Even people with adequate physical storage space — including closets, pantries, and garages — may find that these spaces themselves can become the source of chaos. This is especially true if they are ill-designed. Are your closets stuffed to the max? Can’t find anything in your packed pantry? Then you might need a little professional help!

Closets by Design provides custom solutions for organization — including reach-in and walk-in closets, pantries, laundry spaces, home offices, and garage storage. We also provide all the accessories necessary to furnish a functional space — including cabinetry, shelving, cubbies, drawers, racks, jewelry trays, tilt-out hampers, and wall organizers. If you can imagine what your perfect space would be, we can build it. And if you cannot imagine what it needs to be? That is why we have professionals who can help you personally evaluate your comprehensive needs and what designs will best serve you.

If you are truly stuck, you might even want to make a call to us your first step in canceling the clutter in your home. Meanwhile, here are some tips to get you started.

Closets

If you have not done a thorough purge of your bedroom closet lately, it will make your decluttering project a little longer but more productive in the end. You will be able to really assess your space and what it lacks.

• Get rid of whatever you do not wear. To help you truly determine what you do not wear, try this trick. Face hangers in one direction and turn them around when you wear what is on them. After six months, clothes on hangers facing the original direction can be put in the donation pile.
• Hang tops and skirts over built-in shelves or drawers and hang long dresses and pants on higher rods where there is nothing underneath.
• Consider installing a system with slanted shoe shelves. A hanging shoe storage system is a temporary option, but shelves will help shoes last longer and keep them out of the way (yet on display).
• It is easy to make a mess if you do not have designated spots for smaller items, like ties, belts, and jewelry. Pros can install a tie drawer, jewelry drawer, and a sliding belt rack to help keep such items organized.
• Look for unnecessary items that may have intruded on the space, like unused sporting gear or electronics. Move these to garage or living room storage areas.

Pantry

You may turn your pantry inventory over quickly, but most of us have those jars and cans that seem to remain untouched.

• Remove everything from the pantry and purge! Check the expiration dates and toss everything that is past its prime. If you have food items that are still good, but you know you will never use them — consider donating to a local food pantry.
• After a quick wipe down, begin to put things back in an organized way. Clear containers and bins are helpful for corralling things by type, such as a bin for snack bars, one for chips, etcetera.
• Consider decanting pasta, rice, and cereal and baking items like flour and sugar for a more streamlined look.
• One of the benefits of having a custom pantry installed from Closets by Design is NOT dealing with wire shelving. It is so much easier to organize items on flat shelving.
• Some of the trends we are installing in home pantries include drawers with acrylic fronts so you can easily see what’s inside and wire baskets that pull out. These are great for storing vegetables.

Garage

If your car is in the driveway all the time because it will not fit in the garage, you are going to need a lot more than a broom and dustpan. Make a plan and pace yourself!

• Dedicate a full day or weekend to decluttering and organizing the garage. You can even make it a family project.
• Sort items into piles — Keep, Donate, Sell or Toss — with those “toss” items, be sure to identify the items that can be recycled.
• Keep items that you use frequently, such as pet leashes, within easy reach — perhaps on hooks by the door.
• Create zones for groups of things such as auto care, gardening, and sports equipment, so that like items are stored together.
• Place rarely used items, such as holiday decorations, on shelves or in cabinets. We install a line of extremely study cabinetry and shelving units specifically designed for garages.
• Tools like shovels and rakes as well as bicycles are best stored by hanging on the wall. Our slatwall system is perfect for these items. You can move the hooks around and even pop on baskets and bins to hold smaller items.

Imagine having a garage where there is also room for your car. Closets by Design can not only provide garage organizational solutions but also help you outfit custom work areas for carpentry or other hobbies.

Let Us Help!

Decluttering would be less of a chore for many people if they did not feel like they were just moving “stuff” from one place to another. Having a custom home organization system might seem like too much of a luxury, but quality, affordable options are available to you. Contact our professionals today for a free consultation.

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It could be a hobby room to work on your favorite arts and crafts, or a custom workout space or yoga room. It could even be as simple as carving out your own private reading nook. The possibilities are practically endless!

