Set up a complimentary consultation

Call Us :610.433.0933

7248 Penn Drive, Allentown, PA 18106
Read Our Blog Contact Us

Organizing children

         Organizing children may seem like a difficult and never-ending task, but with a little patience and some organizing help this task can be made easier.  The following hints may give you some ideas on helping your child be more organized.

          Start by organizing the area in which your child spends most of his or her time.  In many cases that may be their bedroom, so start by organizing there.  A desk area in a child's bedroom is ideal because it gives them their own space to think and to work.  A filing cabinet is also great for storing supplies and paperwork and will teach them to use a filing system and show how important it is to organize papers.

          Wire basket systems are ideal for storing school paperwork and for projects that your children may be working on. A solid top placed on the system will give your child that extra working surface.  This top can also be used for molding clay.  Casters placed on this system will allow your child to roll the cart from one area to another.

          An organized closet is another great way to help organize your child  Adequate reachable hanging space is important now and as your child grows.  Sufficient shelf or storage space will give them a place to store toys, books, sweaters, or just about anything.

          Organizing a child is very important.  The above are just a few hints in getting you started to organize your child.  Certain states now have special grants for school districts to help teach parents teach their children how to be organized.  Good luck and enjoy your child.

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

How can I organize all my ties and belts?

         Ties, belts, and scarves are often very disorganized because people do not have an efficient way to store them.  One may have 75 ties and use only one tie rack made to hold 24 ties.  Ties hung over a hanger cause confusion when searching for a tie and may leave you picking them up off the floor.  Belt rings are often used to hold belts.  Unfortunately, you may have to remove all of the belts from the ring in order to get the one you are in search of.

          In organizing your ties and belts it is important to keep them all together.  Do not store your ties scattered throughout your closet.  Consolidate your ties into one special area and your belts into one specific area.  Ties can easily be stored within the short hanging area of your closet and belts within the long hanging area.  Ties and belts do not have to take up two feet of wall space to be stored correctly.  You can store the same amount in 3-4" hanging space.

          You may choose to store your rolled-up belts and scarves in a shallow drawer or basket in your closet.  An ideal size drawer for this purpose would be 4" deep so things do not get lost.  The back of your closet door, if usable, can be used to store your ties and belts.

          When you start this new phase of organization, consider organizing your whole closet at one time.  Various materials are available for organizing your closet.  White ventilated steel shelving can be used as well as solid laminated materials.  Both of these materials create a beautiful closet.  Special racks are designed using these materials to store your ties and belts.  These racks can hang on a slant facing you or slide out to allow a full view of these accessories and allow for each accessibility.

          Organizing your ties and belts in your closet may be the first step to organizing your closet. This will certainly save you time in the morning, time usually used by searching for those items.  Enjoy organizing your ties and belts.

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

With spring around the corner, here are some ideas for outdoor toy storage

Outdoor storage of toys can be accomplished in many creative ways.  Designing a special area outside for your play/toy area is a great way to start.

If your play area has a fence nearby, install white ventilated steel shelving at varied heights to store outdoor toys.  This special type of shelving resists chipping, cracking, and peeling and will hold up to 10 pounds per linear foot.  It will not rust as it does not allow moisture to settle on the shelf. White ventilated steel shelving is virtually maintenance-free and does not require constant upkeep as wooden shelves do.  A hanging tie and belt rack works great for hanging shovels.  Baskets for small trucks and other small toys can be stored in wire baskets.

Wire basket systems also work ideally for storing outside toys and games.  Casters placed on the bins will allow the system to be rolled outside from the garage, stored, used, and then rolled back in again when the children are finished using them.

Colorful heavy-duty plastic bins for outdoor toy storage.  A steel grid can be mounted outside and each individual bin can hang off of the grid.  Bins vary in size and are available in bold primary colors.

Hooks or special hanging accessories can hold the children's shovels and other outdoor supplies.  A hanging toy hammock is another great idea.

Creative Closets, Ltd. can custom design your outdoor storage area to fit all of your needs.  Give us a call for some Creative advice on all your "out of control" areas.

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 ideas on incorporating drawers into my closet?

Designing drawers in a closet is a very space-efficient idea.  Eliminating dressers in a bedroom can create a more spacious feeling and allow you to create a more comfortable living area.

Custom-designed built-in drawers can be made specifically to accommodate all of your storage needs.  Standard dresser drawers are normally 3-6 inches deep and 13-16 inches from front to back.  Custom-designed laminate drawers can be made and built to any size.  Drawers 8 inches deep and 20 inches from front to back are an ideal drawer size.  Sweaters fit very nicely within a nice deep drawer.  Drawers should not be made any deeper than 10 inches.

