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.

In the world of work, there are typically two kinds of days.

One that is routine- you have a good handle on the tasks that need to be completed and go about getting those things accomplished.

The other is often referred to as “one of those days” – where things don’t go as planned are often filled with putting out one fire after another or coming up with ingenious solutions to complicated problems.

And closet design days can be that way too.

Sometimes it’s a straightforward Walk In Closet that needs hanging, drawers and shelves.

And sometimes it’s a closet that’s filled with all kinds of obstacles (like steam mechanicals, security panels, return vents and electronic panels for stereo systems and computer technology).

So when most people are presented with complicated work challenges – they put on their thinking caps. Closet designers do that too, along with pulling out their tape measure, angle finder, camera and video recorder and get to measuring and calculating right there on the spot.

This closet project was like building a box inside a box.

What that means is that the client wanted the system inside this Reach In Closet to go wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling and be the full depth of the space.


And they wanted all the obstacles to be accommodated – so we had to work both in the shop and in the field to make this function properly and look beautiful.

The material used on this project is a custom-stained cherry wood, which makes things a bit more delicate to work with.

Trim around the obstacles had to be cut and added from the field once the panels were put in place and we knew accessibility was accurate.

And, as you can see from these photos, we created beautiful custom storage solutions that accommodated the needs of the client.

If you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in master closet – whether it’s shared space or there are “his” and “her” versions – it pays off to plan your storage design.

So here are the top ten things to consider when planning this space (whether you’re doing it yourself or meeting with –oh – say – one of our fabulous design consultants).

Here’s the inside scoop on how to master “The Master”.

1) If it’s shared space, decide on the division. How much space will each person get? The typical division is 2/3 Hers; 1/3 His.

2) Do you need drawers and if so, approximately how many? And do you like deep drawers, shallow drawers, or a combination?

3) Shoe Storage. How many pair need shelf space? Honestly.

4) Make the Long Hang decision. How much of it do you need and where will it go? If space is tight, you don’t wear the Long Hang items frequently and you have other closets, consider moving the Long Hang out of the master closet.

5) Do you hang pants long or fold them over a hanger? This will help determine what other hanging space will be needed (short, medium or long).

6) Where does dirty laundry end up? And what about clothes that need to go to the drycleaner? Would you like pullout baskets/drawers for that?

7) Are you a “folder” or a “hanger”? People who fold most things need more shelves. People who hang need hanging space.

8)Do you like all of your clothing and shoes to be visible or behind doors/drawers?

9) Do you need a full-length mirror?

10) Do you travel and need a surface (island or peninsula) for packing?

11) Where will you sit to put on your shoes?

12) Would you like some hooks for hanging the clothes you “hang around the house in”. They’re so much better than the floor.

These are the things we “masters” consider when we have the privilege of working with people on this most important and intimate space. If your husband is the “master” in assisting you with this project, then he’s one lucky fella. And if that doesn’t work out – we’re here for you! Just schedule your complimentary in home consultation and we’ll make the process painless and the result beautiful.