I don't usually post on this forum but mustangs can vouche for me. We were flooded out of our home by H. Sandy back in October. We had to redo the entire house. We're also in a small 1,250 s.f. ranch that started its life as a hot dog stand in the 1940s and was converted into a residence in the 60s. Storage was almost non-existent. During the rebuilding after Sandy, we had a contractor who specializes in closet organizers build custom units for each closet in our house (5). He used solid wood shelving/rails/drawers. Each closet was customized to what we store in that area. He TRIPLED at minimum our useable storage without changing any walls. He was so good at configuring the space we had available and executing his plan that I sent him a dozen roses when he was finished! (no joke, I did) Anyway, you might want to consult with a company in your area that does the same type work. I started my search with Google and found Matt living just a few blocks away. I've referred 4 people to him, so far. You just would not believe how much storage he created and because it's so well built (not flimsy wire shelves & such) it will last forever, or at least as long as I last (lol). /tricia

Our MBR closet is 5'x7', and our ceilings are 8'. Our door opening is different from yours, but I'll describe how our closet is set up. The door opens on the right edge of one of the short (5') walls. On the left side (which is deeper b/c the door doesn't interfere), is a double rod. The lower rod stops about 12-18 inches from the end to give me a small space for my longer dresses. I also use tiered hangers for my skirts in this section. Under my long clothes, I keep two storage bins with DH and my off-season, folded clothes. DH uses the bottom rod and I use the top rod. We keep our off-season, hanging clothes pushed to the back of our hanging space. Our clothes are not crowded, but I will admit that DH and I are purgers. To make a closet of this size work, you have to keep the clothes pared down to the "good" items. On the short wall facing the door is a set of 5 deep (16"), adjustable shelves with a hanging rod/shelf over the top. I keep extra hangers on this rod, but if necessary, I could remove the top 2 shelves and use the rod for clothing. On the second long wall, we have a stacked set of shoe shelves. Above this I hung a kitchen organizer that holds my shoe buffer, lint brush, static spray, etc. I have a little wall space left beside the organizer. I may eventually place a hook there for purses/totes. Beside the shoe shelves is a full-length mirror and 2 more hooks for robes. On the back of the door is another hook, and over the door (on the inside of the closet) are 3 hooks for DH's favorite baseball caps. We use dresser drawers for socks and underwear. DH keeps his shorts, t-shirt, and jeans in a drawer, and I keep exercise clothes in a drawer. To be honest, several of our closet shelves are empty so we could move some of those items into the closet. But I need more shelf space for sweaters in the winter so I haven't bothered to move anything. Here are a few other ideas to help you maximize your space. Bins are great. Piles of clothing and blankets tend to fall over and look sloppy, but bins keep things in their places which saves space in the long run. I use bins in my son's closet for his socks and underwear. You can also buy shallow, hanging shelves that slide under your regular shelves to store small items like hosery, scarfs, etc. If you are a purse collector and your 2nd long wall isn't being used, consider placing hooks right below the ceiling and hanging your purses there. Likewise, don't waste that short wall behind the door. That would be a good spot for a tie and belt rack. Nin

Thanks, palimpsest. You're right to remember my modernist tendancies :) --- however we're trying to walk a fine line between those personal preferences, the house's era (1956) and the market we're aiming to eventually sell in (New England coastal cottage neighborhood). The exterior will be shingled. Kitchen is cherry and stainless and carrara and one wall of 50's exposed brick + fireplace. Master bath is warm modern. However, this is my daughter's bathroom, and it'll be the least modern room in the house (antique dresser vanity with curved front, curvier faucets than I normally like, etc). But still, no crown molding or fancy detailing (sorry busybee3! it's not anywhere else in the house, either...) I was going to do plain 3 x 6 subways with a 1/2" pencil liner and 2 x 6 bullnose. That was the extent of the detailing. Decisions, decisions, decisions! Ugh!

Bunny, I hear you. I can't tell you the number times I have looked out my living room window and said "That's my tree". Knowing I own it, and no one else. I love its shade. I love seeing the birds flit in and out of it. I love seeing the downy woodpeckers on it. I love seeing the squirrel nests in it. MY tree. I've owned other places with other people, I've rented, but this is the first place that is mine. All mine. I'm not sure I would care what others would think of the furnishings or the curb appeal. At least, that's where I think I meet you, in my mind.