Closet Organizing Systems Blog

How To Hide Wire and Cables - The Fine Art of Designing So Wires Are Hidden

Wire management.

It's a term that people don't always consider when working on home improvement projects, but it's something designers MUST think about in advance.

Otherwise, we risk the dreaded client call and subsequent appointment where we are standing side-by-side as collaborators on the creation, staring at the designed solution and contemplating ways to hide the variety of wires that have “suddenly shown up” from the lighting, the computer, the charging stations, the printer, etc.

And nothing can ruin a beautiful design quicker than unattractive wires dangling from upper and lower cabinets.

So we plan ahead.

We make sure we get the information from you that involves things like:

• The exact size of your printer including the depth of the connector cords that stick out from the printer when plugged in
• How many electronic gadgets (like phones and Ipods and cameras) need to be plugged in
• How many USB and traditional outlets are necessary to keep the space functional
• Where the electricity on the wall is to make sure we can reach it easily or have an electrician move things prior to installation
• If we can use items like rechargeable LED lighting that doesn't require hard wiring
• Whether you want things hard wired by an electrician (so lights come on when you flip the wall switch)  or whether puck lights that go on and off when you touch them are preferred
• If items need to be pulled in and out on a shelf

We also consider accessibility issues. Most people don't want to have to crawl around under their desks to get things unplugged, so reach is an important design issue to consider.

And so is the factor of how much you want to “see” and “be seen”. Some products can be hidden by having the ability to “pop” up and out of a counter top, while others are always in open view.

Then we look at available products to design which best match your requirements in terms of technology, style and budget. The choices continue to expand since technology changes everyday.

In fact, there are options that allow you to have lighting in places like drawers and inside cabinets that are rechargeable. That means there are no wires required, they can be re-charged via USB plug-in and have motion sensors, so they turn on and off automatically.

It's a rather exciting time to be creating a home office or some other space where you can incorporate the technology that makes your life better.

And the one thing we DON'T want to see when trying to camouflage wires (even though we love it) – DUCT TAPE!

We're all ready for spring to be sprung, and yet odds are good we've forgotten some of the New Year's resolutions that we made with such good intention. 

So, here are some ideas to help you “spring” back in to action and make some traction on the resolutions you made to “be more organized”, because, hey, it's time to recharge your organization resolutions and allow them to bloom in time for spring.

It's Inventory Time

Yes, it's inventory time. That means you need to stop yourself (right there inside your closet) before you go out to buy the latest spring trend. You need to get rid of some items that are no longer “on trend”.

Be honest.

Look at the pieces you've worn a lot because they were so hip and stylish, but are now looking worn or just don't feel current. Take two or three items, put them in a bag or box that's stashed in the back of your closet and leave them there. We'll add to it over time until it's full and ready to be moved from your closet to your trunk to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill or consignment shop.

Now Start Cutting Clutter in Other Parts of Your Home

Start this process with a tape measure instead of a shopping trip.

People have a tendency to make a run to places like The Container Store or Target and buy some visually appealing containers and bring them home with hopes of solving their clutter issues.

It will work much more effectively if you measure the kinds of things you need to store before you go to the store. Doing this makes things more efficient and doesn't leave you with cute, half-empty containers in your closets that aren't quite the right fit for your stuff.

And if you're really looking to increase that zen-like feeling, keep your baskets and containers in the same or similar colors. Mixing colors and finishes together leads to a more cluttered look.  It's fine if you want to spice up your maple colored closet with a dark top and handles, but then make sure any accessories you add are harmonious in color and feel so it all flows seamlessly (just like you do in your life!).

Doors Aren't Just For Opening and Closing

Doors can be terrific spots for adding organization. In small spaces, you need to utilize vertical space as well as horizontal space – so - don't forget the doors. Using them to increase storage capacity is also an easy way to stay de-cluttered because the things you use frequently can be stored within easy reach.

Do CPR

And as a last step, consider a little closet CPR. This term pops up every now and then in different organizing articles, and it's a good way to remember what you should do – Categorize, Purge and Rearrange.

When you're getting ready to change out your wardrobe from winter to spring, take a careful look at each item and categorize it. Is it a fabulous piece that you love wearing? If not, it gets purged (so place it in that bag or box that is in the corner of your closet). Next, take the items you still love and rearrange things. Look at things with new eyes. Consider pairing things together that you haven't worn that way before. Different color top under your favorite blazer instead of the white one you always wear. Or trendier shoes mixed with that traditional suit to spice things up just in in time to add spring into your step for the new season.

