Closets by Design vs California Closets
joshuy
13 years ago
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sonepi
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Master Closet vs Dressers & Armoirs?
Comments (28)We are in the process of doing built ins in our master closet right now and will eliminate my double dresser and his chest of drawers from the bedroom. We had two different closet system companies come out and while knew it was expensive, it was way more than what I wanted to pay. I contacted a cabinet maker to make ours. While all the top shelves do not match up, (we have a 10 ft ceiling) and a few things were lost in translation (I did not intend to have a frame on the cabinets, which is ok for the most part except my 12" shoe shelves I cant get most shoe boxes in (next to ironing board). Oh well. It is out of Ash wood. All shelves are adjustable (except one over bench) and are made of MDF with ash veneer on outside edge. The cost was right at half of what the closet companies wanted to charge for the white laminate. Granted, I am staining it myself, and have spent just at $100 for the cans of stain and clear water based semi-gloss top coat. I went with a two color combo, which I was nervous about. The closet is not huge, and I was afraid it would get too dark in there if it were all stained. It measures 13' x 6.2' I left the drawers and faces natural with a clear semi-gloss top coat (water based) and the insides stained with the same clear top coat. Shelf edges are also natural. Not finished yet, but getting there. Built ins are on the long walls and the short walls are double hang. The double hang on both ends is wall to wall. Clothes go behind the built ins, as do the belt and tie racks. This is supposed to be long hang, but I love having a "bench" with the drawer underneath. Leaving as is for now, and may put a big mirror in the blank space. My end of the closet with upper storage cabinets, two hutches, 9 drawers, shoe shelves and a top mount ironing board that swivels. Husbands end of the closet. Hutch with 5 drawers and 7 ft cabinet with all adjustable shelves. Most of the woodwork is finished. Just finishing up staining all the shelves....See MoreNeed help designing DIY closets
Comments (11)Have you looked into the Container Store's Elfa system? Elfa is a lot cheaper than than those California Closet systems, far superior and looks darn good. Before we installed it in the master closet (then second and third bedroom closets, then the garage) we painted the walls a beautiful steel blue/grey. Our floors in the master bedroom and closet are a dark espresso brown maple distressed wood, so we used the Elfa walnut accent pieces, solid shelves, and the platinum hardwareÂeveryone who has walked into our closest has been blown away at how beautiful it looks. Not only is it organized to the nines, but the closet is down right elegant. We bought it on sale 30% off all basic pieces and 50% off the decorative (wood pieces). The system is very well designed and very well built--much better than that stuff at Lowes and Home Depot. And it looks far better than the stuff at Lowes/Home Depot. Yes, it is a bit more expense than those systems, but the quality and looks are worth the extra cost. Anything that needs to be custom cut will be done for you by the Container Store. Also, the computer program figures out everything you need to complete your design--it includes an inventory list and price sheet so you know the exact cost. Plus, if you buy it and decide you don't want it--it's all returnable. And yes, even the custom cut pieces are returnable; or if six months after you install your system you discover several extra packages of drywall anchors you didn't use, you can return them as well. You need some basic measurements (call a store or go online to learn more) and provide that info to a designer at the store; he/she will input the info into a computer program then give you a print out of the design to take home. You can change your design anytime as the design is saved in the computer. You don't have to buy a thing to take advantage of the design service. If you don't have a store near you, you can go online and put in you basic closet info and a specialist will contact you and help you custom design you closet complete with an inventory list and price list. Never once were we every pressured to buy after completing a design--ever. You can do a design and see how the price compares to the Lowes/Home Depot systems if you want. What I like best about the system is you can change and add to it at any time. So if you can only afford to buy a basic set up, each time it goes on sale, add a few more components. The sale just ended, but Elfa goes back on sale Dec 24th until the second week of Feb or so. IMO, it's worth it to wait for it to go on sale....See MoreThere's no Closet Forum, so....Can We talk Walk In Closets?
Comments (21)Lots of really good light is necessary. Trying to differentiate between the navy blue pants and the black pants and then trying to find socks that match is hard without good lighting. I'm always having to bring my stuff out of the closet into the bedroom where the light is better to figure it out. I have a mix of hangers - padded ones for blouses, clipped ones for skirts, my Dh likes wooden ones for suit jackets and I like really strong ones for my jeans - and those are really hard to find these days. Costco often sells nice packages of hangers. Think about what you are storing other than clothes - shoes, purses (I have a deeper shelf at the top for purses so as to keep those pesky straps under control and they are in cubbies that hold about 4 purses each), accessories such as scarves, belts....See MoreCalifornia closet question
Comments (10)i've had three california closet system installed, one being a replacement for another lost in katrina. my master closet is 5.5'X15' with two sets of drawers with specialty fronts, hamper rack, 6 racks of hanging rods with open shelving above. all the rest is open shelving. no fancy moulding (unnecessary, believe me!) the cost was at $7k. this also included a little closet with drawers in a separate room. to chisue, my husband calculates the time spent educating, shopping and taking a day on the project not worth the time, energy and money saved. and i suspect that is why closet installation is such a profitable and ever-growing business. after katrina, i did look at a comparable company, but got a poor impression from the sloppy salesman and the estimate came out negligibly less. the cost will vary depending on the materials, as was stated. if you go with the laminate and don't do a bunch of drawers, you'll find that the price can drop by at least 12-15% (which is basically what i did) it's worth getting the quote, in my opinion. but as you see from these posts, if you've got the time and muscle, doing it yourself is a far cheaper alternative--and the ikea stuff looks darn good....See MoreArleneMS
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