When you feel like your storage is bursting at the seams, it’s easy to just wish for a bigger space and think that would solve all your clutter problems.

“If I only had a walk-in closet/extra closet/bigger closet everything would be fixed!”

Unfortunately, even in a spacious home with a spacious closet, that isn’t always the case. You can have a large closet, a small closet, or something in between, but if you aren’t using that space effectively, you can still find yourself fighting closet mess, disorganization, and clutter.

Smart closet design isn’t about creating new or bigger spaces, it’s about optimizing the space you have to maximize storage and keep your home functional, organized, and stylish.

Large walk in closet with a custom closet organizer installed.

Closed Closet v. Open Closet Design

When you are designing your custom closet, you will have the option of having a traditional closed closet or an open closet design. A closed closet is what most of us think of when we think of a closet – a space with doors that close off the closet from the rest of the room. Closed closets have a finite space that can be standard rods and shelves or customized with cubbies, shelves and drawers. The biggest advantage is that because these closets have doors that can be closed, any mess or disorganization can be hidden.

In contrast, an open closet design is much more like an extension of the room. Many larger, luxury homes feature open closet designs. Because the space is more flexible, it can be more easily customized to fit into the design of the room. Some open closet designs will resemble boutiques, with everything organized into customized shelving, drawers, and hanging areas.

Open closet spaces can also double as dressing areas. While these spaces can’t be hidden behind closed doors if they are disorganized, one of the advantages of an open closet design is that they are far less likely to become cluttered and disorganized, as the space is easy to customize to work exactly the way you need it to. When you are displaying your items in a neat and visually appealing way, you won’t need to rummage in a cluttered space, and everything will be visible and within reach.

Adjustable Shelves for Flexibility and Customization

Smart closet design, whether you opt for an open or closed space, is all about customization and flexibility to choose a system that works with you, your space, and what you are storing. Most custom closet designs work with a combination of drawers, rods, and shelves. While drawers and rods are more finite spaces, using a combination of fixed, sliding, and adjustable shelves allows for more flexibility. Sliding shelves that can be pulled out are an excellent solution, as they will allow you easy access to any space. Adjustable shelving can be reconfigured after installation, which gives you the option to experiment with the best way to organize your space.

Built-In Lighting Makes a Big Difference

One of the biggest challenges in closet organization, particular in closed closets, is the lighting. Many standard closets have no lighting at all, and those that do are typically inefficient or ineffective. If you can’t see what you are looking for, it can be a struggle to stay organized. When you customize a closet, you will have the option of adding built-in lighting. Flattering overhead or recessed lighting, shelf lighting, or a combination of both will open and brighten your closet and allow you to find what you need easily.

Efficient Layouts and Smart Design

Smart design is all about finding the right combination of organizers as well as the best use of space. You can choose high-end and high-quality products for your closet, but if you don’t consider the layout, you may find yourself with the same struggles you had before your closet makeover.

Having a closet organization professional meet with you and do a consultation on your space can allow even the smallest closet to become a more useful space. Rather than the standard configuration, you can work with the different storage elements to maximize the space. This often will include extending your closet space vertically.

In many standard closets, the top third of the space either goes unused or is used inefficiently, but with smart closet design, you can take your organization all the way up to the ceiling and still have easy access to what you need. A combination of shelves, drawers, rods, and even customized storage accessories will be laid out in a way where you have easy access to whatever you need when you need it. Instead of digging into dark corners, everything will be within reach.

The Final Touch of Smart Closet Design

Once you have customized your closet layout and chosen the right configuration to maximize your space it’s time to add accessories like belt racks, jewelry drawers, and slide-out hampers. With the right finishing touches, your system accessories can take your closet from functional to wow.

Smart design is all about getting a custom closet solution that is right for you, your family, and your space. Whether your existing closet is big or small, open or closed, walk-in or reach-in, there is a custom closet solution for it. If you’re tired of the clutter and ready for a change, contact Custom Storage Solutions for a consultation. You’re just one call away from a more organized home.