runningplace, you describe the closets I have in this house. I regret not putting in systems. They absolutely would made better use of the space. That area under the hanging clothes if basically wasted in one of mine. The other one has shelves that are always a mess. I would have been better off with a couple of drawers to hold certan things and some shelves. Right now the space at the bottom of that closet is piled with cr@p and if I want something I have to take everthing out to reach it. So yes, figure out what you need to store and go for a system. Thanks for the article, quite informative. I'm not a collector or hoarder of things, but just getting to my stuff I need, is a hassle. While we're talking about closet organization let me throw this out. I was reading an article or something some organizer wrote and the one thing that hit home for me was one question to ask yourself about your stuff and tht is "Do you have things in your cabinets and closets that should actually be in long term storage, say in a garage?" When I read this I realized I was using my cabinets and closets for long term storage and was taking up needed space for items I use on a regular basis. jenanla, thanks for that information. I didn't realize Lowe's carried Rubbermaid. I've only been to HD to check so far. Since playing around with some systems on line, I realize the kits are the way to go, as you suggest.

I do not have time to read all of this, but want to encourage you to peruse and search this site for lawsuit, shoddy cabinets, etc. There are quite a few of us that ended up in court because we hired the wrong person. Knowing all that I know now, and knowing how the courts operate, I would never give my good CASH money to any small business again. NEVER. Now, IF you use a credit card and have a GOOF-PROOF, most excellent contract with every dot and tittle expressed, numbered, named, excellent drawings and inspiration photos all signed by you AND the cabinet maker so there is no mistaking exactly what you want or expect at the end of the contract, and have a finished sample door style and color (usually half goes to you, half goes to the cabinet maker), THEN and only then would I consider doing business. The credit card company will do and CAN do what no court will ever do without it costing you big dollars, the CC Company can credit you back for bad cabinets or not being satisfied. You see, the small guy has a contract with the CC co. and he is not guaranteed money "no matter what" he does. My case in point is just as suggested you do above, however, I paid CASH. I won in court, but CabFiascoGuy (as I call him here on GW) was incorporated and changed his business name. I would have had to hire another company to chase down his assets. The judge just said to call it even and we both go our own way. I got shoddy cabinets with a hideous finish, not as I ordered, crappy paint job, appliances did not fit, etc. (research my name). I am almost THREE YEARS OUT and am just now finishing my kitchen. I have hired five people to help do different aspects. Repainted four times (another story, but I ended up finishing them myself). Had to have all cabinets taken down, modified, reinstalled. 34 or so new doors ordered (all with a profile I HATE and did not choose.) . So, knowing how crappy it is to get involved with a company with not much to lose except a business name...is not anything I will EVER do again. I will MAKE myself be happy with something from a big box store. An extra month to wait for cabinets should something have to be reordered??? PUH=LEEZE!!! I have the patience of a saint now. I'm so patient now, I haven't bought a new car in almost 7 years because I'm willing to wait until the new models come out...then for a spring sale...then year end...and so on. I was NEVER like this before this cabinet fiasco. Thanks for listening. Be cautious. Even "nice people" can end up in court. Desperate people can do despearate things. Promise you the moon for the right price and persuade you to do business. I cannot afford to ever make the same mistake twice. PS. If a local guy will do business with about 25% down (using cc still), then I would be willing to pay cash once the cabinets were installed and I was smiling. This is about the only scenario I could agree with using a small cabinet maker.

"Matchng" is an idea to throw out of your head. "Coordinating" should be the goal. When you do a mult-white kitchen, you can use 15 different shades of white with all different undertones, and it will work. When you are doing a kitchen with only a couple of shades of white, you just have to make sure that the undertones don't clash. Matching cabinets to the backsplash either way is a bad idea as that gives you a very flat look with no change in color delineating the change in materials. If you do use the same color, the texture should change. Matte against glossy against rippled against crackled against damask, etc.

If you have a Rite Aid locally (and your RA sales ads run Sun-Sat) and if you'll be spending money at pretty much any home improvement store, read on... Rite Aid has an offer this week that you can buy a $50 "home improvement" gift card and earn a $10 Rite Aid "Up" reward (basically $10 to spend at Rite Aid). The offer is limit 2. So, buy 2 gift cards for $50 each = $100 and earn 2 x $10 Up rewards to spend at Rite Aid. I needed to pick up something at Lowe's so I stopped at RA first, bought 2 GC for $100 and then earned $20 to spend at RA (the Up reward prints on your receipt). Then I went to Lowe's and bought what I needed, swiped my new GC. The GC can be used at pretty much any home improvement stores including Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace, Restoration Hardware, Menards, some paint stores and more (I think Sears also?). Link to RA offer: http://www.riteaid.com/savenow/weekly_ad/detail_item.jsf?tnumber=T107587&circularId=2780&page=4îion=west For more info on the GC themselves & where they can be used: https://www.homeimprovementgiftcard.com/home.html There are no activation feels and no exp. date on the GC. Here is a link that might be useful: Info about the Home Imp. GC - List of Participating Stores