Let’s face it, who needs the extra stress in the morning when we are trying to make it on time to work? It can be hard enough as it is getting ready for work. But you really don’t need to add to the stress level with a mess of a closet to deal with. Your mornings could go a lot more smoothly if you are fortunate enough to have a closet organizer already installed in your closet. But if you don’t, its never too late to install one yourself.

Closet organization begins with a basic closet organizer kit. Kits are designed to be easy to install and there are plenty of configurations so the perfect organizer is out there for you. Your needs are unique and so are the accessories you can get for your organizers. For instance, if you have a lot of shoes, then you can design your closet to store more shoes. This will take up more space so you will have to sacrifice somewhere else.

Once you have figured out how your closet is going to be configured, and you have installed your closet organizer, then the only thing left is to get your clothes set up so you won’t be spending more time in the future getting it all neat and tidy again.

When you have all of your clothes out of the closet, sort through them and get rid of anything you don’t need anymore. Some clothes you will keep for special occasions so its best to store them out of the way if possible. Closet organization is an ongoing process so if you keep up with it, and install an organizer, it shouldn’t be a problem that you will have to deal with later on.

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Now the only thing you should have left are the items that are attached to the walls. Since what we are looking for is a completely bare closet, these items need to be removed as well. They will just get in the way and make it impossible to install your new closet organizer. Try to be careful when you are removing the brackets that hold the shelf and rod. For most, this is simply done by removing a few screws. Your closet may have some wooden supports to hold the shelf in place. These can be removed by the same manner.

Once this is all removed, patch up any holes left by the screws. Your walls will show through in some places when you have your organizer kit installed. Once the plaster is dry, sand it smooth and add a fresh coat of paint to the entire closet.

This is the easiest time to check for anything else that may need to be repaired since there isn’t anything in your way. Check all of your trim work and repair it if necessary.

And, that’s all there is to it. Your closet should now be ready for you to install your closet organizer kit.

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This is an easy project that can be done in just a few hours and you don’t need a lot of materials or special carpentry skills. When you add an extra shelf at the top of your closet, you are doubling the shelf space. Most closets have plenty of space in them since they go all the way to the ceiling.

This space may be harder to reach but this can be remedied by using a footstool. It’s also a good idea to only store items on top that you don’t need to get to very often.

Start by measuring the depth and length of the existing shelf. Purchase material that matches this dimension. You will want to buy enough material for the new shelf, uprights on both ends and a couple of dividers. These dividers should be cut about 16 inches but, since this is a custom project, you can make it whatever works best for you and your needs. The best placement for the dividers is directly over the supporting brackets under the existing shelf.

All you have to do after you have all the pieces cut is to simply screw them all together. Its best to use a level to make sure everything is nice and square. This is a quick solution that really helps you to better organize your closet before you purchase a closet organizer.

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There are basically three options you have to getting closet organizers for your closets.

The first option is to hire a company that puts in your organizer from start to finish. They start by coming out and taking measurements of your closets, assessing your needs and designing a closet to fit those needs. Be prepared to spend a bit more over the next two options as they are doing all the work.

Next, you could build one from scratch if you are pretty handy with tools. To achieve desirable results, however, you would need a pretty decent woodworking shop. You would also need to purchase certain hardware for the drawers and rods so its probably not going to save you much money over the next option. You will also need to design the closet and how the organizer (shelves, rods and drawers) will be built

So, the last option you have is to purchase a closet organizer kit. This is a great option if you want to save some money by not having a company build one and you don’t have quite the skills or tools to build from scratch.

Organizer kits can usually be installed in multiple configurations that makes them very versatile. They come with all the required hardware, step-by-step instructions and can be delivered right to your door.

If you’ve never considered a closet organizer kit, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy they are to install and just how much more room you’ll have for all your clothes that were just getting wrinkled in the bottom of stacks in your closet.

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A closet organizer kit can actually help to eliminate the need for large dressers and cabinets that you would have in your bedroom or other parts of the house. This is especially important if you happen to have a smaller sized bedroom. So, if you feel the need to go out and buy a new dresser, you may be better off looking at options for your closet. Organizers can greatly expand the storage area in any size closet.