Whatever your plans are for your “all about me” space, Closets by Design can help you make it happen. Learn a few of our favorite suggestions for your “all about me” space and how you can get started today.

Transform Your Hobby Room to an Arts and Crafts Paradise

A hobby room is an area of your home that can easily become an “all about me” space. You may already have a small workbench or desk in the corner of an office or study where you like to work on sewing, painting, and other artistic pursuits. While this may work for brief creative sessions, you’re going to want a dedicated space for big projects that may take longer.

It’s time to upgrade your arts and crafts corner into a space where you can feel free to pursue your passion! The key when it comes to transforming your hobby room is having the right organizational system in place.

Add a custom workspace your hobby room to outfit your “all about me” space with organizing slots and craft supply drawers. This gives you plenty of space for all your supplies. From needles and thread to buttons, paints, brushes, and much more, you can have it all at arm’s reach.

Turn Your Garage Into the Perfect Yoga Studio

Garages are being used for much more than storage and cars. With a few adjustments, your garage can become the perfect private yoga studio right in your home. It starts with “summerizing your garage” to make more space for you! Installing garage cabinets can help you put away miscellaneous items to clear room for your workout.

Don’t forget to use the wall space to your advantage. There are many options for storing items off the floor, such as racks for bikes, golf clubs, yard tools, and much more.  Hanging these items on the walls of the garage will providing you with more space to maximize your workout options.

Custom garage flooring from Closets by Design does more than make your garage look great. It also greatly improves the comfort of your space. Whether your “me time” involves a yoga session, a home workout, or some mindful meditation, the right floor can turn your garage into the “me space” you need.

Add a Closet System Near Windows for a Cozy Book Nook

If you’re like us, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a great book by the window. The classic book nook is a perfect way to add a space to your home that’s just for you.

Install new shelving for your book collection and a bench seat with a comfy cushion. This gives you a cozy place where you can get lost in a book for hours.

Call Closets by Design to Create a Space Just for You!

We all need space in our homes that we can call our own. Sometimes, you can’t claim an entire room for your “all about me” space. That means it’s time to get creative and team up with the professional designers at Closets by Design.

Discover how we can work together to carve out a space in your home that’s all about you! Schedule your free in-home design consultation with Closets by Design today!

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It turns out there’s tons of available storage in your house right now. The secret to all this storage is that it’s hiding right under your nose! Here are a few fun ideas for homeowners to maximize their square footage. Find out how you can get the most out of your home (no costly addition required).

Turn Your Empty Walls into Valuable Storage Space

You may be surprised to learn that a lot of your available storage space has been looking right at you this entire time. We’re talking about all the empty walls in your home! Where other people see a bare wall that might need some art, we see a world of possibilities.

The expert team of designers at Closets by Design can create a unit custom-designed for your unique needs. Consider turning that wall into an extra closet or a new storage unit for board games, video games, and books. You could even turn it into a storage space for seasonal decorations. Add some fashionable, decorative door fronts and no one will ever know what you’re hiding in your wall. With a little imagination and ingenuity, you will be amazed by what you can accomplish.

Get the Most from Your Garage

Once you’ve maximized your wall space, it’s time to take a long look at your garage. People use their garages in all types of ways. For many homeowners, a garage is treated like a glorified storage unit (lots of stuff, but little organization). Others prefer to use their garage as a workshop for projects. And, there are also people out there that use their garage as a place to park their cars.

The first step to upgrading your garage starts with garage cabinets and shelving. It’s amazing how much space you can find when things are organized. Installing the right garage storage system ensures there is plenty of room for your car, your tools, and just about anything else.

What you may not have considered is thinking outside of the box and using your garage to supplements the storage in other parts of your house, like your kitchen. It’s easy to turn your garage into a perfect place for shelf-stable foods like canned goods or pickles.  It can also be a great place to house your cleaning products or paper products like toilet paper and paper towels.

Use the Empty Space Under Your Stairs

The idea of making use of the space under your stairway has been around much longer than Harry Potter was living in the cupboard under the stairs. People have been finding inspired ways to use the space under the stairs for all kinds of amazing applications.

