A Closet Obession

It's one of those rites of fall. The weather conditions turns abruptly cool, and you find yourself rummaging through your closet in search in regards to a favorite sweater. And those boots. Where did they are going? The basement? And what happened individuals nice opaque tights? Did they make it through last winter unsnagged? What are they doing in the drawer with the swimwear? For many people, the progres of seasons is a time when discontent almost literally arrives of the closet. There's never enough space for off-season clothes. Shelves are jammed. Shoes are piled everywhere. The floor is invisible. Instead of being tidy paragon of organization, your closet is merely takes a simple glorified cupboard with delusions of urbanity, a cramped vision of messy modern living. Sound familiar? Take heart: the home-improvement industry is round the case, helping closets step out on the closet and dominate large portions of american homes. The yearning for more far better closet space are going to be answered by interior designers, storage-component companies and residential brands. Indeed, for many of their customers, closets are the kitchens--rooms to display status, for exhibiting how orderly one's everyday life could be. 'It makes me feel good every time I come in here,' says Dan Rood, 41, a divorced insurance salesman in Orlando, Fla., as he surveys the vast, room-size closet he created two years past. The 21-ft. by 10-ft. space is heavy with rich wood; a flat-screen TV is tucked behind a two-way mirror; there's a bar for entertaining and, of course, counters, as well as cabinets with room to display 39 pairs of shoes. 'I have more shoes as opposed to an average girl,' Rood admits. Entering the closet, he adds, 'starts the afternoon right. It's the area I'm most likes to show off.' His girlfriend, Rebecca Ferrer, is also admiring: 'It's beautiful. It's masculine. It's actually big enough to have just a little party in.' It cost Rood $54,000 to turn a small bedroom into the closet of his dreams. A bit excessive for most folks but maybe not by much. David Weekly, a developer whose company builds moderately priced houses in six states, says his typical customers are demanding bigger closets along with the attendant accessories. A 75% of course is called houses include a walk-in master closet with at least two rows for hanging clothes and an entire section of shelving. 'One rod and a shelf isn't enough anymore,' he says. Master closets now average about 6 toes. by 8 ft., a size more typical of a bedroom 40 rice. In the low-mortgage-rate McMansions sprouting up throughout the country, every bedroom--not just the master--has the option of a walk-in closet. 'The closet has typically been a forgotten space,' says Michael Carson, founder of the National Closets Group, a trade layout. Now the closet is where bucks is. The membership of Carson's group has seen total revenues swell from $15 million in 1999 to $100 million last 12. The average custom closet costs $3,000 to $5,000. To obtain an idea of the things a customer needs, designers typically ask for a count of clothing, handbags, shoes various other accessories to provide an estimate of minimal storage space compelled. The extras mount up quickly--drawer pulls, quality woods, benches, mirrors, granite countertops, chandeliers, hidden safes. There are much more affordable alternatives. Various commercial closet systems--with mix-and-match cabinetry, shelves, racks and other items--can be tailored for your client. California Closets pioneered affordable systems years ago but recently launched a pricier line to cater to require for higher-end material. There are also do-it-yourself kits. Rubbermaid's starts at $140 for enough shelves, rods and accessories to outfit an 8-ft. closet. George McGoldrick, 30, and his partner of 10 years, Joseph Sacco, 29, know what it like before the closet revolution then get all the fervor of the interpreted. In their previous apartment the master-bedroom closet was wedged between two walls and outfitted with wire-mesh shelving from Depot. 'Our clothes were crushed together,' says McGoldrick, a sales representative to obtain carpet company. Inside new $915,000 apartment in Chicago, the couple spent $20,000 to upgrade all six of their wardrobes. Of that amount, $11,000 went toward a 9-ft. by 9-ft. master closet. A cabinet holds 48 pairs of shoes on quartersawn white oak; a four-slotted drawer, up to 30 belts. Genuine effort another drawer to present six watches, a maximum rack for designer knits, a lower one for casual knits. And there is enough room now to survey all the clothes they own in an appearance. 'I forgot about half of my clothes before we moved here,' says Sacco, a residential designer. 'If I can't see it, I can't wear it.' Says McGoldrick, who has coffee in their closet most mornings: 'It's the most serene and comfortable place in the house.' Who knew that being in the closet could be the islands? Ah, there's that sweater!