I will tell you what happened with us. When we built 11 years ago, we ended up sub-contracting the last part of our house due to a problem with the GC. One of the very last things was the closets and I went around to several places getting prices on materials to DIY. It just so happened that the guys who did our fireplace and one part of the insulation recommended a company (actually part of their company but another division) for the closets. I called for an estmate and we could not have done it for less - ourselves. It was so worth it to have someone do it. They did all our bedroom closets, coat closets, linen closets, kitchen pantry.

In our MB walk-in we started out with a configuration of the coated wire shelving system with some drawers, etc. added in. We've since removed those drawers and installed white wood pieces (drawers and cabinets).

So, you might price someone else doing the project. They can give you some good ideas too.

tina

http://www.easyclosets.com/default.aspx?gclid=CKOa-ay8m5oCFQRhswod4jM_-Q

Maybe you can at least get some ideas.

If you've got a Container Store nearby, they can help you design your closet.

But before you do anything or go anywhere, count the number of short hanging, medium hanging, and long hanging garments, the items you want to store on shelves, shoe storage, and any drawer storage you want in the closet.

Is your closet size fixed?

We used the Ikea Pax/Komplement system. We are very happy with the results. We did install it ourselves, and it was not difficult. Ikea has a program on their website to design your system. The nice thing about it is if you decide you need shelves spaced differently after you have used them a while, you can adjust easily. They have a lot of different options.

We also used Ikea's Antonius system in our daughter's closet. I think we like the Pax better and it was easier to install and modify.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea Pax System

I second the Container Store for their deisgn service but also the quality of their product. Not inexpensive, but worth the cost. We've installed their system in 3 closets. I went with them initially because we use the smallest bedroom for our office and Container Store was the only system offering 24" deep shelving. Just take accurate measurements to them and they will cut any pieces that need to be sized while you wait.

We used Closet Maid for our Entry Closet (from HD) because their system supports the rod with something like an umbrella handle and it permits sliding coats fully across the rod. It was just more suitable there and entirely satisfactory.

Hope this helps.

In our previous house we used the Closetmaid Shelftrack wire line from Home Depot. It's very easy to put together and install and was quite economical. I got a lot of ideas from the pictures on the Closetmaid site. We had really weird closets on the second floor because of the slanted ceilings, as we do in this house (well, one of the three bedrooms doesn't have a real closet at all, the teeny space is all taken up by heating ducts!) so when we get around to it it's back to the Closetmaid. I also bought inexpensive thick foam liners for the shelves at Home Depot so we didn't have wire marks on anything and other items stood up straight.

Thanks everyone. I hadn't been to the Closetmaid or Ikea sites yet. I went to the Easy Closet site and that's where I had trouble fitting what I wanted. Like I said, I don't have a clue how these things fit together. I know what I want, it's just putting them in place. It's going to be another learning experience as with so many things in building a house.

suero, yes, the closet size is fixed.

mari, are those foam shelf liners sold right there with the system or do you have to go to another department to find them? I'm glad to hear of these because I'm not a fan of wire shelves for some items.

I know I can't afford the Container Store so that's not an option, but thanks anyway.

I have a DH to put it together, I just need to come up with a design.

Thanks Mari

You don't have to buy the stuff at Container Store, just have them help you design a closet.

Brutuses, have you thought about making your own? We looked at both Lowes and HoDe and I told my hubby that we could do just as good for a fraction of the price. We measured, I drew up plans, went to HoDe and had the main cuts done by them, did smaller cuts at home, I stained, hubby and I installed.
It's not quite done in these photos, but you get the idea. Each side has a four foot double hung section, a four foot single hanging section, fourteen inch wide shelving and corner shelving with the bookshelf like section in the middle back for shoes and boots. Took time, but pretty much anyone could do it.
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

Wow, that is gorgeous. DH is capable of building it, but just does't have the time. He's still trying to finish the outside things we need to have completed before we can obtain our occupancy certificate. The fence, garage finishing work, etc. To put it mildly, the man is completely exhausted and doesn't want to build one more thing. Can't blame him.

suero, we don't have a Container Store in Louisiana. We use to have a Everything in its' Place store, but it closed.

I was looking on the Easy Closet site and they had some nice systems that gave me some ideas. I like their system because everything is up off the floor. All the shelves, etc. sit about a foot from the floor. I like that idea. Since I can't bend to get anything from a lower shelf, that system makes sense. I'll keep investigating. Thanks everyone for your help. I'll keep you posted on this, yet one more adventure, in this house.

Brutuses, you have to have the fence in to get occupancy? We didn't even have our kitchen counter in since they messed it up and they let us move in, knowing we'd get it done since the only other sink on the main level was in the half bath. Of course we live in just outside a small town and the inspector was awesome at helping hubby know what was code. So he knew we wanted to get things done right the first time. He said he wouldn't do it if we weren't the contractors. Good luck!
Oh and do you have to have the closet system in before you move in too? We didn't.

JGTBM, yes, we have to have the outside complete as per the plans before we can get our certificate. It's a small town, but I'm on the main thoroughfare into the subdivision so they want to ensure things look prim and proper before agreeing to let people move in. They know we are the contractor's and might let us slide, but we'd rather get it all done so when we do move in, we don't have to worry about doing anything but sitting on the new couch and watch the new TV. LOL

I wanted to get at least the master closet system set up ASAP so I can start moving things over, like winter clothes, and things I don't need. We have to do some remodeling on this house before we put it up for sale so I'm trying to get things cleared out of the way so I can begin, at least painting, and hopefully be a little help to DH. After building that house he sure isn't going to feel like remodeling this one. Poor guy!!

