How to Organize Your Closets Using IKEA Products
It's easy for closets to become disorganized, especially when there's only one rod or shelf and not much room for anything. The best option for reclaiming your closet is to completely rethink and reorganize the space with a variety of storage pieces. Sweaters and Tee-shirts can be folded and stored on shelves. Collections of small items can be placed in divided drawers or in baskets placed in cubicle shelving. IKEA features ready-to-assemble furniture and home accessories that are durable and customizable. Choose from the seemingly endless line of hooks and shelves to remake your closet into an organized haven.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Plain or graph paper
- IKEA catalog or access to IKEA store
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1
Define your needs. Ignore the current setup of your closet and focus on the items you're storing. You might have hanging items that would do better folded on a shelf or items in boxes that do better in small drawers or baskets.
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2
Measure the space. Take all measurements: height, width and depth. Make note of any trim, heating ducts, air vents or other permanent fixtures that can interfere with shelving or furniture. Map the space using plain or graph paper. Draw out a representation of your closet. Include all the angles and permanent fixtures. Label each line with the measurements you've taken.
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3
View all the possible storage options in the IKEA catalog online or in print. If you can, visit a store. Search for closet accessories and view the sample storage solutions IKEA publishes in its catalog.
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4
When you find a product you like, compare its measurements to the sketch you made of your closet. To maximize your space, choose the pieces that take up the most of your closet space without leaving gaps. If you have a space 36 inches wide, you'll be much better off with two 18-inch shelving units than one 30-inch piece that leaves you with six inches of unused space.
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5
Sample the accessories. Often the best way to know if something works is to try it at home. If you choose cubicle shelving, buy a couple of different baskets or drawers to see which you like best. Buy one package of hangers to see if they work with your clothing. IKEA keeps the same style of products for years, so you can always go back and buy more of your preferred item once you've determined it's the best choice.
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6
Empty the closet. It's best to start from scratch. As you take items out, group similar items together. Install shelving or build the storage units. IKEA products are made for easy assembly, so you'll need only simple tools for assembly. Position everything in the closet.
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7
Go through the closet contents and decide where they fit in the new design. Grouping like items together lets you know right away if you need to order more IKEA baskets or drawers. Place the items in the closet in an orderly manner.
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8
Purchase more IKEA accessories as you discover what works best. After putting the closet together, you may find that you have room for extra hooks or storage baskets. IKEA has small, space-saving closet accessories to help you use every bit of available space.
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Tips & Warnings
IKEA furniture comes in a variety of finishes, but some lines are limited. In most cases, no one but you will see furniture in your closet, so color or style shouldn't matter as much. If you do want to coordinate with other items in the attached room, make sure you check the finish options of an IKEA piece before you decide it's the best option for your space.
Sometimes it can help to work with your closet map in a tangible way. Using graph paper, draw the map of your closet to scale--18 squares for 18 inches, for example. Then use another sheet to draw out the possible furniture or shelving choices, to the same scale. Cut out the separate pieces and arrange them on your closet diagram until things fit the way you want them to.
IKEA storage can be bolted to the wall if you prefer. If a piece is shallow or top-heavy, or the floor is uneven, definitely follow the instructions included to secure your pieces to the wall and eliminate any danger of falling shelving.
Be careful of buying items that are too large or too tall. Remember that once an item is built it will have to be moved into the space. IKEA generally gives tipping measurements for its wardrobes, so you know how much ceiling space you need to bring a newly built wardrobe upright and into the space. When in doubt, buy shorter pieces and then choose stacking baskets or containers to use the remaining space on top.