If you have stairs in your home, the space under the stairway is perfect for additional shelving, a pantry, or even a closet. You could even turn the space under your stairs into an impromptu custom home office. With some creative use of custom shelves and cabinets, you can turn this space into your very own stairway to heaven.

Take Back Your Floor With Wallbeds

One of the biggest consumers of space in a home is probably a bed. For example, a queen mattress is the most popular size of bed and takes up approximately 33 square feet of surface area. Depending on the size of the room, that may very well be the majority of available space.

Wallbeds provide a great option for a guest room and they take up a fraction of the space, with some beds occupying as little as 10 square feet. It’s a great way to leave space for other things, while still having options for guest sleeping accommodations when needed.

What’s even better about wallbeds is that they do more than just save space. The right custom wallbed frees up floor space while also improving the organization of your room. Learn how you can transform your guest room or in-law suite into whole new space while greatly increasing your square footage and available cabinets.

Discover Your Space With Closets by Design

These are just a few of the ways you can uncover hidden storage space in your house. What are some of your favorite home-hacks for finding additional storage? Do you have a unique solution for stand-out storage or an idea of what you’d like to do in your home?

Don’t let valuable space in your home go unused. Schedule your free in-home consultation with the space-saving experts at Close by Design and see how you can find extra space in your home you didn’t know you had!

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But the garage is a valuable asset and is designed to provide protection and storage for some pretty high-ticket items, specifically your car. According to the American Housing Survey, 66 percent of all occupied housing units in the U.S. have a garage or carport. Many homeowners use their garage to store junk because they have nowhere else to put it… leaving no room for their precious vehicles. We realize that your garage has some valuable square footage and we want to help you reclaim it!

Reason #1 – Keeping Your Tools Handy

With Closets by Design, your garage can be transformed into the ultimate workspace. Shelving keeps expensive power tools tucked away while our designwall feature allows you to keep your most commonly used tools within easy reach. An organized garage can help make tiresome chores easier.

Reason #2 – No Surprises Under Your Stuff

Who knows what’s lurking in the pile of mess in your garage? Is it that dining room table that’s made two house moves but still hasn’t seen a family meal? Maybe your great aunt’s antique hutch that you’re going to chalk paint “one day soon.” These are both examples of stuff that’s taking up precious space. Use an app and sell them online for quick and easy cash! There could even be buried treasures in those stacks of boxes; maybe long-forgotten video games or sports cards.

Once you’ve gone through the de-cluttering process, let our organization experts help you design spaces where you can stash all the stuff you just can’t part with.

Reason #3 – Creating Space for Your Car

You want to park your car in there! Keeping your car inside your garage protects it against break-ins and theft by hiding it in your garage.  It also keeps your vehicle sheltered from the outdoor elements. Spend less time washing your car, and more time taking it for a spin!

Reason #4 – Realize Your Garage’s Potential

Let us help you see the potential of your new, clutter-free garage. One section can be a workshop with tool storage and project counter-space. Another can be a garden center or a crafting area. And, yes, it will still be possible to fit your car in there.

Reason #5 – More Room for More Stuff!

Now that you’ve got a wonderful new space, you’ll find that you have room for… more stuff! Maybe now you can buy that treadmill you’ve been eyeing or even take up fly-fishing. But here’s the difference: once you’ve organized your garage into a working and useful space, you’ll never be tempted to “junk” it up again.

Dare we say Closets by Design can even make your garage… beautiful? Our Silver II™ Garage System provides a high-end look and modern upgraded accents. We have a variety of color countertops to provide accents to your beautiful garage system.

If you’re ready to reclaim your space and get organized, let Closets by Design help. Contact us today, and we’ll send one of our talented design experts to your home for a complimentary design consultation.

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Step 1: Group items.
As you’re cleaning out your garage, shelves and closets, group any like items together in piles. You might have groupings of books, clothing, sporting goods, kitchen items, toys and décor, for example.

Step 2: Advertise.
In addition to signs you post around the neighborhood, go online to promote your yard sale. Take advantage of free avenues, such as local Facebook groups dedicated to yard sales. Post plenty of pictures of items ahead of time, as some people might offer to buy an item on the spot even before your sale.

