Your closets account for much of the readily accessible storage space in your home. However, closets can easily become disorganized, making stored items difficult to access efficiently. If you find that your closets, including bedroom or hall closets, are becoming over-filled and disorganized, you may want to consider a closet remodel. A properly organized closet can help you to maximize your space. A pre-made closet organizer, or a new custom-built closet, can help you make the best use of your closet space.

Before You Begin a Closet Remodel

Before you remodel the closet in question, you’ll want to de-clutter the contents of the closet. Remove everything from your closet, and decide which items you want to keep. Make boxes for other items, which can be labeled:

• Donate
• Sell
• Store elsewhere
• Throw away.

If taking items out of your closet does not give you enough closet space, you may wish to remodel the closet. It’s helpful to assess the current state of the closet, and figure out which aspects are not working. For example, do you have shoes all over the floor of the closet? Perhaps you need a shoe organizer. Does your closet have enough shelving? You may find that your closet has some wasted space. A closet remodel can help you to optimize the space you have.

Closet Remodels: What are My Options?

A variety of choices are available to you when you decide to remodel your closet. Many home improvement and department stores carry lines of closet organization products, including:

• Baskets
• Drawer units
• Hooks
• Shelving
• Shoe racks
• Specialty hangers.

If you want to leave the structural elements of your closet intact (for example, in a rented apartment), or if you’re working under a tight budget, these products can help you organize your space within the existing structural elements.

Custom built-in closets are another option for your closet remodel. You can undertake this project yourself, or hire a professional to help you to design and install the components. Hiring a professional is a good idea if your closet remodel will involve knocking down walls to expand your closet or replacing closet doors.

Organized Closet Storage

When you put items back in the closet, consider using more effective methods of organization. For example, in a bedroom closet, you could organize clothing by color, or by item type (all dress pants together, all short-sleeved blouses together). In a kitchen or office closet, place items used for similar purposes together. For example, store envelopes, address labels, and stamps together. The decision to remodel a closet can provide you with more storage space, and can make your stored items more accessible and easier to find.