid-free, plastic storage bins and store them in a temperature-controlled environment.

Paint

Paint may be the most common item people tend to store in their garages. However, it's also one of the items on the list to avoid storing there. Why? Extreme heat and cold can alter paint formulas and rust paint cans, as Good Housekeeping points out.

While paint freezing during the winter probably won't ruin it, the changes in temperature can cause off-colors and undesirable results, making it more difficult to use the paint when the time comes.

When storing leftover paint, be sure to check the paint can label for its recommended storage temperature. Typically, paint is best stored indoors, in a basement or closet & out of reach from children.

Propane Tanks

Propane tanks are generally safe. However, if they manage to leak in an enclosed space, like your garage, just one small spark could ignite the tank and result in a fire. These cylinders are best stored outside, away from the house, on a flat surface where they won't be subjected to extremely high temperatures.

Firewood

Firewood is an essential item for those cold Minnesota winter months. Who doesn't love a roaring fire during a snowstorm? While you may want to keep bulk firewood on hand, just in case, it's best to avoid storing it in your garage. Firewood is a magnet for pests that will happily infest your house if given the opportunity. Additionally, since firewood is a fuel for flames, it also posses as a potential fire hazard.

Instead, Bob Vila recommends storing firewood about 20 feet away from your house and garage on an "elevated rack and covered with a tarp." When the time comes to build a fire, only bring in a necessary amount to get the job done.

Electronics

Most electronics cannot stand up to the outside elements. Since your garage is essentially an outdoor space, storing electronics, such as old computers, can easily damage the devices. Humidity and fluctuating temperatures can destroy batteries and ruin circuit boards. Additionally, the electronics will collect dust and dirt, which can ultimately scratch the screens and block charging ports.

Instead, it's best to store electronics in a climate-controlled room or consider donating any unused equipment to people in need.

Clothing

Storing clothing in a garage is a surefire way to ruin the items. Clothing is a magnet for bugs and moths, who will nest in the fabric and destroy it. Additionally, temperature fluctuations can cause mildew and mold to grow on your clothing, which is specifically the case for fur and leather.

You definitely don't want to ruin your clothing, especially those delicate items such as a wedding dress or graduation gown. Instead of keeping them in the garage, store these items and other clothing somewhere that is temperature-controlled.

Important Documents

Never store important documents, including passports, birth certificates, and medical records in your garage. These documents are often difficult to replace and can easily become damaged by moisture and temperature fluctuations.

Also, since garages are easier to break into than an actual house, keeping these documents in there makes them vulnerable to thieves. Additionally, if a fire ever breaks out inside your garage, those papers would only fuel the flames.

Instead, keep these documents safe in a fireproof box inside a home office or bedroom. If you don't have such a box, then make sure to store them in an airtight plastic container where moisture cannot get in.

Conclusion

You garage can be a great place for storage. However, there are some items that should not be stored in that particular location, including food, wine, books, artwork, paint, propane tanks, firewood, electronics, clothing, and important documents. Most of these items are vulnerable to extreme temperature fluctuations, such as those seen in the winter months in Minnesota. At the same, some also pose a safety hazard. Keep your items and home safe by thoroughly reviewing the above list before storing anything in your garage.

Sources

Closet Jewelry Organizer Ideas

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 19:28:17 GMT

Donning jewelry is like putting on armor. It ties together an outfit, gives you a boost of confidence, and acts as the final finishing piece before you head out to face the world head-on! But all that powerful jewelry has to go somewhere, and without the right organizational system in your custom closet , you might end up with a tangled mess.

By adopting a few strategic tools, you can keep your prized pieces neat and tidy.

Hooks and Chains
Industrial Elements
Vintage Elements
Minimalist Options
Jewelry Drawers
Use Wall Space

Keep reading to learn how to get your jewelry under control in a way that's easy to maintain.

Hooks and Chains

One of the easiest ways to organize your jewelry is with a system of hooks and chains, according to The Spruce . Hooks are excellent places to hang necklaces and bracelets. You can keep them organized by style, color, material, or occasion.

Easily DIY a hook and chain jewelry organization system in your closet with a few simple materials from the hardware or craft store. First, paint or stain a spare piece of wood to your liking. Once that’s completed, affix it to your wall with nails or, for a less permanent option, heavy-duty picture-hanging tape. Install your hooks in the arrangement you like and hang chains between some of them. Overall, organize your jewelry in the way that makes the most sense to you.

Industrial Elements

Incorporate industrial elements into the plan to highlight the delicate pieces in your collection. Using items like spare pieces of pipe painted in a matching color is a great way to display bracelets and necklaces so they are easily visible but kept tangle-free.

Another good option is to use wire mesh. Whether you frame it with an old picture frame or window frame or leave it bare, it’s an easy way to organize earrings. You could also add wire mesh to a pegboard along with some hooks, ultimately combining two different ideas at the same time.

Vintage Elements

If your style is more classic, you can lean into the traditional by using vintage elements in your closet to organize your jewelry. Something as simple as a ring dish in a vintage pattern can add a hint of nostalgia and whimsy to your jewelry collection. You could also try using shallow teacups in place of a traditional ring dish for an added layer of romance.

A popular option for those who love older items is to use a vintage or vintage-inspired tiered dish. With the layers, you can categorize your jewelry and have more space than you would with one single dish. If you're looking for the simplest option, use a vintage jewelry box to organize your jewelry. It’ll keep things contained in one location while staying true to your old-school style.

Minimalist Options

If you have a smaller closet, you’ll want to maximize space as much as possible. One of the easiest ways to accomplish that is to rely on minimalist pieces rather than anything too ornate. Simple lines and neutral colors will offset the chaos that often comes with a collection of jewelry.

One option minimalistic jewelry lovers should consider is a ring cone. Just like it sounds, a ring cone is simply a conical piece, often made from natural materials, stone, or concrete, where you can rest your rings rather than have them in a cluttered mess in a dish. Instead, you’ll have a simple stack of your favorite rings ready to go when you need to accessorize. Plus, ring cones are small enough to fit just about anywhere in your closet.

Jewelry Drawers

If you're lucky enough to have drawers in your closet, Closet Solutions & Organizers advises to clear one out and use it as a dedicated jewelry drawer. Aside from jewelry, there are dozens of other accessories to try out when designing custom closets. To learn more, check out What Accessories Are Available for My Customs Closets .

The only downside to a jewelry drawer is that you can’t display your jewelry and see it every day. That being said, you’ll find this keeps your closet looking overall more neat and tidy than it would otherwise.

Wall Space

Don't forget about some of the most prized real estate in your closet, the walls! The obvious answer is to add a pegboard or similar variation. But a more artistic and eye-pleasing way to organize your jewelry is with a wall hanging. One idea is to thrift an old frame, spray paint it your favorite color, and run string or wire across the back. Then, hang your pieces from the lines you made and you’ll have a fabulous piece of wall art that doubles as an organizational tool.

Don’t forget that incorporating natural elements into your wall hanging is a great way to source inexpensive materials, while also adding a touch of warmth to your closet. Grab some old branches and sand off the rough outer bark. Tie string or twine to the ends of the branches. Use them to hang necklaces and bracelets. If you have a few more minutes, screw in some hooks and you’ll have storage for your earrings as well.

If you're looking for a ready-made option, you can always invest in a jewelry cabinet or armoire. There are tons of options on the market, some of which attach directly to the wall and others that are free-standing. In fact, many come with a mirror, so it will serve a dual purpose!

Key Takeaways

Jewelry can be a powerful addition to any outfit, but storing it can be a challenge. A lack of organization can lead to a tangled mess or a lost earring. Having carefully selected every piece in your collection, it makes more sense to display them in a creative way. When you find the right organizational system for your jewelry, you'll enjoy choosing your pieces each day and your closet will look and feel more functional and spacious.

Sources:

Shield Your Closets From Pests in Six Easy Steps

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:28:05 GMT

Few things are as disturbing as a pest infestation in your closet. Particularly if you’ve invested in a custom closet for a beautiful wardrobe that you’ve spent years building, you may be horrified to find an assortment of insects taking over your space.

Fortunately, there are some relatively easy steps you can take to shield your closets from pests:

Get to Know The Pests You May Encounter
Look for Signs of Pests in The Places They Hide
Eliminate Anything That May Attract Pests
Regularly Clean Your Closets
Keep an Organized Closet Where Pests Can’t Hide
Incorporate Items That Repel Pests

If you suspect you may have some uninvited visitors setting up their new home in your closet, don’t panic and put your house on the market yet. You can take back one of your most personal and valuable spaces with a little planning and effort, along with a few everyday household items.

Get to Know The Pests You May Encounter

Once you learn about the pests you’re likely to encounter, you’ll be able to predict the threats they may pose to your closet contents. A great place to start is the university extension office for your state. According to the University of Minnesota Extension , Minnesota homeowners are likely to encounter some potentially damaging indoor insects:

Carpet beetles
Clothes moths
Houseplant insects
Larder beetles
Pantry pests
Powderpost beetles
Psocids (Barklice, Booklice)
Silverfish

Understanding which pests are a problem allows you to predict their seasonal behaviors and take additional steps when they're most active. You’ll also learn about their life cycles, including their appearance when they’re not yet full-grown adults.

Look for Signs of Pests in The Places They Hide

Pests like to live and hide in places that offer a steady food supply and little homeowner traffic. Unfortunately, the nature of your closet helps create that ideal pest atmosphere. Closets offer a dark, quiet corner of your home that they can call their own.

By the time many homeowners recognize the signs of pests, it’s too late. Make it a point to regularly check your closets for the signs of pests that Reader’s Digest warns about:

Flying bugs that scatter when you enter your closet
Stains, tears, spots, or holes in your fabrics
Webbing in corners

Eliminate Anything That May Attract Pests

Have one or more of the warning signs of pests above? It’s never too soon to go through a checklist of factors and items that may be attracting pests and start eliminating them:

Messy piles of clothes, shoes, and accessories
Poor closet airflow and overcrowding makes it hard to enter and tidy up
Leaks and excess moisture can give pests a water source
Dirty, smelly items like soiled clothing that may attract insects

Believe it or not, one of the worst items to keep in your closet is cardboard boxes. In addition to providing an ideal, private environment for insects to live, cardboard is composed of cellulose. The University of Florida Extension explains that silverfish and other insects will eat cardboard, making it both a home and a food source.

In addition, pests can smell clothing items that are soiled and may have traces of food items on them. Even traces of perspiration on your dirty clothes could be enough to attract pests, so make sure all dirty laundry is tucked away in a hamper. If your profession or hobbies tend to make your clothes extra dirty, you may want to store dirty clothes in your laundry room, away from clean items and in an area that is less attractive to pests.

Regularly Clean Your Closets

As tucked-away rooms that you may only visit a couple of times a day, it’s easy to let your closet become cluttered and dirty after one deep cleaning. This is particularly true because closet spaces often become the de facto dumping ground for any excess items you don’t know where to store elsewhere.

Keeping a pest-free closet means committing to regular cleaning as often as you clean your common areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and family room. Reader’s Digest offers some recommendations on how to eliminate insects before they take up residence in your closet:

Vacuum and shake out your clothes.
Wash clothing with water that is at least 100 degrees.
Vacuum floors and empty the canister/bag immediately after to prevent reinfestation.
Pay attention to cleaning around baseboards, corners, and windows where pests often enter, travel, and find debris to eat.
Never bring secondhand clothing into your closet without washing it first.

Insects love natural materials and fibers, so pay special attention to items that may attract insects and quickly remove anything that you no longer wear. This includes items made of wool, hair, and fur, felt, feathers and silk.

Keep an Organized Closet Where Pests Can’t Hide

Neatness and organization ensure your closet is easier to keep clean. A well-designed closet properly stores clothes, shoes, and accessories without the piles of items that can attract insects.

When all of your items have a home, it’s far easier to keep them off the floor. In turn, you’ll have an easier time vacuuming those often-cluttered corners where pests like to hide.

Incorporate Items That Repel Pests

When cleaning and organization aren’t enough, you may want to introduce some items that actively repel pests. Fortunately, the Spruce offers several recommendations for organic materials that pests can’t stand:

Dried lavender
Lavender essential oils
Borax mixed with sugar
Cedar hangers and shoe trees
Cedar blocks or shavings- An added bonus is that cedar helps your closets smell fantastic as well !

