Five Questions to Ask Yourself when Redesigning a Bathroom

Five Questions to Ask Yourself when Redesigning your Bathroom

Like kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations can be intimidating. They involve plumbing and considerations about water-tolerant materials—lots of things that can cause headaches if not done right. And they’re one of the most used spaces in your house so you want to make sure the products you choose can hold up to constant use. So you might be asking yourself, where do I begin? Of course, we’re happy to help! Here are five questions to ask yourself before you start your bathroom renovation.

Can I work within the existing footprint?

If you feel like your footprint is large enough to accommodate everything you envision, then the next step is to plan out the design and fixtures. You’ll want to figure out if the current layout works for your new vision or if you need to rework the plumbing to accommodate a new location for the shower, sink or toilet. If your footprint isn’t large enough to accommodate your new vision, then you’ll need to figure out how to pick up extra space for your design and should consult a contractor.

Double or single vanity?

The size of your vanity will have a large impact on your renovation. For master bathrooms or shared children’s bathrooms, we recommend a double vanity for convenience. For powder rooms or bathrooms that don’t get daily use, a single vanity is the way to go! As an extension, you should think about whether you like the look of an undermount bathroom sink or one that sits atop the vanity.

How much tile do I want to use?

While some people opt for tile in the shower only, others like the look of tile on the floors and walls as well. If you’re pairing two tiles together, we recommend using different sizes—so maybe a larger floor tile with a smaller sized wall tile. Of course, you don’t have to use any tile if that’s not your preferred look. There are tons of water-resistant flooring and wall treatments that work well in bathrooms.

Do I need a shower or just a tub?

This is another question that will greatly impact the design of your space. A lot of people are currently opting for separate standing tubs and showers in their master bathrooms, which is a really nice look. It’s also a look that ages with you, as you don’t have to worry about climbing over a tub edge when showering.

How can I create enough storage?

Be sure to think about what you currently store in your bathroom and what (if any) additional items you’d like to store there. If you feel like your current bathroom has sufficient storage, then you’re basically just replacing what you have but making it prettier. If you don’t feel like your current bathroom has enough storage, then think about how much more you’ll need. You can create storage in the vanity cabinets and shelving.

Now that you’ve asked yourself the right questions, it’s time to contact us to talk about your cabinet and storage needs!

Five Signs it’s Time to Upgrade your Closet

March is here—a time for spring cleaning and organizing! So what better time to start thinking about your closet storage needs! If you’ve been weighing whether the time is right to finally pull the trigger on a custom closet, let us help! Here are five signs that it’s time to upgrade your closet.

1. It’s a mess

The No. 1 sign that it’s time to upgrade your closet is clutter! Sure, you can add in hampers, baskets and bins to try to control the mess, but the simple fact is if you don’t have enough space, the only solution is to install a better functioning closet. Period.

2. You can’t find anything

We’ve all been there—you’re staring into your closet searching for a specific shirt, dress or pair of paints, but it’s eluding you due to clutter and chaos. If you’re relying on builder-grade closets that don’t cater to your individual wardrobe, then you’re in need of a solution that will make your life easier—a better functioning closet! Think built-in drawers, varying height hanging areas, dedicated shoe storage, and maybe even an island to store accessories if you have space!

3. You don’t have enough storage space

When we say you don’t have enough storage space, we mean you don’t have enough usable storage space. Most builder-grade closets neglect to take full advantage of vertical space, which results in a lot of wasted space. Builder-grade closets also don’t give you the diversity of storage that a custom closet does. They mainly include hanging space and shelves—no drawers, no shoe racks, no dividers. You’ll be amazed at how much you can actually fit into your closet once your custom closet is installed!

4. Getting things down is a workout

If you’re forced to stack sweaters, jeans and other foldable clothing on high shelves, you’re in for a workout every time you have to get them down. Customizing the height of your closet shelves is one of the best features in a new closet, as it allows for easier access to everything in your closet!

