Choosing the Right Closet Organizer Systems

If you look back about twenty years ago, organizing your closets meant either an old wood shelf with a rod or some fancy new wire shelves you could buy in a box and install yourself.

Well, things have come quite a long way.

Today you can walk into almost any national brand store and you'll find every possible option when it comes to storage and organization products for your closet.

So here I am to clarify some issues for you, and help you make decisions when it comes to organizing your closets to make sure you're making the best decision for your situation.

Metal Closet Shelving Units

Typically the first product looked at by the do-it-yourselfer, metal closet units were one of the first out on the market and became an affordable solution to getting a little more organized.

But there are some issues you should be aware of, such as limited strength and durability.

You'll also have limitations when it comes to customization, although as I mentioned, a wire shelf system still gives you the most affordable choice.

It's a solution that offers more than a rod and wood shelf, like those found in most older homes.

Two of the main complaints I hear from homeowners are the metal shelves leave lines in the clothes and they often pull out of the wall, especially if not installed correctly (and most of them are not.)

Laminate Closet "Kits" and Modular Closet Organizer Systems

Closet organizer "kits" can be found in all home improvement stores and on the internet. Geared towards the do-it-yourselfer as an alternative to a professionally designed custom closet, an inexpensive closet organizer system is a good way to get your closets organized without spending a lot of money.

However, there are a few things you should know before going ahead with this type of closet organizer.

First, there are varying degrees of quality. From polymer to plastic to particleboard and even wood, the cost is usually associated with the quality.

As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

The better closet organizer systems are typically made of ¾" laminate shelving and give you additional strength and support.

This gives you a strong, durable system that will never twist or warp, like wood shelves do over time.

But often the closet kits you find in the stores are cheaper because they're not cut to a thickness that is very supportive. Try to stick with the 3/4 inch laminate because this will allow greater support for more weight on your shelves.

If you find a laminate that's 1/2" you'll notice the cost to be a little lower, which is usually something to think about. If strength isn't an issue and your budget is, then you can certainly get by with the 1/2 inch laminate.

Sometimes it might be better to invest a little more money now than have to replace your closet organizer later down the road.

Do it yourself or hire a pro?

The way closet systems are designed today, it's very easy to do it yourself if you have the time and want to save a little.

From wire to high-end laminate systems, they're now created with the do-it-yourselfer in mind.

You can even buy steel vertical braces and brackets at the local hardware store and buy the wood or laminate separately without spending the extra money on a "kit," but get the same storage space for much less money.

A professional closet organizer often has the expertise to help you create solutions for your specific lifestyle. From designing to installation, it's often worth the extra money and will save you the time and aggravation of having to do it yourself.

And if it's a quality system, you're getting something that not only improves the way you live in your home, but increases your home's sales value.

But beware, because not all professional closet companies are the same.

A good designer will ask you questions about your wardrobe and what's most important to you. A professional closet designer understands the best way to utilize every inch of space in your closet and can recommend different aspects of closet storage.

Some of the bigger franchises are much more expensive than a local, smaller company offering the same services and products, but this varies with location.

Of course, anytime you're having work done in your house I recommend getting at least three bids from the contractor (or closet professional in this case).

And when making comparisons, make sure the materials are actually the same. As with the do-it-yourself closet organizer systems, the highest quality option is made of the 3/4" laminate and should have some kind of guarantee.

Gregory Payette designs and installs custom home storage systems for homeowners in Rhode Island, Eastern Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts. You can visit his website here: Custom Home Storage and Closet Systems and if you live in CT, RI, or MA can sign-up for a free in home closet design consultation on his website.

So... Which Closet Cabinet Is Right For The Job?

When it comes to storing essentials for your home such as linens then the use of a closet cabinet may be the right item use. There are variety of different types of cabinets you may want to consider using. However, in order to choose the right one, there are some factors which need to be thought about first.

When choosing a linen closet cabinet you should look for those that have plenty of depth and width so that you do not end up screwing up all your lovely linens. This will then save you time when you take them out and use them the next time. All you need to do is iron them and then put them away until they are needed.

Also whatever closet cabinet you choose it should be one which fits easily in with the decor of the room where it is going to be placed. You do not want to choose one which is modern in style to sit in your bathroom or a bedroom which has a French country feel to it.

Next you have to decide what material is the closet cabinet going to be made from. Will it be wood, plastic or do you have some other type of material in mind? Also if you want you can have some baskets on runners installed in it which can hold much smaller items such as napkins and face towels and so they do not get mixed up with the larger linen items. A closet cabinet in the bathroom is also a great place for storing away the cleaning products you need to keep it spick and span.

