Upscale Closet Remake
To help give a new couple an inviting place to start and end their day together, senior designer Randi Johansen with Closets by Design of Raleigh, North Carolina, turned two separate closets into an elegant dressing room for both the husband and wife to share.
The wall between the two closets was demolished in order to create the 13 x 12 walk-in closet. Some of the luxury features include a shoe tower, an island enclosing two roll-out hampers, velvet lined drawers for jewelry and ties, plus cedar-backed shelving. The homeowners chose an antique white design with soft edges with matching crown and base molding — and beveled edge glass to accent the doors.
Added features include mirrors behind the two matching dressers, a full-length mirror in the entrance and pocket doors. A stunning chandelier, window treatments, ottoman, and two matching rugs from Expressions Custom Furniture in Raleigh complete the transformation.
Cost: $14,088.00
Where to buy: ClosetsbyDesign.com
Cookware Rack Saves Counter Space
Got good-looking cookware? Then display it. This rack by Swedish Designs is made of solid maple and beech wood from sustainable forests — and made by woodworking shops in Pennsylvania and Indiana — fits right at home on your kitchen counter. Pleasing lines and simple ornamentation blend with high quality materials. This kitchen solution stores cookware within reach of gourmet chefs and amateur cooks.
Cost: $62 – $108
Where to buy: Swedishdesigns.com
Door Mount Cutting Board
Nice, big cutting boards can be so difficult to store. Too wide or too long for most drawers, they often get left out on countertops, taking up prime space, and lacking visual appeal. But check this out: a strong, dependable board and a convenient hiding spot! Made by Rev-a-Shelf, you can mount this on the inside of any door (we love under the kitchen sink for proximity to cutting), to grab and store in seconds.
Made from a blend of birch/maple and treated with mineral oil for durability. Other features include a UV-cured clear finish support rack, with chrome rails and adjustable mounting brackets that allow for up to 5” of installation adjustability for any door style. The board is available for either 15” or 18” cabinets.
Cost: $74.25
Where to buy: Rev-a-shelf.com
Three-Drawer Self-Closing Kitchen Cabinet
Although the Underwood’s home, located in an historic neighborhood, was charming, it also came with a covenant that prohibited changes to the home’s footprint. In order to maximize storage in the new kitchen, the homeowner’s called on the MOSAIC Group, an Atlanta-based company, to reach their goal that would maximize storage in the new kitchen.
MOSAIC’s kitchen and bath designer, Catherine Trugman, did the research and obtained the storage solutions through Adelphi Kitchens.
One of the answers to lack of storage was the three-drawer cabinet with self-closing drawers.
Other helpful features: The second drawer spice rack is at a slight incline so you can easily see which spice you want; The knife block organizes your knives, protecting the blades and your hands; Adjustable cabinet drawer pegs to keep pots and pans in place.
Cost: $300.00
Where to buy: Adelphikitchens.com for cabinets.
Mosaicgroupatlanta.com for interior design firm.
Slide-Out Pantry Shelving
ShelfGenie custom designs, builds and installs the Glide-Out shelving system in any cabinet in your home and is custom built to fit into existing cabinets. With this system, cabinets are always organized and storage is accessible. No more rummaging around in cabinets to find something lost in all the clutter.
Drawers are manufactured from earth-friendly Baltic birch, a high-grade cabinetry plywood. Shelf bottoms are finished with furniture-quality melamine or hardwood. Fully extendable rails are removable for easy cleaning and can hold up to 100 pounds. Even better: all Glide-Out shelving is guaranteed for life.
How does it work? Trained design consultants meet with customers and provide a free design estimate. Cabinets are measured, shelves are delivered, and trained professional installers complete the installation.
Cost: The Glide-Out premium line averages $2,000.
Where to buy: ShelfGenie.com
Antonius Closet System
Closets were made for storage. And, the Antonius Closet System by Ikea is made for closets that really need to be uber organized. This organization solution offers space-efficient options for items you use daily such as bed linens, towels, and clothes. Plus plenty of add-ons, like drawers, wire baskets and work or desktops for super flexibility. And, you don’t have to take out a loan to afford this functional closet system.