Common organizer kits come either as wall hung units, freestanding units, or a hybrid of both. For example, the main drawer unit rests on the floor while other shelving and rod systems are wall-mounted. Even though you don’t have to, for safety reasons, freestanding units should be anchored to wall so they won’t fall forward. This should be a must if you have little kids running around the house.

Other considerations for closet organizers are whether you want a kit produced from wood, wire, or even melamine. Melamine is particleboard that has a resin laminate applied to all its surfaces. It usually comes in white but there are other color options available. A lot of people like melamine because it’s easy to maintain and its very affordable.

The most inexpensive option is a wire system. They don’t always look the best but they are easy to install for the average handyman (or DIY enthusiast). Wire closet organization systems are also very versatile and they come with a lot of components that you can pick out individually to suit your needs.

The last option is to use solid wood. It may be more expensive than wire or melamine, but the results speak for themselves. This option is best for walk-in closet and brightly lit closets where it is more important how the closet looks.

Hopefully, if you’ve done your research, you will have enough knowledge to make some solid decisions. Choosing the best organizer for your needs is not as hard as it first appears.

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My first step was to figure out the amount of space my hanging shirts take, as well as my pants, then shoes, and so on. By knowing how much room all these items take up, you can get an idea of what closet organizer kit will work best.

I looked through all kinds of styles and materials used for closet organizers and finally decided on a nice mahogany wood system. Mahogany fit my style and matched my liking of dark furniture. And, I found one that was perfect for my budget (which was under $500.00)

One of the really nice benefits of closet organizer kits is that you can usually configure them in ways. Mine can with eight different configurations. Kits are also versatile (to a point). Make sure the one you buy will fit within the desired space.

On my ten-foot wall, I was able to add 22 feet of usable shelf space and over 15 feet of hanging space. It’s pretty easy to see the value in that.

For the installation, you will need a few basic tools. If you don’t have a level, I really recommend buying one. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it will make all the difference when you are finished and step back to see how it looks. If it’s off, even a little bit, you will notice it.

Look for units that attach to the wall and are up off of the floor. This will help you to keep items up in the unit where they belong. Although tempting, keep your shoes off the floor by using a specially made shelf (or shelves) to keep them organized on. Not only does this help keep things neat, it can also help on your back.

Take your time when organizing your closet and putting things back. Allow time each week to keep up with your closet organization and you will never lose a shirt or pants again.

This post provided by contributing writer Kelly Griffen.

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I did plenty of online research to find just the right organizer kit for his closet. I took everything out to begin with. This is actually a great time to sort through a lot of clothes that he just doesn’t wear anymore. And, of course, these clothes can be handed down to younger siblings or relatives. Personally, I used this opportunity as a teaching moment. I let him pick through the clothes he didn’t want anymore and we both went down to the nearby donation center. Its always a good idea to teach kids to be charitable as early as possible.

Once everything was cleared out and sorted through, I now had a better idea of the space that was available and took some measurements (this is a really important step). Since this is a child’s closet, make sure you consider their height when installing a closet organizer. I dropped the kit down about eighteen inches when I installed it. Your height will depend on the height of your child.

You can also install an additional lower bar that makes it easy for your child to grab his/her own clothes. Your child will actually grow into the closet and eventually be able to reach clothes on the upper rod.

Don’t worry if the shelves are too high for them to reach. You can put clothes that are out of season on them in plastic containers. For safety reasons, don’t put anything too heavy up high as this could fall down on top of them if they do try and get something down by themselves. I place most items on the shelf in plastic containers that are labeled.

Since you probably have the extra room up high, don’t be afraid to add a few additional shelves. In my opinion, you can never have enough shelving in a closet.

Now, all you have left to do is to teach your child how to keep the closet neat, clean and organized. Show them the proper way to fold and hang their own clothes. They need to know how to utilize their new closet organizer so its best to teach them sooner than later.

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