And if you need help with a new closet design after you've done all this work, give us a call. We'd be delighted to come out and give you some additional ideas on ways to maximize your storage with a newly designed closet system.

Do you feel like you see yourself coming and going?

Or perhaps you can't keep up with how fast you're coming and going.

Still, you want to look good while you're “doing it all”, and well placed mirrors can make that so much easier, all while increasing functionality (that's almost better than having the prince rescue you!)

So take a moment to “look in the mirror” and see some wonderful ways that we've incorporated them into our closet designs. With any luck, you'll be inspired to do the same.

Mirrors make spaces look larger, so if you can incorporate mirrors into a walk in closet space, even if it's small, it will feel bigger. If it's already big, it will feel magnificent. Think about adding mirrors on door fronts, on the actual door to a closet, or on some wall space.

We're not suggesting you give up precious storage space in order to accommodate a mirror. We're suggesting you consider some clever ways to add them to your space without compromising a thing.

If you decide to put a mirror on the wall, make sure you will still be able to have a good line of sight and be able to see yourself once the closet is filled with your clothing. Clothing often sticks out beyond the panel structure of a closet and is deeper, so double check your viewing clearances.

And check the installation height location if it's a mirror that's not full length. If the woman who “wears” this closet is petite, make sure she can see her full face (at minimum) in the mirror. This comes in to play if you're putting mirrors on upper door cabinets.

There's also a 3-way mirror to consider. If you've got enough space in your Walk-In closet, a well-versed designer can create the space so that there is storage behind three sections that are hinged to open so they function like a 3-way mirror. Take a look at some of these pictures that illustrate the point more clearly.

And one more option, in case you just can't get enough! The closet industry offers what is known as a “Pull-Out Mirror”. It can be installed onto one of the vertical panels in your closet system and can be “pulled out” when you need it and pushed back into its' place when not in use. Again, a designer who's worth their salt can guide the design process so it's installed in a location that's functional.

Give us a call. One of our designers would be delighted to help you with that.

Closet Organizing Systems is the proud recipient of an Angie’s List 2012 Super Service Award for a third consecutive year. We have been selected for achieving and maintaining superior service ratings by customers in both the Closets and Organization of Home and Garage categories. 

Closet Organizing Systems (COS) was selected for two Top Shelf Design Awards to be announced at the 2012 Closet and Home Organizing Expo at the Austin Convention Center on February 15^th in Austin, TX.  COS was selected for a melamine office system design and solid/wood veneer closet system. This is the 9th time that COS has been awarded a Top Shelf Design award by Closet Magazine over the last 7 years since its inception.

In the home office category Carey Ekstrom received a Top Shelf Award for her unique office solutions for a sitting/sun room adjacent to the client’s kitchen and living room. The client worked from home and required a functional, yet attractive workspace that blends with the family entertainment activities and compliments the visibility from both the kitchen and living room areas. Transforming a dated, non-functional area into an attractive, warm and inviting multi-purpose area in the home in which the family now looks forward to spending time together.  

In the Wood Veneer category Bill Curran received a Top Shelf Award a cherry stained master closet system simulated leather inserts in the door panels, thicker vertical side panels, full backing, and matching top and bottom moulding throughout the room. The closet was designed with a peninsula island cabinet with his/hers hampers, jewelry drawers, viewing mirror, and granite countertop which doubled for folding and packing clothes. The space also included a window seat bench with drawer storage and an upper lighting valance which is flanked by more hanging storage.

Awards were presented by TV personality Amanda LeBlanc of The Style Networks show “The Amada’s” at the 2012 Top Shelf Design Awards in Austin Texas.

Closet Organizing Systems has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award. Closet Organizing Systems won the same award in 2010, making this our second year receiving this honor, which is bestowed annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing consistently high quality customer service, as judged by the customers who hired them,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines. Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. Members get unlimited access to local ratings via Internet or phone, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine and help from the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Take a quick tour of Angie’s List and view the latest Angie’s List news.

Yes – it's true - sometimes simple solutions really make us happy.

And simple in the closet world often equates to utilizing white melamine to build the closet systems.

White melamine also happens to be the most popular kind of closet system installed in the U.S. (to the tune of about 75%).

