Organizing Tip: Maximize Closet Space

Bins for outgrown/diapers/wipes/blankets/sheets, etc

A recurrent theme in my organizing world is "utilizing vertical space." Very often, peoples brains forget to think about all the square footage available for storing ANYTHING!!  For today, I am looking at sliding closets.  The vast majority of us have the standard sliding door closet space with one hanging rod and a shelf mounted above.  For some people this works, but this is a far cry from using all the real estate inside the closet....and most people I know need to make their space stretch a bit further.  Even if you are not dying for extra space, breaking your space up allows your space to be user friendly and organized: finding things when you want them can be a cinch, which of course saves you time, money, and stress.  I hear from many clients how empowering it is NOT to spend money on items you already have but don't know it or you can't find them, not to mention finding things lickety split.  In this super simple child's closet, I have installed two adjustable shelves, leaving space on one side for longer hanging items and other random storage not appropriate to shelving.  The adjustable part is key: as my son grows, his clothes will become longer, and the space will need to change!!  You can purchase these items for under $50 for most closets at a Home Depot or a Lowes type store.

On the left: space for a port-a-crib other baby paraphernalia

1. Materials you'll need:  standards, shelves (12" or 16" deep depending on storage needs), shelf brackets, and any appropriate hardware.  For most closets, you can get away with a 36" standard.
2. Bring a list of your custom closet dimensions with you to the store. Measure your space, decide how many shelves/standards/brackets you'll need (there is rarely more room than two or three shelves, unless you are storing a whole bunch of small shoebox size items like in a craft closet).  The more heavy the things you're storing, the more important it is to install the items per the manufacturers directions. 
3. Come ready to the hardware store to cut your shelves to your custom measurement on the spot, they have all the cutting tools ready to go right there and it will save you time and stress by doing it there with the right tools.
4. Gather containers for whatever you are storing underneath/up above.  This could be Tupperware, baskets, canvas bins, baskets: totally up to you, your budget, and the look you are going for.  I got mine on clearance for under $5  because they were slightly damaged.  Hang an item on the bar, and then put the container underneath for a rough estimate to where to install the TOP of the shelf standard (I have forgotten this step before and needed to re-drill later on to bump the standard down as the shelves needed to be bumped down and I was out of  length.....GRRRR!)  In my son's closet, I use these bins for outgrown clothes, toys, diapers, wipes, sheets, blankets, and dirty laundry.  You could store more clothing, shoes, whatever you have that can be contained within a bin.  Up above I store large bins of clothes he has yet to grow into, labeled in clear bins so it's easy to see what is living within!
5. Install: Try and drill as many of the standards into studs as possible, and use molly bolts everywhere else: makes it very sturdy and strong.
6. Sort and label all your bins for the shelves and put away!!

If you need tips visualizing your own closet for your specific needs, contact me and I can help!