Closets For Life

Custom Closet Design Finishes - Options, Options, Options!

2012-01-23T14:00:00.000-06:00

One of the wonderful advantages of choosing a custom closet organization system, versus a pre-fabricated option from a store, is the fabulous range of cabinetry options you have in terms of color, pattern, finish and texture. Trust us, there is a whole world out there beyond white!

Whether you want a specific wood tone, a solid color or even a textured finish for your custom closet system, we have it. Closets For Life works with Kustom Material Laminators (KML), which produces and supplies thermally fused melamine panels that come in over 70 designs and colors including a great finish that is designed to resemble spun linen. Really, how much better can it get!

To learn more about the expansive number of choices KML offers, check out their website at www.KMLcorp.com. Then, contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation to design a custom closet organization system that is so beautiful, you will wish it wasn't hidden in your closet!

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders, remodelers and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs including Murphy beds, closets organization systems and wine cellars.

Contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets for Life Aficionado

Closets For Life Testimonials

2012-01-19T08:20:00.000-06:00

As a company, we love to hear feedback from our customers. It helps us become a better company and determine how to provide the best customer experience possible. We also recognize that as a homeowner, reading a former customer testimonial or receiving a referral from a friend is worth much more than any advertising.

So, below are a few testimonials from Closets For Life customers. Two of the reviews are from Angie's List where Closets For Life has a 'A' rating. If you are a member of Angie's List make sure to check out our other testimonials as well. Happy organizing!

Custom closet testimonial:

Love our new closets. We had three different closet/home organization companies come out to look at four spaces: Two bedrooms, upstairs linen and the front entry coat closet. Rick stood out to us as the best value. His price was right in the middle and his designs were best. And, in the case of one closet, he was happy to come back out and remeasure in order to accommodate some changes I desired. We also like that he is a local, family-run business.

Rick handles most of it himself. (He came out to measure, created the design and drawing, and did the install.) His brother custom cut the shelving for our unique spaces. He was very professional, punctual, clean. He was creative and had various ideas to consider for each space. Also, he went the extra mile, taking away the old shelving for us. He was always responsive to phone calls and email. In the end, we decided to have Rick install three closets (walk in bedroom, reach-in front entry and walk in upper linen closet)... We're very happy with the overall process and product and would use Closets for Life again for a garage or basement project should we decide to better organize those spaces as well. Rick is very capable and he installs a quality design and product.

~Brian, St. Paul. MN

Wine cellar testimonial:

Rick put in the wine racking in a new wine cellar. He handled everything from the design to the install. It went exactly how it should have. No surprises, he did exactly what he said he would and it turned out perfect.

~Josh, Minneapolis, MN

Custom garage cabinets and shelving testimonial:

We had Rick from Closets For Life come out to give us a quote on a cabinet and shelving system for our garage. From the beginning he was detailed, professional and asked great questions about how we planned to use the space. The day after meeting with us, he sent 3-D plans of what we had discussed - fast! We chose Rick over two other quotes because his price was very reasonable and we were impressed with how he listened to what we wanted. We are extremely happy with the garage cabinets and shelving he installed in our garage.

~Beth, Edina, MN

Murphy Beds - Not Just for Jokes Anymore

2012-01-09T19:00:00.000-06:00

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear 'Murphy bed'? For most people, probably a comic skit involving someone being trapped in a folding up bed or maybe awkward looking fold out bed that you had to sleep on as a child during visits to a relative.

We are here to tell you that Murphy beds, beds that fold out from a wall-storage area, have come a long way. Invented in 1876 by William Murphy, today's Murphy beds fold up and pull down with the touch of a finger and can be designed into a beautiful office or other wall unit system designed to maximize space and blend into its surroundings.

The current tough economy and real estate market has many people looking for ways to maximize existing space in their home in lieu of adding on square footage or moving to a new home. For example, if you have a guest room that is rarely used and no home office, installing a Murphy bed as part of an office system is a perfect solution. When guests are there, just fold out the bed.

