Behind Closet Doors: 4 Closet Makeovers

By Karin Beuerlein

The Challenge: She wanted the sleek, sophisticated look of high-end Poliform closets but discovered they come in predetermined sizes only and don't allow for customization without a hefty surcharge.

The Solution: Interior designer Nicole Sassaman had cabinets custom made of solid walnut that mimicked certain elements of the Poliform closets she loved. "I did custom handles to keep that linear look that I like," she says, "and then I even had custom hangers made to hang on a square rod to keep that cool, simple look. It's those little details that really make a difference." Clear-glass drawer fronts ensure she keeps the contents sorted and tidy.

Get the Products: Beautiful boxes from West Elm line the uppermost shelves. "In those boxes is where I keep the baby's old clothes, old files I can't throw away; it's storage for the whole house," Nicole says. "It's so high up, I don't need to get to it very often." The contents may be miscellaneous, but the look is polished and uniform.

Try This at Home: To preserve a feeling of abundant space in your closet, don't fill every shelf. In Nicole's closet, a second-tier shelf that surrounds the room remains empty. "If I'm filling that whole closet, I've got organization issues," she says. "I keep that shelf totally blank because it looks better."

How Green Is My Closet? "I always try to make sure the lumber we use is eco-friendly," Nicole says. "All the wood shown here is from managed forests."