We are closet professionals and as such are always looking for good information from a variety of sources. We love Houzz and the people that contribute to its' content. This week we are bringing you an article from Houzz that many in the Ottawa area can relate to. We are all looking for more space, especially in older homes. Here are some great ideas that can turn an unused space into a dream closet.
There never seems to be enough closet space in a house — whether it’s simple clothes storage or a spot for holding the kids' swim gear when fall comes. If you’ve exhausted your entire home for potential closet space, there may be one spot you haven’t examined: the attic. Don’t let its unique architecture or its third-floor placement discourage you. Your attic can become a boutique master closet or storage room with plenty of character and functionality. Follow some tips from the pros and watch a fabulous new closet space unfold before your eyes.
Embrace your architecture. Don’t think of this as your typical closet — imagine it more like a unique boutique space with sloped ceilings and quirky angles. “If your space is wide enough, enhance that boutique feel with a center island or cool upholstered bench seat,” says Robert Clarke, architect and president of
CBi Design Professionals. “Embrace the sloped ceiling but consider adding built-in armoires or shelving along the walls to disguise the decreasing wall height.”
Unusual spaces might best benefit from professional help. “There will be more and larger options when you work with, not against, the architectural shapes of the space,” says interior designer Sheree Schold of
Interiors Unleashed. “But if you have limited space with angled ceilings, nooks and crannies, it might pay off in the long run to have a professional design and build the closet space for you. There are exceptions, but most of the time, prebuilt or ready-made closet systems are not worth altering to fit into odd-shaped and angled attic spaces.”
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Be sure built-ins are tall enough. Sloped ceilings can cause some height issues, so be sure you can access built-ins without bumping your head. “I advise applying the same the code height for doorways, which is 6 feet, 8 inches to 7 feet, when creating built-ins,” says Schold. “This assures safety when walking around and up to drawers, shelves, hanging clothes etc.”
Don’t forget: Energy efficiency is important for attic spaces. The temperature of your space should be comfortable for you and for proper storage of various items. “Calling in the heat and air guys for their opinions, suggestions and bids should be done up front,” says Schold. “Energy-efficient ideas could alter other plans and be costly down the road if not done correctly off the bat.”
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Brighten with a skylight. When dealing with an attic space that has sloped ceilings, have a professional roofer or a carpenter look at the possibility of adding a skylight. “Even a small skylight added between the rafters will add a dramatic amount of natural daylight to the space, making it feel much more like an extension of the main house,” says Clarke. “Any addition of natural daylight to an attic space or closet will make a big difference to the feel of the room.” But again, don't forget about the energy factor: If you add a skylight, be sure the space is equipped with both heating and cooling systems, as a skylight can affect temperature.
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Make your mirrors work double duty. In the funky and often constricted space of attic closets, mirrors can help you coordinate an outfit while also reflecting light to make the space seem larger. “For somewhat dark and odd-shaped spaces, my first thought is to harness and expand any available natural lighting,” says Schold. A mirror placed across from a window or near a skylight will help bounce natural light around the space, helping it to feel airier and larger.
Utilize the entry wall. When you walk into an attic closet, turn around and check out the wall that contains the door: It may have more potential than you think. “It is pretty easy to make the entry wall look like a paneled wall with full-height mirrors as the panels,” says Clarke. “The door can act as one panel while making an adjacent — or even better, a third — panel operable so that you get a multiple-sided dressing mirror without sacrificing hanging or dresser spaces.”
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Consider open shelves.If your space is fairly tight, open shelving prevents swinging doors that may end up getting the way. Paint your space a light neutral so that colorful visible clothing feels complementary to the aesthetic instead of clashing with a bold room color.
Accessorize. Treat the room like any other by accessorizing it to create a personal, unique space. “When ceilings are more than 8 feet high, we frequently add a simple chandelier-style light fixture,” says Clarke. “Not only does this provide some nice light for the room, but it enhances that feel of a boutique space.”