Otherwise, keep it folded up and enjoy your office space! As an added bonus for your guests, the Murphy bed can hold a comfortable standard mattress, unlike pull out couches that have thin and uncomfortable mattresses to sleep on.

If we have peaked your interest in Murphy Beds, check out these videos:
A Comeback for the Much Maligned Wall Bed - A news clip about the comeback of the Murphy bed and the reason behind its regaining popularity.

Murphy Bed Humour - A compilation of Murphy bed comic highlights.

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs including Murphy beds, closets organization systems and wine cellars.

Contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets for Life Aficionado

A Grown-up's Letter to Santa

2011-12-19T19:58:00.000-06:00

Dear Santa,

I am writing to you with the hope that you can help me. I can't find the Christmas presents I bought and hid earlier this month. It is great that the kids didn't find them but now I can't either.

Could you please send an elf to my house to give me a clue as to their location? Are they hidden in the linen closet behind the disorganized heap of sheets? Or perhaps in garage behind the pile of gardening tools? Any help would be much appreciated.

Oh, and Santa, for Christmas can you please bring me a professional organizer and a new custom organization system for my closets? I have been a good girl this year.

Sincerely,

Susan in Eden Prairie

Get yourself the perfect gift this year, the gift of organization. Get started by contacting Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation. We will listen to your needs and design the closet or garage organization system you have always wanted. Santa will be so proud.

For a free in-home consultation, contact Closets For Life
by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Reasons to Have a Wine Cellar

2011-12-12T19:30:00.000-06:00

Whether you love to entertain or enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, having a home wine cellar is a great idea. Think a wine cellar is too expensive or only for a serious wine connoisseur? Not true! Hear us out on why a wine cellar is a fabulous idea for anyone.

Wine cellars are convenient: Having a well stocked wine cellar means you will have a bottle of wine when you need it. Sure, you can run out to the store and buy wine on an as-needed basis but having a supply of your favorites is so much easier. Just a grab a bottle for last minute dinner plans at a friend's house or a romantic dinner at home. One less errand to run.

It's easier than you think : We stumbled across a fun blog, www.BlogYourWine.com written by Kris Chislett. His blog is informative about wine, yet approachable and humorous. He points out that you don't need a huge amount of space to have a wine cellar. Having a custom wine cellar built in your home is wonderful but it doesn't have to be that way. You just need somewhere that is out of direct sunlight, away from any amount of vibration and in the coolest part of your house. Add wine racks and, ta-da!, you have can have a wine cellar.

Collecting is fun: Collecting wine can be fun! On Blog Your Wine, Kris suggests buying a few bottles of a wine considered 'age-worthy' and conducting a fun experiment. Buy a few bottles, and drink them over the course of a few years, taking notes along the way. You don’t have to be a millionaire to do it, and it’s a great way to experience what even just a little bottle age can do to a wine. Another site suggested buying bottles of wine released in the year your child was born and then saving it for their 21st birthday.

A wine cellar will save you money: It's a well known fact that its cheaper to buy wine by the case. Having the proper place (like a wine cellar) to store larger quantities of wine will save you money in the long run.

If a home wine cellar is in your future, Closets For Life can help. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs including wine cellars of all sizes.

Whether you are interested in racks or a building complete wine cellar, Closets for Life will come out to your house for a free home consultation to help you design a wine cellar that perfectly fits your needs.

Contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

Great Closet Accessories

2011-12-05T10:50:00.000-06:00

If you haven't ever peeked into the world of closet accessories, we understand. It's not something the average person thinks about (unless you are us). However, we are here to tell you that once you start to look at all the fun and functional closet accessory options available, you won't be able to stop dreaming about what to add next to your own closet!

Closet accessories are like icing on a cake. Whether added to an existing closet or incorporated into a new custom closet design, closet accessories can transform even the most basic closet and greatly maximize its storage potential in a fun and functional way.

At Closets For Life, we frequently incorporate closet accessories from Rev-A-Shelf into our custom closet designs. Below are just a few of the many options available. If these peak your interest, check out the Rev-A-Shelf website www.rev-a-shelf.com to see more.

