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Month: June 2023

At what point should I call a closet design firm to help me?

You should call a custom closet design firm as soon as you feel that you are ready to get control of your disorganized life. Custom closet design firms specialize in personal custom closet design. Closet organization may seem simple to the average consumer, but once they have had a professional reorganize their closet it will change their life.

Many people do not know where to start organizing their lives, an organized closet is a great place to start. Since you start your day out by using your closet and usually end your day in your closet, it should not be a discouraging experience.

An expert closet design firm can send a closet designer out to meet with you in your home and custom design a closet for your needs. Designing a closet is a very personal thing, so taking an inventory of the contents of your closet is very important. A design can be drawn up in front of you to show you how functional that space can be.

Choosing a closet design firm is also very important. Do not be afraid to ask questions/ How long has the company been in business in this area? Check them out with the better business bureau. What different types of materials are offered to you? Do they only organize closets? Are they well-known to area builders? There are many options available to you with a good closet design firm so get to know a little about them.

We hope these ideas will help you when the time comes to organize your closets. Always remember… THE BITTERNESS OF POOR QUALITY LINGERS LONG AFTER THE CHEAP PRICE IS FORGOTTEN!!

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

What are some hints for a laundry chute?

A laundry chute is a wonderful effortless way to direct laundry from the upper floors of a home down to the laundry area below. Ideally, laundry chutes should be located in a central area of the home so everybody has access to it.

Laundry chutes can be made out of various materials. Plywood, sheet aluminum or 18” diameter furnace heating duct are great materials to use in this area. Consider the placement of your laundry chute while still in the blueprint stages of your new home or addition.

When designing your laundry chute be sure that the opening of the chute is high enough off of the floor so that it doesn’t intrigue children. The opening of the chute should be a maximum of 12” square. Placing a child-proof lock on the door is an important safety feature.

Design a special area at the bottom of your chute to catch your dirty laundry. A stackable wire basket system works very well. Place a solid shelf on top of the basket system which will allow you an area to place the bin that will be catching all of the laundry. Sorting the laundry can be done in the bins below. When you have filled a basket you know it’s time to do the laundry.

The advantages achieved by using this system are fantastic. You will no longer have to carry your laundry down numerous steps to the laundry area and you will never have to sort your laundry on the floor again. We hope you enjoy your new laundry chute and your organized laundry area.

Consult your local closet design firm for expert respacing advice. Adequate storage space will certainly make your life easier and your home less cluttered.

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

 

My children have so many stuffed animals, how can I organize them?

Stuffed animals seem to be a favorite to everybody and throughout the years, the collection just seems to grow. Stuffed animals are usually a part of your life from day one. If kept in an organized manner, you will appreciate your collection throughout the years.

Most stuffed animals range in size from a few inches to a few feet tall. Allowing space for various sizes will make storing them much easier. One idea for storing stuffed animals and displaying them is a shelf around the perimeter of the bedroom. Ake the shelf 9” deep and color coordinate it with the rest of the decor.

Nets are also available to hang off the walls in the corners of rooms to store stuffed animals. This idea works great and can display your collection very neatly. Hanging a pole 2” in diameter and six feet high, from the ceiling with hooks placed around the pole at varied heights is another idea. Stuffed animals can be hung from the hooks for a neat look and hung lower on the lower part of the pole for children to reach them easily.

Keep those special stuffed animals safely kept away so that in years to come, fond memories are not far away. You will enjoy showing your children and grandchildren your favorite stuffed animal. We hope that you enjoy organizing all of your stuffed animals. Remember that organization is addictive… it will change your life!

Consult your local closet design firm for expert respacing advice. Adequate storage space will certainly make your life easier and your home less cluttered.

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

I live in an older home and have very limited closet space, any ideas?

Many older homes were built with very free closets and less than adequate storage space. The living space may be ample, but the amount of storage space for that living space may not be appropriate for your needs. The more space efficient we can make your storage spaces, the less cluttered your home will be.