Avoid dangerous chemicals that repel pests, such as mothballs. Although effective, the Connecticut Department of Health explains that mothballs are composed of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, two toxic chemicals that can be particularly dangerous to young children; these can seep into fabrics and cause lung and eye irritation, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.

If you’re considering using materials to help repel insects, opt for organic materials that don’t present negative health risks. Also, always be sure to clear out your closets first before trying out any of the above methods.

Conclusion

While you may not be able to eliminate every opportunity that a pest has to enter your closet, you can dramatically reduce your risks.

Shielding your closets from pests involves giving these spaces the respect they deserve. Spend some time doing a deep clean and going through the items inside to ensure everything is really needed. The more effort you invest in keeping your closets neat, clean, and pest-free, the more they'll pay you back by keeping your cherished possessions safe.

Sources

http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/entnemdept/2016/05/27/silver-bugs-inside-cardboard-boxes/

https://extension.umn.edu/household-insects/product-and-houseplant-pests

https://www.rd.com/list/home-infestation/

https://www.rd.com/article/get-rid-of-moths/

Swisstrax Vs. Epoxy: Which Type of Garage Flooring is Easiest to Clean?

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 19:27:51 GMT

Today’s garages are no longer just big cinderblock boxes with cement floors. They are quickly becoming extensions of the home, complete with custom built-ins and designer décor. One of the first things homeowners upgrade when doing a garage makeover is the floor. The two most popular garage flooring options are Swisstrax modular tiles and epoxy coatings. While each product has its merits, one is the clear choice when it comes to keeping your garage floor looking brand new and with little effort .

Keep reading to find out which type of garage flooring – Swisstrax or epoxy – is easiest to clean and why.

A Floor is a Floor

You may be familiar with the phrase “A rose is a rose is a rose.” It basically means that a thing is exactly what it is. While that may hold true for flowers, it is not true for garage flooring. There are notable differences between the various types of flooring options, the two most common being Swisstrax modular tiles and epoxy.

Swisstrax’s interlocking floor tiles are versatile and durable, making them ideal for home garages as well as for commercial & industrial purposes. The modular tiles are easy to install as they simply click into place. Available in a variety of colors and styles, you can customize the design or pattern to make your garage unique.

Additionally, Swisstrax tiles are virtually indestructible and resistant to chemicals, heat, and UV damage. Made of either hard plastic or rubber, they are waterproof and slip and skid resistant. In a nutshell, Swisstrax tiles are the perfect surface protector for your garage floor.

On the other hand, epoxy is basically a resin that covers the cement floor in your garage. Installation is more time-intensive, especially due to the ample drying time needed. Although protective, epoxy is not indestructible and requires consistent maintenance. It can also stain or fade and, in some cases, the epoxy can even peel up over time due to the heat from car tires.

It’s also important to note that although the texture of epoxy flooring makes it slip-resistant, it does become slippery when wet. This makes it particularly dangerous during the winter when snow can melt off your car, creating puddles in the garage, as well as during rainy months. As you can plainly see, while epoxy flooring looks nice, it definitely has its drawbacks.

Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Regardless of the type of flooring you choose to purchase, you want your new investment to not only look good but remain in excellent shape. Fortunately, cleaning and maintaining a Swisstrax floor is super simple and quick. This is due in a large part to its unique design which allows dirt, debris, and liquids to flow through the tiles, keeping your garage floor clean and dry.

A quick sweep with a dust mop or soft-bristled broom is all you need to remove dust and dirt from the tile surface. Leaves and other large debris can be easily removed using either a leaf blower or a shop vacuum.

For areas with excess dirt or grease, the manufacturer recommends that you apply a degreaser or cleaning solution and then use a damp mop. To remove dirt from beneath the tiles, you can use a shop-vac or even a high-pressure hose or power washer. You may need to separate and lift the tiles in order to do this.

The beauty of these types of modular flooring systems is that they are commonly made of heavy-duty plastics and are pretty much indestructible. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get dirty or stained. AllGarageFloors found that ammonia-based cleaners, such as Mr. Clean, do a great job of cleaning modular floor tiles and keeping them looking like new. A quick mopping is typically all you need, but to remove scuff marks you can try using a rag, soft scrub pad, or even a short-bristled deck brush with the cleaning solution. Tire marks and stubborn stains may require a few drops of mineral spirits, which you can apply with a rag. Overall, Swisstrax flooring is easy to clean with little effort.

On the other hand, epoxy floors tend to require more maintenance and a bit of elbow grease to keep them clean. According to Resin Expert , once or twice a week you should sweep your epoxy floor with a soft dust mop or use the soft brush attachment on a shop-vac to remove any dust or dirt. It’s especially important that you do not let dirt and sand accumulate on the floor because it can scratch the epoxy coating.

To ensure that all the grit is out of the nooks and crannies, you need to mop your epoxy garage floor with a mixture of one gallon of hot water and about three ounces of ammonia. A hard foam mop is best. Never use citrus cleaners or vinegar as they can ruin the epoxy coating. Also, avoid soap cleaners as they can dull the finish and cause the floor to become slippery when wet.

It’s also important to note that epoxy floors stain easily and it takes some extra effort to clean them. To get rid of rust stains, you can use a kitchen scrub sponge or a soft brush with warm water plus some upper body strength. Tire marks may be a bigger challenge. You will want to soak the area with the ammonia cleaning mixture and let it sit for about five minutes, then use a nylon brush with stiff bristles to scrub until the marks are gone. For stubborn stains, use Soft Scrub as it won't scratch the surface coating, but be sure to rinse it thoroughly to remove any residue.

Conclusion

While both Swisstrax modular tiles and epoxy coatings can elevate the appearance of your garage floor, only one maintains its good looks with little effort. A periodic sweep is typically all you need to keep your Swisstrax floor tiles clean. An occasional rinse with the hose or a quick mop will remove any residual dirt and grime. On the other hand, epoxy flooring needs to be swept at least once a week and spills should be tackled immediately to prevent permanent stains. So, when you put one up against the other, it’s plain to see that Swisstrax is the clear winner when it comes to determining which type of garage flooring is easiest to keep clean.

Sources

How to Prevent Mold Growth in Closets

Tue, 18 May 2021 19:27:34 GMT

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Clear Out Garage Clutter in Eight Easy Steps

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:27:20 GMT

You may find yourself storing items in your custom garage that don’t fit inside of your home, and those possessions can really add up. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that a quarter of people with two-car garages can’t fit their vehicles inside because of excess clutter.

Even if your garage is filled to the brim, it’s still possible to reclaim this space. Efficiently organize your garage and restore order by:

Setting Aside Enough Time to Organize
Trashing or Donating Possessions You No Longer Need or Use
Sorting & Categorizing Everything
Investing in Proper Storage
Installing a Vertical Organizational System
Setting Up Stations
Sealing the Threshold
Keeping It Organized for Good

If you’re ready to organize your garage, here are eight steps to cut the clutter for good.

1. Set Aside Enough Time to Organize

Organizing your garage isn’t a project that is going to happen overnight. To really tackle the clutter, you need to set aside at least two days to dedicate to this process. Back-to-back days, such as an entire weekend, are recommended to prevent your items from sitting in piles for too long.

2. Trash or Donate Possessions You No Longer Need or Use

The first thing you’re going to have to do when organizing your garage is to get rid of items you no longer need or use. Take two to three hours to thoroughly inspect every item currently in your garage. Do you still have bikes your kids have outgrown? Are you stockpiling tools you no longer need? Separate these items into two groups, a trash and a donate pile. Throw out or recycle belongings that are broken. Donate the usable items to your local Goodwill.

Purging your garage will free up space for the possessions you want to keep. Remember that there are certain items that are never safe to store in your garage, including paint, propane, pet food, and paper products.

3. Sort and Categorize Everything

After you get rid of all excess clutter, it’s time to start sorting and organizing what you want to keep. Typical garage items will fall into one of four categories, automotive, sports and recreational gear, tools and gardening equipment, and seasonal items. Once these items are properly sorted, you’ll be ready for the next step!

4. Invest in Proper Storage

Once everything is grouped and categorized, it needs to be efficiently stored. There are a couple of smart garage storage solutions worth investing in. These include stackable, clear plastic bins with sealable lids, clear jars, and a lockable cabinet to keep items that aren’t kid-safe.

Clear storage containers will allow you to easily view the contents inside while the sealable lids will prevent pests from getting into your belongings. Buy a label maker and stick large, visible labels onto the containers to make accessing your items a breeze.

Keep items you regularly take with you in a grab-and-go basket next to the door. These can include umbrellas, reusable shopping totes, and rain boots.

5. Install a Vertical Organizational System

When it comes to optimizing efficiency in your garage, you need to maximize every inch of storage space available. This includes vertical wall space. Installing a vertical organizational system will free up precious floor space so that you can easily park your car or set up a workshop in your garage once again.

Some vertical solutions include Slatwall racks, wall-mounted cabinets, and overhead racks. All of these options will enable you to easily see and find your items, as well as save space.

6. Set Up Different Stations

Remember how you grouped and categorized your items? Now it’s time to put your hard work to good use. After you’ve freed up floor space, you can transform a corner of your custom garage into a gardening station or workspace. Store all of your gardening supplies in one corner. Consider adding a small workbench along a far wall of your garage next to where you stash your tools. Having separate stations will ensure that everything has a home.

7. Seal the Threshold

An organized garage isn’t any good if it’s still exposed to the outside elements. Pests, rain, snow, or windblown leaves can all wreak havoc on your garage. Be sure to seal all openings with rubberized strips, including the space where your garage door hits the floor. Not only will this keep your belongings safe, but it will minimize cleanup efforts.

8. Keep It Organized for Good

Give your garage a once-over every week to ensure that everything is neat and organized. This is especially important during the spring and summer months. Use a natural pesticide to keep insects at bay when your garage door is open. You can also use kitty litter to effectively absorb grease and oil spills. Keep a dustpan and broom near your workspace to quickly clean up after working on your projects.

Conclusion

If you’ve been parking your car in the driveway because there is no room in your garage, it’s time to get organized once and for all! Schedule a weekend to de-clutter, categorize, and neatly store your items. You’ll benefit from having a clean and tidy space where you can work on passion projects, keep your vehicle safe, and easily find the belongings stored there.

Sources

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/opinion/columns/story/2021/jan/30/kennedy-why-25-americans-dont-park-garages/540607/

How Do I Prevent My Closets From Smelling?

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:27:04 GMT

Have you ever taken clothes out of your closet and noticed a stale or musty smell? You might wonder why your freshly washed clothes even have an odor. Typically, closets are small, enclosed spaces with little to no airflow. Because of this, your closets are prone to having stale air inside them, which can seep those pesky smells into your clothes.

So are you wondering, “how do I prevent my custom closets from smelling?” The good news is that it is possible to close the door on those smells.

Stay tuned for some inside tips below!

What’s the Source of the Smell?

First things first, you can’t eliminate or prevent your closets from smelling if you don’t know where the smell is coming from or what is causing it. That means you need to put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and try to find the source of the problem.

Some of the most common causes include:

Dirty Clothes Hamper: If you keep your dirty clothes in a hamper in your closet, then that could be contributing to the bad smell. You workout, go to work, sweat, and live your life, and your clothes take on those “life smells” before being washed.
Dust and Pet Hair: Nobody is immune to dust and dust mites, and that dusty smell can become more pungent over time.
Smelly Shoes: Your shoes take a beating. Sweat, dirt, and grime build up on and inside shoes, making them extra stinky.
Mold and Mildew: While the above are some of the most common causes of bad smells in closets, mold and mildew could be the real culprits and need to be addressed promptly. Often, the first noticeable signs of mold and mildew are stale, musty smells.

How Do You Know If It’s Mold or Mildew?

In 14 Ways to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Closets , Innovative Home Storage notes that it’s important to inspect your closets for signs of water leaks, water damage, and visible discoloration to your walls, ceilings, and floor. Mold and mildew, while similar, have different appearances.

Mold has many color variations, such as blue, green, black, and red
Mildew is often gray or white in color

Closets offer mold the ideal environment for growth because they are dark, damp, cool, and have little air circulation.

