Spring is in full swing, and soon we’ll be seeing young graduates sporting caps and gowns as they strut across gymnasium stages to the repeated strains of Pomp and Circumstance. There is a good reason why graduation ceremonies are called “commencement exercises” - graduation is not the end; it’s just the beginning. If you are beginning to think about designing a custom closet, you’d do well to take our Intro, to Smart Closet Design. Here are the basic principles:

1. Know thyself. Do you have lots of shoes, a huge collection of ties, or dozens of dress shirts that must be hung? Are you the sporty type, preferring cotton t-shirts and jeans? Your lifestyle and the way you dress will determine whether you need more hanging storage or shelf and drawer space. Which items do you use the most?  We’ll want to keep those at eye-level where they will be within easy reach.

One way to determine your needs is to inventory your clothing and accessories by type. If you know approximately how many slacks and shirts you need to hang versus how many t-shirts and yoga pants you will fold and stack, your designer will be able to create a design that’s best suited to you.

2. Shoot for the stars (or at least the ceiling). Carolina Closet Company closets are designed to take full advantage of all available space, from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. Whereas most closets are poorly designed and limited to a standard hanging bar, a custom closet offers myriad storage options including additional rods to double your hanging space, storage bins, drawers with dividers, cabinets, floor-to-ceiling adjustable shelving, shoe racks, tie racks, belt racks and more. If you have a deep closet, or one with high ceilings, the harder-to-reach areas can be used to store off-season clothing and accessories.

3. Do your homework. School may not be in session, but life’s homework never ends!  Any great closet is built on precise measurements and the careful consideration of elements beyond storage considerations. For example, what good is a closet if you can’t see what's inside?  Proper lighting is key. So is ventilation. Closets need some airflow and dehumidification or they become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and even insects, especially in southeastern North Carolina’s heat and humidity.

3. Celebrate success. H. Jackson Brown, Jr., author of Life’s Little Instruction Book, once advised graduating seniors: “Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.”  A good closet designer puts a lot of big thought and preparation into design, carving storage space seemingly out of thin air, determining just the right height and depth of shelves and rods, and creating a beautiful space that makes the little things - like getting dressed each morning - a pleasure.

An experienced closet designer can also yield an average gain of 30-50% more storage capacity, making previously unused nooks and crannies functional. This extra space allows some homeowners to trade in their dressers for a cozy reading chair, a writing desk, or yoga and meditation spaces instead. When your closet looks neat and tidy, when you can find everything you own, and when you enjoy getting ready in the morning, you realize that a great custom closet (just like a good education) really does pay off.

Now that you’ve been schooled in the basics of custom closet design, you know what to do next: call Carolina Closet Company and schedule an appointment!

Fred Kumpel is the owner of Strickland’s Window Coverings and Carolina Closet Company. Fred has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Strickland’s Window Coverings is a window treatment design center specializing in custom blinds, shades, shutters and fabric treatments for more than 70 years. Carolina Closet Company provides professionally designed and custom built organization solutions. Our complete line of home organization solutions includes unique solutions to organize closets, pantries, garages, basements, laundry rooms as well as Murphy Beds. To learn more, visit
 www.stricklandswindowcoverings.com and www.closetsbythesea.com. Fred can be reached at
[email protected] or by calling 910.762.0944.