Eight Steps You Need to Take Before a Custom Closet Installation

So you have decided to install a custom closet , congratulations! You are well on your to complete closet organization! Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional, you probably have some questions about where you should begin. We have devised an eight step list of how you should prepare your closets for a custom buildout. These steps work for kitchen pantries, small closets, reach-in closets, kid's closets and of course the master walk-in closet. Follow these steps to prep yourself and your closets for complete custom organization systems!

This seems a little bit obvious, but we wanted to touch base on it anyways. In order to build your closet as a customized organization system, you should remove everything from the closet first. Take inventory of what you have and if you can afford to, minimize as much as possible. The less stuff you have the easier organization will be. Get everything out of the closet before you begin your custom closet project. Try to minimize your belongings for easier organization. Don't let the clutter consume you!

Once you have everything out of the closet and sorted into organized totes, it is time to clean out your closet. And no, we don't mean the skeletons! Our closets tend to build up dust, spider webs, dirt, etc. especially if they have been stuffed full for awhile. Check out this tutorial on how to clean your baseboards properly! Your closet baseboards and floors are an important aspect to consider before designing your custom closet.

To perform a custom closet renovation, you should start with a clean slate. Get a broom and dust the cobwebs out of the corners, sweep out all the dirt and mop the floor if you have wood or tile. You should also go ahead and wipe down the walls, baseboards and any racks if you have them. This helps you start with a like-new canvas for your custom closet creation.

This is why custom closets are so fantastic, because you get to personalize it completely to match your storage needs! Whether you decide to DIY or you hire a custom closet expert, you will need to make a list of what type of organization system you want. Assess your belongings and think about what you wear or use the most - these should be in the forefront of your closet. Follow these closet inventory steps to help you figure out what type of organization system will work best for you!

Ask yourself if you will want your walk-in to have a jewelry organizer or cabinets for storage. Do you want custom drawers? If you are renovating the linen closet, should you use baskets to store towels and bathroom supplies in? There are a ton of organization accessories that go along with building a custom closet, but before you begin to choose your personalized system make sure you understand what it is you are storing. Choose a system that is made for you and your belongings! Check out some more jewelry accessories ideas on pinterest.com !

Before a custom closet installation you will want to remove all the old storage units. If you are doing your closet renovation yourself, then you will need a screw driver and some spackle to path up holes. Some closet companies that care of this step for you, but you'll want to make sure they are covering over old holes with spackle and properly disposing or your old closet racks.

Check out this video to learn how to spackle like a pro!

You may be able to repurpose your closet rod for another area of your house and a rack can be installed other places for organization, like in the garage for shoes! Your professional closet designer should always do the job the right way, so make sure they properly fix the walls before new installation, especially if you are installing a system that hides the walls, because if you ever have to disassemble your closet, you'll be the one fixing up the walls!

If you are installing shelves, drawers, cabinets and hanging rods in your closets, a lot of your wall may not show. But if you opt for a more minimized design, a lost of your wall will show and a pop of paint can really give your closet a finished look. Some walk-in closets are the size of a whole room and white walls can wash out your skin tone if you use it to dress in.

Choose a closet wall color that not only compliments your closet, but compliments you as well!

If you decide to hire an expert closet designer , make sure they have a clear path to your installation site. You can help them get the work done quicker by moving any items that may be in walkways and making space for them to move through your home with custom closet building materials.

If you are designing and installing your custom closet yourself, measurements are everything! You need to know exactly what size your closet is from the width to height and depth. Check out this closet measuring tutorial for professional measuring tips!

Closet measurements are one of the most important aspects in designing your closet. Ask a friend to help and make certain you get the job done right!

Your custom closet should be properly designed for safety with durable materials that are not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing as well. When planning your custom closet, talk with your designer about functionality and beauty because you can have the best of both worlds. Check out ideas on pinterest and professional closet designer sites for ideas and make them unique to who you are. After all, this is your custom closet makeover.

Your custom closet design should fit your style, while maintaing beauty and functionality!

When it comes to closet design and organization, we offer many options. To see what would work best for your home, request a complimentary in-home closet estimate.