5. You dread changing out your wardrobe each season

You know your closet isn’t functioning properly if you absolutely dread changing out your wardrobe each season. That means the clutter and chaos have gotten so out of control that you can’t even bring yourself to get into the right mindset to start sorting. Breaking out your spring or fall wardrobes should be exciting, not seem like a chore. Bring some joy back into your life with a custom closet this season!

Closet Design Trends for 2023

January is our favorite time to get inspired in the closet design world! And we’re ending this month with a bang—sharing our predictions for the top closet design trends of the year. Get excited, we think this is going to be the most stylish year yet for custom closets!

Cabinets Over Shelving

Putting everything behind closed doors is trending right now. Where we used to see clients opt for a mixture of open shelving and cabinets, we’re now seeing more clients move toward all cabinets and drawers for a cleaner look. If this fits your style, now is the time to make it happen!

Convertible Vanities

As we continue to see master closets morph into more than just closets (check out our blog post on how closets are becoming the new sitting rooms), we’re seeing clients add in elements that can serve dual roles, like convertible vanities. Start the day getting ready at a vanity and then transition it to a desk for working from home. We especially love doing in this in closets with windows so you can take advantage of the natural light.

Classic Look

We’re going to see a return to traditional style in 2023—a touch of the old fashioned mixed in with a clean, classic look. Think wood tones, painted cabinets, vintage hardware and artwork.

Focus on Flooring

Often an afterthought or a safe choice to blend in, we’re now going to be seeing a lot more attention paid to closet flooring. Be it a patterned carpet, marble tile floor or a colorful runner over wood floors.

Luxury Additions

As we continue to see closets morph into dual functioning spaces, we’ll see more luxury add-ons such as bar areas, washers and dryers for convenient laundry cleaning and storage specific areas for items such as luggage.

Whether you want to embrace these trends or take your own path, let us help bring your custom closet dreams to life! Contact us today.

Top 10 Kitchen Trends for 2023

Kitchen renovations can be overwhelming enough without the added pressure of staying on trend, which is why we scour our sources each year to find the top trends that can be done in a timeless fashion! We understand that you want your new kitchen to No. 1 function for you; No. 2 represent your individual style; and No. 3 look fresh and fabulous! So here’s our list of the top 10 kitchen trends we think you should embrace in 2023.

1. Lots of Windows

One of the biggest kitchen trends for this year is all the windows, especially a window wall above the sink area. Seeing as you can’t go wrong with more light in your house, we 100 percent are on board with this trend!

Hoedemaker Pfeiffer Seattle Home Tour 05 — Credit: Laurie Black, Architectural Digest

2. Stone Slabs

Using stone slabs for a backsplash, hood base, or island cover can instantly elevate the feel of your kitchen. Timeless with a touch of European flair, this is a trend that won’t ever look dated!

3. Butler’s Pantry

We love Butler’s pantries for a number of reasons, but mainly because they give you a place to store small appliances and kitchen accessories that can clutter up the countertops. Pro tip: adding a sink, dishwasher and beverage fridge adds even more function to the space, especially when you’re entertaining.

4. Classic Look

We’re going to see a return to traditional style in 2023—a touch of the old fashioned mixed in with a clean, classic look. Homeowners are finding new ways to repurpose vintage items like buffets, serveware and artwork into their kitchen design and we’re loving the personality it brings!

5. Concealed Storage

This one is a no-brainer for 2023 and every year beyond. We’re big fans of hiding everything you possibly can behind a door to reduce clutter—spices, cooking utensils, pots and pans, mixers, coffee makers. If you want to take it a step further, you can opt for custom cabinet panels on your fridge and dishwasher for a completely concealed look!

6. Focal Hardware

We’re going to be seeing hardware go bigger and bolder in 2023. You can go bold by using hardware that contrasts with your cabinets or big by using larger pulls and creative designs. Of course, if you prefer to have your hardware be more subtle, this is one trend you can leave behind.

