<p>I am considering converting an unused bedroom (approx 11 1/2 x 14) next to our master bedroom into a dressing room/master closet/sanctuary. I am challenged when it comes to interior design (I’m an accountant by trade and my right brain isn’t completely developed ). I am having a local designer who works at a company that sells organizational systems come take a look tomorrow and help me come up with a plan, but I want to make sure I give her plenty of ideas.</p>
<p>So if you could design your dream closet what would you make sure it included?</p>
<p>Thank you in advance for any suggestions you may have.</p>
<p>MichiganGeorgia - fortunately I already have one of those :). He gets to keep the current master closet for his clothes - this room will be off limits to him!</p>
<p>really good lighting so you can match colors. Plenty of shelf space so you don’t have to hang everything. Shoe racks. a center isle to lay stuff out on.</p>
<p>There will be access from the master bedroom, right?</p>
<p>A drop down ironing board, place for iron, plug<br>
Shelves for purses
Some kind of storage for scarves
Good mirrors, including back view
If you travel often, a separate empty rail on which you can hang clothes as you plan to pack for a trip. I have a free standing rack in one of my kids’ old rooms that I use.</p>
<p>Lighting that actually lets you SEE your shoes. My friend does have a “dream closet” but she has overhead lighting (with high ceilings). Her shoes are on little closet shelves (very handy) but she can’t see her shoes because they’re always in shadow due to enclosed shelves (hope that paints the picture) with direct overhead lighting. Drives her buggy.
A big full length mirror, a good jewelry storage system (doesn’t need to be that high tech), purse storage.
A specific travel drawer–all the stuff you regularly grab for a trip–chargers, adapters, totes, pocket rain coats, travel tags, camera. I did do this. Best ever.
A drawer for stuff you wear every day–take it off and throw it in. Beats throwing it on that chair and always being a mess.
Good spot for laundry basket.
and then what I REALLY need is someone to help me take half my clothes to charity because they don’t fit any more and/or are outdated and I just need help parting with them! Then I wouldn’t need a bigger closet! :)</p>
<p>gouf78 makes a good point about every day clothes. I have a very bad habit of throwing what I call “half worn clothes” over the edge of the tub. Even a couple of hooks for them would be useful.</p>
<p>A stacking washer and dryer in one corner would be nice too.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the great suggestions - keep them coming.</p>
<p>gouf78 - My plan after getting the room complete is to have someone come in and help me with putting outfits together and the purging process. When I am able to space things out I think I will have an easier time looking in the closet and seeing I have plenty to wear.</p>
<p>One thing my wife insisted on was wood shelving. She doesn’t like particle board or melamine or whatever they are calling the latest composite material. It was very hard to find. As far as I know the only seller of wood closet systems is John Louis Home (Ask Mr Google or write as one word dotcom). We figured out what configuration of shelves and poles we wanted (with some help from available internet tools) and I did it myself. We are very happy with the results.</p>
<p>My dream closet will have a place to keep an open suitcase to pack and unpack at leisure. Now I haul the suitcase out of the closet and throw it on the bed to pack. Invariably I will need to wait for something to come back from the cleaners or is still in the hamper and DH will put the suitcase on the floor to go to bed and then I have to haul it back onto the bed to finish packing. And in the mean time its in the middle of the floor in the bedroom.
I do have washer and dryer and ironing board in my closet. Since the kids are at college they are the only ones we use. Another nice thing is a chair to sit in when putting on socks or boots or sneakers. I also have all the photos in there that the kids abhor like the first time using the potty and the 8th grade formal dance pictures</p>
<p>Purging your clothes first lets you see better what you need in terms of storage. As your closet guru will probably tell you. But the ONLY way to do it properly is to drag it out and hang it on separate racks (not your closet) to really look at what you have.
If you do it BEFORE the final plans you won’t end up with shoe storage for 150 pairs when you only really need 3 (just joking).</p>
<p>Wood shelving is pretty but collects dust big time. Just saying! You need to enjoy the efficiency of a great closet–not maintain it. Ready to get flamed here…</p>
<p>I love my pull out wire drawer to corral items to be sent to the cleaners and I love my center island, but it takes a lot of discipline to keep the top clear of junk. We have a wood (faux wood) system and I often use the pull out wires bars to hang outfits on. However, If wall space was unlimited I would get one of those metal grids that they have in high end fitting rooms to hang multiple clothing options. </p>
<p>Get a hook for your pj’s. Create a place to stow a small step ladder/folding stool.</p>
<p>For storing jewelry, at least earrings, I recommend and earring tree. I have this metal “tree” thing that has lots of holes for earrings. It took a little time to get used to, but it let’s me see maybe 30 pairs so I don’t forget I have them. I have heard of people hanging nails or something like that on a wall for necklaces, but I haven’t done that.
I’m envious. It’s probably been said already, but you need different heights of rods, so you could have shirts on one, and dresses/pants on another, and not waste space. I think it would be great to have a built in sock organizer, etc… So you could put all blacks in one place, nudes in another, or whatever.</p>
<p>My friend (she has the great closet, not me) has a mirror with a narrow space behind it where her jewelry (at least the most often worn) is hung. Sort of like a medicine cabinet.
I’m sure just googling jewelry storage will give you a lot of ideas.</p>
<p>For purses, wall racks with deep pulls to hang about 3 handbags per pull. Don’t forget to provide space for a chair or a bench or ottoman and a safe.</p>
). I am having a local designer who works at a company that sells organizational systems come take a look tomorrow and help me come up with a plan, but I want to make sure I give her plenty of ideas.</p>