Closet Organizing Systems Blog

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.

It’s common to find traditionally built homes in many Chicago suburbs.

And that often means traditional décor – closets included.

What elements make up “traditional” style?

Here’s a great list. Keep in mind, the more you find appealing on this list, the more likely you favor this popular style.

1. Nothing is extreme. Not color, not shape, not size. It’s more middle-of-the road.

2. It is a mix of straight and curved lines and the wood grains and coloring are mid-range to dark tones.

3. Accessories play a significant role as features with this décor. This shows up in trims, moldings and clear glass. It also shows up as accessories of all types being displayed.

4. The display features show up in pairs in an understated, not too heavy, kind of way.

5. This style feels comfortable to almost any age. Think timeless.

6. Corner cabinets and chair rails show up often in traditionally styled homes.

7. White ceilings are the most common color.

8. Reproductions of historically original pieces are a mainstay (another, more common term for these items is “knock off”). Maybe it’s a replica of a desk Thomas Jefferson used or an architectural element that dates back hundreds of years. It’s recreated to mimic the original piece and incorporated into today’s homes.

9. Things match. So not only do they come in pairs – they go together!

10. No surprises. There’s predictability to traditional style that yields a very positive element. The ride is typically smooth.

So if you feel yourself nodding in agreement, not only with most of the items on this traditional list, but wanting your closet or home office to look like the ones we’ve created, give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you discover a custom storage solution with your style in mind.

So what if you’re one of the people who haven’t yet achieved the nirvana of your own boutique size walk in closet?

How do you get all of your stuff inside and organized so you can find it when you need it? 

Start with these tried and true organizing tips:

1) Start by taking everything out.  Some items will go in the trash or Goodwill pile immediately.  Trust me – you’ll find things you don’t even remember having, along with some that you’ve been looking for a very long time.

2) Evaluate with honesty and discipline.  Look at each item and give it a rating

from 1-10.  Ten means you love it and wear it often with confidence and joy.  Anything below a 7 should no longer have a home in your closet.  It’s not doing you any favors and not serving your current lifestyle and goals.

3) When you’re doing this evaluating – ask yourself how you want people to perceive you TODAY – in current time.  Are you looking to get promoted?  Are you looking for love?  Pick three to five adjectives that you resonate with and make sure each item you keep honors and conveys these characteristics.

4) Put the pieces that have sentimental value in a box – and then store that box somewhere besides the main closet you use to get dressed.

5) Apply the 80-20 rule.  We really do wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time.  If you have things you just can’t bear to let go of – move them to the back of another closet or storage space.  If another 6 months or year goes by and you still have worn them – let them go without even re-evaluating.  Trust that they have served their purpose.

6) Make another pile for anything that needs to be tailored, sewn or mended and write down what needs to be done to fix the piece.  Then take them to the seamstress at the dry cleaners or your tailor – within 72 hours – and get the problems fixed so you can move forward and wear them with confidence.

7) Now start putting things back into your closet.  The things you use the most should be the easiest to access.  The goal is to be able to open (and close) the closet door – access what you need – and move on with your day.

Good luck and happy organizing!

And if you need to add some structure to your closet – set up an appointment with one of our fabulous design team members.  They can double your storage capacity in no time flat and make your newly organized life so much easier to live.