All clothes rails are priced at $6.00 and are made from steel, pigmented epoxy/polyester powder coating. Basket inserts run $3.00 and are manufactured from polypropylene. Particleboard shelves run $5.00. All materials in this collection may be recyclable according to your community.
Cost: Each item from $2.50 to $20.00
Where to buy: Ikea.com
Two-Door Pullout Pantry Cabinet
Can’t see what’s in the back of your pantry? Neither could this Atlanta family. Enter glide out shelves! This two-door pullout pantry cabinet opens to display all of what’s inside for quick grabbing and cooking. Though it’s not deep, this system is great for items tall and small, like canned goods, small boxes, and plastic wrap. The cabinet is made from 3/4″ solid wood face frames, using Mortise & Tenon construction with birch interiors. The doors feature full overlays and concealed hinges.
Cost: $950
Where to buy: Adelphikitchens.com for cabinets.
Mosaicgroupatlanta.com for interior design firm.
Kid Closets as Teaching Tools
There’s one word that fits a kid’s rooms — messy. If you’ve got kids, you’ve got plenty of clutter. And, that clutter can be overwhelming at times. Especially when you have to find storage solutions for clothes, toys, stuffed animals, rock collections, dolls and sports gear, along side frilly party dresses. These kid-friendly closet kits can save the day and teach excellent organizational skills.
Expanding shelves and telescoping rods are easily adjustable, which means no headache for Mom and Dad. Everything you’ll need to set up an impressive and organized closet for your child comes complete in one box. And, as your child needs change, the closet configuration can be changed.
Cost: three kits: 3×6, 4×8 & 6×10, $79 to $149
Where to buy: Rubbermaid.com
Pull Down Spice Rack
Imagine this. You’re in the kitchen whipping up a wonderful concoction that looks like something out of Julia Child’s kitchen and you reach into your spice cabinet — but can’t find what you need. Minutes later your egg whites look as flat as a pancake. To prevent this scenario from happening, you need the Rubbermaid Pull Down Spice Rack. The rack mounts on a cabinet shelf and easily displays all your spices in time to save your egg whites and your culinary reputation. The rack is epoxy-coated steel and comes in either white or black to complement most kitchens.
Cost: $11.99
Where to buy: Wal-Mart, Target
Pull Out Under Shelf Basket
Think there’s no more room in your cabinets? Fill even the tiniest of spaces with more stuff — while keeping a clean, organized look. This 4-inch tall sliding basket from Rubbermaid finds that little bit of extra space under your shelves, filling the gap between each shelf and the stuff within them. Perfect for storing sponges or boxes of plastic bags in the kitchen — or makeup, hair accessories, brushes and bars of soap in the bathroom. The handy slide-out feature allows for easy access and very little reaching.
The pull out basket is available in gray or black. Size 8.75 DX 11.75 WX4.
Cost: $10.99
Where to buy: Wal-Mart, Target
Trick to Maximize Kitchen Storage
Storage space was very limited in this couple’s San Francisco kitchen. The frequently used gadgets fit awkwardly in drawers and were being left on the counter, taking up valuable space (and making the kitchen a cluttered eye-sore). To solve the storage problem, Noelle Micek, owner of An Organized Nest, utilized the vertical wall space above the kitchen stove is utilized to accommodate tools for a family that loves to bake. Here, they used a towel bar and shower curtain hooks to suspend small every-day kitchen tools such as measuring cups, and added matching tin buckets with frequently used items.
Cost: $17.00
Where to buy: Orgnest.com
New U-Shaped Tray Divider
Cookie sheets, pizza trays, brownie pans, cake tins. The baking world can create chaos within our cabinets. Here’s a way to store and separate so neatly, it will bring calm to your cupcakes. It’s the U-Shaped Tray Divider by Rev-a-Shelf. No more stacking of tins and pans, this device will let you separate your supplies neatly. Use one or more to customize storage space in either your wall or base cabinets. Sturdy construction and chrome finish provide durability and style while the easy four-screw installation gets you organized in seconds. Measurements are 3” W x 11 7/8” D x 10” H. Seems like a no-brainer, custom storage solution at a tiny price.
Cost: $20.00
Where to buy: Rev-a-shelf.com
