Another idea: get some of those Sterilite plastic drawers, and stack them on one side of the closet. That'll "partition off" one small section to be for cleaning supplies. And a drawer will help you access the deepness of the storage space, bcs it'll pull things forward. The one drawback to those is that they're sort of short; most bottles won't fit in them standing up. But there are taller versions. Or, try this "laundry tower" concept--a tall, skinny cabinet w/ compartments; it would interrupt the shelf and hanging bar, so maybe not the best. http://www.improvementscatalog.com/imp/290307?cm_mmc=GooglePLA--LaundryRoom--2014-_-437559&mr:trackingCode=0B124480-8F0B-E311-9612-001B21BCC0BC&mr:referralID=NA&mr:filter=98946355732&intlShippingCtx=US%7CUSD&code-macs=MP4XW091&mr:ad=43916408932&mr:device=c&mr:match=&SourceCode=MP4XW091&mr:adType=pla&mr:keyword=&redirect=y But this sort of cabinet, designed to go between washer and dryer, might be great (this one isn't available anymore, but this is the general idea). The drawers are tall enough for bottles, and it's skinny and short. http://www.lowes.com/pd_172508-46-WVP5000SQ_4294857913+8+4294965476_?productId=1043069 http://www.shopgetorganized.com/item/WICKER_BETWEEN_WASHER_DRYER_DRAWERS/24415?src=GOSHPZLA&utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=24415&close_prompt=1 My favorite idea is the kinds of unit w/ different heights of drawers--IF the largest drawer is tall enough. http://www.target.com/p/sterilite-5-drawer-storage-cart/-/A-13794467#prodSlot=medium_5_9&term=drawer Because some things are tall and some are short, and tall drawers are really bad for little things. http://www.amazon.com/SEI-Iron-Wicker-Five-Drawer/dp/B000X09XGE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_op_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0X75NQ44TWHDJY5ME354 Even a filing cabinet could work. http://www.target.com/p/hirsh-3-drawer-file-cabinet-steel/-/A-14796066#prodSlot=medium_2_23&term=drawer This one looks really good--that bottom drawer is as tall as a file drawer, so maybe it would hold cleaning bottles standing upright. http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=677&view=0&picture=1&tab=Uses&ProductCategory=188&section=1 This one is nice and narrow--but I don't know how tall the drawers are; they look kind of short. http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=405&view=0&picture=1&tab=Uses&ProductCategory=187&section=1 This one also, I'm not sure how tall the drawers are. http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=406&view=0&picture=1&tab=Uses&ProductCategory=187&section=1 Then again, you could just store the tall bottles in a caddy on top. HOWEVER, and this might be true always anyway--you should probably store -only- one bottle of what you truly use. The extras should go somewhere else, like in the garage or under the sink, if at all possible. (Or if you're like me and live in an apt., don't buy extras--practice "just-in-time inventory.") If you got something like this, you could just take out one drawer to make the drawer below it taller (and you could access it more easily as well); I've done that w/ a shallow drawer unit. Because I *think* this one doesn't have bars across the front, just supports along the sides. http://www.amazon.com/4D-Concepts-Corner-Clear-Silver/dp/B0006TXDSG/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1413299007&sr=1-2&keywords=utility+drawers And you could set your "daily use" caddy on the top of such a drawer unit; it'd be handy to grab the caddy itself, or just the window cleaner/whatever. Because the caddy would work as an organizer that would keep your most-used items from falling over. And you might be able to put -all- the cleaning solutions in the caddy, which would ease the pressure on having a tall drawer. There are lots of carts for this space, but you have to pull the whole cart out instead of just a drawer. But it's an idea--you could put it on the open side of the closet, and pull it out to get to stuff. And hang shorter jackets above it.

Your ideas are promising, but I also love to play with spaces, so here's some of mine - What about first putting up shelves on the 2.5' wall on the left of the door to help that clutter, maybe with hooks under the bottom one (3' high?) for umbrellas, or a stand there. Then move the coats right to the back along the 3 & 2' walls (in one line vs separated by a door) with shelving above. On the 4' right wall would be a big organizer thingy, either open or closed, for maybe larger items that need storage (aside from what's in there now), and with proper handy racks for shoes - off the floor.

I have two thoughts, depending on where the 27" door is on the 38" width. If it is centered, leaving only about 5" on either side of it as you enter the closet, then I would suggest two layers of storage. The back of the closet would be floor to ceiling shelves for the pantry storage, with shelves perhaps 15" deep. That depends on the size of the small appliances you need to store. Then in front of that, I would put a bar across the full width for the coats. This is all depends on how often you'll need to access the pantry. If it for daily use, this idea isn't the best. Now if the door happens to not be centered and you have more wall space on one side of the closet, then I would use shallow shelving there, which would be great canned goods storage. Then, at the back of the closet, you could have the rod for the coats. The more I think about it, tho, I'm wondering if you could still have shallow shelves for canned good storage even if the door is centered. The only problem there, is that is doesn't solve the where to store the appliances problem. Good luck with your project. Barb

I was a closet designer for 10+ years. I worked for California Closets & several others in different states. I really liked California Closet systems, but they were the most expensive back then. They were the pioneers in the industry. They might of changed their pricing structure, but there are many local companies now that use the similar material for a better price. The bigger the franchise, usually the bigger over head. I enjoyed working with the smaller local companies the most, which had great product for great prices. My favorite system is the 3/4" MDF with durable edgebanding hanging systems. I don't like the systems that build from ground up. If I want to go down the floor it's because I choose to for drawers or shelving. Not because I have to build up for height. Going down to floor closes off the space below & makes the space smaller. The hanging systems allow room to slide big items under & easy to clean under & less material. No, to wire systems & wire baskets. Things get stuck through cracks, wobble on shelves. No thanks. When working with a closet designer explain your goals. Most expensive is drawers, then shelves, then hang. Get a lot of double hang, some space for tall hang, then shelves, then drawers. Closets are the place for hang, so lots of hang + make extra hang room for future clothes, too. If the closet designer is trying to up sell too much, example, too much drawers when you have a dresser. Politely tell them, we got keep the price within my budget or I won't be able to get it. How do we do this? Keep it simple. I really enjoyed designing closets & seeing my clients amazed at how much more space was achieved. I have had a lot of wonderful clients over the years who were kind & appreciative & nice memories. I gave the really nice clients an extra bonus discount for making my work day enjoyable. Cash tips were cool, too. ;) Kind of funny to think about how many others closets I have been in. Lol.