Tips to Prevent Your Closets from Smelling Funky

Now that you know some of the most common causes of closet odors, it’s time to prevent those smells from getting started. But where do you start?

Keep Your Closets Clean

While it’s common practice to clean other parts of your home regularly, closets often get overlooked. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Here are some simple tips and tricks to keeping your custom closets clean and smelling better:

Vacuum the floors inside your closets regularly
Remove all of your clothes, shoes, and items during deep cleaning days
Use an all-purpose cleaner on the walls, inside drawers and cabinets, and on shelves and rods
Have carpeted floors steam cleaned from time to time
Use a dehumidifier and fan after thoroughly cleaning to ensure all moisture is removed before returning items to your closets

Remove Damp and Dirty Items

Remember those smelly clothes in the dirty clothes hamper? If you keep your dirty clothes basket in your closet and the clothes inside it are even slightly damp, that will cause your entire closet to stink again.

Instead, consider either washing and drying them immediately, or putting them in your laundry room on a hanging rack. The same principle applies to damp, dirty, or sweaty shoes. Consider leaving them in a sunny space outside or on your porch to dry before bringing them inside again.

Let the Air Flow

All smells generally worsen in areas with poor air circulation, so helping your closets increase airflow is an easy way to reduce bad smells. But how do you that?

Leave Some Space Between Items: A tightly packed closet or crammed drawers don’t allow for air to move well.
Keep the Floors Clear: Use cabinets or storage bins for items you would normally store on the floor.
Get Rid of Items You Don’t Use Anymore: You’ll be clearing space in your closets and giving back to the community by donating unwanted items.
Open the Doors: This will help bring fresh air into your closets. You can also use a dehumidifier or air purifier while your closet doors are open.

Freshen Your Closets to Prevent Smells

After you have identified the source of the smell, have thoroughly cleaned your closets, removed damp items, and increased airflow, the next step is to continually freshen your closets. Thankfully, there are some super easy and affordable solutions.

Try Wooden Hangers: Did you know that wood can absorb some of the moisture in the air and help prevent bad closet odors? Plus, wooden hangers are better for your clothes! Cedar hangers bring the smell of the forest to your closet and also help to prevent moths from finding your clothes.
Baking Soda for the Win: Good old-fashioned baking soda has been absorbing odors and freshening refrigerators, closets, and other spaces for decades. Thespruce.com says simply opening a box of baking soda in your closet will absorb odors for “up to a year!”
Consider Coffee Grounds: Like baking soda, coffee grounds also absorb odors. Put dry coffee grounds in a container and poke holes in the lid and remember to replace the coffee grounds monthly. Voila!
Give Activated Charcoal a Try: Getgreenbewell.com states that activated charcoal works by helping purify the air and absorb smells. It comes in pre-filled cloth bags. To activate the charcoal, place the bags in the sun for two hours. Then place them inside your closets.
Place Soaps or Scented Dryer Sheets in Your Closet: These nice-smelling items are likely already in your home. They add a fresh, light scent to your closet, and you don’t have to leave home to find them.
Put Fragrant Herbs in Linen or Cotton Bags: Angi.com explains that you can naturally freshen your closets and prevent odors by buying herbs, such as lavender or rosemary, placing them inside a linen or cotton bag, and leaving the bag in your closet.
Try a Freshening Spray: These linen sprays come in a variety of scents and aren’t overpowering. However, be aware that air fresheners don’t eliminate odors. They only mask them for short periods of time.

Conclusion

No matter what is causing your closets to smell, keeping them clean and smelling fresh is important. Nobody wants smelly closets or smelly clothes, and with these simple yet effective tips and tricks, your closets will be smelling better and will be cleaner in no time at all.

Sources

Eight Basic Kitchen Pantry Organization Tips

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 20:26:51 GMT

Having an organized kitchen pantry is key to having kitchen counters that are free of clutter. Sometimes, it isn’t more space that is needed in your pantry, just better organization. With an efficiently organized kitchen pantry, you will know exactly what you have, and what you may need to purchase.

Make items in your kitchen pantry easy-to-locate by practicing these eight helpful tips:

Group Like Items Together
Employ Sliding Baskets and Open Bins
Use Stackable Canning Jars
Label All Storage Containers
Maximize Space with a Lazy Susan
Utilize the Back of Pantry Doors
Corral Your Canned Goods
Add a Wine Rack

Read on to learn how you can make your kitchen pantry stylish and smart!

Group Like Items Together

One of the first things you should do in organizing your pantry is to group like items together, according to Martha Stewart.com . For example, you could have a section for sweets, cereals, baking supplies, and so on.

When you keep each food in its own categorized area, this may prevent you from overlooking it and buying it again when you go grocery shopping. Also, foods that are consumed the most should be within easy reach in an open bin, while foods that are used less can be stored on a higher shelf.

Employ Sliding Baskets and Open Bins

Now that you have grouped your like items together, use stylish sliding baskets and bins to organize each section. Storing all of your food inside of these containers will keep your pantry looking much neater. For example, having all of your potato chips in one basket will look more organized and stop them from getting crushed at the same time.

Use Stackable Canning Jars

When it comes to storing your dried food and homemade goods, nothing quite beats old-time clear glass canning jars, according to HGTV.com . Since they have an airtight seal, pantry bugs won’t have a chance to get in. As they are made of glass, they’ll look elegant and you can distinctly see what they contain and neatly stack them up to fit the space you have on your shelves as needed.

Label All Storage Containers

Taking the time to label everything in your pantry will be so worth it when you go looking for something later on. It simply makes everything look neater and more uniform. Get creative with how you label your pantry. If you have your own label maker, you can use it to make labels for your containers. If not, here are some free printable pantry labels courtesy of HGTV.com.

Maximize Space with a Lazy Susan

There is a reason people have been using this handy gadget since the 18th century. Unfamiliar with this kitchen helper? A Lazy Susan is essentially a turntable that allows your food items to become more easily accessible to you, and easier to see.

For the purposes of pantry organization, a two-tiered Lazy Susan will provide you with the most storage space. Utilize the top tier to hold your spices and the bottom tier to house other condiments that might otherwise become misplaced in a sea of larger items.

Utilize the Back of Pantry Doors

Better Homes & Gardens suggests that the back of your kitchen pantry doors can be useful for organizing in so many different ways. For example, a vertical, behind-the-door wire organizer can be attached to provide extra storage space for practically anything you need.

Affix a few hooks for aprons and a clear plastic magazine holder for recyclable grocery bags and you are good to go. The only thing you have to be sure of is that you have enough clearance for the baskets when you close your pantry door.

Corral Your Canned Goods

Without a pantry organizer, just stacking your canned goods on top of one another doesn’t really allow you to see what you have. A better idea is to use a clear can corral, which instead stores your cans on their side and dispenses them one at a time. Another option is a three-tiered can pedestal to see what goods you have available on multiple levels or tiers.

Add a Wine Rack

The kitchen pantry is a perfect place to store your wine collection. One or more sliding wire wine racks can be inserted where your wine bottles can be stored horizontally. This keeps you from having to find somewhere else in your kitchen to store your fine libations.

Conclusion

There are many options to choose from when it comes to organizing your kitchen pantry. The main thing to remember is to group each type of food into its own section, and then find an aesthetically pleasing way to store it. Using clear containers and labeling the contents of everything will go a long way in making your kitchen pantry look as neat and organized as it can be.

Sources

Eight Valuable Benefits of Wood & Melamine Built Closets

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 20:26:38 GMT

When clutter starts taking over your home, custom closets are the perfect solution to your organizational and storage challenges. They enable you to leverage all the space available in your home.

After you decide to install custom closet systems, you have a crucial question to answer - what material should you use for the project? Your material choice depends on several factors, including your budget, style, size of space, features, utilization, and personal style.

While there are several different materials for constructing customs closets, wood and melamine are the most popular due to their durability. In fact, according to Closets & Organized Storage magazine, most custom closet systems built in 2020 were either made of melamine or solid wood.

The article below outlines the benefits of both wood and melamine built closets, to help you choose the right material.

Melamine

Melamine, also known as thermally fused laminate, is an “ultra-thin” layer of paper melded to particleboard. The thermal heat process creates a hard resin coating similar to plastic. To create the different colors and textures, HGTV.com explains that the paper is soaked in color or pattern before it fuses to the particleboard.

Benefits of using melamine include:

Heat Resistance

The thermally fused laminate coatings tolerate high temperatures without warping, fading, or cracking.

Durability

Melamine provides a smooth, consistent and durable surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Because melamine can withstand heavy usage, melamine is ideal for custom closets with drawers and cabinets. The hardened resin outer layer protects against scratches, dents, and chipping.

Protects Against Moisture

The thermally fused laminate is waterproof and not affected by humidity. Melamine endures in any type of climate and any location of your home (i.e., next to the bathroom or other rooms with high humidity).

Customization

Melamine is available in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes. If you add components to your custom closet in the future, matching the color is simple.

Accessories such as shoe racks or folding stations fit seamlessly into your melamine storage system.

Eco-Friendly

The particleboard under the melamine is produced with recycled materials that are both sustainable and renewable. Despite being made from organic chemical compounds, melamine is not toxic.

Maximizes Space

Melamine allows you to leverage every inch of space because of the ability to cut it into any shape or dimension. Because melamine is lightweight, you can effortlessly move components around your closets.

Wood

Wood is the oldest and most traditional building material. Many people choose wood for its classic and elegant look, especially if their home already has wood trim or wood floors. Because wood is a natural material, each panel may vary slightly because individual trees have specific colors, patterns, and textures.

Benefits of wood include:

Versatility

You can use countless wood varieties, including Cherry, Hickory, Maple, Pine, and Oak. Each wood has its own look and feel. If you want a different color, wood can easily be painted or stained.

Sturdiness

Most woods hold a lot of weight without warping or bending. However, if you need to accommodate bulkier items, hardwoods such as Cherry and Oak are a better choice. Hardwoods tend to be stronger, stable, and more resilient. Softwoods such as Spruce and Fir are lighter and softer than hardwoods.

Conclusion

Selecting the building materials for your custom closets is a crucial decision. Some people enjoy the process of weighing their options. Between wood and melamine, each material has its own set of benefits, but the choice comes down to your preferences, lifestyle, and organizational needs. Consider the factors listed in this article to select the right material for your custom closets.

Sources

Five Home Office Design Basics

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:26:26 GMT

Working from home has gained new meaning and may very well lead the way in years to come, so it is pertinent to set up your home office in a way that promotes productivity while giving you a space that is peaceful, well organized, and streamlined.

If you are looking into creating a work from home space with a home office upgrade or home office addition, follow the design basics listed below to get the best out of your workspace.

Home Office Design Basic #1 - Designate a Proper Work Station

When first starting out working from home, you may find yourself sitting at the kitchen table or spread out in the dining room. This is a big no-no when it comes to working from home. Choosing a space or room that is meant for work and just work is what you want to do to get your job completed more efficiently.

First, choose a room that has good lighting and offers privacy. Second, you will want to set up a designated work area, either on a desk of your choice or some sort of table. Having a designated workspace will train your brain to know that when you enter the space and sit down at your workstation, it means it is time to get busy.

Getting rid of distractions, like televisions, common areas , etc. will help you stay focused and on task, so you can complete your work within an appropriate timeframe. Working from a kitchen table may seem like a great idea at first, but when it comes down to it, costing a space for yourself that is designated for your job, ultimately will increase your efficiency and help you maintain a work-life balance that is necessary to find when bringing your workload home with you.

Home Office Design Basic #2- Invest in Home Office Organizers and Accessories

A home office should have a storage system that allows you to keep organized, know where your necessary work tools are located, and help you stay clutter-free. Whether you choose to work with a designer or come up with storage solutions on your own - there are many different accessories out there to help keep you organized. According to TheBalanceSMB.com , “Research suggests that messy people are geniuses. However, a messy desk can increase stress, sap energy, and lower productivity.” You can find many accessories that help you stay organized at your local home office store or through a home office design company. Some of the best home office accessories that will keep you organized include:

Filing Systems
Custom Hutch Designs
Full-Extension Drawers
Cups, Baskets, Bins or Dedicated Storage Containers for Office Supplies

Home Office Design Basic #3 - Keep Your Desk or Work Surfaces Clear

When designing your home office, keep in mind that you should start and finish each day with a clear desk. Rather than walking into your office in the morning to a pile of bills or paperwork that looks messy and unkempt, make a ritual of cleaning up your space every afternoon before turning off the lights. Clear empty cups or water bottles, file away your loose papers into folders that can be pulled out of filing the next morning. Create a space that feels fresh and pleasant when you open your office doors every morning. This will reduce stress and help you to get right to work, rather than sorting through yesterday’s mess!

