Let's face it Manhattan residents are facing a dilemma when dealing with closet space. In this article, we will explore how to plan and design a closet system for maximum storage and efficiency along with a few ideas that can improve the function of any closet, regardless of its size.
To organize any closet, the first step is to break clothing into categories
Each part of your closet can be designed for a specific category: It can be done in a variety of configurations.
The time spent designing closet systems is often worthwhile, since the result will satisfy your own personal needs.
A well thought out closet design can increase your closet's capacity, providing you with the most storage space possible and keep you organized.
Breaking clothing into categories: Shoes, hanging clothes and folded clothes are the main categories.
Depending of what you have most of a category, you will need to plan your closet design accordingly.
Measure your closet space: First begin by measuring your closet space, according to these measurements you can figure out how many sections you can potentially fit in your closet system and the calculate the width for each section accordingly.
Decide what to hang and what to fold: Clothes made of woven material are generally hung. Dress shirts, blouses and slacks will do best hang, while jeans, t-shirts and knits do better folded and stacked. Suits and formal wear must be kept hanging at all times. Skirts and dresses do well hanging.
Shoes: We call them Shoe Shelving, best will be to get adjustable shelves. Depending on the shoe type, some shoes will not require more than 6 inches height, others may require 8 to 10 inches height.
Hanging clothes: For hang clothing, there are three types of Closet Organizers hanging units:
Double Hanging: A Double hanging section is ideal for creating maximum hanging space. The top hanging bar and the lower hanging bar can be used for hanging blouses, shirts, jackets or any other short items. The space from the top bar to the lower bar is approx 39" and 39" from the lower bar to the floor.
Long Hanging. A Long hanging section is ideal long garments as long dresses, long coats or other long items. A Long hang consist of one hang bar at approx 60-63" off the floor and two adjustable shelves on top, the latest can be used for folded clothes, hats or handbags.
Triple Hanging. A Triple hanging section is ideal for creating maximum hanging space in a child's or junior's closet. It can be used for hanging infant and toddler clothes or in an junior's closet for shorts, mini skirts or cropped shirts and jackets.
Other nice hang bar combinations can be as follow:
- One short hang with 5 shelves: For mixing short hanging space with shoe shelving.
- One short hang with 4 shelves: For mixing short hanging space with folded items shelving.
- One short hang with 3 shelves and 1 drawer: For mixing short hanging space, folded items shelving and a shallow drawer for smaller items or a jewelry drawer.
Folded clothes: Again choosing adjustable shelving will be best, adjustable shelves will allow you to decide how much you want to stack per shelf depending of the amount of t-shirts, jeans or sweaters on hand.
One last tip but not least: Even if you don't know too much how to increase your closet space, just getting rid of unused clothes is sometimes all it takes. So get started! if you haven't used it for two years or more, do yourself a favor and get rid of it. Your unused clothes may be perfect for someone you know.
