Get a head start on the home and organize your way to efficiency
For some, the big spring your closet consists of,” Johnson said.
clean is the start to “Then I will come back with a design welcomed warmer weather that will work for you. I really think and a fresh, clean house. some people go out and buy too many Mopping floors and gadgets and accessories for their closet, dusting ceiling fans can and they end up with all this stuff in help homeowners breathe easier, and cleaning the dirt and grime that has built up all year underneath furniture can offer a refreshing aromatic breeze, but a considerable chore during the big clean that can de-stress your life and add time in your day is tackling those pockets of clutter all throughout the house.
Owner of Closets by Melanie, Melanie Johnson, said organizing the most important there. But when I finish with your closet, you’ll see you don’t need a lot of those gadgets.”
Her design aesthetic is clean, she said, and everything is designated into sections so that the final result is as user friendly as possible. Whether it’s the hanging area, shelves or drawers, each section is made for convenience and allows for every item in the closet to have a home – offering easy access areas of your home can have a big impact on your daily life.
Johnson and a blueprint of sorts to maintain the organization.
“I always find that the biggest thing people say is that they don’t know what they own and they get frustrated looking for things, spending time trying to just find a white blouse or their car keys,” Johnson said. “They say they can’t find their stuff and it takes too long and it takes too much time.”
Johnson’s company typically focuses on closets – in new construction, remodel or just renovating the inside of a closet in an existing home. She works up a design to best fit the lifestyle and convenience of the client and removes all existing hardware to install new product.
“I do a free consultation, and I will come to your house, look at your clothes, count your shoes and really see what “Each section is designed that it has its own category, and each category has its own color,” Johnson said. “All of your pants, skirts and dresses go together and depending on the size of your closet you can categorize by season, winter and summer or even dressy and casual.”
Johnson’s designed are made to have a rhyme and reason for every decision, but it’s up to the client to maintain order.
“Everything has a place and everything has a home, but of course you cannot just neglect your closet,” she said. “To me, it’s daily maintenance. When you take a garment out of the closet, take the clothes hanger with it. Don’t leave all the coat hangers in there. [Part of my design includes] valet rods that pull out, so you can put your empty hangers on there and when you go to hang your garment back up – there it is!” To help with de-cluttering when bringing in new items, it’s mindful to always be editing your closet. Johnson said to keep a bag in there for pieces that no longer fit or won’t ever be worn again. This way, the extra pieces aren’t just hanging up taking up space.
This kind of functionality and daily maintenance in the closet can be used in other major areas of the house as well, she said. Kitchens, bathrooms and even the garage are good areas to re-organize based on how they’re used. Using something as simple as a basket to separate hair or body products in the bathroom or designating drawers in the kitchen to hold baking-only items can free up space and make daily tasks go by easier.
“If you just think about doing things so simple it can really simplify your life,” Johnson said. “Nothing can frustrate someone more than not being able to find something you need first thing in the morning – it gets you started on the wrong foot.”
– Katie Ho
