Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Expand Closet Storage
Finding extra space in an already full closet is not as impossible as you may think. Before you do anything to a closet take some time to decide what is stored in it. Is it a catchall in the hall for coats and boots or a linen closet for towels and bed sheets? By knowing what goes inside a closet you can customize shelving and hangings rods to accommodate the items.

For example, a kid's closet can double its usefulness by replacing a standard height clothes rod with a kid-level rod and hooks with shelves and bins above for out-of-the-way storage. Consider using a hook and press-on fastener system that mounts on the wall so kid's can have easy access to their stuff. Let them stick it to the closet wall!

If a closet holds more sporting gear than clothing remove the rod and shelf and install wall racks or deep shelves to hold all the equipment. Once you know what's stored in a closet you can easily adapt it with components and shelving.

Make a scaled drawing of the closet on graph paper so you know the dimensions of the space you have and then make copies so you can try out various designs. Do some preliminary exploring at your local hardware store, home centers or lumber yard to see what storage component systems are available. Most of these systems have a free planning guide. If not jot down the sizes of the components so you can plan your system later. You can also visit a closet design store that offers even more in the way of storage systems and closet accessories. Use your dimensioned sketch to determine what kind of shelving or components will best fit your space. You don't have to buy everything at one time. Begin with the basic shelving system and buy the components when your budget permits.

The next step is the tough part because you have to make decisions and get rid of what you're not using on an everyday basis. Start a box for your favorite charity or consignment shop and discard all the clothing and items you don't want or haven't used. Fill a storage box with things you can't part with, but don't use regularly and commission it to the attic or basement.

When the closet is empty, remove any shelves or rods that are not part of your new plan and patch holes with a spackling compound. When they're dry give them a light sanding. Then use a fast drying flat latex paint to cover the ceiling, walls and trim. This quick coat of fresh paint is an instant makeover that's well worth the effort.

Layout your new plan for shelving and rods with a pencil and follow the manufacturer's directions for installation. All of the shelving systems available come with complete do-it-yourself installation guidelines. The job involves predrilling holes for attaching wall fasteners that hold the shelving and components.

If you're not comfortable using tools get the closet emptied out and painted and then hire a carpenter to hang the shelves.


written by Katie and Gene Hamilton

Copyright HouseNet, Inc.

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