home organization Archives - Behind Closed Doors

Outdated Closet Rules We Think You Should Break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 Here are four outdated closet rules we think can be tossed out when planning your next custom closet with Behind Closed Doors: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 But if it’s not something that would greatly affect your well being, then it’s definitely in the category of outdated rules that can be tossed out.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!

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!

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!

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.

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 sixth 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. 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 project to life as efficiently as possible. Recent customer Debbie had this to say about our customer service:

“Behind Closed Doors designed and installed beautiful custom closets in my home. Paul and his team (Leatie, Liz, Josh, Joe, Chris, and Brent) were not only professional, proficient, and courteous, but they were extremely personable and kind! What an absolute pleasure to work with….Highly recommend!!”

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:

“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!”

Come discover why we’re consistently named the Best Closet/Home Organization company in Coastal Delaware and Maryland!

Get Organized for Back to School

August is almost here, which means it won’t be long now until you’re back into the rhythm of a new school year. Bookbags, lunchboxes, sports equipment are all waiting in the wings so there’s no time like the present to get organized! Here are our top storage and organization tips for a smooth transition into the new school year:

Streamline Your Mornings

Utilize your mudroom or entryway to store everything the kids need to get out the door—shoes, backpacks, shinguards, jackets, etc. If you don’t have lockers or cubbies, you can use a basket for each child that can be stored under a bench. In the kitchen, try dedicating a drawer to lunchbox supplies and hair accessories so you can quickly get everyone set all from the same room, while they’re eating breakfast!

2022 07 29 0002 — Photos courtesy of The Mama Notes

Storage Bins are your Friends

Now that you’ve tackled the necessities, it’s time to think about the fillers. Once you’ve gotten the kids fully ready for the day, there may be some down time before you have to leave. Enter learning/fun bins. Buy different sizes of storage bins to house games, flashcards, puzzles, workbooks, coloring books and the like. Each morning, the kids can pick a bin and do the table activity before heading out the door. Slimmer bins work great for organizing your game cabinet too—another necessity for before and after school.

2022 07 29 0003 — Photos courtesy of Pinterest

Tackle the Kids Rooms

Other spaces that probably deserves some attention prior to the school year beginning are the play room and the kids bedrooms. There’s no better way to start the school year than with an organized life, so be sure to go through these rooms and clean out anything that’s no longer being used. For the kids room, break out books that focus on the new school year and getting ready for fall, make sure everything has a place, and think about creative storage solutions for activities like ready in bed or quiet play.

When it comes to quality custom closets and cabinets in Coastal Delaware and Maryland, there’s no other name but BCD! Learn more about our services here.

Outdated Closet Rules We Think You Should Break

Design Trend: Murphy Beds

Five Signs it’s Time to Upgrade your Closet

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

Wine Storage But Make it Art

Voted Best Closet Company

Get Organized for Back to School

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