Clockwise, starting at upper left:
pull out hamper, pants rack, pull down closet rod, pull out belt rack

Whether you are looking to add just a few closet accessories to your existing closet or want a whole new custom closet design, Closets For Life can help. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

For a free in-home consultation, contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets For Life Aficionado

A Gift Idea For The Person Who Has Everything

2011-11-28T11:00:00.000-06:00

Searching for a perfect gift for the person who seems to have everything they need? Look no further as we have an original and creative gift idea for you!

A custom closet or garage organization system is a great gift idea for the special person in your life. It's a gift which will provide the recipient immediate delight and, better yet, years of enjoyment.

There is still time if you want to surprise your special person this holiday season! Closets For Life can design and install a custom organization system within a 2 to 3 week period. Or, if you think the recipient would prefer to be involved in the design process, have us come out to your home for a free in-home consultation. We will design preliminary plans which you can wrap up and give. Afterwards, we can make changes to the plans based on the recipient's preferences.

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

Contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

Closets For Life Wins NARI COTY Award

2011-11-20T18:00:00.001-06:00

Closets For Life COTY award winning project

Along with snow, this weekend brought some exciting news for Closets For Life! On Friday night, Closets For Life won a Contractor Of The Year (COTY) award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Minnesota Chapter. Closets For Life had submitted a beautiful custom closet project in two COTY categories, Residential Projects Under $15,000 and Residential Interior Specialty. We won the first category and was first runner up in the second category. We are very proud of this project and are ecstatic to be awarded in both categories.

About NARI...
This the the 15th year that the NARI Minnesota chapter has held the COTY awards. NARI is an association of remodeling industry professionals and is a homeowner resource for professional, established and ethical contractors. To learn more about NARI, check out their website at www.narimn.org.

About the COTY Awards...
The COTY awards were established by NARI to foster a sense of pride and accomplishment among NARI members and to increase public awareness of industry professionals. Awards are granted based on how a project enhanced an existing structure, used superior craftsmanship, overcame obstacles and delivered a project that met the clients objectives.

Closets For Life owner, Rick Lyrek, and his wife, Shari, holding their COTY award

About Closets For Life...

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions for all your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business. Contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation for your new closet, Ph: 952-484-0416, Email: rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

Custom Closet in Edina

2011-11-14T20:44:00.023-06:00

We were recently contacted by a former client, Becky from Edina, for whom we had designed and installed a custom walk-in closet organization system. Becky was contacting us to say she had sold her house and the saddest part about her move was leaving her closets behind!

She wanted us to come out to her new home to design another closet organization system for her new walk-in closet. As a service company, there is no bigger compliment than having a client say they love your work so much they would like you to come back for another project. A huge thank you to Becky and our other clients for choosing Closets For Life for their home organization project

At Closets For Life, we make every effort to listen to our clients wants and needs. We give them a plan that will simplify their lives and increase the enjoyment of their home. As a local and family owned company, every job, no matter how big or small is important to us.

So, if you sold your home, what would you miss? If your answer is nothing, let Closets For Life help you change that by reinventing your closet, garage or wine cellar. Visit us at www.closetsforlife.com to get inspired and sign up for a free in-home consultation. Closets For Life can also be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closet Aficionado

C-L-O-S-E-T-S Spells Family

2011-11-08T13:59:00.004-06:00

It is November, which means cooler temps, raking leaves and Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on what we are grateful for in our lives. For many of us, the number one thing we are thankful for is family and friends (right behind organized closets, garages and wine cellars of course).

That's true for us at Closets For Life too. We are a family owned business. Rick Lyrek started Closets For Life so he could have flexibility to focus on his family. Closets For Life custom cabinets and shelving are manufactured by Interscapes, a company owned by Rick's brother. Rick's wife, sons and father-in-law also frequently help assist him on projects when needed.

