10 Closet makeover Ideas.
It doesn't matter how large or small your closet is. It's usually the last place we put time and money into when organizing. There are a few easy things anyone can do to create the organized closet of your dreams. If you don't have the time to do it yourself, Hire a professional to do it for you. We at MLS Organizing will take care of everything from beginning to end. But for now, here are a few ideas to do on your own.
PAINT
Paint is the easiest way to change and clean up any room. How many of us have a closet that hasn't been painted even though you've repainted that bedroom twice already. Uh huh. I'll bet there are partial paint brush strokes from a sad attempt at painting it. Then all of a sudden when the excitement of painting is over and the room is done, someone says, "The room looks great! No one will see we haven't finished painting in the closet once the clothes are hung up again." Yep. But I'll also bet every so often you catch a glimpse of those sad unfinished brush strokes of another color and you think maybe we should paint in here. Well now is your chance. Paint is number one on my list of ways to get started for the perfect closet. As far a color choice for walls it should always be white for a clean backdrop for any color in your wardrobe. If you want to add a little drama try a deeper color for the ceiling.
Paint is the easiest way to change and clean up any room. How many of us have a closet that hasn't been painted even though you've repainted that bedroom twice already. Uh huh. I'll bet there are partial paint brush strokes from a sad attempt at painting it. Then all of a sudden when the excitement of painting is over and the room is done, someone says, "The room looks great! No one will see we haven't finished painting in the closet once the clothes are hung up again." Yep. But I'll also bet every so often you catch a glimpse of those sad unfinished brush strokes of another color and you think maybe we should paint in here. Well now is your chance. Paint is number one on my list of ways to get started for the perfect closet. As far a color choice for walls it should always be white for a clean backdrop for any color in your wardrobe. If you want to add a little drama try a deeper color for the ceiling.
CARPET
Closets are all about texture. Feeling the texture of a rug or carpet under your feet everyday may seem like a little thing, but it's a simple pleasure to wake up to. I myself have wood floors in my closet. One of my favorite accessories is the white shag throw rug which seems to float on the center and keeps my feet warm and cozy each morning. You're working in a small space you can go crazy and express yourself. You wouldn't dream of doing a bright pink zebra print rug in your dining room (would you?) but, it would be crazy fun in your closet. If you have enough room you could even throw in a white high heel chair. And now every time you have people over you have to invite everyone back into your closet for have a viewing.
Closets are all about texture. Feeling the texture of a rug or carpet under your feet everyday may seem like a little thing, but it's a simple pleasure to wake up to. I myself have wood floors in my closet. One of my favorite accessories is the white shag throw rug which seems to float on the center and keeps my feet warm and cozy each morning. You're working in a small space you can go crazy and express yourself. You wouldn't dream of doing a bright pink zebra print rug in your dining room (would you?) but, it would be crazy fun in your closet. If you have enough room you could even throw in a white high heel chair. And now every time you have people over you have to invite everyone back into your closet for have a viewing.
LIGHTING
If your closet has a fish bowl light fixture from 1982 or (god forbid) the lone light bulb with the pull-string, you are NEVER going to want to dance and sing in your closet. Especially in your underwear. Too harsh lighting casts shadows in all the wrong places. Trust me. Invest in a small chandelier or some beautiful pendant lights. It's a small price to pay to completely transform your space. Consider having electrical outlets put in near shelves where you can set small lamps for more lighting. Just remember to use soft white or peach bulbs. pendant lighting can be used for closets that are not walk-ins as well.
If your closet has a fish bowl light fixture from 1982 or (god forbid) the lone light bulb with the pull-string, you are NEVER going to want to dance and sing in your closet. Especially in your underwear. Too harsh lighting casts shadows in all the wrong places. Trust me. Invest in a small chandelier or some beautiful pendant lights. It's a small price to pay to completely transform your space. Consider having electrical outlets put in near shelves where you can set small lamps for more lighting. Just remember to use soft white or peach bulbs. pendant lighting can be used for closets that are not walk-ins as well.
EVERYTHING UP AND OFF THE FLOOR
It's just that simple. Nothing makes you feel like you have more space and square footage than an empty floor. It's like the long hallway that keeps growing in some horror film but without the horror.
It's just that simple. Nothing makes you feel like you have more space and square footage than an empty floor. It's like the long hallway that keeps growing in some horror film but without the horror.
I have a serious pet peeve about hangers of a different color size and make in a single closet. For one thing, space is critical in your closet. To save precious space you'll need to go ultra thin non-slip velvet hanger. For a more glamorous look I would recommend hot pink or black. Very chic! If you share a closet with your man, you might want to invest in some wood hangers for a more masculine side of the closet for him. He may say he doesn't care, but I've found from experience men love the way a shirt just slides off the hanger easily. Same with his jeans or pant's when hung on a real pant hanger designed for men. Now if you're on a budget buts still want that streamlined look, you can always stick with the plastic molded type. But do me a favor and make sure they all match or I will judge you. Ni wire hangers please. Joan Crawford doesn't live with you. Give them back to your cleaners or donate them. Trust me. Your clothes and closet will thank you for it. HANGERS
SHOES
My favorite subject of course. Think inside a big box. The Shoe ottoman to be exact. A quick google search will turn up a wide variety of places that sell them. You can also make your own by using a coiling partitioned canvas shoe system layed into an ottoman you already have. Look out for one at a flee market or donation center.
Shoe sticks are one 0f my favorite shoe solutions. This is pure shoe installation art. Customize and mount crown molding for a visualizing stunning shoe display.