Dividing the drawers with adjustable dividers is a great way to organize socks, undergarments, and other accessories.   Shallow drawers can be designed to store handkerchiefs or scarves.  Velvet-lined jewelry inserts can also be placed in the drawer to store your jewelry.  A lock can be placed on the drawer to ensure safekeeping.

Creative Closets can custom design and build any size laminate drawer to fit your specific needs.  One of our expert design consultants can meet with you to organize all your needs, give us a call.

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

Could you please give me some hints for my attic?

If you are fortunate enough to have an attic that can be used for extra storage, be sure that 3/4" plywood is placed across the floor joists to act as your storage surface.  You may want to insulate your attic now and add an exhaust fan for proper ventilation.

Access to your attic is very important.  If your only access is through a ceiling crawl space you may consider installing a ceiling hatch with a fold-down ladder.  Better yet is a large entrance with a permanent ladder or stairway.

If your attic is very large and can be used completely for storage, arrange all your articles and boxes around the walls.  If your entire attic cannot be used completely for storage, section off part of it.  Place a rod across the rafters to hang garments.  These garments should be hung in garment bags with lemon-scented closet fresheners to control moths and mildew.  Shelving can be installed in your attic to keep things off the floor and to allow you extra storage space.  Whatever storage systems you use, make sure that things are well labeled to make locating something easier.

Keep things organized by storing similar items together.  Large bulky items can be stored near the high roof line.  A closet can be built to store extra hanging if desired.  Remember to make that closet twenty-four inches deep for hanging clothes comfortably.  Another alternative is a walk-in cedar closet in the center of your attic which will utilize space and protect your clothes.

You may not be in your attic too frequently, but we hope these organizing tips will make those trips pleasant.  Creative Closets' expert design staff will be happy to assist you in organizing your attic.

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 the advantages of using ventilated steel shelving in my closets?

Most closets traditionally, have one shelf and rod across the closet.  The shelf is usually a piece of pressed board or wood shelving resting on a pin rail.  In addition, one will find a bending wood or aluminum rod beneath the shelf.     Instead of a wood shelf, you may find an aluminum shelf above your rod which may end up bending with your rod depending on the weight placed on the shelf.  Pressed board and wood shelves as well as wooden rods, may shag your clothes, also they usually warp.

Ventilated steel shelving is a super material used in organizing closets.  Depending on the brand you choose for your closet, some can hold up to 100 pounds per linear foot. Special hardware is used with this material so it is not necessary to mount the shelving into studs.  The open-air design allows air and light to reach every corner of your closet.  Musty odors and mildew are minimized by the ventilation.  Vinyl-coated shelving will not chip, crack, or peel and never needs painting, which makes it virtually maintenance-free.  Allergic people will benefit from the dust-free properties of this material.  Frank Lloyd Wright the famous architect used this same principle of ventilation when organizing linen closets, he inserted a cane into the center of the shelves.

The hanging rods in your closet are just as important as the shelving.  With ventilated steel shelving, the steel rod is already attached to the material.  An oak trim can be mounted onto the front of the wire shelving which will give you the warmth of a wood finish and all the advantages of ventilated steel shelving.

Creative Closets, Ltd can offer you both types of ventilated steel shelving mentioned above plus beautiful custom-built laminate units as well.  Give us a call and let us turn your closets into CREATIVE CLOSETS.

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

Can you give us some organizing hints for our office?

Organization does not stop in a closet, pantry, kitchen, or garage.  Organization is addictive and can be carried through all aspects of your life including your working environment.

Start organizing your office by getting everyone involved.  During your first meeting discuss exactly what needs to be organized.  Try to improve every system in your office in hopes of being better organized throughout the year.  Ask everyone for their ideas in this organizational event.  Remember, "a great idea is useless if never heard!"

Remove files or items not related to this business year.  Store them in an orderly fashion in dated and labeled storage boxes.  Review all employee, client, and/or patient records and update them if necessary.  Check all filing systems to ensure the accuracy of orders and update all office manuals.

Office supplies can be stored in any unused area.  Supplies can be stored very neatly in wire drawer systems and they look great.  A shallow basket is great for storing envelopes, paper, and other accessories. Creative Closets' expert designers will be happy to design and organize those storage areas for you.