Home Office Design Basic #4 - Choose to Fill Your Home Office With a Handful of Individual Touches

It is known to many that adding a personalized touch to your workspace, especially something meaningful, can help you get through a tough workday. Whether it is a picture of your family or a handwritten framed letter to yourself regarding your personal goals - including a personalized touch in your home office will make it feel more like your own and create inspiration when you need it most. Business News Daily suggests, “Personalizing your space – in moderation, of course – can increase your emotional connection to your work, but it's important to not let the personal touches become the clutter.” Some great suggestions for personalizing your workspace include:

Vision Boards of Your Future Goals
A Plant to Brighten the Room and Circulate Fresh Air
Framed Photographs or Memories
A Favorite Quote for Motivation on a Small Sign

Home Office Design Basic #5 - Choose Your Colors Wisely and Create a Calming, Yet Uplifting Environment

Colors and lighting is everything when it comes to your overall productivity. Choosing too dark of a color and setting your home office up in a space with very little light, will offer you more of a cave than a creative workspace. On the other hand, choosing a color that is overly bright and harsh on the eyes, can lead to distractions and headaches. ElleDecor.com reports that the top office colors for productivity and creativity include:

Pale Greens
Dark Blues for Trim or Accent Walls
Pale Greys
Off Whites

Final Thoughts

Designing a home office may seem like a daunting task, but it truly can be an enjoyable experience. Follow the above basic design tricks and you will find yourself navigating through home office design easily in no time at all. Remember, the most important thing about your home office is that you keep it clutter-free and organized while providing yourself with a comfortable space that you can get creative in, maintain productivity and enjoy the look of!

Sources

Six Effortless Tips for Tackling Home Organization Projects

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 19:45:03 GMT

There is nothing like having an organized home. Having it clutter-free with everything at your fingertips can make coming home a rewarding experience at the end of a long day. Yet, wanting an organized home and being successful at home organization are two different things. The beginning can be overwhelming.

What is the best way to organize your home? There are many ways to create order out of chaos in your home. Some of the best practices include purging, tackling clutter magnets, arranging by using cubbies, using wall space, and taming the dreaded junk drawer.

This article will show you how to tackle any kind of home organization project head on!

The Purge

Before taking on any home organization project, you first need to purge your home of all unwanted and unnecessary items. Clothing and other goods that are in good condition should be donated to your local donation center. Items that are broken or worn out should be discarded or recycled when possible.

When trying to decide what stays and what goes, remember the 80/20 rule. Most people only use about 20 percent of what they have. It can make it easier to decide what to keep.

To help determine what to toss, set up a three-box system. Label the first box Keep . Mark the second one as Store . Finally, write Toss on the third. Go through one area at a time, depositing items into the appropriate box. Once finished, put the storage box in a separate storage space, label and inventory if desired, and put the toss box where you can quickly discard the items. You can now organize the items in your keep box.

Look for Clutter Spots

The easiest way to begin purging and ultimately succeeding in home organization is to look for areas that tend to be clutter magnets. Places like the kitchen counter or dining room table tend to be a catch-all for items that don’t really belong there.

Start by clearing these cluttered areas by putting things away or throwing them in the trash, depending on what they are. Do you dump piles of junk mail on the table with the intent to put it in the recycling bin? Now is the time to relocate it to its proper place. You should do the same thing with keys, wallets, and watches. It’s time to find a better home for these things. Have a dozen charging cables? Invest in a charging station.

Once you’ve cleared your clutter magnets of the mess, Womansday.com recommends setting the area so that it blocks future clutter from occurring. For example, if the kitchen table is a holder for all of your junk, set the table as though you intend to use it. Put a tablecloth and placemats on the tabletop and decorate it with a centerpiece. It helps to brighten up the area and keeps you and your family from using it as a place to discard junk.

It’s All in the Arrangement

Arranging your items is a necessary part of home organization. Go room by room to organize your closets, cabinets, and other storage spaces. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you put the most often used things at the front of each area. Doing so allows you to quickly grab items you frequently use without rifling through the cabinets of shelves.

If you have a small space and items you need to get to, such as spices, consider using a Lazy Susan as a storage shelf. The turntable allows you to access herbs that you have at the back of the cabinet without taking everything out to get to them.

If you don’t already have a place for the detergent in your laundry room, consider installing shelving or cubbies. You can buy inexpensive plastic crates and screw them into the wall studs to have a place to store supplies. If your laundry area doubles as storage for brooms and mops, consider getting Command hooks or broom holders. These handy contraptions keep your brooms and mops off the floor and from falling all over the place. They also help to make a small space look tidier.

Cubbies Are Your Friend

The Family Handyman notes that cubbies can make it easy to store items, especially in children’s rooms and play areas. These handy shelves are usually low enough that children can easily access their toys and books. You can organize them in a way where they can see exactly what they want to grab without emptying the toy box to find that one special toy.

They also make excellent bookcases for small children’s books. Arrange the spines out or covers forward, so they know which ones they are picking. As they grow, you can easily replace the titles with age-appropriate material.

While cubbies are great for kids, other uses can help you organize your space. Use bins in the cubby holes to collect items you don’t want to display. Be sure to use cubby labels to keep track of where you put the remotes or the extra HDMI cables. You can also use them to organize your video game systems and controllers so they are not left all over the living room.

Looking for a media center with a lot of storage for DVDs, players, and cable boxes? Cubbies work wonders. You can use them to design a media center that works best for your space.

Go Up in the Kitchen

Some homes have spacious kitchens with plenty of room for everything you have. Others are too small to adequately store pots, pans, and all of your dishes. It might be time to get creative so that your kitchen remains organized, and you don’t spend too much time looking for specific items.

Pots and pans don’t have to go under the counter to remain organized. Good Housekeeping recommends investing in an overhead potholder or wall hooks and hang your pans for easy accessibility.

Other items going on the wall may make finding them more manageable. Use Command hooks to organize:

Potholders
Serving Spoons
Aprons
Dry Measuring Cups
Coffee Mugs

Using the walls are not the only way to organize things in your kitchen. Adding a thin board to the back of your cabinet doors can also allow you to hang measuring cups and other items.

Drawers Aren’t Catchalls

Every home inevitably has a junk drawer. It’s a single drawer, usually in the kitchen or laundry room, where things are tossed and left to collect dust. Eventually, you need to find those batteries or that lone screwdriver that works on almost anything in the house. When that time comes, battling the junk drawer is a nightmare.

Don’t look at that drawer as a catch-all for things you don’t know where to store to organize your home. Instead, use a drawer organizer or dividers to give like items a space to go. Homedit.com also suggests purchasing small containers. Get a small container as a place for batteries, so they aren’t rolling all over the drawer. If there is enough space, get a small box for each battery type and label them as such.

If you use a drawer to contain all of your arts and crafts items, set limits. Do you really need fifteen rolls of washi tape? Or how about three dozen rolls of ribbon? Probably not. Set a limit on how many you can have and stick to it. If you have room, consider setting up rods to hold ribbons and tape where you can clearly see what you have and what you might need.

Conclusion

Like most things, home organization is not a once and done type of thing. You must continually keep up with it to ensure that clutter doesn’t win the day. By routinely purging your home, using cubbies, putting stuff on the wall, arranging things by use, and organizing the junk drawer, you can keep your home looking nice and be able to find what you need when you need it.

Sources

How to Organize Your Custom Closets for Colder Weather

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 20:25:58 GMT

With many areas across the country already experiencing colder weather, it's time to think of how you're going to organize your closets in time for winter. Even if you have ample room in your closets, it's time to take a closer look at your warmer garments and accessories and move them to the forefront for easier accessibility.

Organizing your closets for colder weather consists of several steps. You should first start by unpacking and sorting through your winter clothes. Then pack up your summer attire to make room. When organizing, make room for bulky items, consider new organizing methods, and consider hanging your hats. Finally, make the most out of your wardrobe by keeping some summer items.

Read on to learn more about how to best organize your custom closets for the winter weather.

Unpack & Sort Through Your Winter Clothes

When it's time to change your wardrobe around from spring and summer to fall and winter, it is the ideal time to begin decluttering and ridding yourself of clothes you can't or don't wear or are too worn out to wear, according to the Showbiz.com article, Cold Weather Is Coming. As you take out your winter clothing, inspect them for holes and excessive wear. These are clothes you should get rid of. You should also consider donating any clothing in good shape that you don't want to wear anymore, as donating is a good clothing recycling habit.

While you are unpacking your winter clothing, it's time to clean them as well. Most clothes in storage may gain a musty smell after being locked up for half the year. MarthaStrewart.com explains that this is the perfect time to launder them and get them ready to hang in your closet. Special fabrics like cashmere need special cleaning, and this makes it the ideal time to take it over to the cleaners before you want to wear them.

Store Warmer Weather Clothes

As you are unpacking cold weather clothing, it is time to pack away your warmer weather clothing to make room in your closet, as per recommended by the Winter Living Advisor . If you store your winter clothes in bins, you can use the same ones to keep your summer clothes to get them out of the way. You may consider replacing your containers if they are worn or cracked.

If you are purchasing bins to store clothes in, there are different options:

Plastic bins are typically transparent, easy to transport, and stackable with tight-fitting lids. You can label or color-code them to make sorting easier.
Bankers Boxes: Made out of cardboard, bankers boxes, are available at office supply or big box stores and are ideal for smaller items. They are simple to label and are sturdy.
Wardrobe boxes: Wardrobe boxes, like bankers boxes, are generally made of cardboard. They have a rod inside that allows you to hang items instead of folding them. They aren't as convenient to store as plastic bins or bankers boxes, but they are still a good alternative.

Make Space for Bulkier Items

Winter coats and snowsuits are bulkier than t-shirts and tank tops. You'll need to ensure you have enough room. That might mean being creative with how you place items into your closet.

Storing outerwear like heavy-duty jackets and snowsuits in the hall closet or on hooks by the door makes more sense than keeping them in your bedroom closet. Instead, save your bedroom space for items you'll wear more frequently, such as vests, lighter weight jackets, long sleeve shirts, and sweaters.

To make some space on the hanging rod for winter items, relegate your sweaters to a shelf or drawer. Folding your sweaters instead of hanging them can also help them keep their shape and not stretch as severely. They'll end up lasting longer and looking better in the long run.

When storing boots, you may consider not keeping them in the closet area. If you walk through snow and winter mix, your shoes will be wet and possibly muddy. Keep them in the laundry or mudroom so that you can keep moisture and dirt out of your closet.

Change Up Your Organizing Methods

You may have found it easier to group items by color or by how often you wore certain outfits for summer and springtime clothing. When it comes to winter, it might be time to rethink how you organize your items.

Having hangers that are all roughly the same shape and size can help you not only organize your closet but make it look more cohesive. For women, winter generally means more slacks than skirts, while men may opt for more wool blends in their suits. Women may need fewer hangers with clips for their dresses and more hangers that allow for multiple pairs of slacks to neatly hang without taking up a lot of space. Men may need to switch to wood or heavy-duty plastic hangers to help offset their suits' weight.

Organizing your clothes will allow you to find them quicker. Hang similar items together. For example, jeans and slacks should be hung close to one another while shirts, both long and short sleeve, should be together. Suits should also be separated out along with any light-weight jackets or coats. For added simplicity, you may consider organizing these groups further by color so you can quickly find items. You should have a hanger for belts, ties, and scarves, and it should be easily accessible so you can see your options.

Not everyone chooses to hang their ties and scarves. If you decide to fold them and store them in a drawer, consider drawer dividers that would allow you to keep one scarf or tie in each section. This will make it easier to see what items you already have. If you are interested in learning more about different methods for reorganizing your closets, check Four Steps for Organizing Your Custom Closets by Affordable Custom Closets & Garages .