7. Bar Areas

Designated bar areas are definitely here to stay and we’re not mad about it one bit! We’re seeing more and more homeowners designate a space in the kitchen for a wet bar, complete with an ice maker, mini fridge, sink and storage. If you don’t have enough room in your main kitchen area, this is a perfect feature for your butler’s pantry!

8. Doubling Up

As homeowners continue to cook and entertain at home more (a trickle down effect from Covid), we’re seeing an increase in the number of homes with double ovens, sinks and even dishwashers! These are especially prevalent in homes with large immediate or extended families.

9. Eat-in Kitchen

This is one of the trends we’re most excited about for 2023! As the cottage look rises in popularity, we’re seeing some homeowners ditch the kitchen island and replace it with a kitchen table. This trend obviously only works if you have enough counter space without the addition of an island, but we love the coziness and sense of nostalgia it brings to the modern kitchen.

10. Pattern and Color

As all-white kitchens continue to fade in popularity, we’re seeing a resurgence of personality in the kitchen by way of color and/or pattern. Painted cabinets, colored tile, wallpaper, and darker countertops are all ways homeowners can add some personality into their kitchen if that’s your style!

Now that you’re feeling inspired, let’s get started planning your dream kitchen in 2023! Contact us today.

Step-by-Step Tips for an Organized Home in 2023

New year, new you! January is almost here and there’s no better way to start the new year than with an organized home. But figuring where to begin can be overwhelming—especially when you have a whole new round of holiday clutter. Fortunately for you, we’re here to help! Here are our step-by-step tips for a clutter-free home in 2023.

Start with the area that is driving you most insane. Whether that be the closet, entryway, kitchen, laundry room, master bathroom. Think about the space that irritates you the most with its clutter or disorganization and start there. Once you’ve identified where to start, you’ll want to declutter first, going through all of the items in that space and deciding what you’re going to keep and what you’re going to donate.

After you’ve decluttered, the next step is to determine if you think you can organize this area with the current layout and storage capabilities or if you need to enhance it. For example, if you’re tackling your closet first, ask yourself: Is there a place for everything? Do I have enough shelving and drawers or is it mainly hanger storage? Is it easy to reach the things I need (or do you have to stack clothes in deep piles to make everything fit)?

If you decide you do have adequate storage, then you can move on to organizing your items in a way that makes the most sense. If you’re organizing the closet first, make sure the items you use most regularly are the easiest to reach. Try not to stack sweaters, jeans or other items more than 3 or 4 deep to avoid the hassle of reaching the items all the way at the bottom. And find shoe storage that can accommodate all of your shoes.

If you decide you don’t have adequate storage, then the next step is to contact our expert team to help find storage solutions that work for you! At Behind Closed Doors, we design, manufacture and install custom closets, cabinetry and storage solutions for all your home and business needs. From the initial in-home design consultation through fabrication and install, our team of experienced and passionate professionals will guide you every step of the way. We offer an industry leading array of material options and accessories—from the latest in LED lighting to security options, decorative hardware, sliding doors, shelving and drawers! No matter how big or small your space is, we’ll make sure everything has its place.

New Year’s Resolution: An Organized Home

Now is the time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions! Here at BCD, we believe strongly in the connection between an organized home and an organized life. So if your New Year’s resolution involves tackling some overdue home organization projects, we’re here to help! Here are the most popular spaces our clients reimagine in January:

Closets

The first step to a more organized home is always the closets. While you can de-clutter without changing a thing in your closet, if you really want storage solutions that works for your wardrobe and your lifestyle, it’s time to ditch the builder-grade closet for a custom Behind Closed Doors system. From drawers and shelving to doors and rods, our custom closets reflect your individual needs and style. If you’re looking for something even more luxurious, check out our blog post on the top five upgrades to consider.