Step 3: Plan your layout.
Use tables for smaller items, grouped by category, so shoppers can easily see what you’re selling. If you must place items on the ground, place tarps or blankets on your driveway first. It’ll look nicer than concrete!

If possible, display clothing on garment racks. Crumpled-up piles of T-shirts won’t sell, but a tidy row of ladies’ dresses and blouses might attract attention.

Lastly, leave enough space for shoppers to move around easily without bumping into each other or knocking over your displays.

Step 4: Price items to sell.
Don’t expect to earn a ton of money at your garage sale — people are there looking for a bargain. They’ll either try to negotiate pricing with you or will avoid anything that seems overpriced. As a general rule of thumb, price your items at around 20 percent of what you paid for it.

Step 5: Plug in electronics.
Do you want to keep answering the question, “Does it work?” Probably not — so avoid confusion by plugging in any electronics. Not only does it make it easy for shoppers to see items in action, but it also can add a visual draw for passers-by.

Step 6: Stay safe.
Put your money box in a nonvisible location and keep it manned. Lock your windows and doors, and avoid having anyone come inside your house. Take note of where the nearest public restroom is ahead of time so you can give directions if anyone asks to use yours.

Step 7: Designate free items.
Put any items you’re willing to give away in a box marked “Free.” When the yard sale is close to ending, you might start adding items to the box. The goal is to get rid of things you don’t need, not bring them back in the house with you. You can also schedule a donation pickup for unsold items.

What are some other ideas you have for running a successful yard sale? Post them in the comments below!

To brainstorm ways to add custom storage to your home, please contact us. We have lots of great solutions to help you stay organized from here on out!

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The Rustic Style

The country, rustic style employs wood, clay pots, tin and other natural elements to create a sense of country simplicity. The style also tends to look nice with a little well-placed clutter, so if perfectly clean counters aren’t a reality for you, this style will be quite forgiving. This Pinterest board has some beautiful country gardening ideas. You’ll notice that this style works best with some old-fashioned charm, so you may have just found your antiquing excuse.

Garden Shed Essentials

Whether you want to install a shed in your backyard or garage, or simply dedicate a section of your garage to your hobby, there are many ways to create your own gardening alcove. We recommend starting with a few essentials to get your garden center up and running.

Plenty of Storage Space

Include plenty of shelf space so you can store tools, soil, pots, seeds, etc. To keep the rustic feeling, try storing things in wooden crates stained to match your décor. As with every project, a little planning goes a long way. Think about what you’ll use every day, and make it accessible.

Creating scale drawings of your space using graph paper helps you decide where to put cabinets and shelves. If you find yourself wanting bigger changes, consider calling us to help. We can design out spaces and install custom shelving and cabinetry to meet your every need!

Potting Bench and Table

A potting bench is a must to give you space to move plants to new pots and give droopy vegetables some TLC. It can be as simple as an extra-wide shelf attached at table height or a real table if your space is big enough. The major benefit of a potting bench is that it moves some of the heavy work of gardening from a kneeling position to a sitting position, and believe us, your back will thank you!

Windows

You don’t want to sit and work in a dark space lighted by a bare lightbulb. Instead, let that natural light stream in and create the perfect gardening atmosphere.

Rustic Clutter

This is your excuse to DIY all of those rustic craft ideas you’ve been saving on Pinterest. Grab some old lanterns and mason jars. Use antique hangers and hooks to suspend your tools from the ceiling. Grow herbs from cute wooden boxes. Get creative and have fun!

If you enjoyed this garden shed tutorial, you might like our articles about creating a modern toolshed and hobby rooms. To discuss designing a garden center or any other custom spaces in your home, please contact us.

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Since 1982, we’ve built a reputation of integrity as the industry leader in customer service and total customer satisfaction. Our commitment to quality, value and beauty makes Closets by Design the right choice for all your storage and organizational needs.

From our no obligation in-home consultation to installation (and everything in between!), our custom-tailored designs provide highest quality construction, giving you the best value available.

We Start and Complete Every Single Project

No step in the production of your system is ever out of our control. Every unit we sell is constructed in one of our own state-of-the art factories, regionally located to provide great local service.