Install Hat Hooks if You Don't Already Have Them

With colder weather brings the need for hats and earmuffs. Not everyone wears hats year-round, so you may not already have hooks in your closet to accommodate your new collection of headwear. However, you should consider adding some to your wardrobe. If you live in an area where you get sleet or snow during the winter months, it gives you a place to dry your hat.

Using removable hooks on the walls not only helps to organize your hats, but it also helps to keep your area neat. These can be left up year-round and used for other items during the spring and summer months or taken down at the end of the winter.

Make the Most Out of Your Wardrobe

Sometimes the best way to get ready for winter is to make the most out of your entire wardrobe and not just a few seasonal items. Sometimes you may want to wear a short-sleeve shirt under your sweater. Skirts and dresses can still be worn in the winter with the addition of leggings or tights.

Just because it is a "warm weather" garment doesn't mean you can't add it to your winter wardrobe. Keeping some of your summer wear can help you cut down on organization time and give you more options when getting ready each day.

Conclusion

With any organizational project, you should always start by going through your garments and deciding what you want to keep, what to donate, and what to retire gracefully. Don't forget to make room in your closet for bulkier items and consider hanging outerwear in a closet closer to your exit, especially during the colder months. Consider making the most out of your wardrobe by not packing away all your summer clothes but keeping critical pieces in the closet for use with warmer items. Most importantly, be creative with organizing your closet space so that it works best for your needs.

Sources

How to Increase the Resale Value of Your Home With Custom Closets

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 19:25:42 GMT

You may not think that custom closets can add much resale value to your home. After all, your closets are relatively small spaces that are tucked off behind bedrooms. But if you find yourself discounting the value of such a project, you’re probably not aware of all the benefits a custom closet offers.

A well-designed custom closet can not only increase the value of your home during a resale, it can help your home stand out to buyers so you get more offers by:

Gives the Illusion of More Space
Organizing a Notoriously Cluttered Space
Adding a “Wow” Factor
Shows Visitors That You Care About Your Home

The luxury feel, ingenious hardware and quality construction of your custom closet will actually help the rest of your house shine, signaling to buyers that your home is worth another look.

Whether you’re trying to make this space more functional or beautify one of the most underrated areas of your home, find out how a custom closet can increase the value of your home now and when you eventually go to sell it.

Gives the Illusion of More Space

Do you know one of the biggest reasons families decide to buy a new home? Lack of storage space. When you enhance your home with custom closets, you help solve one of the biggest housing issues homeowners face. Messy, disorganized closets, in contrast, may scare away potential buyers who will assume their possessions won’t fit either.

Your custom closet will give you back more storage room by including organizer options that maximize the space you have:

Pant racks
Drawer and shelf dividers
Belt & tie pullouts
Closet rods and hooks
Shoe Storage
Hampers

These hardware items will cut down on your wasted closet space because they’re designed specifically to stow your clothes, shoes and clothing accessories.

Organize a Notoriously Cluttered Space

A well-designed closet helps you see and reach all your items with minimal effort. That means you know exactly what you own and can quickly get rid of the items you don’t wear anymore. No heaps of clothing cluttering up the back of your closet. No wasting space on items that no longer fit you or went out of style.

When others see that you can effortlessly access all of your clothes and shoes, they know this is a space that will be easy to keep organized. Plus, potential buyers of your home will see how easy it will be to keep their items protected. Custom closet hardware and storage systems don’t just maximize your space. They also extend the life of items by storing them the way they were intended to be stored.

Add the “Wow” Factor

One of the reasons a stunning walk-in closet blows visitors away is because of how unexpected it is. Most people in your home just won’t expect to see that much care and attention to detail in a space that is not visible to all visitors. As soon as they open that closet door, expecting to see the same disappointing wire shelving and clutter covering the floor, they’ll be amazed by what they find: a stunning organized space accented by luxury fixtures and hardware.

If potential buyers are looking for a new home, they’ll see plenty of stunning kitchens, spacious bedrooms and luxurious baths. But a professionally designed custom closet? It’s essentially the unicorn of home upgrades.

Unlike other home extras that benefit the whole family, such as a pool or hot tub, a custom walk-in closet is generally reserved for just the homeowners, or the ones deciding whether to buy. This upgraded space will probably stay in the potential buyer’s mind much longer than nice guest accommodations or a spacious loft. Plus, the homeowner will be using this space every day, making it a highly trafficked area for them that they will constantly appreciate.

Show Visitors That You Care About Your Home

An organized closet where you invested time and effort to improve does more than just surprise and delight visitors to your home. A custom closet also shows that you take pride in your home in general. During the home sales process, this is invaluable.

Potential buyers are constantly looking for hints that the home they’re viewing was well cared for. Making the effort to improve these spaces will reassure them that you invested the same time and care in the rest of your home as well. This includes performing preventative maintenance and investing in quality materials that will enhance home functionality.

What Are Some Popular Custom Closet Features?

There are some closet design elements that visitors to your home expect. And then there are some that will totally shatter expectations:

Wood and mixed materials: According to the pros, closet design generally extends from the majors trends seen in kitchens. And one of those trends crossing over to the custom closet are rustic wood elements of the farmhouse chic movement and the use of mixed materials, which pair opposing colors, finishes and grains.

Custom lighting: Homeowners are getting creative with the way they illuminate their closets, and this doesn’t just include overhead lights. LED lighting that highlights specific areas, lights inside cabinets, spotlights and even lighted hardware are all increasingly popular trends.
Dressing rooms: Whether that includes incorporating dressing room elements in the custom closet design or taking over a previously unused room, this is a new trend that’s taking hold. Design features include full-length mirrors, seating and more.
Hideaway features: Offering far more than novelty, hideaway features are a smart way to maximize space while still getting all of the design elements you want. Popular hidden hardware options include hanging rods, hampers, and ironing boards.

A recent Houzz article explained that homeowners are generally more willing to take design and stylistic risks in their closets. This is your opportunity to really own the space and imbue it with your personality without much risk. Again, this is a private space that most people won’t see, so you can embrace your creativity. However, if increasing resale value is your biggest concern and you can foresee yourself living elsewhere soon, it is wise to still keep your stylistic decisions fairly universal.

Should You Invest in Upgrading Your Small Closets?

By now, it should be obvious you can add significant resale value to your home with a custom walk-in closet. But what about your smaller reach-in closets?

Not every home has a large walk-in closet waiting to be remodeled. But virtually every home does have smaller storage spaces, such as reach-in closets. When it comes to these closets, it’s arguably more important to make sure they’re well organized because of the limited space. Sure, you may not be able to wow visitors to the same degree, but you can make them just as useful with a variety of options that maximize the space available:

Hanging rods on side walls
Slide-out baskets and bins
Closet drawers
Custom shelves
Overhead storage options

Conclusion

Whether you want to stun visitors with a luxury space or reassure them that your home includes the design features that will make it easy to stay organized, custom closets are the perfect way to set your home apart and add value.

Sources

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/9-features-that-are-popular-in-closets-now-stsetivw-vs~116955669

What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Modular Vs. Epoxy Garage Flooring?

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 19:25:17 GMT

Your garage floor has survived some of your messiest projects, be those restoring a classic car (and leaking oil all over the place), painting furniture, and even doing some woodwork. As a result, the floor is looking a little worse for wear. You’d love to replace your garage flooring, but you’re stumped on choosing between modular and epoxy flooring. Which is the more advantageous pick?

Modular flooring has the following benefits:

Skid-resistant so your floor looks better longer
Slip-resistant so you’re less likely to fall, even if the floor is wet
You can easily replace modular flooring if you ever want to
Cleaning modular flooring is a breeze

Here are the benefits of epoxy flooring:

Smooth, shiny garage floor finish
Durability for years of use
Cleanup isn’t challenging

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of modular and epoxy flooring. You also won’t want to miss the drawbacks of both so you can choose the right garage flooring material for you! Let’s begin.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Modular Flooring

In the battle of Modular Vs. Epoxy Flooring as covered by Memphis Garage & Closets, let’s start first with modular flooring. If you need a refresher, modular flooring includes a series of floor tiles that you connect together across the length of your garage floor. These tiles come in all sorts of colors and finishes to mimic the appearance of steel, solid tile, rubber, or whatever you want. Swisstrax flooring especially can accommodate any and every modular flooring style you think would suit your garage.

Here is an overview of the pros and cons of modular flooring:

Pros

Skid Resistance: If you’re working with heavy machinery in your garage, such as a lawnmower, a huge cabinet on wheels, or yes–even your car–you hate how tracks are left behind as visible, unappealing black skids. Modular flooring is skid-resistant so these marks never show up. Feel free to back that restored car into your garage. Your flooring can handle it.
Slip Resistance: You need to trust the floor beneath you when working in your garage. That’s especially true if you have a woodworking saw in your hand or you’re in the middle of welding. Modular flooring will keep your feet underneath you with its slip-resistant properties. Focus on the important work you’re doing, not staying upright.
Simple and Fast Replacement: Most home renovations require you to be in love with the changes you make. Not with modular flooring. If you’re feeling fickle and want to explore another type of modular tile, all you have to do is dislodge your current tiles and put new ones in. You can do this job in an afternoon with plenty of time to spare. That’s so little time for such big changes!
Quick Cleanup: Oh no, did your restored car leak oil again? Maybe you accidentally bumped into your open bucket of paint and tipped some over. That’s okay. With a pressure washer, you can get that modular flooring looking as good as new. For less serious messes like dirt and dust buildup, your household Shop Vac can keep your modular floors tidy. Darker-colored tiles also hide messes more easily.

Cons

Visibility of the Seams: The only drawback to modular flooring is that the seams are visible between the tiles. For most people, they really won’t care about this, but it’s worth mentioning anyway if it will help you make up your mind about your garage flooring.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Epoxy Flooring

Your other option is epoxy flooring. Let’s also start with a recap for this flooring type. Epoxy is a chemical compound that dries like a resin. This resin, which is a polyepoxide, is part of a polymer and prepolymer class. By pouring the resin layer over your garage floors, the original flooring is protected from further damage via the epoxy. Here are the benefits of epoxy flooring.

Pros

Smooth, Shiny Finish: Do you like the kind of polished flooring common in school gymnasiums and other large buildings? More than likely, those floors are finished with epoxy. Pouring the resin over your garage floors will make them look shiny and feel very smooth to walk on. You’ll want to get some overhead lighting installed in your garage so you can best appreciate your new floors.
Durability: Once your garage floor is covered in epoxy, you won’t have to touch the floors again for quite a while. On average, epoxy lasts for 10 to 20 years, which gives you a long time in your garage to tinker and play without ruining your floors.
Simple Cleanup: You also won’t take a lot of time out of your day to maintain your epoxy floors. With a store-bought dust mop or a broom with soft bristles, you can easily tackle most day-to-day epoxy floor cleanup. If you have a serious mess that needs a more heavy-duty clean, you’ll need to first sweep with the broom, then use a hard-foam mop with clear ammonia and water.

Cons

You also want to keep in mind that epoxy has a slew of downsides, including the following.

Can’t Do It Yourself: If you’re the DIY type, then you might want to skip the epoxy flooring. Professionals are best trained for the job of pouring this resin evenly and ensuring that it dries for consistent protection across your entire garage floor.
Doesn’t Change Floors, Just Protects Them: If you hate the dark oil stains that mar your garage flooring, don’t think epoxy is a cure-all. It dries translucently, and even though it’s shiny, you can still clearly see through the resin to the floor below. You’ll protect your garage floor from further damage with a layer of epoxy, but you can’t erase what’s already there. You’d want modular tiles to cover the floor so you don’t have to stare at those old stains anymore.
Not Slip-Resistant When Wet: Epoxy flooring is plenty slip-resistant, although not necessarily as much as modular flooring. That said, the grip you usually get with epoxy goes out the window the moment the flooring gets wet. Whether it’s water, oil, or any other liquid, stepping near that spill if your floor is epoxy could lead to major injuries like slips and falls.
More Expensive than Modular Flooring: Another downside to epoxy is you’ll pay more for it. For each square foot of garage space, epoxy costs $2 to $5, then you have to add $1 to $6 per square foot for labor. Modular flooring costs between $1.80 and $6 for each square foot before labor costs.
No Way to Easily Replace Epoxy: With modular flooring, if you’re tired of your garage floors, you can remove the tiles and start over with new ones. To get rid of epoxy, you must warm up a heat gun to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, soften up bits of the epoxy, and then scrape them away with a plastic scraper . Think about how long you’d have to do that to remove all the epoxy on your garage floor. It would take weeks if not months!