I don't blame him! I agree with your "Poor guy!!" comment.

Here's how to adjust the items from the Easy Closet defaults

thanks suero

You can input your info on Container Store's website, then speak with someone about specifics. I recently did this (also had someone from a closet company come out but too much $). I planned on using the container store product as it was on sale. Turned out to be more than I could currently spend. I combined the plans for layouts that worked for me. I bought the Rubbermaid track systems at Lowe's. In total I bought 5 kits, and was able to do 1 reach in closet, and 3 small walk-in closets. I still have enough tracks to do the linen closet,but will need more componets for the shelving. It is less $ to buy the kits at Lowe's than the individual parts.

I have a question from the closet deprived corner of the room...is it even worth it to do a 'system' if you only have fab 50s style reach in closets? Each of our bedrooms has what was the standard 4' wide opening, 3' deep with some space on either side of the opening closets. Will a system give me anything better than what I have now, which is the standard pole for hanging clothes along with a shelf on the top and shelves (all built in) on either side?

I've got free/cheap labor with a college age son who can do pretty skilled work. So if I could actually maximize my severely limited closet space (other than the bedrooms there is *one* small linen closet in my entire almost-3000 SF home!), I'd be delighted to jump on this.

Ann

Check out what I just found on the NY Times website! Talk about timely topics...

Here is a link that might be useful: NYT Article on Closet Organizing

runninginplace

The nice benefit of a "system" is its adaptability.

For example, if you only have one rod now, you can double hang standard shirts/blouses and double the rod space.

Or, hang out-of-season on the high rod and current season low.

You can place shelves below high hanging clothes for folded sweaters, shoes off the floor or whatever.

Some systems even offer drawers which mount to the system. And it is all easliy adjustable if your needs change. Installation is generally pretty simple.

They can be a nice upgrade and really expand the space in a closet.

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.

Another note on the shelf liners - I found a roll in the cellar and it's called Duck Smooth Top Easyliner. The linked site has a "where to buy" link to follow.

Thanks Mari. I see they have a huge variety.

Just checking in to see how things are coming along. I was hoping you'd found something already. I'm sure you are at the stage where you are so tired of searching for the perfect "whatever" and making decissions. It's brutal at times.

We got ours at HD, I actually went back to the kitchen designer I used and had him draw up the plans. It worked out great. WE bought the components from them and then installed ourselves. BEfore it was just a walkin with one rod all around. There is a little alcove that was behind the door, we bought a kitchen pots and pans 3 drawer cabinet and added a piece of laminate to the top put shelves above and voila, organization. I will have to see if I can find pics.

Here is a link that might be useful: home album

justgot, unfortunately I never can follow through immediately after I get the initially thought to start a project. The animals always need something. Yesterday I had to bring 2 kittens I rescued to be spayed/neutered. The place I have to bring them for a discount is a good distance so between travel and conducting the actual business, it takes about 3 hours of my time. Then today another trip with 2 others, that took a couple of hours. Then tomorrow it's the AC guy coming out to check a vent hose. It's just always something and mostly with the animals because they can't be put off. LOL

I'll get to the closet eventually. I'll keep y'all posted.

Laura, thanks for those photo's. That gives me an idea. Maybe I could go interest one of the kitchen designers at Lowe'e or HD to draw me up some plans using their components. It's worth a try I suppose. I pretty much know what I want and need now. I've looked at a number of different systems so I know what's available. It's just a matter of fitting the pieces together. I will keep you posted on my progress.

They may have a computer program that they do that with Bru. I know they do for kitchen cabinets. Have them do you an *estimate* even though you are not going to have them do the work.

tina

brutuses, I hear ya. I have four cats (all spade and neutered before they came home) and a grandson that I baby sit for a couple days a week. Not to mention a hubby that I do things for. Like plant 28 veggie plants today and water the tree and two bushes he planted Sunday along with all the other bushes we have planted over the last few years. I could go on.... But.... I love them all and am happy to help.

I feel like I might be too late...

Stay away from Rubbermaid closet systems unless you want the pieces in the exact same place FOREVER.

Rubbermaid systems were installed in my condo by the builder. Today, I had planned on putting up new shelves in my laundry/pantry. There are only two, small Rubbermaid shelves to take down to get the project going. I am taking a break right now because I'm so exhausted...and I don't even have the first shelf down yet.

The Rubbermaid brackets themselves have a butterfly back, just like toggle anchors/molly bolts. When you use normal toggle anchors, if you ever want to move things, you just poke them through their holes, they fall into your walls, and you fill the spots. There's a hole, but it's not the end of the world to fix that. With Rubbermaid, the brackets themselves (some cup shaped, others are just little clasps) have butterfly backs, so you have to pull the butterflied pieces through your walls. My drywall is getting destroyed by these things. Unscrewing the screws doesn't do a thing. You just have to rock the brackets back and forth until you can pull them out.

I'm so mad...what a terrible design flaw! The project I thought would last the afternoon is going to take forever! Pull the brackets out is hard!

jean, no you're not too late. I don't get to projects that fast. Always a delay between planning and completing. Thanks so much for the heads up on the Rubbermaid. I will be mindful with whatever system I buy as to how easy it is to change around.

Seems Rubbermaid wasn't thinking when they designed brackets like that.