• We never outsource any portion of the project; all work is done by our specially trained employees, guaranteeing consistent quality.
• Every unit is built as a fine piece of furniture, made to customer specifications, ensuring that the finished product will blend seamlessly with your home’s existing décor.
• All materials, finishes and hardware are high quality and meant to last.
• No middleman to increase costs.

You Always Deal Directly with Closets by Design

We take seriously the responsibility of being in your home, and everyone you deal with is a bonded, licensed and insured company employee of Closets by Design. This means that at every step of the process you can be assured of our commitment to excellence with your project.

• Our designers take the time to get to know you intimately, by listening carefully to your dreams, needs and preferences.
• Designs are custom-tailored to your wants and needs, with all materials, finishes, hardware, accessories and additional touches included in the written estimate.
• Detailed measurements are confirmed and final designs are approved with your designer before any construction begins.
• All installation is done by our own experienced installers.

Floor Based Construction for Permanent Stability

Closets by Design offers three floor based closet storage systems: Everyday, Classic and Regency. Each system has multiple custom options and features that can be added to the basic design so you get exactly what you want in order to maximize function, style and flexibility.

Floor based design allows for full-size doors, deeper panels and larger drawers than are available with wall mounted units. With the weight resting on the floor, you get greater stability than with a wall mounted system for closet interiors.

A floor based system also creates a more beautiful, built-in look with matching backing and crown and base moldings. It’s customized storage furniture you will love for years to come.

If you need new closets or other storage systems and are thinking about doing it yourself (DIY), you might want to reconsider:

• Most DIY systems have very limited warranties, dependent upon “proper” installation. (If you install it incorrectly, warranty could become null and void.)
• Our installations generally take only one day, unless it’s a very large or complex project. Chances are a handyman, your husband or you won’t get perfection in a one-day installation.
• Many DIY systems are wall mounted, with a much shorter lifespan than our floor based systems.

We are always ready to help you get organized! Call 1-888-500-9215 or a location near you or go online to www.closetsbydesign.com to see our virtual showrooms and to find a designer near you.

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So they wanted a garage that reflects their interests, is kept tidy, and yes, matches her red sports car while also accommodating his motorcycle.

“It is red,” says Closets by Design interior designer Maria Kapourelos of the main color theme, “because she had a red sports car”.

Closets by Design provided all the items you see here in the photos, while the client brought in her own garden sink and had someone paint.

Kapourelos says, “Typically, the client will decide the colors, but I guide throughout the choice, based on what I see in their home.” In this case, the “color palette” and “general look of their home, including the way they’ve decorated the inside” reflected the decisions for the garage.

“This is an extension of the home,” the designer says. “A garage is an area of the home that is frequently neglected and forced to be a dumping ground for other items in the home that don’t have a particular living space.”

She explains that really, one’s garage is “a window to the world.”

Not only should the garage be safe for kids to play in, but safe to store items without risk of their falling on a sports car. “It should also be accessible if there are emergency items,” says Kapourelos.

This means, in the couple’s case, that anything toxic – such as gas cans – was properly accounted for.

“While fumes won’t damage the cabinetry, I don’t recommend having a set of doors [for all toxic items]. I recommend open shelving for anything toxic and flammable, such as gas cans.” That said, “I do recommend putting garden chemicals behind closed doors, and some families may choose to put a lock on those cabinets as a safety measure.”

Kapourelos says the biggest challenge for placing these items was trying to hang them in a “safe, efficient way,” whether that meant using a hanging system like a PVC flat wall product or finding storage in baskets and drawers.

“I only put items on the floor that need to be, and [I had to allow room] to park cars,” of course, she says.

“Closets by Design specifically designs their cabinets to be hanging on the wall so things sitting on the floor are never touching cabinets directly,” she says. “They are built with cabinet construction with a lot of strength and meant for heavy duty use, so someone could still hose their garage down if they wanted.”

Begging the obvious question, why is Closets by Design working with garages?

They obviously don’t stop with the closet, but the designer says that a closet is often a springboard for clients to expand into broader renovations, in or outside of the garage.