Conclusion

Epoxy and modular flooring are two of the most popular choices for garage floors across the country. While both flooring options are advantageous in their own way, modular flooring is the better pick for several reasons. Modular floors let you change out your flooring when the mood strikes you, you get better slip-resistance, plus, they install much faster. Hopefully, you’re ready to choose a new garage flooring material for all your future projects. Best of luck!

Sources

Are Custom Closets Really Worth It?

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 20:24:53 GMT

It’s the start of a new year, and you might be thinking about how you are going to achieve your goals to get organized in 2020. You know that custom closets can help... but are they worth the expense? Our clients say they are! Read on to see how having a custom closet storage system can improve the way your home functions, boost its value, and keep you and your family on a more even keel.

Custom Closets Can Get Your Home Organized

It’s the start of a new year, and this is prime time for resolutions to “finally get organized.” You might occasionally beat yourself up over not having everything in order, but the fact of the matter is that you can’t organize your belongings if you don’t have a dedicated place to put them. Your grandmother or mother might have said something like, “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” Disorganization happens when you don’t have a place for every item in your home.

A custom closet can help you by providing the space you need for various items. Shelving, drawers, hooks, racks, and accessories all work together to increase the amount of storage space available. Once you have room for everything, you can designate a “home” for each item. At that point, it’s just a matter of putting things away. For many, this benefit alone makes custom closets worth the expense.

Custom Closets Can Raise the Value of Your Home

When you were looking at homes, what are some of the criteria you kept in mind? You probably had a number of bedrooms that you required, and maybe a specific number of bathrooms. You might have wanted an open floor plan, a ranch-style home, or a two-story home. One of the things you looked for might have been storage space. The people who eventually purchase your home, whether that is next year or decades from now, will also want to see plenty of storage space for their items.

Custom closet systems give you more of that storage space and can increase the value of your home. They can also make your home easier to sell. When you put your house on the market, you want to do everything you can to make it appeal to potential buyers. A custom closet gives you a place to keep the boxes holding your personal items (which your real estate agent will ask you to put away). It will also showcase to house-hunters how much storage you have available. Seeing rows of neatly hung shirts, built-in shoe racks, and double-hung clothing rods will help potential buyers imagine their own items put away in your closet, making it more likely that they will place a bid on your home.

Custom Closets Can Keep You Calmer

Some people would say that early morning mayhem is the most stressful part of the day. Others might mention the hour between getting home from work and getting dinner on the table. If you have a busy household with adults scurrying off to work and getting children off to school, custom storage systems can make a world of difference when it comes to your stress levels.

When your children get up and can find their own clothing and shoes in their neat and tidy kid-friendly closets, this eliminates some of the hassles you might otherwise have. No more searching for a lost tennis shoe or a missing backpack! When you can put on your clothes, knowing that they are not wrinkled from being crammed into a stuffed-to-the-gills closet, that’s one less thing for you to worry about. A well-organized garage even makes it simpler to get in the car and leave. Forget about tripping over bicycles and trying to squeeze past piles of junk on your way to the car.

In the evening, a custom kitchen pantry makes it easy to put dinner together. You’ll be able to see exactly what you have and make note of missing ingredients before you have half the recipe assembled. In addition, you will have more room for small appliances in the pantry and won’t need to knock over various items as you pull them out.

All of these small conveniences can reduce your stress and make you feel more calm and in control, which is an enormous benefit that makes custom closets worth it for many families.

Custom Closets Can Save You Money

You might still be concerned about investing hard-earned money into your closets. Do keep in mind that every custom closet is built for the people who will be using it and that Northland Custom Closet & Garage takes your budget into consideration when designing your new storage space. Also, you might not realize this, but custom closets can end up saving you money in the long run. Here are just a few of the ways:

Less waste. With a custom kitchen pantry, you won’t be throwing away items that have expired because you will be able to see what you have and use it before the date is up. You can also avoid buying too many of a particular item because you will know what you have on hand. While you might choose to stock up on good deals, it doesn’t make sense to buy more than you can use before the expiration date.
Less clothing damage . Putting clothes into a too-tight closet space invites trouble. Zippers and buttons snag on items, clothing gets pulled out of shape, and some items might slide onto the floor and get stepped on. In addition, many people tend to wear the same items over and over again because they are the easiest to grab. This leads to more wear-and-tear on those items while other articles of clothing go unworn for months or years. Having enough space combats these issues.
Less money spent on duplicate clothing. You know that you have at least a couple pairs of navy pants, but where are they? If they are crammed in the back of your closet, you might not be able to see them, leading you to purchase another pair for an event. This is a waste of money and resources. Leaving some space so you can easily see what you already own eliminates this problem and is possible with custom closets.

If you are ready to get organized in 2020, contact Northland Custom Closet & Garage to schedule your free in-home consultation and design appointment. We can’t wait to meet you!

What to Do With a Small Closet in Duluth, MN

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:24:35 GMT

Closets can be difficult to keep organized, and the problem can be magnified for small closets . If you have a closet that is narrow, shallow, or just plain small, you might not know where to start when it comes to getting it whipped into shape. Read on to learn what you can do and what a professional Duluth closet organizer can do for you when it comes to these tiny storage spaces.

Organizing the Linen Closet

The linen closet often comes with several wire shelves, and most people fill these with towels, sheets, toiletries, and other items that you might need in the bathroom. The problem occurs when stacks of towels and washcloths topple over and when you can’t find the toiletries you need due to a lack of general organization in the space.

What you can do yourself:

Purchase plastic bins for storing toiletries. Choose clear bins or label them well so you know what is in them. You can stack these on one shelf or even on the floor of the linen closet.
Pare down your towels and sheets. The general rule for sheets is that you should have two full sets for each bed, plus some extra pillowcases. For towels, consider paring down to two per person plus two more for guests. If you have pets, you’ll want to keep a few additional towels for baths, drying off muddy paws, and so on. Having less in the linen closet will help you keep it tidier.
Look for different ways to store these items. You might have better luck with your towels if you roll them and place them in baskets on the shelves. Sheets can be folded and placed into the pillowcase that goes with the set. Then all you will need to do is grab a “packet” of sheets when it’s time to change your bed.

What your custom closet company can do:

Install moisture-resistant shelving for the linen closet. Wire shelving can be difficult to deal with because it ends to let small items fall between the wires. Wood shelves with a melamine coating will be resistant to moisture (important if the closet is located in your bathroom) and will keep everything in place.
Install drawers in the closet. You might not have thought about putting drawers in your linen closet, but this can be the perfect solution for storing various items that simply don’t stay on the shelf well.
Installing pull-out shelving. These make storing small items, like extra toiletries, simple. You can reach everything without bending and reaching around and over items, and you will be able to see what you have at a glance.

Organizing Children’s Closets

Children’s closets are notoriously difficult to organize, in part because children are usually not big enough to properly use common closet components like the hanging rod and the overhead shelf.

What you can do:

Put a shelf or cubbies in the bottom of the closet. Encourage your child to use these storage spaces instead of trying to hang clothing on a rod that is too high.
Install hooks on the walls of the closet. Let your kids hang their sweatshirts, jackets, backpack, and other items on the hooks rather than trying to hang them or put them on a high shelf. This should reduce the number of items that end up on the floor.
Move most of your kids’ clothes to his or her drawers. If your child has a bureau or dresser, move most of the clothing he or she wears on a regular basis to the drawers. Be sure the chest of drawers is anchored to the wall if your child is young for safety purposes.

What your custom closet organizer can do:

Install drawers right in the closet. Drawers that fit the closet’s dimensions perfectly are a handy solution for storing all types of items that your child would like to keep in the closet. As an added benefit, these are wall-mounted, so you won’t have to worry about anchoring them to the wall yourself.
Install a lower hanging rod. A child under the age of 10 or 12 might be too short to use the standard hanging rod. As a result, clothing ends up pulled out of shape or heaped on the floor. A rod hung at the right level will be much easier for him or her to use.
Use adjustable components. A professional closet designer will use adjustable components whenever possible in a child’s closet. This means that the closet you purchase for your 4-year-old will still work in a decade when he or she is about to head to high school.

Incidentally, if you aren’t sure whether investing in a children’s closet is worth the expense, Closet Decor & More , a custom closet company in South Florida, recently published a post titled, Are Children’s Custom Closets Worth It? that we think you’ll enjoy.

Organizing Hallway Closets

Whether you’re storing board games, holiday gifts, coats, or something else in your hallway closets, we’ve got some ideas for keeping them organized.

What you can do:

Use a variety of bins to hold like items. A hallway closet often becomes a catchall of a wide range of items. Group them together in a way that makes sense and look for bins of different sizes to hold what you need to store. For example, a heavy wastepaper basket can hold umbrellas, plastic bins can hold puzzles, and so on.
Slide a stepstool into the closet. If you are using your top shelf to hold items, a stepstool right in the closet itself will make it convenient and safer for you to pull these things down when you need them.
Use an over-the-door organizer. Find the type of plastic organizer that you might use to organize shoes and hang it over the back of the closet door. This will give you a handy place to keep all sorts of small items.

What your custom closet designer can do:

Add shoe racks to an entryway closet. If you are using a hall closet as an entryway closet, a custom shoe rack can help keep everyone’s footwear in good order.
Offer various closet organizers depending on what you are storing. These would fulfill the same function as the bins suggested above but would be customized for your needs, would not fall over, and would make the configuration more permanent.
Build components for an oddly shaped space. If you have a hall closet with a sloped ceiling, a cubbyhole access door, or some other unusual feature, a custom closet company can work with it and build around it without compromising the function of the closet or the feature itself.

If you are considering having custom closets installed in your small storage spaces, contact Northland Custom Closet & Garage to schedule a free in-home consultation appointment.

Organizing Your Child’s Closet on a Shoestring Budget

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:24:18 GMT

If your child’s closet is the bane of your ability to keep a well-organized home, you are not alone. Many parents struggle with keeping their kids’ rooms in good condition. Children of all ages, toddler to teen, need specific places to keep their items if they (or you) hope to have any semblance of organization in their bedrooms and closets. If your budget is tight, all hope is not lost! Here are some low-cost ways to help your child keep his or her closet neater, which will oftentimes lead to a neater and cleaner bedroom.

Purge What’s Not Being Used

Part of the problem that many kids face in keeping their closets organized is that they often have clothing that they’re not using mixed in with the items that they wear regularly. They might have items that have been recently outgrown, along with items that are a bit big and that won’t fit them for a while.

Small clothing needs to be taken out of the closet regularly. Young children (as well as older children!) grow like weeds, so this should probably be done every three to six months. As soon as something is uncomfortable or looks too small, just take it out of the closet and either put it away for a younger child or pass it on to someone who can use it. Utilize your local thrift shops if you don’t know anyone with a child a year or two younger than yours who will put the items to good use.

For larger clothing, it gets tricky, because you don’t want to put it away and totally forget about it! Make an effort to go through bins of larger clothing at the same time that you are purging the smaller items. This will save you money, too, because you can avoid needless shopping trips to replace too-small jeans if you already have a few pairs put away. Try stacking bins on the very top shelf of the closet, where your child can’t reach.

Use What You Have

Take a look around your home to find organizers that you can use in your child’s closet. The best types for young kids are clear plastic bins, particularly small or shallow ones. Because they’re clear, there will be less rummaging around looking for items on the part of your little one! Older kids can use a label-maker to label their drawers or bins with what’s inside.

Other good organizers to look for are laundry baskets, a short shelving unit, or hat boxes. Anything that can contain items will keep clothing and accessories off of the floor, which makes the closet look neater and function more efficiently.

Involve Your Child in the Process

Even the youngest children often have an opinion on how their things should be arranged. A toddler might have certain stuffed animals that need to be within reach at all times; a large basket placed on the floor or on a low shelf can accomplish this goal. Older kids might prefer to keep their clothes folded, rather than hung, or maybe they have certain items or accessories that they wear all the time; these need to be at the front of the closet so they’re not pulling everything out looking for them.

