ECONOMICAL STORAGE IDEAS
A nice, spacious home can still feel cramped if you don't have your closets in order. Many of us put off organizing our closets because we don't have the money to fix it up how we would like. Here are some budget friendly options for getting your closet beautifully organized.
Shelving in your closet will add a lot of space. You don't have to spend a fortune to add storage shelves. Wire shelving is very easy to install, comes in multiple sizes, and it won't break the bank. It can hold boxes, blankets, sweaters, shoes, baskets and more. It can hold a considerable amount of weight if it is properly anchored into the studs of your closet. Another convenience of wire shelving is that you can buy standardized attachments for it, giving you hanging space for tote bags, sports equipment, robes and more.
If wire shelves aren't your thing, you might like wood. Wood shelving doesn't have to be expensive, although it can be. Preassembled shelves normally cost more, but you can buy just the wood from your lumber and hardware store and save a bundle. We built 1'x1'x1' cubby shelves from the floor to the ceiling and only spent $50. They are sturdy, solid wood, and we stained them to match our furniture. Cubby shelves and corner shelves are so useful and take up such little space. If you don't have room in the front of your closet, try moving the hanging bar back a few inches until the clothes hangers are close to the wall. You can discover so much space just by thinking outside the box!
Another inexpensive option is to add another hanging bar. Just move your current bar up as high as you can comfortably reach. Be sure to support the bar by anchoring it into a stud. If you don't have a stud in the right place, you can anchor a 1"x4" board into the studs around the area where you want your bar, and then attach the bar to your board. Most bars come with a bracket that hooks over the wood for added support. Do the same thing down below and you just doubled your hanging space. You may want to put a short bar on either side of the closet for items that hang down lower, like dresses and suits. With each bar costing under $10, this could be the most dramatic, cheapest change you've ever made to your closet.
About the Author: Jo Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for garment hangers.