Instead of filling every available inch with shelves or shoe racks, save a sliver of wall space for your favorite painting or your kids’ artwork. If you have armoires with clear glass, swap it for decorative glass for a little extra flair. “Touches like these add a little sophistication without a ton of expense,” says Clarke.
Here is the link to the original article on the Houzz website. Houzz really is a great tool for learning and seeing all that can be done with your home.
We all crave simplicity in our lives. Being surrounded by so much drama at work and within our families we certainly don’t need any more on our plates. One thing is for sure, to keep your home the “soft place to fall” that you need it to be…we need the spaces to be organized, tidy and beautiful
The entryway is a high traffic area that is often over looked. If you think about the ways we use this space, potentially several times a day, it is amazing that it doesn’t have the same focus as the kitchens and bathrooms do. We have to consider seasons in an entryway, putting away the old season and bring out the new… four times a year. We have cel phones and iPod that all need charging; often they are a jumbled mess at the front or back door. Imagine having a space to organize that mess. We have to consider sports, mud, dirt and rain and how to keep it all at bay as much as we can. Many of us have pets that also use the entryway on a regular basis. Maybe there could be a space for them too? We also want the space to be presentable when guests drop by. Like I said, this space works HARD for us.
Lets have a look at some fantastic mudroom and entry way ideas that may inspire you to make a change in your home. What do you think of these mudrooms? Would they work in your home? Do you have ideas of your own to share?
Have you seen HGTV's “Million Dollar Rooms? This show gives viewers an all exclusive sneak peak at some of the most luxurious rooms and homes across the USA. A few weeks ago, the series aired a special episode with million dollar closets. Lisa Adams, one of L.A.'s hottest high-end closet designers, takes on the challenge of transforming four celebrity closets.
I was blown away by Adams' ability to take a cluttered closet lacking in any strategized organization and convert it into an attractive, welcoming space that presents an abundance of purpose and user-friendly qualities. The finishing touches were extravagant. Drawers upon drawers with individual cubbies lined in velvet provided delicate storage room for jewelry, belts and scarves. Angled floor to ceiling shelving units provided a striking display for shoes and folded garments. Plenty of hanging space gave home to other clothing items, which were then categorized and arranged according to seasonal wear, color and even style. Everything in the closet had its place, and not one thing went unseen.
It seems silly to put your hard earned money into a space that you don't spend that much time in and no one ever really sees. Consider this though: There are only a few rooms in your home that you will without a doubt use day after day. Your kitchen, bathrooms and bedroom probably come to mind instantly. However, I'm confident that you forgot your closet.
We can't avoid getting dressed every day. But how are you supposed to achieve that high-design closet without digging for spare change in the sofa? All of these attractive closet design options being used in these high-end closets don't need to come with a million dollar price tag. You can affordably achieve your dream closet. Take true pleasure in getting ready every day.
You put an emphasis on design and visual appeal in many areas of your home, so why not put that same level of consideration into your closet? You deserve to live like a celebrity. If you long for a closet that looks like it's worth a million bucks, you can utilize today's newest closet design concepts to assist you in creating your dream closet in our realistic world.
Inspired by: Kalyn Johnson - SummitDaily.com
Today's article is brough to you by Custom Closets Texas.
MORNING
Enter the lovely world of Pinterest, and all the troubles of your day-to-day life just seem to slip away. First, start out with some Sassy Water! (1 med cuke -peeled and thinly sliced, 1 lemon-thinly sliced, 1 teas. freshly grated ginger and around 10 spearmint leaves. Leave in the fridge overnight and enjoy the next day.)
Refreshing, invigorating and good for you. Ahhhhh! Then, with Pinterest, you can take all your goals and translate them into visual pictures. A visionboard can act as a creative trigger. Just looking at them once in the morning can help to straighten that slouch and help you put your best foot forward. Pinterest can lead to motivation!
AFTERNOON
Now dream! Cozy places, reading nooks, escapes – within your house- make it happen! http://pinterest.com/vjpulver/tiny-spaces-tiny-homes-nooks-cozy-places/ Custom built-ins, custom closets, home office, garage organization – easy – just pick some pics and show them to Texas Custom Closets – we can make your dreams come true!