“Closets by Design, which was started many years ago focusing mainly on closets, has branched into every area of storage except bathrooms,” says Kapourelos. “The garage is just another storage space, like the pantry or a home office.”

It’s important to remember, too, that people still want to park their cars – or car and motorcycle in this case – and the garage must be very organized.

“Otherwise, it pretty much prevents being able to park your car there if floor space is being taken up with belongings,” she says.

The flooring, cabinets and slatwall were custom-made and installed by Closets By Design.

For a Closets by Design consultation, please visit www.closetsbydesign.com, and call 1-888-500-9215

By L. D. Wiegler

Originally posted on Homeclick Community | August 2014

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When it comes to organization and functionality, there are several areas that seem to beg for some structure. Closets that become a catch-all for clothes, shoes, linens, accessories, home items, toys and more. Garages can become so full of gardening equipment, unused furniture and electronics that there’s hardly enough room for a vehicle. And offices would be buried under papers and supplies without some organization system.

Closets by Design in Exton custom designs, manufactures and installs products that can solve these organizational problems and fix more complicated spaces. And now, they offer a selection of Murphy Beds that can be built into wall units or offices to add function to the room without taking up precious space.

Consolidation Is Key

The easiest way to save time and energy is to organize and consolidate your belongings in a way that is logical and accessible. Looking at an overflowing closet or cluttered garage is intimidating, and so the staff at Closets by Design is here to ease your stress and help you complete the project.

Charles Waterman, owner of Closets by Design says, “Life is crazy enough.” His company wants to “give time back to the homeowner” by helping to consolidate their necessities.

Closets by Design meets with each customer in a free in-home design consultation. The designers ask questions to find out how to best organize your belongings in way that be the most useful for each customer. Do you like your shirts folded? Pants hung by the waist, long or in half? Shoes facing in or out? Jewelry in a drawer or hanging? Whatever your answer, Closets by Design will have a consolidation solution for your space.

Another benefit to organization, Waterman says, is increased space. “We can typically double the size of your space without even moving a wall,” he says.

Keith Lowe of Middletown, Del., has worked with Closets by Design for a variety of upgrades in his home, including creating new closet spaces in his master bedroom, guest bedroom, pantry and stairs. Each had its own unique requirements, according to Lowe, but, “it’s easier to take care of a house when it’s organized,” he says. Having custom-made closets has made all four of his spaces more organized and functional.

Mary Beredjiklian, of Media, says that her new garage cabinets are “very clean and streamlined.” In fact, they keep her from seeing the clutter and make sure everything has its place, including canned goods, bottled water, cleaning supplies and even hazardous materials.

Closets by Design has ultimate flexibility because they use quality, custom cabinetry, not prefabricated cabinets.

One of the main reasons Beredjiklian would recommend Closets by Design is because of the personal attention and ability to customize her designs.

This one-on-one time with a designer is key to solving challenging space issues. Lowe says he had a very unusual space under a set of stairs that required extremely complicated specifications.

The designer not only worked with him, but created a roll-out cart with functional drawers and spaces that could even be used to serve drinks if he needed additional serving space for a party, Lowe says.

All in the Details

Customers who use Closets by Design know they are going to get quality accessories and workmanship that will stand the test of time.

When completing a closet in a master bedroom, Closets by Design uses solid handles and knobs—not hollow ones. Also, when hanging drawers designed to withstand heavy tools in a garage, the hardware they use, such as ball bearings, can withstand up to 150 lbs. of weight versus what Waterman describes as “a cheaper ball bearing only able to handle 25 lbs.”

“It’s this behind-the-scenes type of quality that sets us apart from our competition,” says Waterman.

In fact, no matter what you are purchasing from Closets by Design, you will receive a quality product, stellar service and amazing results. Customers throughout the Delaware Valley attest to the excellent customer service, extremely polite and clean installers and overall a finished product that enhances daily living and improves the quality of their homes.

Visit ClosetsByDesign.com to schedule your free in-home design consultation or call 610-644-4143.

by Jeannine Fielding, a freelance writer in Bucks County

Originally printed in suburbanlife, July 2010 Issue

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