The best closet organizers will be the ones that provide you with exactly the type of storage that you are looking for. Most people want to also make the best use of the space they have in their closet. So before you begin to choose a closet organization system, take a look at what you will be keeping in your closet and how much shelf space, hanging space, etc. you will need.
You can buy separate closet organizers such as shoe racks and storage bins, start an expandable system or look for a complete closet system to utilize every inch of the closet. Let’s take a look at some of the best closet organizers in each of these categories.
Storage Cubes, Hanging Storage Racks and Shoe Organizers
Buying individual organizers is an inexpensive way to get exactly the storage you need for some particular items. If your closet is overflowing with shoes, buy a floor shoe rack or one that hangs from a rod to get organized. The over-the-door shoe holders that have been around for decades are still popular and are a great way to organize other items such as scarfs and accessories as well as shoes.
Look for all kinds of bins, cubes and other organizers for your closet at discount stores, Ikea and online sources such as organize.com. The advantage to organizing your closet this way is that you will not spend much money and it is easy to take your organizers with you when you move, so this is a great solution for college students and those renting an apartment.
 Best Closet Organizer System
If you ask five people with closet organizers which is the best closet system, you will probably get five different answers. Some of the most popular closet organizers are made by Rubbermaid, Elfa, Ikea, ClosetMaid and Easy Closets. California Closets is a popular choice for higher end closet systems.
The big choice here is whether you install the closet system yourself or hire professionals to build you a custom closet. Not surprisingly, the second choice is more costly. There are some companies such as Easy Closets, that give you the best of both worlds by allowing you to design your closet online and then install it yourself to save money.
Many of the best closet organizers according to owners are the ones that are adjustable, expandable and easy to install yourself. You can usually buy them at stores such as Lowes or Home Depot and choose different components to meet your storage needs. These wire and vinyl organizers are not as elegant as a built-in wooden system, but they can maximize your closet space at a reasonable cost.
Wood Closet Organizers
If you have the budget a beautiful wooden closet system may be the best closet organizer for your situation. You can purchase pre-made systems or have one designed for your space. Adding a wooden closet system to a walk in closet will definitely increase the value of your home, will look great and will help you organize all of your belongings.
If you have run out of closet space, getting a portable closet may be an excellent solution. It is definitely easier and less expensive then trying to build a closet or moving to a new home to find more closet space! These closets on wheels are handy in many different situations. Here is an overview of the different uses of portable closets, features to look for and tips for buying a good one.
Portable Closet Uses
The most common uses of portable closets are for supplementing the space in a bedroom or storing clothes that are out of season. Some people also use them to add closet space to a guest room, especially if the room was a converted office or den that does not have a built-in closet. Others use a portable wardrobe in their laundry room to have a convenient place to hang clothes as they come out of the dryer.
Portable Closet Features
Portable closets for clothes range from a simple metal rack on wheels, to an attractive wooden portable closet with shelves, drawers and shoe organizers. For about $30 to $50, you can find a simple model that is about 5 feet high and 4 feet across with a zippered canvas cover. The basic closet will have a single closet rod and provide a great place for storing extra hanging clothes and outerwear.
Basic features to look for are a cover with a breathable fabric to promote airflow and a see-through plastic window so you can quickly find an item you are looking for. If you will be using the portable closet for long term storage it is essential that your clothes are protected from dust and insects, but allowed to “breathe” so they do not become musty. It is worth it to pay a little more for a study portable garment closet that will protect your clothes, while keeping them fresh. You will still be saving money compared to paying for long term storage at a dry cleaners.
For those interested in storing more than just hanging clothes, there are portable closets with shelves, drawers, shoe organizers and laundry hampers. Higher end portable closets are available with wooden frames and more stylish designs. Units with these extra features tend to run $100 and up.
Finding the Right Portable Closet
There are several places to buy portable closets, both in retail locations and online. If seeing the closet and talking to someone is important to you, start with your local home improvement store. If you have a container store or a store like Ikea nearby, those are also good places to start your search. Online retailers are also very convenient and a great way to comparison shop.
As long as you identify your storage needs first, you should be able to find a portable closet that will work for you without much trouble.
If you are expecting a child, you are probably thinking about setting up a room and trying to decide what type of furniture and storage you will need to hold all of the supplies for your newest family member. Many people have found that using a baby closet organizer is a great way to utilize closet space and keep the rest of the room open for other items such as a changing table, rocking chair, etc.
Since baby clothes are so tiny, hanging them on a traditional closet rod is not usually a good use of your closet space. A baby closet organizer will include shelves and cubbies that are more conducive to storing all of the small items that a baby needs.
The simplest and most inexpensive closet organizers for a baby are the hanging ones that are made by companies such as Kolcraft and Delta. These organizers hang from your existing closet rod and include hangers as well as compartments to stores clothes and baby supplies. They are available in stores and online starting at about $25.
Modular closet organizers that sit on the floor of your closet are another versatile solution for a baby closet. You can add or change the different types of components as your child ages so many people feel the extra money for a modular closet system is well worth the money.
If you have the budget, you may also want to consider installing a built-in baby closet organizer. Like the modular systems, a built-in solution will consider the long term needs of the child and may be a good investment in the long run. If you are a do-it-yourself type of person, you can also find a closet organizer kit that fits your needs and install it yourself.
Before you spend money on any type of baby organizers, take careful measurements of the closet and take special notice of how the door opens and how much room you will need to open cabinet doors or drawers, etc. so the system will work for you. Also think through what will work best for you and your family. For example, many people find open shelves work the best for storing a child’s clothing easily, rather than hanging space or drawers.
Use these tips, along with your personal preferences, to find a baby closet organizer system that will work the best for you and your family.
If you are serious about getting a closet organized once and for all, but do not what to spend a fortune, there are many options available for you. Most people would love to have a walk in closet with a custom designed wooden organization system, but most of us lack the space and/or the money for an extravagant closet like this. Well, there are still a lot of solutions to get your closet organized, no matter what size it is and how much you have to spend.
The first thing to do with any organization project is to weed out the items that belong somewhere else, so that you see exactly what you need to store in the closet. This will tell you how much hanging space, shelf space and miscellaneous closet organizers you will need. The next thing on the agenda is to measure your closet to see how much room you have. Now the tricky part (that some people make a living at!) – deciding how to maximize the space you have with the type of organizers that you need.
The good news is that most discount closet systems can be configured to match your needs and preferences, so if you want a lot of shelves and don’t need much hanging space, you can choose those components. Once you have gotten this far you need to decide if you want to purchase some type of closet system or just go with individual closet organizers.
Rubbermaid, Closetmaid, Elfa and several other companies offer discount closet organization systems that will fit into most budgets. You can start with a basic system and then add on to it as your needs grow or change. Most of these closet systems are also easy to install yourself, and often have just one top rail that screws into the wall studs and then vertical pieces that attach to it. These systems are usually made from wire and plastic and are very versatile and convenient. While they may not be as elegant as a wooden system, they are much easier to add on to and much less expensive.
A second option for organizing a closet on a budget is to buy separate discount closet organizers. You can find thousands of bins, boxes, hanging shelves and shoe organizers at discount stores, Ikea and container stores in your local area and online. This is a great option for teenagers who want to buy colorful containers to match their room, or for anyone who is living in a temporary situation and does not want to install a closet system. Some people would just prefer using baskets and other simple organizers than having a wire or plastic system in their closet.
No matter which alternative you choose, it is possible to get a closet organized exactly the way you like it with all of the discount closet organizers that you can find today.
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