Also keep in mind your child’s height and dexterity. Young kids often have a lot of trouble with hangers, so hooks on the wall or shallow drawers can work better. They also can’t reach very high, making most hanging rods unusable. If you are hanging clothing, try setting up a rod just a few feet off the ground. One idea is to hang a few full outfits together on a low rod so small children can simply grab one hanger with a full outfit all laid out. This gives them the choices that can help avoid tantrums while not being overwhelming. If you don’t want to install a second closet rod due to cost or a lack of tools, just get a tension rod, such as the type you’d use to suspend a shower curtain.

Make It Kid-Friendly

While you might have your closet painted a neutral color with neutral carpeting and regular wooden or wire fixtures, your child might not be inspired by understated design. Try making the closet pop so that it’s something fun to use! This does not have to be expensive at all.

For example, painting the walls of the closet can go a long way toward sprucing it up for a child. While you might be hesitant to paint a whole bedroom bright raspberry or lime green, these are perfect shades in a small area like the closet. You won’t need a lot of paint, either, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money (or time) to get this small job done.

You can also hang posters or paint a mural to liven up the space. Maybe your child would even like to try stenciling or sponge-painting. Remember that paint is temporary and that you can always change it later with little hassle.

Favorite toys or trophies can also decorate the space. You can hang stuffed animals and teddy bears using a net suspended from the ceiling. A narrow shelf can hold trophies and other treasures. Small items like hair accessories can even be pinned or otherwise attached to a bulletin board or an over-the-door rack. Using your imagination and your child’s sense of decorating style can make the closet seem worth keeping neat to your little one.

Getting your child’s closet organized will take some legwork in the beginning, but the tradeoff is that he or she will gradually be able to handle more and more responsibility when it comes to being neat and tidy. Also, this will teach your child valuable organizational skills that will last a lifetime. Working together on a project like cleaning out a closet can even bring the two of you closer together and create good memories of doing chores. In all, it’s a win-win situation! Call us today for a free consultation.

Super Quick Makeover Tips For Organizing Your Closet in Minnesota

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 19:24:04 GMT

Are your closets bulging and overwhelmed with clothing and clutter? Need a solution fast? Essentially a closet overhaul would be ideal; however, as our lives are often busy it can be difficult to find the time to pull everything out, assess them and then re-organize them all. Sometimes all you need to do is re-organize a few sections a time and install some closet storage solutions to get your closet functional again. If you're short on time but want to make a few simple changes then try some of these popular, fast and effective closet organizing tips.

Fast and Effective Closet Organization Tips

Use The Right Hangers

One of the best ways to really maximize your closet storage and gain extra space is by using the right type of hangers for your clothing. There is an entire line of purpose-built hangers available and are designed specifically to maximize space in your closet. Do some quick research and invest in the right hangers.

Combining Like Items Together

Your most worn and favorite items should always be at the front of the closet and grouped with like items. E.G: Slacks should be hung and grouped together; sweaters should be folded, and accessories like scarves, bags and belts should be organized in a similar fashion

Arrange By Color

You may forget if your sweater is a crew neck or a v-neck, but you will always remember it's green. The same thing with t-shirts, dresses, pants. It makes for quick and easy coordination of outfits, saving you extra time every day.

Separate Your Undergarments

One of the most useful things you can do in a closet is to have a separate basket for your undergarments for things like camisoles, petticoats, and undershirts. That way when you pull out a slightly see-through dress, sheer skirt or sweater, you can easily find the right undergarment.

Use Baskets & Bins For Your Top Shelf

Using basket and bins to safely store your unusual items, sweaters and occasional shoes on your top shelf is not only a great space saver but it makes it easy to retrieve them only when you need to. It’s an effective and painless way to keep these kinds of items organized. They are also great for gym clothes, scarves, hats and even winter socks.

Out Of Season Storage Under Your Bed

Perfect for out of season items, bulky coats, woolen sweaters, thermals and scarves can be stored under your bed in vacuum sealable bags during summer. The same things go for storing your swimsuits, tanks, sarongs and summer clothes, in the winter. Doing this alone will free up a lot more room in your closet.

Own Less Clothing

Yes, we all know how hard it can be to let go of things, however, if you haven't worn something for more than two seasons, it’s time to take action. You have three options: Donate it, give it away, or put it into storage. Remember every item of clothing takes up valuable closet real estate, so make them count!

However if you are serious about closet organization and know it’s well and truly time to do a complete overhaul of your closet, then you need to call in the closet organization experts. Our friends over at Dream Closets AZ have written a great article on how to help you prepare for a closet re-design.

Want to get started building your dream closet right away? Then call the dream team at Northland Custom Closet & Garage today and schedule your FREE In-Home Design Consultation.

Three Life-Changing Tips For Organizational Bliss

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 20:23:48 GMT

Most of us are on a quest for better organization. We at Northland Closets and Garage sure are. Keeping your surrounding organized makes life more pleasant and can also save you time and money. Overhauling your entire organizational system can be overwhelming and difficult, but making a few changes in your daily routine can actually bring about better habits and a better way of structuring your entire day. Here are some small but potentially life-changing tips to achieving organizational bliss.

#1 Tackle Your Clutter Monster a Little Bit at a Time

You probably have areas of your home that tend to attract clutter. It might be a custom closet or garage, or it might be somewhere right out in the open, such as on the kitchen island or your coffee table. While the idea of getting the pile under control is an exciting one, it can also seem like too large of a job. Instead, try dedicating 10 or 15 minutes at a time to getting your items put away, thrown away or given away. If you know that you only have to work on it for a few minutes at a time, you might be surprised at how few sessions it takes to eliminate the mess! Make it a habit to do this every day and the result will be a cleaner, tidier home.

#2 In With the New, Out With the Old

If you tend to buy too many items and they are cluttering up your home, make it a new rule that if you buy something new (or used) to bring into your home, you need to get rid of something that you don’t use anymore. This can apply to just about anything: clothing, electronics, DVDs, books and even small kitchen appliances. Not only will this help you avoid making more clutter, but it might end up saving you money, as you may be less likely to buy that piece of wall art if you know you need to say goodbye to one you already have!

#3 Make To-Do Lists

Disorganization often stems from not know exactly what to do with your spare time. If you have five, ten or twenty minutes free, you might spend the time procrastinating, frittering away minutes playing with your phone, or wandering around aimlessly. If you have a list of household organization projects that need to get done, you can refer to it when you find yourself without something to do. When you make your list, include how long you expect a project to take. While you might be able to organize a shelf on your bookcase in 15 minutes, it’s unreasonable to start a major project when you have only a half-hour to spare.

Getting yourself organized is largely a matter of creating good habits. Of course, this is working on the assumption that you already have space for all of your items. If you don’t, investing in a home organization system (whether that’s a custom closet system in your master bedroom, a garage shelving unit or a custom kitchen pantry) will give you a place for everything so you can put everything in its place.

Bring An Order To Your Home With Custom Garage Organization

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 20:23:30 GMT

When you first moved into your home, you might have had visions of a garage organization system dancing in your head. At the very least, you probably anticipated being able to park your car in your garage! As the years go by, the garage is the area in the home most likely to become overrun with clutter and chaos. If this describes your garage, follow these tips on getting it whipped back into shape.

Custom Garage Organization Techniques

Plan a Garage-Cleaning Party

One method for getting your garage back from the depths of extreme clutter is to invite a bunch of friends over, spring for pizza and the beverages of your choices and get everyone to pitch in and get the clutter monster tamed, together. You’ll need to gather supplies ranging from big garbage bags and boxes to packing tape, work gloves and maybe a hand truck. While cleaning out the garage on your own isn’t much fun, turning up some music and having friends or neighbors help can ease the sting a little.

Use the garbage bags for trash, and put items that need to be donated in the boxes (then seal them up with the tape and put them someone’s car to be delivered to the thrift shop as soon as possible; you don’t want to be tempted to dip back into the boxes!). Once you have most of the junk removed from your garage, it will be much easier to corral the rest of your items into appropriate storage.

Use the One-Bite-At-A-Time Method

If the idea of a garage-cleaning spree does not appeal to you, try carving out as little as 30 minutes per day to work on your garage. Alternatively, bring a bag or box with you and work until it’s full (then, as before, put garbage at the curb and boxes into the car to go to your nearest donation facility). This method will take much longer than the party method, but some find it less overwhelming to work at a steady, albeit gradual, pace.

Use Garage Organizers to Help You Stay in Control

Garage shelving, overhead storage units and garage cabinets are your friends here. If you have shelving, try adding in some bins or baskets to hold smaller items so they don’t fall off of the shelves. Think logically about which items should go together; all of your gardening supplies should be in the same area, for example, as should all of your kids’ yard toys. Things that you don’t need to access regularly can go overhead and items that you use weekly should be within easy reach.

Consulting with a professional garage organizer can not only give you good ideas for keeping your items stored safely and appropriately but can also show you what’s available in terms of garage organization products. Investing in high-quality products now can mean that you won’t have to deal with the frustration of an out-of-control garage again later. Once there is a place for everything, it will be so much easier to keep everything in its place. If you are in the areas of Grand Rapids, Duluth, and other Minnesota cities.

Custom Garage Organization Systems For Max Efficiency

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 20:23:19 GMT

The garage is the most important part of your home when it comes to organization. Although some homeowners won’t even consider it in terms of square footage of the home, the garage can be optimized for maximum storage and in turn, be more functional than most other rooms.

In this article, we will go through each custom garage organization system that we carry at Northland Custom Closet and Garage . From the top down, we will cover each system such as overhead storage, epoxy flooring, cabinets, workbenches and more.

Overhead Storage:

Think about all the different items that you only use once a year. Whether they’re holiday ornaments, sportswear equipment or extra tools overhead storage, overhead storage is a great way to keep them organized and out of your way for the time being. Optimize this process by labeling large tubs for the overhead storage section of your home.

Garage Workbenches:

If you are a carpenter or a handyman, or if you simply need an extra place to put your electronics a workbench opens your garage to more possibilities. The flat top installed near an outlet will provide you with additional space to pursue your passions. The workbench is also a place to put any ready-to-go items for your way to work.

Gridwall & Slatwall:

Gridwall and slatwall organization systems are a type of storage addition that can be installed on the entire wall. Gridwall, as it is stated, is a grid-like storage method that provides vertical and horizontal storage solutions. You can attach specific organizers how you please, which can then be used to store different tools and items at your pleasure. Slatwall can cover every square foot of your wall if needed. Using gridwall and slatwall organizers is the only way to get everything off of your floor.

Wall-Mounted Garage Cabinets:

Wall-Mounted garage cabinets are not only a great way to organize your garage space, garage cabinets that are mounted will make it easy to clean under very easily. The fact that they are mounted means that there will be no space in between the cabinet and the wall so you don't have to worry about dust accumulation or rodents hiding behind it. Garage Cabinets are the most important organizational system for a custom garage.

Custom Epoxy Garage Flooring:

Although this section does not apply to storage itself, there is some practicality to consider when deciding on your garage flooring. An epoxy garage flooring installation will give your garage a very luxurious look. Some functional benefits of epoxy garage flooring is that it is stain resistant as well as far more difficult to crack throughout the weather.

The customizability of your garage can be infinite so if you are having a trouble designing and deciding on your custom garage, contact us through our service page and set up a free consultation as well as an in home design.

How to Tell If You’re Hiring the Right Closet Company

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:23:04 GMT

You’ve decided it’s time to invest in a custom closet : you’ve been budgeting, you’ve listed all of the features that you want, and you’re ready for a consultation with a closet company you’ve found. Question is, how do you know they’re going to be fit to handle your job? Not every company on the market has your needs as the consumer as their priority, and not all are competent. So how do you know if you’re choosing a quality company, or getting ripped off? We’ve come up with a list of questions you should be asking when you’re going through choosing a company.

Is the closet consultant addressing all of your needs?

This first consideration is a pretty common sense one- when you’re going through the consultation, are they working with you to design a closet that will fit all of your needs? Is the closet consultant trying to sell you a premade closet design? If so, this isn’t a good sign. You’re paying for a custom closet- one that will be specially created to fit all of your needs. If they’re trying to sell you a premade closet layout before hearing your needs, how can they be putting your needs first? This is a sign that the company cares more about the money than providing you with what you need. If that’s how the consultant works with you, you shouldn’t be choosing their closet company.

