The Cure for Houzz Envy: Closet Touches Anyone Can Do
For this week’s Acute Houzz Envy cure, I think it’s appropriate to talk about closets. A new year means making resolutions to get organized and purge that stuff you no longer use, donating it to those who need it and giving the things you need some breathing room. Read this ideabook for inspiration. Then when you have a day to really dig in, check out Get It Done: Clean Out Your Bedroom Closet to get everything deep cleaned and then put your favorite ideas into action.
My first case of extreme closet envy occurred when I saw the movie Broadcast News. Jennifer the TV journalist had reassigned an entire bedroom in her apartment as a closet, and I’ve dreamed of doing the same ever since (it’s never happened, but I like to make my closet look organized and pretty). According to what I come across on Houzz, it seems a large percentage of the population has incredible custom closets that are bigger than my bedroom, appointed with chandeliers and ottomans. Don’t let it get you down in the dumps and think that everyone except you has a closet like the one Nate Berkus designed for Oprah — most of us are in the same cramped closet boat. Let’s steal ideas from them instead.
Yes, please!
While I dream of a closet like this, when I was at my childhood home for the holidays, I looked at the small closet (just one narrow door wide) I was using, and it made me happy.
There were six sweaters, two blouses, four pairs of pants, a dress, two pairs of ankle boots, a pair of sneakers and two pairs of flats in there. It looked so streamlined and lovely, and I realized it was really all I needed for the season. (Also up top, there was a Laura Ashley hatbox circa 1988 full of photos from high school.)
However, the truth is that most of us want more space. If your closet is tiny, you can make it hold more, or you may even want to spread your things out into other parts of the house.
Add fresh flowers. OK, I’m kidding. I just say that for almost every room, and I couldn’t find any photos of closets with plates on the walls. On to more practical ideas …
Make the most of height. Lots of two-door, non-walk-in closets have only one shelf above the rod, and there is often wasted space. Fill that space up to the ceiling by adding another shelf and keeping a folding stepladder or sturdy stool nearby.
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The Cure for Houzz Envy: Closet Touches Anyone Can Do