Boot hangers are a must! Hanging boots like they do in retail stores is the only way to go. They keep your boots from getting cracks and creases.
My favorite subject of course. Think inside a big box. The Shoe ottoman to be exact. A quick google search will turn up a wide variety of places that sell them. You can also make your own by using a coiling partitioned canvas shoe system layed into an ottoman you already have. Look out for one at a flee market or donation center.
Shoe sticks are one 0f my favorite shoe solutions. This is pure shoe installation art. Customize and mount crown molding for a visualizing stunning shoe display.
Boot hangers are a must! Hanging boots like they do in retail stores is the only way to go. They keep your boots from getting cracks and creases.
HANGER CADDY
This is a terrific investment. Making room and keeping your clothes organized so everything is visible and easy to get to is the name of the game. Making it simple to put them away again is also a winning play. Don't just take the blouse off the hanger. Remove the entire hanger with blouse. Remove hanger and place in hanger caddy and put blouse on. Not only with this make hanging clean clothes easier because your not searching for empty hangers through your hanging wardrobe but your making space for the clothes currently hanging each day making it easier to find what your looking for. You can find these caddy's at The Container Store.
This is a terrific investment. Making room and keeping your clothes organized so everything is visible and easy to get to is the name of the game. Making it simple to put them away again is also a winning play. Don't just take the blouse off the hanger. Remove the entire hanger with blouse. Remove hanger and place in hanger caddy and put blouse on. Not only with this make hanging clean clothes easier because your not searching for empty hangers through your hanging wardrobe but your making space for the clothes currently hanging each day making it easier to find what your looking for. You can find these caddy's at The Container Store.
Know your Long vs Short
One closet system does not fit all. Know your clothing. If 75% of your wardrobe is long, that is to say you are a jumpsuit wearing, long sweater, maxi dress sort of girl, than you wouldn't want a system where the/2re are a lot of double hanging rods. The same goes for your current set up. You can easily remove rods and add others to suit your style and length of clothing. This is where a professional organizer can come in handy. Space planning a closets needs is what we do best. Taking into consideration exactly what you have is extremely important. For instance, how many shirts, pants, skirts, handbags and shoes etc. do you need to re-hang? Remember, your closet should never be at more than
75% to capacity. With and inch or no less than a half inch between each hanger. What was that? Are you ok? Do you need something to drink? You look a little dizzy. This might be a good time to remove and donate what you haven't worn in the past year. You wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time. Get rid of what you KNOW your aren't ever going to wear. It's probably out of style anyhow. Rule #2 when keeping your life organized always, One-IN One-OUT.
One closet system does not fit all. Know your clothing. If 75% of your wardrobe is long, that is to say you are a jumpsuit wearing, long sweater, maxi dress sort of girl, than you wouldn't want a system where the/2re are a lot of double hanging rods. The same goes for your current set up. You can easily remove rods and add others to suit your style and length of clothing. This is where a professional organizer can come in handy. Space planning a closets needs is what we do best. Taking into consideration exactly what you have is extremely important. For instance, how many shirts, pants, skirts, handbags and shoes etc. do you need to re-hang? Remember, your closet should never be at more than
75% to capacity. With and inch or no less than a half inch between each hanger. What was that? Are you ok? Do you need something to drink? You look a little dizzy. This might be a good time to remove and donate what you haven't worn in the past year. You wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time. Get rid of what you KNOW your aren't ever going to wear. It's probably out of style anyhow. Rule #2 when keeping your life organized always, One-IN One-OUT.
COLOR CODING
Color coordinating is the key to transforming any closet into a visually stunning space. If you don't remember anything else I've said here today, remember this. It also makes it so much easier and fun to get ready in the morning. Wait until you start to put things away. Easy pleasy lemon squeezy. Keeping inventory of what you have is simple as well. Now when you go out shopping with the girls, you won't be shopping willy- nilly. You'll know you need a pair of navy pants, white button up blouse or a chocolate brown T-shirt to go with something you couldn't wear the other day. Shopping with a purpose is what I call it. You purchase what you need. Spend less money and actually wear what you buy.
Here is my suggested color order: white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, grey then black.
Color coordinating is the key to transforming any closet into a visually stunning space. If you don't remember anything else I've said here today, remember this. It also makes it so much easier and fun to get ready in the morning. Wait until you start to put things away. Easy pleasy lemon squeezy. Keeping inventory of what you have is simple as well. Now when you go out shopping with the girls, you won't be shopping willy- nilly. You'll know you need a pair of navy pants, white button up blouse or a chocolate brown T-shirt to go with something you couldn't wear the other day. Shopping with a purpose is what I call it. You purchase what you need. Spend less money and actually wear what you buy.
Here is my suggested color order: white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, grey then black.
Purses
Ladies, the two things that cost more than anything else in your closet are shoes and purses. Don't leave your handbags to die a senseless death on the bottom of your closet or in a plastic bin. Purses need to stand upright. Have you walked through Michael Kors Accessory store recently? Exactly! Your beloved collection of smaller clutches, purses and wallets will fit perfectly in a bin. But your focal point of accessories needs it's own space. Lift and separate as I always say. Elfa at the container store can do just that.
Ladies, the two things that cost more than anything else in your closet are shoes and purses. Don't leave your handbags to die a senseless death on the bottom of your closet or in a plastic bin. Purses need to stand upright. Have you walked through Michael Kors Accessory store recently? Exactly! Your beloved collection of smaller clutches, purses and wallets will fit perfectly in a bin. But your focal point of accessories needs it's own space. Lift and separate as I always say. Elfa at the container store can do just that.