When considering the color of your closet cabinet for your linen then go for materials which are warm tones which will then provide you with a pleasant contrast to the room's decor. Also if you only have a small bathroom then choose a closet cabinet that is a tall linen tower. These particular types of linen cabinets will often contain a center drawer where you store all your towels and other bathroom supplies.

In bathrooms or rooms where you do not have adequate floor space available for a free standing closet cabinet, then choose a wall mounted one instead. You could for instance have a closet cabinet in the bathroom that incorporates a towel rail within it that you can then use to hang towels from. The great thing about this particular type of closet cabinet for the bathroom is that it provides you with the space to store all your shampoos, beauty products and other essential bathroom supplies.

For more information on closet systems and closet wardrobes, visit http://www.theclosetinfosite.com, a website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on closet organizers that you can use to help create a safe and clutter free home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_Day

Closet Design Tips - Picking The Right Items To Add To Closet Design

Anyone looking to add to their closet design by adding different types of storage devices will find there are lots of options. From very basic storage solutions to custom-designed creations, there are a lot of ways to go. Choosing what to use will depend a lot on the closet in question, the space and what needs to go into the closet.

If a professional design isn't desired, and building something at home won't work either, there are still lots of things to consider for closet design. Some of the best ideas can be broken down by type of closet. They include:

Linen closets – To maximize the space for this type of closet design, or at least provide better, neater storage, there are some options. Compartmentalized shelves can make it much easier to keep wash clothes, pillow cases and other small items sorted. Large rubber tubs or other similar devices can work great at the bottom of a closet for holding blankets and other big items. Regular shelving tends to work best for towels and sheets.

Bedroom closets – The options for closet design here are many. Some of the more simplistic tools to bring into play include such things as full dressers, narrow chests of drawers, shoe racks and even plastic storage tubs or shelving systems. There are some great options pre-fabricated that can make a do-it-yourself job really easy. Some people install floor to ceiling shelving on one wall to handle sweaters, blankets and other things they don't always need to get their hands on. Hanging shelving for shoes, for example, can also be a great addition that is very easy to install.

Kitchen closets, pantries – Creating a good closet design here is not only practical for keeping things clean, but also important for helping with the grocery list. There's nothing worse than thinking a can of something or other is in a closet and finding out mid-cooking that it's not. Ideas here include small tubs for packaged items, lazy Susan designs for spices and canned goods and even door hanging spice racks. The easier it is to see and take inventory, the better.

Hall closets – Shelving units often come in handy in this type of closet design. If things such as sports balls and other similar items need to be stored, this can be one of the best ways to go.

Creating a good closet design system will depend on the closet involved. The key is to make as much of the stored items as possible visible. This is especially so in kitchens, where items are often needed at the spur of the moment while cooking.

For more information on closet design visit http://www.theclosetinfosite.com, a website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on closets and closet systems that you can use to help create a safe and clutter free home.

Walk-In Closet Organizer

One of the most distressing things in a person's home is a messy closet. If your closet is messy and disorganized; then chances are your house is messy, since your clothes and various personal belongings will be cluttered around the house. Walk in closet organizers offer an easy way to transform your simple closet space into a storage mansion. You can hang your socks and hats along with your shoes, clothes, and personal items easily. They come with shelves, hangers, hooks and various items that use the space on your wall and ceiling, to utilize your closet so that you can store all the things you need.

Walk in Closet Organizers come as either ready to install kits or you can purchase an organizer that is specified to the dimensions of your closet. If you purchase a ready-made kit, then you can install it easily with its pre measured and precut pieces. Just by using some simple materials and maybe a home drill, you can easily install it maybe under an hour.

However, for those consumers who have difficulty with do-it-yourself projects, then they have the option ordering a ready-made one. All you would have to do would be to measure the total cubic dimensions of your closet and you are set to go. These kits or ready-made systems will be delivered to your house, whether you order them from your local hardware store or from the Internet.

Actually, from the Internet you can get really good offers for walk in closet organizers. You can order a ready do it yourself kits or you can order a special custom-made unit that is built to match the exact dimensions of your closet along with the décor of your house. Although a custom-made one can be expensive, they can offer so much more in return. While the closet organizer kits will be delivered to your home, the custom made ones will be installed in your home for you. Usually these types of organizers are available starting as low as $100 per system. Of course, for those connoisseurs who like elegant solutions, then there are $1000 solutions that transform your closet into a walk in mansion.

