Learn how to control that chaos in your closet

• By TALISHA DUNN-SQUARE
• Advocate marketing writer
• Published: Mar 6, 2008

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Have you ever watched a home-improvement show and wished your closet could be more organized? If so, you’re not alone. 

The mere thought of cleaning  and organizing a closet is enough to make you cringe. But there are options, some of them quite sophisticated.

Closet customization
Ultimate Storage Systems of Baton Rouge is a place that can tailor a closet to suit your needs. If you need specific places for shoes, purses, dresses, pants or anything else, a closet can be customized to utilize every foot of space.

Neil Jackson, owner, said that the need for more closet space has increased in recent years because as people’s incomes have increased, so have their clothing purchases.

“Fifty years ago people had one pair of work shoes and one pair of dress shoes, so closets were a lot smaller. Couples shared a 4-foot closet, and that was it,” Jackson said. “Now, closets are so huge.”

According to Jackson, the most important thing you need to determine before purchasing a custom closet is how you want to utilize space.

“I think the biggest thing is that people want to walk into their closets, get dressed and walk out,” Jackson said.  “Also if you have a designated place for something, you are more likely to put it back.”

The closet customization process begins with a consultation at the showroom. You can choose from a variety of designs, textures and accessory options. A representative from the store will visit your home to assess your closet.

Once all of the information is compiled, it is placed in a 3-D computer program that will allow you to see what the closet will look like once it’s finished.

The price of a custom closet depends on what is required. The more bells and whistles used, the higher the price.

“Our average closet can cost between $4,000 to $5,000,” said Jackson. “Now, that same (size) closet could be $8,000 or it can be maybe $3,000. It just depends. We charge by the pieces and parts. Hanging is the cheapest, the next thing is shelves and then drawers and doors will add a lot more expenses.”

Do-it-yourself closet organization
If closet customization isn’t in your budget, then make your closet clean-up a do-it-yourself project.

Check local retail stores for organization items such as shelf dividers, accessory racks, shoe towers, tiered drawer carts, sliding pant organizers, closet modular systems etc. HGTV.com offers some helpful closet organization tips:

• Take everything out of the closet.
• Don’t be sentimental.
• If you don’t wear it, dump it. Note: Some outdated ensembles may have one piece, like a tank top, that can be salvaged.
• After you purge your closet and before you hang everything back, evaluate the interior and determine your storage options. One of the most common blunders is the lack of hanging bars and shelves and inadequate storage for specific items like accessories and shoes.
• Separate the wardrobe by pants, skirts, blouses, dresses and jackets.  Don’t hang outfits as one, because it’s easy to forget that more than one outfit can be created by mixing and matching.