Monthly Archives: October 2011

Custom Closet Ideas and Tips

Everyone has a unique array of belongings that they need to keep in their closets. There is no one-size-fits-all design that suits everyone’s tastes and needs. Some people only use their closets for clothes and their shoes. Others may use it only for storage. You could keep important items put away or out of a child’s reach. No matter what you use your closet for, you should find a way to keep it organized so that you can find what you need when you need it.

Shelves, drawers, bins and other containers can help you get your closet organized. Small shelving can usually be added on one or both sides of the closet. These are great for small storage items like jewelry ties, socks, underwear, and shoes. They are also good for keeping miscellaneous items that would otherwise cause clutter. Some people keep photo albums, cameras, sports equipment, duffel bags and craft supplies stored in their closets. Making a place for everything will help you keep the closet neat and organized.

Using shelves can help you to quickly and easily create versatile storage areas. You may find that you need less hanging space if you have more shelves. Try some different designs on paper before you decide what you need. A pants hanging bar or pants tree can be installed at the side of the closet, eliminating the need for a long hanging bar. Shelves can be mixed in with shorter hanging bars, making it easy to keep things separated and utilizing wasted space.

You can also eliminate the need for a lot of hanging space by using specialty clothes hangers. Suit hangers allow you to hang pants, shirts, and jackets together in one spot. Other cascading hangers allow you to hang multiple skirts or pants on one hanger. Coordinate hangers allow you to match up tops and bottoms so that you double the space in your closet. Hang your coats and suits on coat hangers or wood hangers that are designed to hold them properly. Other items can be hung on hangers that save space.

Use baskets, bins, buckets, whatever you need to get the shelves organized. When everything has a place, it is easy to keep things straight. You can even have a special bin for things that you decide to give away or sell in a garage sale. This will help you to be selective about what you keep. If you try something on and there’s something that you just don’t like about a garment, get rid of it. If you get organized and realize that you have multiple white shirts, get rid of your least favorites. Keeping things coming out of the closet will help you to avoid clutter and make getting ready a simple task.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

Deciding on Hangers

Deciding which hangers will work best in your closet can be tougher than you thought! There are so many styles to choose from and each style has its own types and features. Each type of hanger is designed with a specific purpose in mind, making it even more difficult to decide which is best. We’ve created this guide to help you determine which clothes hangers will make your closet the organizer’s dream that you’ve been hoping for.

Hangers for Suits and Coats: Coats and suits need to hang right to keep their shape. The shoulders of these types of garments are often made with unique materials that can bend and lose shape over time. The wider shoulders and curved design of suit and coat hangers give these garments the support that they need to stay in shape. Many wooden hangers are made this way, as well as cedar hangers and specialty suit hangers. Even if you’re looking to save room in your closet, you should at least hang coats and suits on these larger hangers. It’s better to use a little more space for them and then use space saving hangers for your shirts and pants that can be kept in a more compact space.

Non-Slip Hangers for Shirts and Pants: Nothing is worse than finding your clothes crumpled up on the floor when you need them. Hangers with non-slip grips or clips that don’t crease clothing are great to have. Additionally, your closet can look sloppy if everything is not staying in place.

Hangers for Delicates: Some fabrics can be easily stretched out at the neck or snagged by hangers with protrusions. Z-Hangers are perfect for delicates because they allow you to slide the shoulders of shirts around the neck, avoiding stretching and pulling. Satin hangers are also great for hanging delicate fabrics and look nice in your closet.

Hangers for Accessories and Storage: Specialty hangers are great for organizing belts, scarves, and ties in your closet. You can also get ones that are made to hold sheets, table cloths, quilts and comforters, making organization easy for you.

Hangers for Saving Closet Space: Space saving clothes hangers have a flat design so that you can hang your garments close together. Sometimes they also have clips and hooks that you can add on. Clips are great for pairing shirts and pants together on one hanger. Hooks go over the neck of the hanger and allow you to drape other hangers from the first one. Using these space saving marvels can double or triple the space available in your closet.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

Caring for your Cedar Closet

Cedar closets are not only functional, but a beautiful high-end addition to any home. Cedar lined closets have recently been made popular by boutique hotels and do-it-yourself home improvement shows. However, cedar has been a popular wood option since ancient times. Today, we know why cedar’s properties are so valuable to us, so we use cedar where it is most beneficial, in the closet.

Cedar, specifically Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana), is a species of juniper native to North America. The fragrant part of the wood is the pinkish brown heartwood, which we use for cedar hangers, liners, and shelving in our closets. The wood doesn’t just emit a fresh scent that we all enjoy, but it actually deodorizes the air. This makes it perfect for storing shoes, coats, and other items that are rarely laundered in our closets.

Another big benefit of cedar is its absorbent properties. Cedar absorbs moisture from the air. This is important when hanging coats and storing boots that are wet with snow. It’s also popular in humid climates because the humidity alone can make your clothes smell musty. The odor that you smell when something has been in storage, is actually mold and mildew. Cedar controls the growth of mold and mildew by keeping the closet at a low moisture level.

Cedar is a fine, densely grained wood that does not require stains or varnishes. This makes it possible for us to enjoy the beauty of its natural color while reaping the benefits of using cedar in our closets. Cedar is rot resistant and repels many insects, including moths, silverfish, and cockroaches. If you have a cedar closet in your home, then I’m sure you love it!

When a cedar closet gets to be a few years old, it may start to dry out and lose its fragrance. You may notice a waxy build-up or that your cedar has lost its shine. Caring for your cedar will enable it to last for many years. It should not be exposed to rapid temperature or moisture changes, so don’t store cedar items in a basement or garage. Rapid changes can cause cracking. If you get a crack, you can place fresh orange peels, white side down, tightly against the wood for several days. The oils in the orange peels will pull the crack shut again.

Antique cedar products should be treated by a professional to avoid damage. Newer cedar products may get a waxy coating on them. Clean the wax away with oil soap cleaner. Regular dusting with a vacuum attachment is generally sufficient, but you can wax cedar to restore shine. You have to use a specific kind of wax called carnauba wax to fill in cracks, restore shine, and protect the surface of your cedar closet.

Restoring that wonderful fragrance that you love is as easy as gently hand sanding the surface of your cedar shelves and cedar coat hangers with a fine-grit sandpaper. Cedar clothes hangers are not only beautiful, but protect your coats and suits from damage. Cedar hangers are the most popular wood hangers on the market. Taking care of your closet cedar will ensure years of pleasurable use for you and your family.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.