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Closet Chaos
Organization Systems to Recover Lost Storage Space By Teri Brown
All of us have them, but few of us really know how to use them. I'm talking about the common closet. That place you open to hang your friend's coat and get showered by junk you hid there last time someone came over. We stack, hang, shove and occasionally hide stuff in them, but are we really utilizing the space efficiently?
What should you look for in a closet system? According to Kristina Ferrigan, marketing director of the National Closet Group, money should be your first consideration, as it will clue you in as to what type of system you can afford. "Have a good idea of what you're looking to spend for organization," says Ferrigan. "If you have a budget of under $200, you'll probably work with plastic storage bins to help you get organized. If your budget is a few hundred dollars, then a wire shelving system is certainly a possibility. If your budget is $1,000 or more, you can have a very nice laminate closet system for your closet, either installed professionally or as a do-it-yourself project."
Ferrigan says that prices for closet systems vary greatly based on materials and geography. A general rule of thumb is that a basic laminate closet system will cost approximately $100 to $120 per foot. This means an 8-foot reach-in closet will probably cost around $1,000. "Obviously, as the customer adds more features such as drawers, baskets, belt racks and other accessories, that price goes up," says Ferrigan. "Again, these prices are also very heavily based upon geography closets in Kansas will probably be less expensive than those in New York City."
Organization Tips
