Easy DIY Home and Bedroom Closet Organization System Ideas
Among the biggest things of interest when people go house or apartment hunting is the amount of available storage. We like to have stuff that makes our lives easier and there is a plethora out there to achieve this. We need somewhere to store it all, however. From clothes to coats to cleaning supplies, no one wants to see it spread all over. Fortunately, somewhere along humanity’s journey, someone invented the closet. Most standard closets, however, tend to be merely an empty space with a rod to hang stuff on. If you are lucky there is a shelf or two. With those couple of details, you can keep your gear out of sight. For it to be useful, though, you need a way to keep it organized. Here are nine easy DIY home and bedroom closet organization system ideas to help you out.
What You Need When You Need It
Getting anything organized is a process. Keeping storage closets neat, tidy, and accessible is no exception. Closets may be even more of a process than you think. They tend to fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” place in our lives. It is all too easy to just cram stuff in and close the door putting it all out of view. This may work fine for a short while, but there will come a day when you need something in there. Is the stash and forget it mentality worth the cost of spending hours trying to find something you know should be there? You keep your day-to-day life organized (hopefully) so why not extend that to your storage.
- Save Time: Have everything neat and tidy before you shut the door. Then you will not have to waste time frantically searching to retrieve something later down the road.
- Save Money: With everything organized it will be easier to grab what you need when you need it. Stop re-purchasing what you already own simply because you cannot find it in the mess.
- Save Space: The closet may look small, but when organized, you will be surprised at the amount storage you really have.
- Save Yourself: Clutter and mess can lead to higher stress levels. When your storage space is clean, organized, and tidy you can just grab what you need and go. No longer will you work yourself into a stressed-out state trying to find items.
What You Need When You Need It
Getting anything organized is a process. Keeping storage closets neat, tidy, and accessible is no exception. Closets may be even more of a process than you think. They tend to fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” place in our lives. It is all too easy to just cram stuff in and close the door putting it all out of view. This may work fine for a short while, but there will come a day when you need something in there. Is the stash and forget it mentality worth the cost of spending hours trying to find something you know should be there? You keep your day-to-day life organized (hopefully) so why not extend that to your storage.
- Save Time: Have everything neat and tidy before you shut the door. Then you will not have to waste time frantically searching to retrieve something later down the road.
- Save Money: With everything organized it will be easier to grab what you need when you need it. Stop re-purchasing what you already own simply because you cannot find it in the mess.
- Save Space: The closet may look small, but when organized, you will be surprised at the amount storage you really have.
- Save Yourself: Clutter and mess can lead to higher stress levels. When your storage space is clean, organized, and tidy you can just grab what you need and go. No longer will you work yourself into a stressed-out state trying to find items.
It All Boils Down To Size
Closet storage comes in three basic types: walk-in, reach-in, and free-standing. The oldest is certainly free-standing. Unbelievably, homes did not always have closets. Centuries ago, in Europe and it’s colonies, property taxes were based on the total number of rooms. For tax purposes, a closet was a room. To have both storage and a lower tax bill, free-standing cabinetry filled the role of a closet. Free-standing cabinets are still a fantastic way to add extra storage to a room where it is lacking.
Today, the most encountered closet is the reach-in. This is especially true in smaller homes and apartments. They are usually rectangular alcoves built into interior walls. The design keeps everything inside within easy reach. A benefit of this style is that they do not have a large overall footprint. The con is a limited total storage. Reach-in closets are great for extra items like sports equipment or coats, though in most homes this will be the only style of closet.
Nothing says luxury like a big walk-in closet. Typically used for clothes storage, you can find them in newer homes. Technically, any closet big enough to step fully inside is a walk-in. Smaller walk-in closets are usually deep with storage on one side. Others come in a L-shape formed around the inner walls. Larger ones can be whole rooms unto themselves complete with furniture, mirrors, storage islands, and chandeliers.
It All Boils Down To Size
Closet storage comes in three basic types: walk-in, reach-in, and free-standing. The oldest is certainly free-standing. Unbelievably, homes did not always have closets. Centuries ago, in Europe and it’s colonies, property taxes were based on the total number of rooms. For tax purposes, a closet was a room. To have both storage and a lower tax bill, free-standing cabinetry filled the role of a closet. Free-standing cabinets are still a fantastic way to add extra storage to a room where it is lacking.
Today, the most encountered closet is the reach-in. This is especially true in smaller homes and apartments. They are usually rectangular alcoves built into interior walls. The design keeps everything inside within easy reach. A benefit of this style is that they do not have a large overall footprint. The con is a limited total storage. Reach-in closets are great for extra items like sports equipment or coats, though in most homes this will be the only style of closet.
Nothing says luxury like a big walk-in closet. Typically used for clothes storage, you can find them in newer homes. Technically, any closet big enough to step fully inside is a walk-in. Smaller walk-in closets are usually deep with storage on one side. Others come in a L-shape formed around the inner walls. Larger ones can be whole rooms unto themselves complete with furniture, mirrors, storage islands, and chandeliers.
Closet Organizer Installation Kits
Most homes will have reach-in closets. These standard rectangular alcoves are perfect for installing built-in like systems and there are a wide variety to choose from. Consider what you want to store and how you want to store it. Common features include customizable combinations of hanging rods, shelves, and drawers. Chose a finish that works well for your décor and break out the screwdriver. Once you put your system in you will wish you had upgraded your closet sooner.
Free-Standing Closets
If you have a reach-in closet, or no closet at all, a free-standing system might work for you. Free-standing options come in a plethora of styles and can be an amazingly effortless way to upgrade your storage. Most offer variations and customizations to upgrade the functionality of your closet. Consider placing one inside your reach-in if you cannot install an entire closet system. You can add interest to a room by removing the closet doors to show off how sophisticated and organized you are.
Closet Organization Products
It all comes down to keeping your stuff organized once your closet system is in place. There are multitudes of organizational products out there. Think of what it is you need to organize and consider what will best achieve that goal. It could be it baskets, shelf dividers, hanging cubbies, or anything else. There is something out there to fit your specific need. All you need to do is look for it.
BONUS! Vertical Closet Storage!
Here is something for those with lofty ceilings. You do not have to let all that space above your head go to waste. Think vertically and take advantage of your good fortune!
Stow It (Properly) And Go!
You have your stuff ready to stow away neatly. Most closets, unfortunately, only come with a hanging rod and a shelf. It is going to take a bit more to keep things organized. There is nothing to fear, however! There are organizational systems and products out there to help maximize your storage space. What you incorporate into your closet design will be based on the amount of room there is to work with. Installing a closet system can be a fantastic way to keep it all neat and tidy. Try a stylish free-standing arrangement to go door-less or add a much needed second closet. There are solutions out there to meet about any storage need you may have. Hopefully, these easy DIY home and bedroom closet organization system ideas will get you headed in the right direction.
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