Case Study: A Master Closet Makeover

A space-challenged master closet gets revamped with a new shelving system that makes the most of every inch.

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A Bad Fit

When Laura Baer and Mike Levine bought their 1926 Dutch Colonial-style house storage wasn't lacking. To capitalize on the space in the master bedroom closet, they installed a custom storage system. But while it offered plenty of shelves and drawers, the system's central storage unit was so wide and deep it blocked the hanging clothing areas on either side. The homeowner had taken to hanging her most frequently worn clothing on hooks on the closet doors—a convenient but messy solution.

Preparing for a Transformation

To prepare the closet for its transformation, Laura unloaded her wardrobe onto rented rolling garment racks. Creating "keep," "toss" and "donate" piles was an easy way to organize her personal belongings. The clothes were sorted by type and color, and rehung on matching hangers.

Neat and Organized

Laura's redesigned closet is the essence of organization and easy access. A smaller stack of shelves is both shallower and narrower than the original system, so it's much easier to reach the hanging clothes to the right. The warm wood tone of the system gives the closet's interior a polished, luxurious look well-suited to the style of the master bedroom.

A Whole New Wardrobe

Laura couldn't be happier with her remodeled closet. "Now that I can see everything, I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe," she says. The double hanging section holds Laura's most-often-used items: blouses and cardigans worn to work.

Canvas Storage Bins

Canvas bins help keep shelf storage neat and are aesthetically pleasing. Open bins on the center stack of shelves hold everything from scarves to camisoles.

Unique Uses for Organization

A slide-out rack keeps the scarves Laura wears most often at hand. Long necklaces or other pieces of jewelry can be hung to avoid tangling.

Multipurpose Door Hanger

The three-tiered door hanger functions as a place to display purses or hang Laura's outfit for the next day.

Extra Shoe Storage

Laura uses most of the central shelves to hold her shoes—each shelf accommodates two pairs—the rest slip into pockets in the door-mounted shoe bag, along with pashminas and scarves. Providing a place for everything keeps the closet neat and organized.

More Shelving Options

A second group of shelves is just right for sweaters and jeans. A special sweater box with a clear flip-down drawer protects cashmere sweaters from moths and dust. Organizing her hanging clothes by type (blouses, cardigans, skirts, pants, dresses) and color makes getting dressed a breeze.

Case Study: A Master Closet Makeover

Related To:

Shop This Look

A Bad Fit

Preparing for a Transformation

Neat and Organized

A Whole New Wardrobe

Canvas Storage Bins

Unique Uses for Organization

Multipurpose Door Hanger

Extra Shoe Storage

More Shelving Options

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