Pantry

After all that holiday cooking, baking, and entertaining, you might feel disappointed with your pantry storage—or lack thereof. Whether you’re looking to make an existing space function better or create a new one, we’re here to help. We offer an array of pantry designs that include varying height shelves to accommodate all sizes of items you need to store, pull out drawers and shelves for easy access to deeper items, racks to organize spices and oils, and cabinet dividers for large plates, baking pans and Tupperware.

Entryway/Mudroom

It’s the first thing you see when you enter the house, and the area that can attract the most clutter. So naturally, we love helping clients reimagine their entryways and mudrooms with custom lockers, cubbies, benches and wall systems. There’s nothing more satisfying than having a stylish and functional place for all the shoes, coats, bags, and dog leashes that get dumped upon entry.

Offices

Home offices were once a neglected, sterile space used only sparingly, but they’re now a worthwhile addition thanks to the increase of people working from home part or full-time. We love helping our clients create offices that suit their needs, and often times making them multi-functional as well with the addition of a Murphy Bed. The great thing about wall beds is they’re the ultimate space-saving solution. When not in use, they fold back and out of the way. Plus the lines we carry are so much more attractive than the Murphy Beds of past!

Let’s start 2023 off on the right foot! Contact us today to discuss your next home storage project.

Give the Gift of Organization this Holiday Season

Tis the season for gifting! Which means, there are a whole lot of new items that are about to enter your house. If you’re still looking for the ultimate gift idea for a spouse or parent, why not give them the gift of organization with a closet, pantry or wine storage upgrade? Not only will it earn you huge brownie points, but it’s something they’ll be able to enjoy for years to come!

Give them the Closet of their Dreams

What’s better than a new piece of clothing? A perfectly organized place to put it in! At Behind Closed Doors, we specialize in both walk-in and reach-in closets of all shapes and sizes, with a large selection of real woods, laminates, textures, colors and accessories. All real wood materials are fabricated locally at our shop in Coastal Delaware—which means we can complete any size closet in a quicker timeframe without sacrificing on quality. If you’re looking for a more elevated closet design, check out our blog post on the five upgrades that will make your closet feel luxurious.

Upgrade their Pantry

If your spouse or loved one is the cook of the family, a pantry upgrade would be the perfect gift! Whether you’re looking to make an existing space function better or create a new one, we’re here to help. We offer an array of pantry designs that include varying height shelves to accommodate all sizes of items you need to store, pull out drawers and shelves for easy access to deeper items, racks to organize spices and oils, and cabinet dividers for large plates, baking pans and Tupperware.

Wine Storage—the Gift that Keeps on Giving

For the wine enthusiast in your family, how about a wine wall, wine room, or creative wine storage solution like an under-staircase display? Our wine storage solutions look as good as they function, creating an attractive display that guests are sure to admire. Check out our blog post detailing all of our wine storage offerings.

Let us help make this holiday season extra bright! Contact us today to get started!

Are Closets the New Sitting Rooms?

We’re certainly ready to make a case for it! Gone are the days where closets served simply as a clothes depository, often cluttered and packed to the brim. Enter the new era of closets—chic, boutique-like spaces that guests are—get this—invited to hang out in. You heard that right, closets are the new sitting rooms!

2022 11 18 0004 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

There are a number of factors that have prompted this transition—the pandemic forcing people to reevaluate how their homes function; the upsurge of self-care mentality; the effect of influencers showing off their closet renovations and us wanting to follow suit. Whatever your reason, now is the time to take advantage of one of the hottest trends in home design—a boutique closet.

Imagine yourself sitting on an upholstered ottoman in the middle of your perfectly designed closet, sipping a glass of bubbly from the built-in mini fridge and chatting with friends who have stopped over before a dinner out. Or imagine yourself alone in your perfectly appointed closet, easily sifting through the impeccably organized racks and drawers, actually enjoying the process of getting ready in your own personal space. It’s a sense of refuge, a sense of home, and a little taste of old-world elegance. Those are the sentiments that boutique closets create.