We look at what you like – your tastes- and then adapt to your space. It is that easy! You have a plan- a layout- a goal for each room. You will be organized and efficient. Discovering images that symbolize your old ideas….will lead you to find images that help you produce new ideas. Your life will be in order. Then, you can travel to unknown places and unknown environments – a tree house, a funky room or house -
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– let your imagination go wild! Pinterest can serve as an opportunity forself-exploration and self-expression within your home.
EVENING
Finally, it is time to pinterest some recipes. http://pinterest.com/search/? q=quick+and+easy+recipes Tonight’s dinner?
Dessert? And wine! You worked hard. You have a plan. You know what you like and how it can efficiently be implemented. You can now relax - cook dinner - and enjoy - knowing that your home will be in order and YOU will enjoy the fruits of your labor. Make your pinterest dreams a reality and you will feel a sense of accomplishment.
So simple! You can use this fantastic organizational tool to help YOURSELF get organized AND have fun in the process! Pinterest, we love you!
Today's article is brought to you by Charlie Hafter of the Closet Hanger Factory.
Deciding which hangers will work best in your closet can be tougher than you thought! There are so many styles to choose from and each style has its own types and features. Each type of hanger is designed with a specific purpose in mind, making it even more difficult to decide which is best. We’ve created this guide to help you determine which clothes hangers will make your closet the organizer’s dream that you’ve been hoping for.
Hangers for Suits and Coats: Coats and suits need to hang right to keep their shape. The shoulders of these types of garments are often made with unique materials that can bend and lose shape over time. The wider shoulders and curved design of suit and coat hangers give these garments the support that they need to stay in shape. Many wooden hangers are made this way, as well as cedar hangers and specialty suit hangers. Even if you’re looking to save room in your closet, you should at least hang coats and suits on these larger hangers. It’s better to use a little more space for them and then use space saving hangers for your shirts and pants that can be kept in a more compact space.
Non-Slip Hangers for Shirts and Pants: Nothing is worse than finding your clothes crumpled up on the floor when you need them. Hangers with non-slip grips or clips that don’t crease clothing are great to have. Additionally, your closet can look sloppy if everything is not staying in place.
Hangers for Delicates: Some fabrics can be easily stretched out at the neck or snagged by hangers with protrusions. Z-Hangers are perfect for delicates because they allow you to slide the shoulders of shirts around the neck, avoiding stretching and pulling. Satin hangers are also great for hanging delicate fabrics and look nice in your closet.
Hangers for Accessories and Storage: Specialty hangers are great for organizing belts, scarves, and ties in your closet. You can also get ones that are made to hold sheets, table cloths, quilts and comforters, making organization easy for you.
Hangers for Saving Closet Space: Space saving clothes hangers have a flat design so that you can hang your garments close together. Sometimes they also have clips and hooks that you can add on. Clips are great for pairing shirts and pants together on one hanger. Hooks go over the neck of the hanger and allow you to drape other hangers from the first one. Using these space saving marvels can double or triple the space available in your closet.
Hello everyone. It has been awhile since I posted a new blog on our site. I do apologize for the wait. Today I thought I would keep it simple and post a few photos I found on Pinterest. I think these are fantastic closet organization ideas that you can add to your new wonderful custom closet(s). They are all DIY projects and ingenious. Check these out:
Let me know what you think. Do you have any design ideas that we can include on our blog? I would love to hear them.
Blog Courtesy of: Closet Factory.
Do you ever forget about a pair of shoes because you have so many shoes or shoe boxes? “Out of site out of mind,” is not just an old saying!
Here is a quick and easy she organizational tool that will have you justifying the cost of those stilletos to your husband in no time. Starting with boots and sneakers, start using a picture labeling system that many professional organizers use. you will be able to find your shoes so quickly!
If you are a shoe addict, I strongly suggest trying out the following steps. Like many shoe addicts you have spent years collecting beautiful footware, now make them visually stunning in yoru closet! There is something therapeutic about getting organized and this shoe storage project is actually pretty fun!