So, when you're talking about Closets For Life, C-L-O-S-E-T-S really does spell family. Rick, his family and Closets For Life were featured in an article in the Dakota County Tribune. Check out the Closets For Life website to read the article.

While you're there, look at our project photos to find some great ideas for your next custom closet, garage or wine cellar project and sign up for a free in-home consultation. Closets For Life can also be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

If You Have Skeletons In Your Closest, Teach Them to Dance

2011-10-30T21:00:00.001-05:00

If you have skeletons in your closet, you better teach them to dance! Huh, you say? Keep reading…

Halloween officially kicks off the holiday season marathon which means, for most of us, heaps of holiday decorations. You probably have a collection of decorations for Halloween, a collection for Thanksgiving and an extra-large collection for Christmas or Hanukkah.

Which leads us to ask (if we may be so bold!)......

What did you find when you went to pull out the skeletons from your closet to hang on the front door for Halloween? Did you find an organized storage system protecting your decorations from damage and making them easy to set up? Or, did you find a jumbled heap of holiday items, perhaps mixed together, making decorating your house an even bigger job?

If you answered a jumbled heap, you are not alone. When the holidays are over, it is hard to muster up the ambition to tackle organizing everything. So, here is your call to action! Right now, before we delve too far into the holiday season, is the perfect time do something about organizing your holiday decorations. Having an organized system and a designated space to store your holiday decorations will make putting them up and taking them down easier, faster and more enjoyable.

Teach those skeletons in your closet to dance, meaning take back control of the chaos! Start out your holiday season by giving your first gift to yourself.

If your looking for somewhere to start, check out this article from the DIY Network, Tips on Organizing Holiday Decorations.

And, if you find out don’t have a great closet system to store your newly organized decorations, check out the Closets For Life website and sign up for a free in-home consultation. Closets For Life can also be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.

Happy Halloween everyone!

And The Award Goes To.....

2011-10-24T19:55:00.001-05:00

A little known fact....Closets For Life is a member of NAPO Minnesota.

What is NAPO? Well, want to find an experienced and helpful professional to help you create organization amongst your clutter? Check out the members of NAPO Minnesota, the National Association of Professional Organizers. This association is a coalition of professional organizers committed to creating calm, promoting productivity, and bringing balance into the lives of their corporate and residential clients.

Closets For Life is a Corporate Associate Member of the organization. Corporate Associate Members are companies that offer products or services that are complementary to those of professional organizers. This partnership results in a relationship where both parties are educated and up-to-date on what can best help their customers become and stay organized.

Rick Lyrek, owner of Closets For Life, was recently recognized at a NAPO meeting with the Member Support Award. The award is given to a member of NAPO who actively participates and contributes to the organization in a positive and informative manner. That's Rick on the far right in the photo above with other award winners.

Check out the NAPO Minnesota site to learn more about NAPO or find a professional organizer. Then, when your ready to implement your new organizational goals, check out the Closets For Life website and sign up for a free in-home consultation. Closets For Life can also be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets For Life Aficionado

Being Green is Easy

2011-10-16T09:45:00.000-05:00

Kermit the Frog, from The Muppet Show, sings a song titled, 'It's Not Easy Being Green'. He couldn't be more wrong, at least when it comes to our homes! Many homeowners today want their lives and homes to reflect their commitment to lessening their impact on the planet. All the advances made in recent years means there are many ways to be green homeowners, from rain barrels to eco-friendly paints to, well, even your closets!

Closets For Life - Green Advantage Certified
Choosing Closets For Life for a closet, garage or wine cellar project means choosing a company that values environmentally sound practices. Rick Lyrek, owner of Closets For Life, is Green Advantage Certified. Green Advantage is an environmental certification for building-related practitioners - primarily contractors, subcontractors and trades people. Certified individuals have successfully passed the Green Advantage® Certification Exam demonstrating knowledge of current green building principles, materials, and techniques.

