Life, Styled
When you think of a closet, you envision a space within a room that opens with a door. For some, it means enough room to hang up clothes or store larger items. It has, however, evolved to become much more than a mere stash and go-to spot for necessities. From hall closets to pantries to linen and bedroom closets, they serve multiple purposes. Today, it can be a mini dressing room, a place to keep all the kids’ sports equipment, and even a place of meditation ( really, it’s a thing). It is a great way to gain extra storage in the bedroom for personal items and is considered an extension of the home. Even though many of us enjoy having a closet, it is often not used to its fullest potential and can even leave us feeling stressed when we can’t find anything because of clutter. Today, we share some tips for each closet in your home so you can get the most out of these great spaces.
Bedroom Closet Tips
Let’s start with the most common closet in the house and the one that is used on a regular basis. There are actually three different classes of bedroom closets: walk-in, reach-in (known as wall closets), and wardrobes. Let’s break it down a little more and discuss what can be done to maximize the use of each.
- Walk-in closets: Closet envy if you are watching HGTV or The Housewives of Atlanta – It yields sufficient space to walk around comfortably and see everything inside, not to mention they increase the home’s value. Adding custom shelving and hanging rods provides storage solutions and organization that helps everything have a place, plus allows you the peace of mind of knowing where everything is at a glance. Having extra storage cubes is great for keeping smaller items or even folded clothing like pants and shirts, leaving room to hang up dresses, suits, and coats on the rods. Depending on the size, you can also include an island where personal items can be kept, including your jewelry, and have a seating area so you can dress right in there, making it even easier to get ready. Reach-in closets: often called wall closets, and are the more common option in many homes today. With these closets, you simply open the door and reach in for what you need, hence the name. These are great closets for offices, craft rooms, and kids since everything can be seen fairly easily. Because it is smaller and the layout differs from a walk-in, it is best to strategically place your accessories, such as hanging rods and shelves. Double rods make it easy to hang shirts and blouses, while shelves can store shoe boxes or supplies. When used properly, these closets provide enough space to keep that part of the house organized smoothly..
- Wardrobes: Though not as popular as they once were, wardrobe closets are an excellent way to gain some extra storage in any bedroom or home office. Built-in or freestanding, they offer additional space to put clothes, books, supplies, or other large items. Consider using boxes to store loose or random items inside the wardrobe to keep things orderly and easy to reach.
When you choose the right option that works for you, it can make your daily routines go so much better. Choosing the right organizational tools means your routines stay better.
Hall Closet Tips
These can be some of the most useful spaces in the home due to the high foot traffic and the items often stored inside. On the flip side, they also have a reputation for becoming oversized junk areas, too. Here are a few ways you can keep the clutter down and boost efficiency.
- Hooks: Installing hooks inside the door or on the inner closet wall makes it easy to hang and remove items quickly.
- Shelves: Double your storage space with shelving. They allow you to store items in an organized way. Remember to place your most-used items at chest level, making them easy to find and use.
- Boxes: Never underestimate the value of a good box. Use labels to easily keep track of the contents, and never waste time opening boxes that don’t have what you need. Because they stack well, they also mean more efficient storage in closets.
- Plan: Be strategic in what you place where. If it is the hall closet, then only keep items that pertain to that, such as coats, purses, hats, briefcases, shoes you are currently using, and even the kids’ backpacks. If you don’t use it when entering or exiting the house, it should not be stored in the hall closet. The same principle applies to the linen closet. Only keep what goes in that area of the house to avoid clutter piling up.
- Purge: Make time once a year to go through your closets and remove items you don’t use anymore, consider doing an online yard sale or making a donation.
Different closets serve different purposes, and when each runs according to what they were made for, it helps keep the house from becoming disorganized, and everyone is able to keep track of their belongings. Read a few more tips from HGTV here.
Pantry Closet Tips
While they may not be considered a true closet according to the definition, they are a kitchen’s best friend. Pantries can store everything from ingredients to small appliances and pots and pans. They save your kitchen cabinets from having to do double duty of dishes and food items, plus they are all strategically located in one area. Here are a few things that will aid you in maintaining its orderliness.
- Keep it together: When organizing your pantry, try to keep items together that go together, such as flour, sugar, salt, or canned goods with boxed items. This makes it easy when cooking or baking, without having to search for the right ingredients.
- Order of use: Things that are used every day, like flour and sugar, should be kept at chest level for easy access. Snacks for the kids should be placed on lower shelves where they can reach them. Heavy items, like crockpots, should be placed on the floor or lower shelves, while light items can be stored up high.
- Containers: Small items like muffin liners, spice packets, tea bags, and individual snacks are easier to organize and find when they are in boxes or drawers. Consider purchasing a few, especially clear ones, to use in the pantry.
A pantry is a great asset to your kitchen as it allows multiple items to be in one convenient spot, making meal prep or snack time a snap.
Greenbrook Design The bathroom is a critical part of the home; while we don’t gather for meals and conversation, it is the place we get ready for the day, and one of the last places we go before bed. This means that it should be designed to function in such a way that is beneficial to everyone who uses it. While a bathroom’s primary purpose is to be functional, that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. There are many ways to create a look that represents your unique style and personality, such as through tile and color choices. If you’re considering renovating your bathroom space and giving it some much-needed upgrades and updates, but are lacking inspiration, let us help you. There are several fun and beautiful bathroom trends for 2022. Let’s explore a few of them today.
Walker WoodworkingThere are many elements that make up a room, including color, layout, and decor style, but one key ingredient can add depth and tone to a space: texture. Like many design tools, texture often becomes an afterthought when creating a plan for a new area in the home. Many might even think it has little impact on a design, but that is not true. Texture provides balance, visual weight, and warmth to your home, which is why it should be a part of the planning stage from the start. Texture is not limited to fabrics and furniture, but can also include wallpaper, glass, and plants. Let’s discuss adding texture to your home and creating a space that is inviting to the touch for everyone.
Walker Woodworking There are some that have remained constant, while others have had their brief moment to shine, but does color really matter? Is there a reason behind the colors we choose, and can they really have an influence on the home? The answer is yes, color is one of the most powerful design tools, which is why designers are taught color psychology in school. To better help you understand its importance, we thought it would be helpful to share some of this information with you.
Kitchen layouts are a critical part of the design process because they can help you maximize the use of your space. There are certain layouts that are better suited to a particular home, such as an apartment or a large open area, making it essential to understand the function and benefits of each. Selecting the right kitchen layout for your new home is crucial, as it is one of the most frequently used rooms in the house and must be tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle. Let’s discuss what each layout is, which one works best for different home designs, and the benefits it can provide.
Greenbrook Design Window treatments are often the last element considered when decorating a house, but they play a crucial part in the overall look of the home. They are often considered the finishing touch to any space and can influence the feel as well. The fabric choice, the style, and even the function can bring several benefits to your home. Window treatments offer protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, shading you and your furniture from fading, while also lowering your electricity bill. Selecting a fabric that complements your particular design style or creates a beautiful statement in your home can make all the difference in any room. Window treatments also serve a functional purpose, as they can block the sun’s glare and provide you and your family with privacy.
Walker Woodworking 
Walker Woodworking