Enjoy the organizational project in your office.  Remember that what you are doing now will benefit you throughout the year. We hope that these organizing hints will help your office run more smoothly and inspire others to organize their offices.  But, beware organization is addictive!

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

Can you give me some ideas on putting a desk area into my closet?

Building a desk area in an extra closet is a wonderful idea if the space is available.  This will eliminate that furniture in a room and hopefully allow you to store all your office supplies in one area.

If possible choose a closet big enough for you to feel comfortable.  Start fresh by taking everything out of the closet including the pinrail and rod.  Spackle and paint this area a nice bright color.  Soft subtle colors are great if you intend to relax and unwind here.  Bold bright colors may raise your energy level when it is time to get to work.

A custom-designed desk can be built to fit the exact width of your closet.  Using solid materials will allow you to close drawers and adjustable shelving above the desk area.  Wire basket systems are great for creating a desk area.  Place one basket system on each side of the closet and place a solid top across your work area.  The baskets will act as your drawers and since they are open, everything can be seen easily.  Special hung file systems are also available for storage of office files.  Heavy-duty plastic bins can be placed above your work area to hold all those important papers that will not fit on your desk anymore.  Be sure to use a chair that when not in use, will fit easily underneath the desk.  If a phone is important be sure to put a phone jack into your closet.  Also, be sure that adequate lighting is in your closet to prevent eye strain.

Types of doors for your new "work closet" are very important.  Hinged or bi-hinged doors are great because they open up the whole area for you.  With bi-fold doors, you loose 5 to 10 inches of space when the doors are open, which may interfere with your drawer's opening.  Sliding doors never allow you to have full access to your work area at one time.  The best advantage to putting doors on your new desk area is that you can close them and walk away from your work.

Creative Closet's expert design staff can assist you in designing and organizing this new area for you.  Enjoy your new desk area!

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

Can you give me some hints on organizing a closet with a window?

A closet with a window can be a difficult area to handle.  Consider the efficiency of the interior of the closet as well as the appearance from the outside of the house when redesigning this area.  The following hints will be helpful.

When designing a closet with a window, designate an area away from your window to store your hanging clothes.  Direct sunlight on your garments will fade and ruin your clothing.  Incorporating a window seat into this area is a terrific use of space.  Cushions on top of the window seat create a cozy little sitting area.  The seat can conceal a laundry chute or lift to extra storage below.

Be very careful when choosing a window treatment.  Always consider the elimination of direct sunlight in your closet as well as the outside appearance of your home.

A vanity or dressing area may be designed in front of or below this window.  Shelves can be designed up and around your window.  A pull-out hamper system is another possibility for organizing this area.

Windows can be difficult areas to work with when reorganizing a closet.  The expert design staff of Creative Closets, Ltd. can work with you in organizing this awkward area.  They can also meet with you while in the blueprint stages of building your new home to troubleshoot these problems before they become a reality.

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation

 

Can you give me ideas on storing my shoes?

In most closets shoes usually end up all over the floor.   Why? Because most people do not know how to store them.  Well, we have many ways.  Organizing your shoes can often be the first step to an organized closet.

First, count the number of pairs of shoes kept in your closet.  Measure the width of a pair of shoes to determine how much space should be allowed on each shelf per pair.  For example, if you have 30 pairs of shoes and each pair is about 7 inches wide you would need 10 shelves, each 21" wide to store them.  Each shelf would then hold 3 pairs of shoes.  Be sure to allow for larger feet when considering shelf sizes.  Men's shoes larger than size 10 1/2 require a deeper shelf.

Shoes can be stored on a slanted shelf under the long hanging area of your closet or on tiered shelves to allow a complete view of all your shoes at once.  There should be a lip on the end of your shoe shelves so that the shoes do not slide off.  Solid adjustable shelves give you the flexibility of changing the spacing between shelves.  Closets should be organized so that everything in the closet has a special place.  A free-standing island in a large walk-in closet can be built specifically to hold your shoes.  If you have a swing door 28" wide or wider you can attach a 21-pair shoe rack made of white-coated steel to the back of the door.  If you have a deep enough closet with sliding wood doors a shoe rack can be placed on the inside of the door.

Shoes should never be stored above clothing.  Either specify a section from floor to ceiling for your shoes or place your shoes underneath your hanging clothes.  Shoes are very dirty and the dirt can fall on your clothes when they are being removed from the shelf.

We hope that these tips get your foot in the door of shoe organization.  Creative Closets can help you in all phases of the organization, give us a call.

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

Ellyn Elstein The Closet Lady®

Click Here To set up A Complimentary Consultation