custom cabinetry

Five Ways to Elevate Your Pantry Renovation

While there are plenty of standard upgrades to add to your pantry renovation—like shelf dividers for large plates, varying height shelves to accommodate items of different sizes, and spice racks—we love it when our clients add in custom touches to elevate their new pantry. If you’re looking to add some flair to your pantry, here are our top five recommendations:

Up Your Door Game

By incorporating a marquee door, you’ll turn your pantry into a kitchen focal point. You’ll want to choose something that complements the design of your kitchen—a sleek, glass-paneled door for a modern kitchen, a cool-toned oak door for a neutral kitchen, a rustic wood door for a country kitchen. Trust us, this one small move will completely elevate your pantry renovation.

Add a Ladder

Not only is a pantry ladder functional in helping you reach high-placed items, it’s also extremely attractive! Not to mention it has a certain old-world charm. For larger pantries, you can add a full-length ladder that slides to the location you need it. For smaller pantries, we recommend a half-length ladder.

Countertops

If your space allows it, we’re big fans of adding countertops (and a sink) to your pantry to provide a secondary space for food prep. You can also use them to store larger items used daily like coffee makers, toasters, and mixers.

Drawers

While pullout drawers are standard in any cabinet pantry, they’re sometimes overlooked in walk-in or butler’s pantries, which we think is a mistake. Whether you’re going to leave them open-faced or install cabinet-style drawers, they’ll make accessing your food and storage items so much easier!

Wine storage

We’re seeing more and more people add wine storage to their pantry, and we think it’s a great idea! Whether you’re looking to incorporate a wine wall, shelf, or fridge, we can help bring your vision to life!

Now let’s get started designing your new pantry! Contact us today.

Think Dual Purpose when Designing Your Home

Over the past few years, we’ve definitely seen a shift in design mentality from single-purpose rooms to dual purpose rooms. It’s such a simple concept, but one that hugely improves the functionality of your home! Why have a laundry room AND a mudroom when you can combine the two? Why dedicate an entire room to guests who only visit a few times a year when you can add a Murphy Bed to a home office? As the preeminent leader in storage solutions in Coastal Maryland and Delaware, we offer tons of creative solutions to take advantage of one of the hottest trends in home design right now: dual-purpose rooms. See our top tips below to start making the most of every room in your home!

Laundry + Mudrooms

2022 06 30 0001 — Photo Credit: Joanna Gaines

Typically located off the garage or a side entrance, lots of people are opting for a combined laundry and mudroom rather than dedicating a separate space to each. If you think about it, it makes sense. Both rooms require similar materials—durable, water-resistant flooring and cabinet or cubby storage—and both serve as a dumping place (whether it be dirty clothes in the laundry room or jackets, shoes, backpacks, etc., in the mudroom). When combining the two rooms, most clients opt for a combination of cabinets, cubbies, lockers, hooks, and benches to accommodate all those dropped items and to store all your typical laundry room necessities.

Office + Guest Room

This one is a no-brainer. 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. As home offices become more coveted, it only makes sense to double up these spaces as guest rooms with the help 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!

Wine Storage + Basements

Whether you’re looking to incorporate a wine wall, room, staircase or cellar into your home, the basement is the perfect location! Not only does it typically stay cooler temperature-wise, but who doesn’t love the idea of a basement bar?! If you want to up your game, incorporate a makeshift tasting room by adding barstools, a countertop and lighting. Your guests will not be disappointed!

Closet + Bathroom

There’s something so luxurious about a master bathroom that flows into a master closet. We love when clients choose to blend these spaces together for a smooth transition throughout the master suite. It gives you easy access to all the things you need while getting ready—clothes, shoes, accessories, hair products, makeup, and more! And it makes you feel like you have your own little apartment inside your house. Who wouldn’t love that?!

Are you planning a new home build or renovation? Let us help make the most of every room in your house! Contact us today to get started!

Voted Best Closet Company

We are extremely honored and humbled to be voted the Best Closet/Home Organization Company in Sussex and Worcester counties for the seventh consecutive year! We want to extend a huge Thank You to all our customers who voted for us in Coastal Style Magazine’s Best Of Awards. We take great pride in our reputation and work very hard making sure we go above and beyond for our awesome customers!

We’re best known for our closet work, but that’s not all we do by a long shot! Here are all the services we offer at Behind Closed Doors:

Closets

Building a custom closet is a great way to get organized and create a functional space to store clothing, shoes, ties, jewelry, handbags, linens, pantry items and so much more! We specialize in both walk-in and reach-in closets of all shapes and sizes. Our large selection of real woods, laminates, textures, colors and accessories allow you to build a closet that reflects your personal style while creating optimal storage. 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.