So how exactly do you design a boutique closet? First, you need to think about your closet footprint. If you’re building a new home, make sure you’re allotting the right amount of space to make your closet feel luxurious and house all of the accessories you desire. If you’re renovating an existing space, think about if your current footprint is large enough or if you need to increase the size of the space. Second, give us a call! We’ll lead you through the entire process, showing you layout, finish and accessory options to make your closet a space you want to show off time and time again!

Let’s get started today!

How to Purge your Closet

November is here, which means cold weather is right around the corner! As you’re pulling out all of your cold-weather gear, why not spend a little extra time purging your closet of pieces that you no longer wear or want? We know closet purging can seem like a chore, but trust us, you’ll be thankful to shed the excess clutter so that getting dressed is easy and fun again! Here are our top three tips for purging your closet.

Try Everything On

Even if you know you want to keep something, trying the item on is essential to the purging process. It makes you feel and see the piece of clothing in a singular setting so that you are able to make a decision on whether it stays or goes. The top reasons people get rid of clothing are: it’s dated, it’s worn, and it no longer makes you feel your best.

Sort Items into Piles

We recommend sorting your clothes into four piles: keep, discard, maybe, and seasonal. The seasonal pile contains items you want to keep but that are out of season. The keep pile can go back into your closet; the discard pile can be donated or consigned; the maybe pile can be stored in a bin in your closet so you have the option to bring a few items back into your wardrobe if you decide you need them; and the seasonal pile can be stored away until the proper season rolls around.

Wait a Few Weeks

Live with your wardrobe for a few weeks before adding anything new. That will give you time to make sure you truly love the items you kept and to see if there are any holes in your wardrobe now that you’ve purged some items. You’re looking for quality over quantity so be sure any additions are items you truly love!

As a general rule, if you haven’t worn anything in over a year, it should probably go to the maybe bin—unless it’s special occasion wear or has sentimental value. The maybe bin is a great way to purge without remorse. If you end up pulling out an item to wear, you can go ahead and add it back into your wardrobe. Items that aren’t worn within a year should be donated or consigned.

Now that you’ve purged your wardrobe, it’s time to start thinking about whether your closet is working for you. From reach-in to walk-in to fully custom boutique closets, let us create the closet of your dreams at Behind Closed Doors! Contact us today!

Wine Storage But Make it Art

Wine storage, but make it art! That’s our philosophy when we approach residential and commercial wine storage projects. Whether you’re looking to fit a display into an unused space or create a stunning focal point, we’re here to make your wine storage look as good as it functions! Here are our favorite ways to add attractive wine storage to your home or business:

Wine Wall

Wine walls work equally well residentially and commercially. For businesses like restaurants and hotels, we usually go larger to accommodate their inventory. But in residential projects, we find smaller displays work better so as not to overwhelm or take over a space. Wine walls are an especially great option when you have limited floor space.

Wine Room

For our hardcore wine enthusiasts or our largescale commercial projects, we recommend a wine room or cellar. These larger spaces provide enough room for your collection or inventory and can be done in many attractive ways. Some clients even choose to turn their wine rooms into a makeshift tasting room by adding barstools, a countertop and lighting.

Wine Staircase

This is our favorite way to add wine storage when space is at a minimum, both residentially and commercially. You can go more rustic with wall shelving or more modern with glass-enclosed storage. Either way, it’s a creative and attractive way to incorporate wine storage into your home or business.

Let’s start planning your wine storage project today! Contact us to schedule your in-home or in-business consultation.

Five Questions to Ask Yourself when Redesigning your Bathroom

Five Signs it’s Time to Upgrade your Closet

Closet Design Trends for 2023

Top 10 Kitchen Trends for 2023

Step-by-Step Tips for an Organized Home in 2023

New Year’s Resolution: An Organized Home

Give the Gift of Organization this Holiday Season

Are Closets the New Sitting Rooms?

How to Purge your Closet

Wine Storage But Make it Art

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