That's not to say that colored melamine or wood aren't great options – they are.  But take a look at the beauty that can result from doing white right.

It's the finishing touches and attention to detail, along with terrific closet design work by Donna Siben of our closet design team, that makes this closet work so well.

There are specific spots for shoes and for bags and for boots, along with drawer storage, shelving behind doors and plenty of hanging space. The system is floor based to add to the built-in look.  Granite tops on the island and dresser really upgrade the look without adding lots of cost and then there's the crown and base moldings.

Moldings in any room really add to the beauty and sophistication. And they are a finishing detail that really give a custom look and feel. There are an almost endless amount of choices if you're looking to add a base or crown molding to your project. They come in many sizes and can look contemporary to traditional and almost anything in between.

So if you're ready to solve your storage solutions challenges and want a sophisticated closet solution, give us a call or Request a Free Design Consultation and we'll guide you through the design maze and help you define the details that truly make it your own.

We all like our homes to feel good. A natural state of “flow” contributes to that home-like, peaceful feeling that says “welcome” when we arrive at the end of a long day.

But if you live in a house that's in an urban environment or is of smaller square footage, this design effort can take more energy because functions in the rooms often overlap.  Or you can easily see from one space to another and you want it all to look like it works together.

And that's the case with this project designed by our team member, Carey Eckstrom.  The client showed Carey a photo of something she liked and Carey used that as the inspiration for these two wall units – one in the bedroom and one in the adjoining home office space.

The client liked the wider vertical dividers, the crown and base molding and the open feel of the upper shelving.

And you can see these elements incorporated into the final designs for their own spaces.

Another feature that adds to the great function of these designs is the clipped corners. By making the ends with 45 degree angles instead of squared-off 90 degree angles, the space feels softer and the pieces fit more easily into the flow of the room.                                           

Carey also took into account the location of the bed when designing the wall unit that's in the bedroom, making sure that the TV was in the sight line with the bed for comfortable viewing.

Both units are manufactured with solid cherry wood veneer with solid wood doors/molding and matching melamine interiors.  This “hybrid” approach saves costs because only the parts you see are actually wood (a more expensive material).

Another feature that really adds to the custom look of these pieces is the built-up columns.  Adding the width on the vertical pieces that divide the sections makes the units feel more substantial and clearly adds to the uniqueness.

So if you're looking for some unique storage for your home, give us a call and we'll design something equally as beautiful and functional that solves your storage challenges.

The decision to have a custom storage solution designed and built in your home can bring you long lasting results and satisfaction.

It can also be a daunting process because you’re working with someone to “create a one of a kind original from nothing”, so to speak.

You’ve got the designated space where you want this storage solution to “live” – and you likely have an idea of the kinds of things you need stored there (files, books, clothes, electronic equipment, etc.).

Now you need a design/build professional to work with to make this all happen.

The most important variables to consider as you’re working on this project are form, fit and function.

Form

This is the “look” and “feel” you want your project to have. 

Do you want it to blend in with the rest of your décor, or stand out and make a dramatic statement?

Do you like a rustic, knotted wood or a smooth, high-gloss, lacquered finish?

Do you want open storage, closed storage, or both?

And what about shelves, drawers and doors?

An experienced design consultant can guide you through this part and will be sure to ask you all the questions that you didn’t even know you had to answer!

Fit

Making sure a built-in fits the space is crucial – otherwise – it’s no longer a built in – it’s a mistake.

All obstacles need to be considered in terms of allowing access and making sure the pieces are manufactured so they work and fit correctly.  This includes outlets and vents as well as sprinkler heads and anything else that resides in that space.

Any special AV or office equipment that will be stored within the units need to be measured and incorporated into the design – so there’s no such thing as “it’s just a standard printer” or “40” flat screen” when communicating with your designer.  We need to know the precise measurements of any special equipment that you plan to incorporate into the design.

Function

Function is the place where a skilled designer can really take your project to the next level.  Any woodworker can make a box and add shelves or drawers.  It takes experience to know that 24” deep shelves aren’t good for much in a closet space unless they pull out.  And that shallow shelving as well as deep shelving increase functionality in areas like pantries and home offices.  And that corner shelves in lower cabinets end up becoming “big, black holes”.

Having an experienced design consultant, like one of the team members at Closet Organizing Systems, that can work with you to make your dreams come true – is – well – quite frankly – a dream come true.

So how can we make your dreams come true?