Murphy Beds

Maximizing every inch of space is our goal, and the best way to make a spare room multifunctional is to add a Murphy bed for out-of-town guests. This space-saving wall bed is one of the hottest trends in home design right now and for good reason. It’s an extremely cost-effective way to make the most of your space.

Garage Storage

Turn your cluttered garage into an organized paradise. Make space for your car, bikes, kids toys, sporting equipment, tools, kayaks, paddle boards and surfboards with our innovative and attractive space-saving solutions. Our material options are specifically engineered to withstand moisture and heat to protect against the Coastal climate of the Delaware and Maryland beaches.

Pantries

Spice up your pantry with accessories such as sliding shelves and vertical dividers to provide organization, all while saving space. Customized pantries help cut back on cooking time by creating designated spaces for pasta, rice, soups, condiments and so much more.

Wine Storage

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. Let us help create your dream wine wall, room, cellar or staircase today!

Mudrooms

Mudrooms do more than store coats and backpacks. From custom cubbies to lockers to benches and hooks, a well-designed mudroom helps you reduce clutter in the busiest area of your house.

Laundry Rooms

Laundry rooms that actually make you want to do laundry—our specialty. Let our experts help customize your laundry room with creative storage solutions for laundry supplies, hampers, ironing boards, folding areas, hanging space and more.

We also offer custom built-ins and storage solutions for home offices, kids rooms, and family rooms. Schedule your in-home consultation today!

Why Customers Keep Coming Back to BCD

At Behind Closed Doors, we not only take great pride in our product but our customer service as well. That’s why so many of our customers are repeat customers and so many of our referrals come from personal recommendations. As such, we’re going to take this opportunity to share the Top 3 reasons our customers trust us time and time again with their closet and home storage needs!

1.Quality

When it comes to quality custom closets and cabinets in Coastal Delaware and Maryland, there’s no other name but BCD. We design, manufacture and install all of our custom closets, cabinetry and storage solutions, ensuring quality products as well as a quality experience. Just ask our recent customer Stacy:

“Without hesitation, I recommend BCD. We did a home office and garage with them. Leatie was great to work with, allowing us to use design features we wanted from our former home, and making sure she tweaked them in a way that worked. She listened to us to make it happen the right way. The install team was professional, clean, and very mannerly. They were a pleasure to have in our home.”

2. Superior Service

We are always striving to give our customers the best experience possible. From design to fabrication to installation, we are here to listen to your needs and bring your closet or home storage needs to life as efficiently as possible. Recent customer Debbie had this to say about our customer service:

“We recently had our closets done. From the beginning design through installation, everything was done professionally and on time. It’s refreshing to deal with a company that delivers excellence in all aspects of its service. You will not be disappointed with these folks.”

3. Timeliness

We know how important your time is, which is why we’re dedicated to delivering quality home storage solutions in the timeliest manner possible. We offer a range of products to fit your desired timeframe—from cabinet lines that offer a quick turnaround to fully custom designs. Recent customer Karla had this to say about her experience with us:

“I was at the end of my renovation project where I took my beach condo down to the metal studs. After a couple attempts to hang poles in the closets, which ended in closets collapsing and damaging the drywall (which they gladly fixed), I contacted BCD to design and install my closet system. It was not an overly complicated design, but it was a straightforward process right up to, and including installation. Everything happed exactly as scheduled and planned, which is amazing enough, but I coordinated my general contractor to be there, and he was equally impressed with the quality and service. Great job!”

Add your name to the list of satisfied customers! Contact us today to get started on your closet or home storage project.

Vote for us as Best Closet/Home Organization Company

We are so honored to once again be named a finalist for Coastal Style Magazine’s “Best of 2023” awards for Best Closet/Home Organization Company in Sussex and Worcester County! Now all we need is your vote. You have until May 31st to cast your votes! Just follow these simple instructions:

1.Go to https://coastalstylemag.com/best-of-2023/

2. Click on Sussex County

3. Click on “For the Home”

4. Scroll down until you see “Closet/Home Organization” and Vote for Behind Closed Doors Custom Closets & Cabinetry

5. Repeat the steps for the Worcester County ballot

Behind Closed Doors has been voted the best Closet/Home Organization Company in both Sussex and Worcester County for six years running. We take great pride in our reputation and work very hard making sure we go above and beyond for our awesome customers. Here are few recent reviews from satisfied customers:

“From beginning to end, Behind Closed Doors was a great experience! The designer, the owner and the installers were excellent! My closets and my garage were well thought out and they look beautiful! I have used two other companies in the past for two different houses and Behind Closed Doors is by far the best!” —Karla

Thank you so much for your continued support and don’t forget to VOTE FOR BCD!

