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.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Walker Woodworking 
Walker Woodworking