Environmentally Responsible Materials
Closets For Life uses Interscape, Inc. to manufacture all of its cabinets and shelving. Interscape, a company with an environmental mission, uses composite panels made from 100% recycled and / or recovered fibers (no whole log fibers), low VOC stains and finishes and 3M Green Guard certified adhesives along with water based adhesives. Check out their website, www.Interscapes.us, to find out more about Interscapes and their efforts to be better stewards of the earth's resources.

In addition, Closets For Life offers Roseburg SkyBlend for their projects. Roseburg SkyBlend is a specified green particleboard panel that is manufactured by Roseburg. It is SCS and EP certified to be 100% pre-consumer recycled wood fiber particle board and has no Urea Formaldehyde added during the manufacturing process.

Recycling Project Waste Materials
Also in partnership with Interscape, Closets For Life is lessening its impact on the environment by recycling 99% of the waste it produces. All wood, paper and cardboard waste from the manufacturing and installation of Closets For Life projects is shredded to be used for animal bedding and then composted for local nurseries. Together with Interscapes, we are saving 1820 cubic yards of waste per year.

Perhaps Kermit was Wrong About Being Green - We Still Love Him.
Feel cheated that you didn't learn more about Kermit the Frog? If that's the case, here are some fun facts about Kermit the Frog. Amaze people at your next event with all you know about being an environmentally friendly homeowner and Kermit the Frog!

The Muppet Show was a spin-off show. Kermit the Frog originally appeared as a character on WRC-TV's Sam and Friends, a 5 minute puppet show. He was also one of the original puppets in Sesame Street before becoming a lead character in The Muppet Show.
Kermit is an author. In 2006, Kermit the Frog was credited as the author of Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons, which is an "autobiography" told from the perspective of the character himself.
Kermit's fame earned him a place in postal history. On Kermit's 50th birthday, the United States Postal Service released a set of new stamps with photos of Kermit and some of his fellow Muppets on them.
Kermit has a college degree. Southhampton College awarded Kermit an honorary doctorate in "Amphibious Letters" in 1996. He also gave a commencement speech.
Even amphibians can achieve fame. Kermit has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For Your Next Project, Be Green.
For more information on how Closets For Life can help you with your goals of a greener home and a better organized life, check out the Closets For Life website and contact us for a free in-home consultation. Closets For Life can also be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets For Life Afficionado

How to Create Usable Space in your Closet

2011-10-11T07:19:00.005-05:00

Some realtors refer to the master bedroom closet as prime real estate. Why? Think about it - we ask our closets to hold and do a lot!

It's a room that is a vital part of our daily routine. We use our closets at least two times a day if not more. So, why then do so few of us ever branch out past the standard single bar with a shelf above? This is an area that has potential with a capital P! Your closet has the capacity to give you so much more in the way of storage and ease of access...its just waiting for you to take the first step!

There are so many options that can be used together in countless designs to gain more usable closet space. We can't go over them all but here is a sneak peek.

Dual closest rods

More than half of the clothes in an average closet are shirts which take up only a third of the vertical space in a closet. Think of all of that unused vertical real estate! Adding a second closet rod in your closet is a great way to maximize your closet space.

Shoe racks

Built vertically or stacked horizontally, shoe racks protect your shoes and keep them organized and easy to find.

Shelving with pull out drawers

Are your sweaters currently in a hard to reach jumbled pile on your top shelf. Adding vertical shelving with drawers or bins that pull out keeps sweaters and other hard to hang items in perfect condition and within easy reach.

Jewelry trays and built in vanities

Always fighting for bathroom space with family members? A walk-in closet is a great space to add a vanity. Create your own private oasis where you can get ready without interruptions.

Cabinet Island:

If you have the space, adding a cabinet island in your walk-in closet will have a huge impact. Use the island for folding clothes, additional clothes storage or tuck away a laundry basket in the cabinet for a cleaner closet look.

Dual closet bars and built in vanities are just some of the many storage options you have to unlock your closets' potential when you have Closets For Life design a custom closet for your reach-in or walk-in closet. With a free consultation we can help you identify your needs and design a custom closet that will turn your fixer-upper closet into prime real estate.