Outdated Closet Rules We Think You Should Break

Some people are rule followers and some are rule breakers! While there are many closet “rules” we always recommend adhering to—like a place for everything, everything in its place—there are others we don’t mind breaking! Here are four outdated closet rules we think can be tossed out when planning your next custom closet with Behind Closed Doors:

1.Rainbow organize your closet

If you’re a type A person who needs to rainbow organize to stay sane, then by all means, go for it! But if it’s not something that would greatly affect your well being, then it’s definitely in the category of outdated rules that can be tossed out. Not only does it suck up a lot of time at the onset, but it takes an effort to keep up with as well. Other ways to organize your closet include by category (grouping blouses, denim, skirts, sweaters, etc.) or by outfits (keeping pants and shirts that you wear together near one another). Basically, you have free reign to organize your closet in whatever fashion works best for you!

2. Your hangers have to match

You may not want to spend extra money replacing all your hangers right after your new closet is installed or you may really like some of the hangers you’re currently using or you might just not care enough about matching hangers to even bother! Either way, this is definitely one of those rules you shouldn’t stress about when organizing your new closet.

3. Pack away your seasonal clothes

Obviously your closet is going to change with the seasons but if you’re closet can fit all of your clothes, we say keep them all there! There’s no need to move seasonal clothing completely out of your closet if you have enough room to simply shift it to the back or another area. We’ve seen some clients build in extra cabinets and drawers specifically for storing seasonal clothes. Then they switch those clothes to the more prominent spaces each season! Of course, there are probably always going to be some things you move out of the closet with the seasons—like heavy jackets, boots, and large sweaters. But being able to keep most of your wardrobe in the same space is a lot less work!

4. You have to fill every square inch of space

We love when clients leave some space for their wardrobe to expand over time. If some of your racks, shelves, drawers or cabinets aren’t completely full after your custom closet installation, DO NOT rush out and buy more clothing! Let those spaces sit for a bit until you find a purpose for them. Sometimes just letting unoccupied spaces be allows your mind to process the best way to fill them!

Now that we’ve hopefully relieved some of the stress of closet organization, it’s time to design a closet that works for you! Contact us today to get started!

Design Trend: Murphy Beds

Wall beds, or Murphy Beds, are not a new trend. In fact, they’ve been around for over a century! But they’ve recently made a resurgence in home design and for good reason—they’re the ultimate space-saving solution. Here are the top reasons we think you should add one to your home!

They make a room multi-functional

We love a dual purpose room, and Murphy Beds are the perfect way to make a space serve double duty. Why dedicate an entire room to guests who you only host a few times a year when you can add a Murphy Bed to your office, craft room or sun porch that tucks away when not in use? The most popular room to incorporate a Murphy Bed into is the home office. With the rise of working from home post-Covid, home offices are getting much more use. As these spaces become more coveted, they’re taking precedence over dedicated guest rooms. Hence why adding a Murphy Bed to the space just makes plain sense!

They’re stylish

The recent re-popularity of Murphy Beds has brought with it an increased focus on style, resulting in products that are far more attractive than wall beds of the past! Many of the units include built-in shelving and storage, which is especially fitting for a home office setting. There are also several options for how they operate—pull down (cabinet) or pull out (drawer). Either way, these beds will make a stylish addition to any room in your house!

They help de-clutter

There’s nothing more satisfying than a well organized home! Having things put away gives tremendous peace of mind. So the idea of being able to tuck away a bed that’s not in use is extremely gratifying. One less bed to keep made and straight—until you need it that is!

If you’re re-evaluating how well your primary residence or second home functions, contact us today to learn more about our wall bed options!

The Best Wine Storage for your Hospitality Business

When it comes to commercial wine storage projects, the sky is the limit! Whether you own a liquor store, wine shop, hotel, bar, or restaurant, Behind Closed Doors can hook you up with wine storage that looks as good as it functions! We offer an array of storage solutions to upgrade your existing displays or install something brand new from scratch. To get started, here are our favorite ways to display wine in a commercial setting!

Behind Glass

Is there anything cooler than an entire room dedicated to wine? We think not! We recommend a wine room or cellar for businesses who need or want to store a large inventory, especially with temperature controls. Some clients even choose to turn their wine rooms into a makeshift tasting room by adding barstools, a countertop and lighting.

In the Lobby or Waiting Area

A wine wall or room in a lobby or waiting area creates a fun focal point for guests who are waiting for a table at a restaurant, a seat at the bar, or even for a meeting in a corporate office. And, bonus, it serves as functional storage for your wine inventory!

Inside Pretty Shelving

Wooden racks, pegboards, angled shelving to show off the label—you name it, we’ve got it at Behind Closed Doors. Whether you’re installing the shelving in a separate room, on a wall, or behind a bar, there are tons of ways to make it as attractive as it is functional!

Behind a Bar

We love the look of a dedicated wine bar with storage behind it. Upgrade your look with custom glass doors to give the bar an elevated feel or keep it simple with attractive shelving that’s easier to access. Either way, we’re here to help bring your dreams to life!

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!

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