A closet makeover can open up new storage options
Every morning for 10 years, Tina Arend hunted for matching shoes, and her husband, Chris, dug through overpacked clothes rods in their walk-in bedroom closet.
“I would wonder if the rack was going to fall down,” said Chris, a reference to the time the flimsy wire clothes rack came crashing to the floor, spilling shirts and pants.
The two were weary of the disorganized, disheveled and endlessly annoying closet in their Eagan, Minn., home.
“I told Chris that all I wanted for Christmas this year was to organize our closet,” said Tina, who coveted a co-worker’s tidy and functional new closet, which was decked out with drawers, shoe cubbies and adjustable clothes rods.
Closet makeovers range from simple decluttering projects to full-blown installations with new shelving and built-ins.
Like many home-related industries, closet- and storage-organization companies experienced a monetary hit during the recession. But the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals estimates the industry took in $75 million last year and has been stabilizing over the past 18 months.
“People are staying put and spending money on improvements,” said Janice Gaut, owner and designer at the Closet Factory in Plymouth, Minn., which saw an increase in its business last year. “One of the biggest is to organize their home.”
The Arends considered their options: Visit a big-box store and buy closet-organization components that fit their space, then install them themselves; or enlist a customized closet designer and installer. Already busy with full-time jobs and a family, the couple decided to call the Closet Factory for a free in-home estimate, which is offered by many closet-organizing companies.
Gaut measured the closet size, as well as the length of Chris’ shirts, and counted every pair of shoes, then offered ideas on storage solutions, accessories and possible upgrades, such as wood-grain melamine shelves to match their home’s millwork. Gaut’s bid for the 11- by 6-foot closet came to $3,400, which included their desired features and the installation.
“I was surprised by the price,” said Chris. “But Tina said yes because she liked the design, and the Closet Factory was referred by her co-worker.”
Tina felt it was a worthwhile investment because the couple use the closet repeatedly each day. They were able to eliminate the dresser in the bedroom after consolidating their clothes in the new closet. Even better, their morning routine has been transformed from chaotic to calm.
“I can see and reach everything now,” said Tina, pointing to a shelf cubby just for scarves and shawls. “It’s a lot more fun getting dressed.”
Custom-closet design firms say clients want functional closets that maximize every inch of storage space. In addition to reach-in and walk-in closets, companies make over home offices, pantries, garages, entertainment centers and mudrooms.
“You can easily increase the usable space,” said Jim Myers, owner of Twin Cities Closet Co. in Minneapolis. “And you save time because you can find things quickly and easily.”
Typical space-saving components include hanging rods, adjustable shelves, rollout pant holders and baskets, tilt-out laundry baskets, drawers and shoe cubbies.
Some homeowners are also combining efficiency with high-style design, turning a walk-in closet into a luxe dressing room that matches their home’s decor. Shelving styles can range from basic white melamine to faux wood and real wood. There’s even a huge selection of finishes in clothing rods.
“We’ve done projects with floor-to-ceiling stained-wood cabinets, crown molding, granite countertops, glass doors, a storage island and accent lighting that cost $10,000-plus,” said Brandy Ward, designer and marketing manager for California Closets in Edina, Minn.
The various upgrades, as well as the size of a closet, contribute to the final cost. A standard-size reach-in closet system with basic components typically costs about $700. A standard-size walk-in closet can be outfitted for $2,000 to $3,000, depending on accessories and materials.
The Container Store in Edina is set up for customers who want to save money by installing Elfa brand storage systems themselves.
“People come in because they’re tripping over shoes and can’t squeeze another shirt on the rack,” said manager John Urbin. To get started, customers can either download and fill out the Elfa closet makeover guide from the store’s website or bring in measurements.
Staff members draw up a design with storage options for a customer’s size of closet and help choose components.
The company also offers professional installation and compares that cost with the DIY cost. Storage components are an important part of building a better closet, Urbin believes, because they provide two essential ingredients: “Visibility and accessibility — the two keys to closet organization.”