Can the closet consultant answer every question that you have?

This question will help you tell if the closet consultant is competent enough for your project. When you’re going through the consultation, is the consultant able to answer the questions and concerns you have immediately? Do they have to call their boss, or “get back to you” on your concerns? If they’re selling closets to you, they should be knowledgeable and proficient in handling all of your questions regarding your custom closet. If they can’t answer the questions, can you really trust them to create a quality custom closet? You’re paying for a quality custom built closet by experts- if these people don’t seem like experts, you probably shouldn’t be trusting them with your project.

Can the closet consultant provide you with a computer rendering of your closet?

Back in the day, they may have had to use a ruler and graph paper to sketch out the layout of your custom closet; that isn’t the case in 2015. The quality closet companies of today use software to generate a 3D rendering of your closet layout, so you can see what it will look like. If the closet consultant is still sketching out layouts, you should be take this as a bad sign. This means the company isn’t up to date on their practices. Plus, a 3D rendering will help you to better picture what your closet layout will be like, so you can tell if it works for you. Why compromise on this and hire an outdated and less-than-quality closet company?

We at Northland Custom Closet and Garage work to ensure that your closet and garages are as clean and neat as possible! If you’re interested in a custom closet to suit your needs, give us a call today!

Defining and Creating Innovative Custom Closets Tips

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 19:22:49 GMT

For closets, innovation refers to the design for user-friendliness and optimization of the space to not only be functional but to enhance other areas at the same time. In other words - in addition to just using a closet to store your clothes (such as just having a hole in the wall with a rod and shelves up top), you can be creative in HOW you organize your clothes and how to stylize it to make a visual impact, and thus, evoking a natural sense of peace and calmness.

Some refer to this feeling as Feng Shui or Zen. Although Feng Shui refers to a system of “laws” considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy (qi), the end result is still innately desirable for all of us - to be relaxed. After all, if there’s a space that’s most important to evoke peace and relaxation, it should be where you spend 1/3 of your life resting - the bedroom.

Innovation has been the driving force for the advancement of humanity, although some are for the better and some are for the worse. In relation to an innovative closet and cabinet design, it’s important to consider a closet organization system that enhances both functionality and peace-of-mind.

Before starting the closet innovation process, be sure to get organized first. Space Envy from Boise , ID shares 3 top home organization tips that will help you develop essential habits to keep you consistent.

Factors for Innovative Cabinet & Custom Closet Design

Before designing an innovative closet and decide where to place the cabinets, there are several factors to consider.

Closet size
Who you will be sharing this space with
Categories of clothing you possess
Inventory of accessories
Most frequently used items
How tall you are
Color scheme and decor of your room

All of these elements will affect how you design your custom closet and cabinets. With a smaller space, you can be innovative by utilizing accessory organizers for items such as jewelry inserts, belt and tie racks, door hamper (in place of a cabinet), pants rack and even a folding iron board attachment. Custom closet and cabinet innovation is about creating solutions to problems with the least amount of sacrifice in other areas. Whereas the instinct may be to find ways to shove more items in the closet, consider accessibility, user-friendliness, intuitiveness of design, and overall look and feel.

If you compare how common closets look like, there is usually a pile of items on the floor and one shelf on the top with piles of items. But what if you can better utilize those spaces? What if you don't need or want all the hanging space for your clothes? Well, to get a complete innovative solution, you need a complete makeover - that includes a mixture of open shelves, drawers, and cabinets.

Starting Your Innovative Closet Design

Assuming that you have decluttered your closet and minimized your inventory (separated your selling, keeping and donating), start your general design by determining what clothing you'd like to hang. If you have a lot to hang, consider having two hanging rods above one another to maximize that space. If you have too many pants that you don't want to squeeze in a drawer, use a pants rack for easy accessibility, compact organization, and a wrinkle-free solution.

After choosing which clothes to hang, the rest of your clothes will need a home which will usually be in drawers and cabinets . Then determine how many you need. For smaller storage items for the bedroom, put closed cabinets up top so it's out of the way and not seen. If you have larger items that don't fit in a cabinet, ask yourself if they need to be in the bedroom. Is there a better space to store them such as in your garage or hall closet?

After deciding how much hanging space you need and getting the bulkier storage items out the way, you're now left with how you want to store your accessories and you'll get an idea of how much space you have left in your particular closet size. If you find that you're a bit short on space, closet accessories are your friends! If you have extra space (which is more than likely), then think of other items you may want to store there such as shoes, handbags, hamper, and decoration.

Conclusion

As you can see, having innovative closets and cabinets doesn't require anything technical or complex. It involves downsizing your closet inventory, categorizing your clothes and accessories and taking the time to plan. The best part is that you don't have to be an expert to have a professional quality design. If you are in or near the Grand Rapids, MN area, we at Northland Custom Closets & Garage can help you Design your Innovative & Custom Closet for Free.

Organizational Tips for Garage Cabinets and Workbenches

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:22:30 GMT

When it comes to an efficient and optimized garage organization system , some planning is necessary. Without it, you may lose countless hours just to have a garage that will eventually be full of clutter waiting to be organized yet again.

The best solution is to discipline yourself to spend just a little bit more time and resources first to ensure that you will never encounter disorganization in your garage again. Let's get started.

Essential Considerations Before Installing Garage Cabinets & Workbenches

Although one can certainly create or purchase garage cabinets and workbenches right away, here are essential considerations to ensure you're creating an organization system that is both functional and satisfying in the long term.

After a garage cleanout, what categories of items will you have?

The amount of items you have will help determine how many cabinets you may need, but be sure to clean out your garage first. If you have larger items that you don't use often, overhead racks may be necessary to maximize your garage space and store items that won't fit in your cabinets.

How much space is available for garage cabinets and workbenches?

Knowing how much space you have can give you a bird's eye view of what installations may be possible and what are not. As an added tip, this may be easier to visualize after you have a Garage Cleanout or even have a pencil sketch of the layout of your garage on paper.

What type of workflow do you (desire to) have?

If you're a handyman, DIYer, or just want to have counter space in your garage, then consider where you'd like to install a garage workbench.

Using Garage Cabinets & Workbenches Improve Organization

Most garages don't utilize the vertical spaces to create an extraordinary amount of extra storage space. If have lots of items, consider having cabinets that extend the full height to the ceiling. Also, consider the cabinet width - Narrow or wide? That will depend on the size of your items and storage containers.

If you want a workbench, have your drawers underneath for easy access to your tools and smaller items. If you have slatwalls or gridwalls installed, use racks to hold your commonly used tools. Make sure the creation of the workbench has your future tasks in mind (open on one side, either side, or enclosed in between taller cabinets).

As you can tell, garage organization can be as complex or as simple as you'd like to make it. For some, designing a garage organization system can seem like a simple task. For most, the project can be overwhelming.

The best advice is to seek a professional to get design ideas since there are usually unforeseen options that will be a win-win for you. After all, why NOT have your dream garage? Some say it increases happiness =)

Currently, we are offering a FREE Design for your garage in Minnesota so schedule your free consultation today!

Say Happy Father’s Day with A Custom Closet

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:22:12 GMT

It’s just about time for Father’s Day! While you might have had a great time shopping for flowers, chocolates, jewelry or a new purse for your mom, choosing something for your dad (or husband) for Father’s Day can be more of a chore? Guys tend to be low-maintenance and really, how many neckties do they need?

This year, instead of relying on the same old gifts, what about doing something different and surprising the fathers in your live with a new custom closet ? At Northland Closet & Garage, we take pride in designing beautiful custom closets that will be just what your husband or father wants this June.

Why do our custom closets fit the bill for this holiday? Check out these reasons:

They add value to the home

If there’s one thing your man is keenly aware of, it’s how to get the best value from any home improvement projects. Many guys would rather take extra time and spend a bit more money to make sure that anything done to the home is done right. After all, nobody wants to do anything to the house that could lower its value when the time comes to sell! Professional closets can raise the value of your home and bring those offers in; potential buyers love extra storage space, and with custom closets, that’s what they get!

They help keep the house organized

When your dad or husband gets home from work, the last thing he wants to deal with is chaos and clutter. When items in the home don’t have a dedicated place to be stored, mayhem can ensue. Custom closet organizers can keep everything under control in every room of the house. Whether you are considering a custom linen closet, a custom coat closet, a master bedroom walk-in closet or even custom kids’ closets, more organization equals less stress for dad, which always a good thing!

They smooth out the morning routine

Is morning chaotic in your house? With today’s dads contributing to the chores involving getting children ready for the day, they understand what a hassle it can be when young Johnny can’t find his shoes and little Susie simply can’t figure out what she wants to wear. Add to that wrinkled ties that slid off of their hangers and landed in a heap on the floor and a missing shoe, and you’ve got a recipe for a no-good, terrible, bad day! Stop this type of drama in its tracks with custom closets that will keep everyone’s shoes, clothing and accessories at their fingertips, and let the dad of the house relax for a few extra minutes each morning.

As you can see, custom closets are the Father’s Day gift that keeps on giving! If you are ready to consider investing in the future of your home and your husband’s or father’s happiness, give us a call to schedule an in-home estimate. There’s no cost or obligation, and we can design your custom closet while you wait, right in the convenience of your home! Your special guy can pick the finishes and accessories he likes, and your family will be enjoying less stress well before the kids go back to school. Even better, Northland is offering 20% off all custom closets for a limited time in honor of Father’s Day. Call today for details!

Before Your Custom Garage Installation: Clear the Clutter

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 19:21:56 GMT

Are you ready to jump into your spring cleaning by investing in a custom garage organization system? Many homeowners are reluctant to make the leap because it means they’ll have to wade through months, years or even decades of garage clutter. If you find yourself in this predicament, here’s a step-by-step checklist that you can use to take control of the chaos before your professional garage organizers work their magic. Remember, slow and steady wins the race: This does not all have to be done in one day, or even one weekend! Take your time and work a little bit each day to get the job done. Below you will find a link to get your copy of the checklist today! just fill out the form and download it instantly.

3 Ways to Whip Your Hall Closet Into Shape

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 19:21:40 GMT

Do you ever open your hall closet and fear that an avalanche of coats, holiday ornaments and other assorted items might fall on your head? You’re not alone: Many homeowners struggle with keeping their closets neat and tidy. Rather than being a character flaw, however, disorganization is usually just a matter of not having enough room for all of your belongings. Sound familiar?

Use Overhead Storage Helps

You probably have a shelf over the clothing rod in your hall closet. If you’re like many, you stack that shelf as much as you can with board games, scarves, extra backpacks...the possibilities here are endless. Unfortunately, when items are stacked precariously, they’re likely to come crashing down at the most inopportune times.

Get yourself a step-stool and take down everything you have balanced on that shelf. You might find that some items are easy for you to get rid of, which might solve your problem!

Gather some bins or baskets to hold the items that are left. Not only does this keep them from toppling down and giving you a concussion, but it will also help them look neater. A pile of hats and gloves looks messy, but if they’re in a cute basket or a large hat box, you won’t even have to look at them during the warmer months.

Use Your Wall Space

Chances are good that you aren’t using all of the vertical space in your hall closet. Installing hooks on each wall can allow you to hang handbags, umbrellas, or even a bag for hair accessories, if you tend to put your hair up as you walk out the door.

If your closet is wide enough, you might even consider putting up a set of shallow shelves. On these shelves, you could put baskets to hold keys, your wallet or your cellphone once it’s charged for the next day.

Don’t forget the space on the back side of your door, either. A bulletin board could go here; tack up the kids’ permission slips, your calendar, the grocery list, or anything else that will help keep you on track.

Declutter and Minimize

Finally, go through all of those jackets, shawls and coats. Do you really need all of them? If you have items that you’re not using anymore, take them out of the closet and donate them to someone who will get some use out of them. You can help someone else while helping yourself!

Take a look at your shoes, too. If you have a pile that’s knee-deep, you need a better solution. Choose a few pairs for each family member, and put the rest in the bedroom closets. There’s no need to have sandals in your hall closet in January or snow boots in July!

We can design, build and install a reach-in closet organization system for this area of your home. You might be astounded at how much you’ll be able to fit in your small closet! Your consultation is free, so don’t hesitate to contact us for help.

If you are having trouble keeping your hall closet under control, give us a call .