Clothes on the floor, piles of stacked shoes, overburdened clothing
rods — sound familiar? They're all common closet afflictions, and they
can quickly turn a closet into a disaster zone. You're not alone; we all
can relate. After all, it's hard to find space for all of our goodies,
and most of us are more than willing to sacrifice perfect order for just
one more pair of killer boots.
Houzz professionals
continuously work to resolve these closet predicaments, and users are
saving their creative tips and tricks in hundreds of thousands of
ideabooks. I've pulled 15 of the best closet solutions from the most
popular photos on Houzz. See if there's an idea in here for your own
closet.
1. Dresser island. This photo has been added to more than 136,000 ideabooks, making it the most popular closet photo on Houzz. Interior designer
Elizabeth Munger Stiver
thinks it's because of the white cabinetry, glossy surfaces and inset
mirrors, which create a crisp, clean feel. It also has a lot to do with
the built-in dresser, a commonly requested closet storage option when
space allows.
"For an island dresser, you have to have a fair
amount of space on all four sides — 3 to 4 feet all the way around,"
Stiver says. "If you don't have the space, a peninsula dresser is the
next best thing, since you don't have to clear all four sides."
2. Pullout ironing board. Imagine
the convenience of having a pullout ironing board where you need it
most: in your closet. Almost 114,000 users think this idea is the way to
go. (The handy hamper drawers are a bonus.)
3. Shoe cubbies. Shoe walls are off-the-charts popular. Added to almost 80,000 ideabooks, this photo shows cubbies measuring 9½ inches wide and 8 inches tall — plenty of room for prized heels.
4. Jewelry cabinet. This oversize cabinet from California Closets, a favorite for more than 69,000 Houzzers, is customizable down to the size, shelf liner and number of drawers. You can even add a keypad lock.
5. Man closets. One of the
biggest Houzz dreams is having his-and-her closets. More than 67,000 of
you love this room full of dark wood and plenty of shelf space for
shoes, hats and shirts.
6. Purse hooks. About
56,000 Houzzers love these handy hook rails; they showcase pretty
purchases and make swapping bags a breeze. These are customized — made
to mimic the client's shoulder, in fact — but you could do something
similar with sturdy wall-mounted
coatracks.
7. Pant rack. Jean lovers,
rejoice! Here's a storage solution for you. More than 50,000 people
covet this clever pullout pants rack, which prevents wrinkles, takes up
less space and offers easy access. Add extra traction to slippery racks
with a textured flocking material.
8. Display cabinets. More
than 50,000 readers love the idea of showcasing most-loved shoes, but
with this space, there's even more than meets the eye. Principal
designer
Michael Fullen
included a swiveling mirror with hidden clothes storage, as well as
lift-up seat benches with hidden hampers. Pair those with the light-up
boxes and Lucite columns for displaying special shoes, and this is
definitely a dream closet.
9. Open cubbies. About 45,000 readers love these open shelves, which keep favorite sweaters, hats or jeans on hand for a quick grab-and-go.
10. Glass cabinets. More than 38,000 users like the idea of see-through doors; no more hunting for that shirt or skirt.
11. Makeup vanity. Avoid
fighting over the bathroom mirror with this convenient option: a
built-in makeup vanity. Included in around 35,000 ideabooks, this photo
shows an ideal spot for a morning makeup routine; this vanity is great
for storing beauty supplies and jewelry in as well.
12. Drawer dividers. Sidestep
a jumbled drawer by installing these simple drawer dividers, which can
be adjusted to accommodate your personal pieces. Around 30,000 Houzzers
want something similar.
13. All-in-one closet unit.
Sure, we all love our niche storage solutions, but most of us want a
closet that accommodates all of our items, from ties to traditional
shirts. Added to 30,000 ideabooks, this photo shows a space that has it
all: an abundance of clothing rods, see-through pullout drawers, a tie
tray and plenty of open shelving. Little touches of luxury, like leather
drawer pulls and a fully stocked mini fridge, customize the closet for
an above-and-beyond look.
14. Tie rack. Nearly 25,000 users like this pullout rack for keeping ties, sunglasses, wallets and cuff links in check.
15. Built-in hamper. There
are many things about this closet that more than 21,000 Houzzers love,
but a built-in hamper with transportable bags stands out as a favorite.
Architect and designer
Laurence Tamaccio
says people love the space efficiency and warm wood elements found in
this Elements closet system, unfortunately no longer available. "This
modular closet system truly thinks of everything," Tamaccio says. "There
are so many on the market, but there's something about this one that
stands out. It's so simple and nicely designed."