Closet Envy

Neat and tidy shelves, bins, and boxes all in a row… If only every wardrobe were so orderly and calm. They can be! Read on for ways to carve out closet storage that tames the chaos.

- Mary Kate Hogan

CLOSET CATEGORY

WALK-IN Great for sharing, these roomy closets have enough space to hold everything at once—so you can avoid the hassle of switching out clothing seasonally—but they need to be organized or you risk winding up with a new clutter zone.

MAKING SPACE To add a walk-in closet, homeowners often annex an extra bedroom, or part of it. To create the one at left, DIYers Michelle and Erik Dagenhart of Charlotte, North Carolina, converted an existing bedroom in their 1922 Craftsman into a master bath and walk-in closet, with a small hallway between the two. The hisand-hers closet, which is 191⁄2 feet long and 61⁄2 feet deep, features the cabinet at left at its center, on display through the cased opening. Michelle’s side holds four sections of four drawers, topped with a counter and open shelves, and 10 feet of hanging space; Erik’s side holds half as much.

BUILT-IN LOOK That focal-point cabinet was salvaged during a friend’s renovation; Erik customized it with metal screening left over from their own kitchen reno, and built two smaller side cabinets to match. The screened “windows” let them see at a glance what’s where, while the closed doors keep things feeling neat and contained. Labeled linen-covered boxes up top house Michelle’s dress shoes and special-occasion gear.