There is one available that is right just for you for every budget and for every taste. It can make your closets and your house turn into tidy, neat, and clean storage spaces. You will never have to search around piles of clothes to find that favorite tie of yours. You will not need to plummet through all of your shoes to find that favorite pair of shoes. Especially for kid's rooms, you will no longer need to worry about placing their items away as there will be lots of space available for them with these solutions. Whether it is for your bedroom or for your kid's room, do not waste time and order the right organizer today for that neat house.

Our site provides information on walk-in closet organizers, PODs storage, bedroom closet organizers, wardrobe closets and various other types of closet designs and storage systems. Let us provide all your storage information.

by T.D. Houser

Closet Maid - Organizing Your Closet

When you are on the lookout to better utilize the space in your closet or the shelves in your basement, look no further than products by Closet Maid to solve all your organizational needs. There are a lot of space organizing and conserving products that are being offered by Closet Maid. They have designed their items to better utilize your space and making items easier to find.

You can start shopping at Closet Maid right at home. Surf over to the Closet Mid website to browse through the full catalog of products that are being offered. There is a nice visual storage planner that will help you plan out the storage in your home. This will assist you in making a list of the proper products for your storage needs. With your Closet Maid plan handy, you can make a quick dash to the nearest Closet Maid to purchase the products that you planned for. Store assistants will be on hand to assist your purchase. There are also tips on installing the products on the website that could save you some money when you perform installations yourself.

There are many space organizing products on offer such as the popular wire rack shelving. You might have a closet that has some unutilized space simply because it comes with minimal shelving. You end up having to stack clothes so high that getting to what you want can be quite a balancing act. Adding a few tiers of wire rack shelving can make this problem go away. Installing tie and belt racks can further optimize closet space usage and make accessing different clothing items a pleasurable experience.

When you find that you are fast running out of closet space or if you are facing a challenge at organizing whatever space you have, then it might be time to get some space organizing products. The first thing to do is to surf onto the Closet Maid website and have a look at the online catalog. Then fool around with the visual planner before deciding whether a trip down to the nearest Closet Maid is next on your agenda.

Why Invest In Ocala Real Estate?

The City of Ocala is located in Marion County, Florida. The city is also the county seat of Marion County.

The city's surrounding farms and residences are famous for their thoroughbred horses, and they have a terrain similar to Kentucky bluegrass. Ocala is also known for nearby Silver Springs, which is the site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world, and Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, which is one of the earliest tourist attractions in Florida.

The city's median household is currently pegged at $30,888, and the median income for a family was $38,190. The per capita income for the city was $18,021. Around 13.2% of families and 18.1% of the total population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Ocala Has Experienced Rapid Growth

Ocala began undergoing rapid economic growth in the 1970s with the construction of the Interstate 75 and the founding of Disney World. In the final decades of the twentieth century, the metropolitan Ocala area has seen one of the highest growth rates in the country for a city its size.

The population of Marion County in 2000 was over 250,000, which was up from under 100,000 in 1975. Most of the county's growth is attributed to the city's increasing popularity as a retirement destination, particularly in two areas southwest and south of the city.

In 1995, the city was named an All-America-City winner. The city's major private-sector employers include Emergency One (which manufactures fire rescue vehicles), Closet Maid (producer of vinyl coated shelving), Cingular Wireless (call center), KMart (distribution center), Mark IV (automotive hoses), Lockheed Martin (circuit boards), Signature Brands (cake decoration manufacturer/Hero), Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp, as well as On Top of the World Communities Inc. (an adult retirement community).

Ocala Is A Haven For Horse And Nature Lovers, As Well As Property Investors

The city prides itself as a perfect haven for horse lovers. The area is famed for its hundreds of fenced horse farms, lovely rolling terrain and thousands of acres of green pastures. The city is blessed with adequate groundwater and has a limestone soil, which is good for farming. Along with having prolific blend of year-round equine events, which include the famous H.I.T.S. (Horses In The Sun) winter circuit and regular Ocala Breeders Sales, a lot of outdoor activities are in store for visitors and real estate investors.

Horseback riding is also a common activity here, with access to the Cross-Florida Greenway and the Ocala National Forest, which offer lots of trails for visitors. Analysts estimate that the state's horse industry adds a whopping $6 billion to the annual economy of Florida, which has created an estimated 72,000 jobs. Property analysts are also pointing out that the Ocala real estate market is a thriving one, and is far from collapsing, as naysayers might forecast for other parts of the state.