Start by evaluating all your storage needs together. Since you are so limited with storage space, allowing these areas to work together will be the first step to the organization. Existing closets should be designed to make the most out of those storage areas. Do not over clutter your bedroom closets,, basic everyday necessities can be stored here in an organized manner.

You may have to store out-of-season clothes or items not frequently worn in another area of your home. Designate an area in your basement or attic for the overflow of your closets and consider constructing a cedar closet.

Shelves and hanging areas can be designed into these areas to get your storage situation under control.

Building new closets into your home may be another solution to your storage problem. Closets can be designed and built into an area of your home. Freestanding closets can also be designed for your storage needs. Units can be designed with doors on to keep your storage areas enclosed. Freestanding closets can be easily taken with you if you decide to move, or you may move the unit to another area of your current home.

Consult your local closet design firm for expert respacing advice. Adequate storage space will certainly make your life easier and your home less cluttered.

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To Setup A Complimentary Consultation

We would like to organize a yard sale, any hints?

Now is the time to start your Spring cleaning. Organizing a garage or yard sale is a great way to make a few extra dollars and clear your house of that extra clutter.

The first thing to do is to get together with your neighbors and decide on a date as to when to have your yard sale. The more people involved, the more successful it will be. Post signs and advertise your yard sale in local newspapers. Consider a rain date now so that if weather is a problem, you will be prepared.

Start in the attic of your home and start cleaning those unwanted items out. Continue through your home until you have uncluttered your whole house. Follow that old closet saying that “If you haven’t worn something in two years, get rid of it.” Remember that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

Go through and make a list of those items you are going to sell at your yard sale. Figure out reasonable prices for all your items and keep in mind that your goal is to eliminate this clutter from your home. Mark each item with its price. Be sure to keep a cash box on hand with extra currency and change so you are ready for business.

 On the day of your yard sale, be ready bright and early. Be sure to have your signs posted days in advance. Be prepared to negotiate pricing with people, some people live for yard sales. Most of all, have fun at your yard sale, get rid of that extra clutter, and make a few extra dollars.

 Have a great yard sale!

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To Setup A Complimentary Consultation

How can we handle the slanted ceilings in our closet?

Depending upon the size closet you have, each area should be handled in a different way. If you have a reach-in closet with a slanted ceiling, working off of the side walls may be your space-efficient solution. There is no rule that says you have to hand off the back wall of your closet. After evaluating your needs, start by working around the slant to maximize your space. Depending on how creative you are, your hanging shelves and rods can be hung directly from the slant.

If you have a walk-in closet with slanted ceilings, you would handle this area differently. Draw out each wall based on a smaller scale, so it can easily be understood. A good scale to use is ½” equalling one foot. Graph paper will also be very helpful in designing these areas.

After drawing out each wall to scale, determine where the best areas for your storage will be. If you have one wall with a ceiling height of 8 feet, you may choose to upper and lower hand in that area. Be sure to allow adequate space for your hanging items.

If you anticipate a slant in your future closet, try to enlarge the closet to make up for the lost space. Slanted areas often occur in attics. Designing shelves into those areas can be very space efficient.

If you have a problem utilizing these awkward slants or any storage area of your home, consult your local closet design firm for some expert respacing advice.

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To Setup A Complimentary Consultation

What are some organizing hints for our garden supplies?

Storing garden supplies can often end up being a very unorganized event, but it doesn’t have to be. You first have to decide where the best place is to set up the storage area for your garden supplies. A garage, storage shed, or any area of your home that is near the garden will be ideal.

Rakes, hoes, and shovels can be hung from heavy-duty hooks mounted onto your wall. Reversing the handles upward and downward will allow you additional storage space for all of your tools. Resting these tools directly on the floor will damage them. Keep your tools dry to prevent them from rusting. Most tools can last a lifetime with proper care.

Heavy duty plastic storage bins can be used in this storage area to hold seeds and other small accessories to help you with your gardening. Mounting a steel grid into the studs of your wall will hold these bins firmly in place and allow for heavy-duty storage. Each bin can easily be removed to take with you to your work area.