You will need:
- Shoes
- Shoe boxes
- Digital Camera
- Scotch tape, gluestick or adhesive
Let's Get Started!
- Gather together all of your shoes.
- Find a well lit location to take pictures of your shoes. You can place a light piece of fabric on a small chair and drape the fabric over the chair to create a uniformed background for each picture. Another option is to put fabric on a table or the floor.
- Take a picture for each pair of shoes. You may choose to position the shoes identically in each image for a uniformed appearance.
- Upload the photos to your computer and print them on photo quality paper no larger than 5×7.
- Match the shoe photos to the correct shoebox.
- Adhere the photo on the front of the box using glue or tape.
- Place the shoes back in their corresponding box. Most designer shoes come with a travel bag and it is highly recommended to use them for year-round storage. Simply insert the designer shoes in the shoe bag and then place the shoes into their shoebox.
- Finally, neatly stack your shoe boxes in your closet.
The easiest way to organize your shoes is by color. You can also further sort your shoes by season, height of heal, and/or frequency of use. Having pictures on the boxes only simplifies the shoe organization process. Now you can see the shoe you need right away!
We have been beyond thrilled with the response we have received after debuting our new Hidden Desk Bed at the 2012 Home Renovation show. The comments and suggestions have been overwhelmingly positive. People have ideas for the HDB that we hadn't even considered. One gentleman who visited us at the show suggested it would make a great basement bar for 360 days of the year and when the mother-in-law visits for a week you don't even have to remove the bottles!
Since the show wrapped we have been inundated with calls and emails asking questions and booking free in-home consultations. Ottawa loves this bed!
For those who couldn't make it to the show here are a couple of photos of the space we lived in for 3 entire days:
The bed went up, the bed went down. The bed caught everyone's attention. Walking around the show you constantly heard people talking about us and how amazing this bed was. Even the other exhibitors were abandoning their own products to come by and see what everyone is talking about.
If you want to hear what kind of response we received from the visitors at the show, click here.
The single (Twin) bed and the double bed are launched and ready to go. We expect the Queen bed to be available in about 90 days. Be among the first to be told when the Queen bed is available. Submit a consultation request and we will give you a sneak peek before it is released.
Have you got questions? Give us a call or fill in our form. We would love to hear from you!
Well... this is it. The 2012 Home Renovation Show in Ottawa has begun! Weeks of discussions, planning and preparation wrapped up by a week of frantic last minute organizing, lifting and installing has lead us to this moment. Let the games begin!
This year we are debuting our newest product. The Hidden Desk Bed has been a hit at the show before the show even began! We have had lots of interest from the press, the public and of course other industry leaders. It is amazing how fast word of mouth can carry in this town!
For anyone who is planning on attending this year's show come by and say hello. We are located in booth 428, Aisle 400. We will surely be the booth with people surrounding it on all sides!
Hope to see everyone there!
Conferences are always economic events. Whatever the discussion is inside, the impact travels outside, influencing nearby business and industry.
Attendees to conferences and gatherings held at Convention Centre around Ottawa are sure to be welcomed by the surrounding locals. When people flock to an event, the lifeblood of the city flows with them.
Conferences also bring peripheral guests, like writers and photographers from trade magazines. As press and stories grow, so too does tourism which in turn effects real estate and the economy. News coming from Ottawa conferences may only be regional, but will introduce their fellow Canadians to the sparkling city. Spin-off publicity demonstrating the welcoming business atmosphere has the potential to draw corporations to locate facilities in or near the city, further enriching the area with new employment and commerce.
The 2012 Home show at the new CE Center in Ottawa is a perfect example. This year, with their move to the new conference center, the show has grown by 33% over last year. There will be more vendors and products to showcase as well as educational seminars and opportunities to touch and feel some of the newest renovation products out there. With so many vendors attending from all over Ontario, and in some cases - even further a field, this show is a perfect example of the positive community impact that comes from conference shows in Ottawa.
The ripples sent out by the experience at your local convention centre will strike the edges of the globe and come rippling back to their source; bringing renewed vigor, financial opportunities and glowing pride back into the heart of the city where it began.