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  Storage Solutions
    Closet (Reach In)
    Closet (Walk In)
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Walk in Closet - is typically found in the master bedroom but is also found in other bedrooms in larger homes. This type of closet affords the most space and the most flexibility in designing storage solutions. When you see advertisements for closet storage solutions, they always seem to show a closet the size of your living room. Assuming that most of us do not have a closet big enough for a center island, we'll return to the real world that most of us live in.

The first step in designing your walk in closet storage is to determine the type of storage needed. Simply rearranging your existing clothing in a neater fashion serves no real purpose except to make it look prettier. The goal is to not only make the closet neater, but to reduce clutter by adding space.

First, purge your closet of unneeded items. It might be a good time to purchase some big Rubbermaid containers or garment bags and put your outdated clothing or out of season clothing in storage. You can always donate those clothes that you know you'll never wear again.

Now that you have your working inventory of clothing articles, determine what percentage of shelving you need and what type of shelving you would like more of. Rather than deal with math figures, grab a tape measure and measure you linear footage of long garments, along with the total footage of shorter garments like blouses, shirts, and pants. These shorter garments can be hung on double rods, one upper and one directly under it as a lower rod. Double hanging really increases the amount of usable space in a closet. If you feel you need more space for long garments, be sure to increase that footage in your new closet design.

If you're lacking in bedroom drawer storage, you can incorporate shelving and drawers into your closet design using modular furniture. This put together type furniture comes in many options. You can purchase doors for the shelves and purchase as many drawers as you need for a modular section. Your home improvement centers have these types of units on display and in stock for purchase.

While you can buy modular units for your shoe storage, they might not always be the most efficient since they take up a fair amount of width in a closet. Another solution to store shoes would be a wall mounted metal storage rack. These racks can be mounted on a back wall where a shelf unit might not fit. The shoes slip into them and hang vertically, allowing for more storage with less depth.

There is no set standard in designing your closet. Your closet has to work for you and give you the necessary space for your articles. Careful planning can result in a closet that not only looks neater, but can also give you up to double the space you now have.

Look at what is most important to you. Are you concerned with aesthetics along with functionality? Determine a budget for your closet renovation just as you would determine a budget for any other room you are about to renovate. If you are uncomfortable with tackling this type of a project, you may want to call in a closet storage specialty company or your local home improvement contractor. Both can offer you great advice and solutions for your cluttered closets.

Always follow manufacturer instructions when securing the brackets to the walls. Do not skimp on anchors and make sure you are firmly into the studs with your main support brackets. Putting anchors in sheetrock is not a long-term solution and can be dangerous.

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