Behind Closet Doors: 4 Closet Makeovers

By Karin Beuerlein

The Challenge: "Actually, these people were pretty organized to start with," says professional organizer Heidi Goodwin. The major problem was the clients wanted to stick with the original prebuilt shelving, but its odd openings didn't accommodate standard-sized containers. (Tip: Just as you shouldn't purchase containers before you know what you're going to store, neither should you build shelves before you know what you'll be putting on them.)

The Solution: Patience in this case paid off. After a good deal of searching for closet accessories at local home-improvement stores and online at sites like Organize.com and The Container Store, Heidi found a set of canvas baskets at Lowe's that did the trick for the odd-sized cubbyholes.

Get the Products: Boxes with clear fronts lent the closet a streamlined look while still allowing the contents to be viewed. Hanging shoe racks freed up floor space to ensure a neat, clean feel, and Heidi replaced all mismatched hangers with identical plastic ones to unify the look.

Try This at Home: Organize items by frequency of use. Anything you use once or twice a year (for this client, it was certain pairs of shoes) goes at the very top of the closet. Eye-level space should be reserved for everyday items.

How Green Is My Closet? The canvas baskets Heidi used are made of natural fibers, which lend warmth to the space and don't emit as many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as synthetic fabrics or plastics. Look for minimally processed natural fabrics, such as 100 percent organic cotton, that haven't been treated with caustic dyes or bleach.