Wire basket systems are another great idea to help you with your gardening. Basket systems can be designed with casters on so rolling it out to your work area or garden is simple.

We hope these gardening hints will help make your gardening a pleasure.

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To Setup A Complimentary Consultation

I am very disorganized and I have a very small closet. Is there hope for me?

Have no fear, there is hope for you. The organization itself is our actual goal. If we can help you organize certain parts of your life, such as your closets, garage, and offices, it can often lead to a very organized person. The first step is to decide that you want to get control of this situation.

If you have a small closet, then it is ideal to maximize that space. Design your closet as you would all your closets, by being space efficient. Small closets need attention too! Upper and lower hanging areas can actually double your hanging space.

When reorganizing your small closet, consider allowing all your closets to work together. Organizing even a small closet can be the start to an organized person.

Organizing children should be done right from the start. Allow them a place to store all of their things. It is important to give children reachable hanging space and shelves to store all of their toys. It is unfair to reprimand a child for not putting things away if they do not have reachable places to put things.

Remember that your closet is one thing you must deal with on a daily basis. Looking into your closet in the morning, even if it is small, should not be a frustrating event. A great way to start your day is by opening the doors to an organized Creative Closet.

We hope that this article has inspired you to become more organized. Organization starts in a closet, but it never ends. Beware… ORganization is addictive, it can change your life.

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To Setup A Complimentary Consultation

What are some organizing hints for my china closet?

Having an organized china closet will be a great help to any dining area. Eliminating a china cabinet or the clutter of a china cabinet can be the start of your organizational goal.

Start by determining exactly what you would like to store in this area. Would you like to store china, silverware, and serving pieces here? Would you like to store table linens and napkins in this area? After estimating your needs in this area, let’s start organizing.

How you organize this space certainly depends on the size of your current closet. Using solid adjustable shelves for storing china and glasses is ideal. The adjustability will allow you to use that space effectively. Solid drawers or baskets are ideal for storing silverware and napkins.

Designing hanging space in your china closet should be considered for hanging your table linens neatly. You can maximize the hanging space in this closet by upper and lower hanging in a specific area of this closet. Storing large serving pieces can be done by placing vertical partitions every few inches. Designate a special area for this purpose. A long solid shelf can be used for storing table leaves. These can be stored out of the way unless used frequently. If you have a walk-in china closet, designing units with doors will help to prevent dust on your china pieces.

We hope that these organizing hints will help you maximize the space in your china closet. Feel free to consult your local closet design firm for help with all your organizational needs.

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To Setup A Complimentary Consultation

I’d like to add a closet to my basement, any hints?

Building a closet in your basement may be one solution to your storage problems. This task may be avoided by using the space efficiently in your current closets. If storing out-of-season clothing is important in this closet, lining it with cedar is a great idea. If cedar is used, remember to sand the walls down once a year to renew that fresh cedar aroma.

 Start by determining the amount of space you will be able to use for this new storage area. Choose a spot that will not interfere with your current living area. Next, decide on the size closet you would like to build. Ceiling height is very important to allow you adequate storage space and ample space for hanging. Remember to allow full access to this storage area by using proper doors, bi-swing doors are perfect.

 This new storage space should be designed to meet all your needs. Since your original goal was additional storage space, be sure to utilize this space efficiently. Design deep shelves into your new closet for storage of extra boxes, clothing, or even holiday ornaments. Space can be doubled by upper and lower hanging for your short-hanging garments.

 If you do not want to build a permanent closet in your basement, a freestanding unit can be designed and custom-made to meet all your needs. This type of unit can be easily relocated into another area of your home.

 When building your new storage space, consult your local closet design firm for answers to all your storage questions. This new storage space in your basement will certainly be a great help to your storage problems. Enjoy your new closet!

Call for information: 610-433-0933. Or email ClosetLady@CreativeClosets.com

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To Setup A Complimentary Consultation