Best closet organizer?

15 years ago

I am planning to install closet organizers into my long and narrow walk-in closet. It is under the eves, so the ceiling does not go high on one side(one of the long sides). So, I can put a shelf and a bar at hip height. I have one good wall of 6-7 feet of normal height. So this is like a puzzle that I am planning to tackle. What would be the best brand to do that? Better finish quality as well as various different options of pieces.

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Comments (8)

pammyfay
15 years ago
If you have a Container Store near you, I'd urge you to stop in for an Elfa "consult." The wood line is lovely (tho I have the plain silver metal). And everything is movable. But the consultants will likely offer some ideas you've not thought of. They are great puzzle masters!
demsharkh
15 years ago
Or better yet call out a California Closet consulant to help. It's free
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We like our current wall-hung Elfa system, as opposed to those with individual brackets under each shelf, because of its infinite flexibility. We have some shelving where we've split the shelf along its horizontal distance, creating a space for taller items, or hanging space, on one side and shorter on the other. The new house will have that same wall-hung/track system everywhere. We're doing away with dressers and will use the pullout baskets for folded clothing. One problem for us is the cost. And that's really the only thing that will force us to deviate from that system everywhere. So, in some areas we'll use wood shelving that DH makes and installs. Sometimes these systems aren't the best solution for pantries or for books. I haven't seen really shallow shelving like you might want in a pantry that fits on the track hanging system. And wire doesn't provide a stable surface for books and a few other things. So, you can think of each item and consider if the dimensions, spacing configurations, and surface is suitable for it.
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We ended up not getting Elfa in our last apt because the 3" increments would not have maximized the space in one closet that was oddly-shaped. We also preferred the more finished-looking CA Closet-type systems. We ended up getting Easy Closets, which was a great compromise. It is fully customizable and with a coupon, priced out the same as regular price Elfa. It looked like new after several years of use, although I wonder if it would have held up so well in a pantry. I have not seen CA Closets in person, but I'm guessing it looks nicer than EC, although we had no complaints about the look of EC. Back then, CA Closets quoted us double the cost of EC. We recently moved and wanting to go "higher end," we called CA Closets again. Their quote for our walk-in closet of 17' linear feet came out to an eye-watering $7K. I priced out one of the smaller closets and once again, CA Closets came out double (actually, more than double) than EC. One benefit of custom closet makers such as CA Closets is that the work is considered a "capital improvement," meaning you can add it to the cost of your home when computing taxable gain on sale. Also means no sales tax. Easy Closets charges sales tax (at least in NY), which in reverse logic tells me that it is not considered a capital improvement, but I'm not 100% sure on this.
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Go on line to The Container Store and look at the Elfa shelving system...the beauty of it is that you install a horizontal rail, and then the standards hang from it. It is a little more expensive than similar systems from the home centers, but in my experience, the parts are far better engineered. Then if you want something more interesting than the plastic stuff from the home centers, if you have a Pier 1 and/or a 10,000 Villages and/or a World Market in your town, look for containers there. The trick is not to over-plan or over-buy...not everything needs to be in something specific. If you really want to save money, you can cover shoe boxes with pretty wrapping paper for office supplies...cut a piece of sheet cork for the bottom to keep it from sliding around. You can also cover or spray-paint empty cans to hold pens and pencils and other stand-up things. Inexpensive metal baking pans with a cork lining are also good, and have a nice industrial quality, if that appeals to you. I keep batteries and boxes of staples and paper clips in pretty little gift bags that are sturdy enough to stand a little use, and look nice lined up on the shelf. I also bought a bunch of white paperboard boxes from Staples (they come flat in packages of three or four), and I use them for projects and miscellaneous paper...clean and simple looking, and easy to label. Use your imagination, and have fun with it!
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You could actually do a couple different things. You could have one rod and use hangers. You would have to fold them a bit to fit on the hanger and not drag on the floor, but that's usually how they come from the cleaners. For heavy cloths, use two hangers together for added strength. You could also hang multiple rods at slightly different heights and depths. If you have a walk in closet this works great, but will still work with a reach in. Hang the highest rod the farthest back, then one a bit lower and closer and even a third lower and closer than the second. Then you can hang the cloths right on the rod instead of on a hanger. I like the rod because of it's larger diameter it doesn't leave creases in the cloths. You can also overlap them on these rods. For optimum use of space, you'd need to use multiple rods and overlap. Is that totally confusing?!
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senko
Original Author
15 years ago
demsharkh: Do they try to pressure you to sign-up? I just hate to call them knowing that I will not get them to do the job. I figured they would charge 1,5-2,500$; but I could buy from Big Box Store and install myself to cost probably 5-600$.

pammyfay: I have never been to Container Store, but heard of them on Oprah. They are a little far for me, but I can go and see. How is the store compared to their online offerings? Do they charge extra for the consultation, do they draw anything?
pammyfay
15 years ago
The Container Store has at least as much stuff in person as it does on its online site (they also have a very tiny return/dent/discontinued area, just a few shelves worth). It does not charge for a consultation, and they do it on a computer, so you will get a printout, with dimensions and with the list of whatever components would be used. Be sure you sketch out the closet, with exact measurements of every wall or ceiling slope, before you go.

Right now, they have a 20% off everything in the store sale, a 50% off sale on select Elfa components, and they just ended their twice-yearly all-Elfa sale. If you go, ask them when the next all-Elfa sale will be.

And like Lowe's will do with their Closetmaid wire closet shelving, Container Store will cut to size what you need (I imagine the wood components, too.)

I did one small closet in my top-floor office in Closetmaid, and it was supersimple. Got the components for Lowe's. And I did my entry way closet in Elfa. Both work fine, the Closetmaid was less expensive, but the Elfa just looks a little nicer.
olena
15 years ago
I had a very good experience with www.easyclosets.com

Olena
ronbre
15 years ago
one thing i find helpful is the double hanging rods, one hangs from the other so you can hang short things twice in the same space..i also go for the high up shelves for seldome used items..i use a bookshelf for shoes but would like a better solution..hope you find what you like, i have the steel grid shelves you can HANG from
woodinvirginia
15 years ago
Best overlooked idea is to go to Habitat for Humanity (resale Store) and see if they have any left over or new closet organizer parts from un built houses. I was shocked at what they had available for 'dirt cheap prices' I bought 2 famous name closet organizer complete systems for literally pennies on the dollar. Then I came home & designed the space & DIY to get the result I wanted. All of these places that say you must have ventilated closets shelves & the like are pure hooey. Not all of their resale outlets will have these parts but enough do to make the "hunt" worthwhile. Everything in ones closet doesn't have to be "brand new" to get a pleasing result !! GLTA
brutuses
15 years ago
I was at the flea market the other day and saw some custom closet pieces. I didn't have the energy or time to buy them, but it's good to know they are out there when I'm ready to start building my closets. They were however in need of a paint job, which wouldn't be a big deal for me.

Best closet organizer?

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pammyfay

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Best closet organizer?

Comments (8)

pammyfay

demsharkh

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senkoOriginal Author

pammyfay

olena

ronbre

woodinvirginia

brutuses

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GET HELP

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senko
Original Author