When it comes to closet organization kits, there are so many options to choose from. Usually available both online and also in most retail locations with home improvement sections, these kits are often sold in a box where all you need to do is assemble the pieces and install them into your space. They come in a variety of styles and offer different features. Before you decide to buy a kit however, it’s important to make sure it will really actually help you become organized – and not just add more shelves for clutter. While they are a do-it-yourself dream come true in simplicity and ease of use, they may become an organization nightmare if they are not the right solution for you.
Here are some helpful tips for deciding on whether a kit could be right for you.
1. Decide What Functionality You Need: Everyone is going to have different needs and functions of their space. For example, someone who doesn’t have a lot of clothes but a lot of closet might decide they would like to use the space for storing their craft materials or their linens instead. Someone who has primarily dresses as a part of their wardrobe would likely need something different than someone who’s wardrobe is comprised mainly of slacks and shirts. Look at the items you keep in your closet and then decide what the best storage method for these items are. Do you need hanging rods high off the ground? Shelves with compartments?
2. Measure Your Space and Your Stuff: You’ll find that most closet organization kits come in “standard” sizes. Shelves and hanging rods are typically designed to be at a fixed height though some kits will offer the flexibility of being able to adjust heights and widths. Before you go out and just buy a kit “that looks good” – make sure you’ll be able to actually fit the items you want to fit on it. For example, if you wanted to place totes on a lower shelf in the bottom of the area, you’ll want to make sure you know the size of those totes and ensure that they will fit in the system when it is assembled.
3. Wood or Wire? Most closet organizing kits come in either a wire metal frame or a wooden frame. There are disadvantages and advantages to both. Wire shelving tends to look dated, but there are also far more out of the box solutions available and flexibility. When looking for wire systems you’ll notice in the store you have a lot of variety to choose from. Wooden systems offer a sleek and stylish design available in a variety of colors and finishes. Unfortunately, wood closet kits are typically not only harder to find or need to be custom ordered, but they can also be much more costly. Ultimately, the decision will be up to you and what the other styles of the home are. For example, if you have a 1800′s renovated Victorian home, wooden shelving would seem far more suitable than the more modern wire closet kits. However, in a modern setting, the wire kits can often look more natural and cohesive with the rest of the design.
4. Quality Counts: If you’ve ever tried to put together a puzzle with missing pieces, then you know that it can be difficult to finish and be happy with what you have accomplished. Buying the wrong system for you can be like this – something that is low quality might result in you accidentally breaking pieces while assembling it or cause other issues in putting it together. Purchasing something that has a higher quality level will also ensure that it will get much use for many years to come.
5. Read Reviews: The more people who write a review, the more likely you will know exactly what you are getting into and what you can expect before ordering. We’ve found that many times ordering online is much more convenient and easy than trying to find something that is close to what you need in a store. However, it is easy to also buy something online that is nothing at all like you expected, and of course you want to make sure that what you get is what you want. Reading reviews is one of the easiest and best ways to get an idea of what others are doing and using and what their experiences have been. Once you find a particular style, model number, or brand name that you like, be sure that you read up on it and learn from other’s experiences with it when possible.
6. Realize a Kit Might Not Be Right: It’s easy to want a kit and think it is the easiest solution out there. However, even if they are easy to put together it can still cause quite a lot of frustration in trying to screw it into walls or make it work for exactly what you need. Hiring a professional designer sometimes is necessary as they might be able to help you see exactly what you need even when you can’t or feel lost for ideas. Sometimes even though they are meant for added organization, kits can often end up being an enabler for more clutter or more mess.
By doing some simple research such as measuring, planning, and reading reviews as mentioned above, you will be able to decide which kit is right for you. Remember that without a plan for function and design, even the best ready to assemble closet kits will not result you in being more organized. Thinking about your needs and brain storming for simple solutions might have you realizing that a kit out of a box is not necessary at all.
What do you think? Have any tips for choosing closet organization kits? Share your ideas in the comments below!