The city also offers an array of recreational activities and sporting competitions. The area's full calendar of events includes wonderful theatrical productions at the Ocala Civic Theater, Appleton Museum art festivals, Ocala Dance Theater and the Marion County Performing Ballet performances,as well as concerts by the Ocala Festival Orchestra.

http://www.fountainsatgolfpark.com/fountains/index.htm - Ocala Real Estate


Maximize Shelf Space in your Closet

Short on shelf space in your closet? You’re not alone. Even closets with enough space for extensive wardrobes and shoe collections are often lacking adequate shelf space for storing the other miscellaneous items we all seem to accumulate. A shortage of storage space in closets can quickly lead to unwelcome clutter amassing in other parts of your home. Even if you are stuck with the inconvenience of one small shelf in your closet, you can turn it into a functional storage haven by utilizing your own combination of these solutions for the closet shelving deprived:

-Plastic Bins: Available in almost any shape and size imaginable, plastic storage bins can be selected based on the available dimensions in your closet, giving you the opportunity to maximize use of every inch. Stackable bins with lids are excellent storage solutions for items that do not need to be accessed regularly, such as sentimental items, accessories like winter scarves and gloves, out of season clothing, photos or any other items creating disorder in your closet. Bins may be stored on a shelf or in the closet floor, making them a versatile option for additional closet storage.

-Stackable drawers/shelves: To store items which you will need to access more frequently, stackable shelves or drawers are excellent storage solutions that add utility to the vertical space above your current closet shelf. Such drawers and shelves can be arranged in a configuration that makes sense for your closet, and house items such as additional clothing, sporting equipment, linens or art supplies. Stackable drawers and shelves make a practical alternative to plastic bins for items that necessitate more frequent accessibility.

-Baskets: Adding baskets to a closet shelf is an alternative option for increasing the utility of closets with little shelving. Baskets have the added perk of visual appeal, making them a popular option for the design conscious. Available in all shapes and sizes, baskets can be integrated into the storage plan for any closet and can be coordinated with the décor of the room.

-Additional Shelving: A more permanent storage option is to affix additional shelves to the closet wall. Depending on the layout of your closet, additional shelving may be installed above the current shelf, or along the bottom of the closet. If you opt to install additional shelving in your closet, take care to ensure that the shelving structure is sufficient for holding the weight of the items you intend to store on it.

-Professional Overhaul: A onetime investment in a custom closet design may be the answer to your closet woes. A designer from a company in your area specializing in custom closets will be able to realize additional storage potential you never knew your closet had, while streamlining its aesthetic appearance at the same time.

About the Author: Stephen Nickse is the founder of Closet Solutions, a leading provider of quality Boston closets, strategically headquartered in the nation’s design capitol, Boston, Ma. For more information, please visit www.closet-solutions.com.

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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_221402_27.html

Closet Organizers - Ending Your Storage Nightmare

A closet organizer system can bring order to a messy closet, providing dedicated storage spaces and compartments for all kinds of clothing and shoes, helping you to sort out your clutter and stay organized! Closet organizers are the perfect solution for those of us suffering with untidy closets that sometimes seem like they're bursting at the seams. With a well-designed combination of hanging space, shelving and shoe storage, a closet organizer can help you make better use of the limited space available in your bedroom closet, so you should always be able to find that favorite outfit, without having to rummage around in a pile of crumpled clothes!

There are loads of different types of closet organizers, from adjustable ones for reach-in closets, to larger units designed to make sense of the chaos that's all too often found in big walk-in closets. Many come with several tiers of hanging rods for storing garments of differing sorts and sizes. Shelves are useful for keeping folded garments neat and within easy reach. Other useful accessories when it comes to organizing closet space include plastic storage bags for protecting rarely-worn or out-of-season clothes from dust, damp and insects, and various types of shoe racks. Something as simple as a shoe rack attached to your closet door, or a shoe cubby, can make all the difference. You need never waste time searching for that missing shoe again!

If the mess in your closet is getting you down and you're tired of being unable to find what you want to wear, then how about you get organized? Closet organizers are easy to install, and once in place your new organized storage system can transform a chaotic closet into an oasis of neatness! A closet organizer really can make a difference and help stop the clutter piling up in the future. What are you waiting for - start getting organized today!

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to GetClosetOrganizers.com - an online resource offering a huge selection of closet organizers, as well as garage organizers, laundry organizers and other storage solutions.

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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_80020_27.html