Closet Systems Source Guide

Planning Your Closet System

Maximize your closet capacity with these tips for organized success.

1. Take inventory. To know what you need, you need to know what you have. Make a detailed, itemized account of everything stashed in a closet. Then you can determine how much space you need for short- and long-hanging items, and whether you need drawers or shelves, or both.

2. Consider relocation. If you discover a few awkward odds and ends on your list, contemplate storing items in alternate locations. Move a robe to a back-of-door hook, formal gowns to a coat closet, or hats to underbed storage rather than losing valuable space for everyday clothes.

3. Think ahead. Will your lifestyle, and consequently your clothing needs, change in the years ahead? Does flexibility matter? If so, opt for a wall-mount bracket system or built-in unit that allows you to adjust shelf and hanging heights.

4. Do the math. Plan your hanging storage around the length of your clothes. Use these standard vertical measurements as a guide:
-- Women's shirts: 36-40 inches long
-- Men's blazers and shirts, women's skirts: 38-42 inches long
-- Women's long dresses and coats: 60-70 inches long
-- Women's cocktail dresses and pants hung by cuff: 48-50 inches long
-- Double-hung pants: 20 inches long

5. Don't forget about feet. There's no one-size-fits-all solution for shoes with tall heels or for boots. Measure shoe heights when assessing your needs.

6. Choose the right closet system. See our favorite closet-system manufacturers on the following pages. We've listed details about materials and product lines, plus pricing and contact information so you can make the right choice.