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

Contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation for your new closet,
Ph: 952-484-0416, Email: rlyrek@closetsforlife.com

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

Famous Shoes

2011-10-03T16:27:00.005-05:00

One Shoe Can Change Your Life....
Who said this? Why Cinderella of course! We recently installed a beautiful custom walk-in closet system for a client. When we returned to photograph the closet, the home owners had hung a sign with this quote in the closet. What a perfect quote for a dressing room closet and how true that sometimes something small, like a shoe, can be the catalyst for big changes!

That got us to thinking...... what other famous shoes are out there?

3000 Pairs of Shoes .....
Former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos is the wife of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos who ruled from 1965-86. When Ferdinand and his wife, Imelda, fled the country in exile, countrymen found Imelda's collection of shoes in the presidential palace. The collection of shoes was estimated at 3,000 pairs. If Imelda Marcos changed her shoes three times a day, and never wore the same pair twice, it would take her more than two years and a half years to work through her shoe supply.

Click Your Heels Three Times....
You probably know that Dorothy, played by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, wore ruby red slippers that she clicked three times to get home from the land of Oz. These slippers are one of the most famous and treasured film memorabilia in film history. They are so famous that one of the five known pairs can now be found at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C..

What you may not know is that in L. Frank Baum's original novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy wore silver shoes. The movie's creators changed them to ruby to take advantage of the new Technicolor film process(Dwight Blocker Bowers, January2010, "The Ruby Slippers: Inventing an American Icon"). I wonder those shoes would have had the same iconic impact if they had been silver!

You Never Know....
So, if your shoes are currently sitting in jumbled heap in your closet, think about what kind of closet organization you can add to take better care of them. After all, you never know which pair might change your life!

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

5 Steps to an Organized Closet

2011-09-20T18:38:00.000-05:00

Summer is over, the kids are back in school and suddenly you look around your house and realize that while you were out frolicking in the summer sun, your house and especially your closets are a disaster! Never fear, here are five steps to get you back on track to an organized closet (and hopefully keep you there!). This approach can work with any closet, from your mudroom to your bedroom closet.

Step 1: Purge & Sort
Once you begin this part of the process, it’s best to just plow through without stopping so make sure you have some uninterrupted time to dedicate to this step. It will be well worth it in the end, I promise!

Remove everything from your closet (yup, I mean everything!) and start sorting your belongings into 4 piles:

1) Items to keep,
2) items that belong somewhere else,
3) items that can be donated and
4) items that should be thrown.

The easiest task to tackle is items that really don’t belong in the closet. The box of Christmas lights that you shoved in your mudroom closet last January really doesn’t belong there! These items should be moved to their appropriate locations to free up more space. Likewise, if you are cleaning a bedroom closet and have extra storage space, move out of season clothing into storage until you need them again.

The hardest task to tackle in this step is identifying the items that are never used or are worn out and should be donated or thrown away. We all own a sweater or a pair of shoes that we have never worn but swear we will, once we have the perfect pants to wear with it of course! If you haven’t worn or used an item in 2 years you probably never will, so donate it. Someone will find that sweater and give it a good home where it is loved! If you find you simply can’t bear to give the item away, put it back in your closet for 6 months and if it hasn’t been used when the 6 months expire, donate the item.

The opposite end of the spectrum is items that have been used or worn to death and now are in disrepair. If it is broken or has holes or stains or rips, throw it out!

Step 2: Clean

After you have sorted through everything, take some time to clean your closet. Vacuum or sweep, wipe down the walls and dust the trim. Closets are rarely cleaned from top to bottom and a clean slate will feel great!

Step 3: Have a Strategy

You have done a fabulous job of sorting through and cleaning your closet. Now, before putting everything back in, take some time to think about how you use the space in your closet and what you can do to maximize it. A few closet organizers from the local store can make a big difference on a tight budget. If this is a closet that faces more challenges like space constraints or use by multiple family members, a custom closet is a great option to really maximize your closets potential.

The key here is using your wall space to its full potential and making sure that everything has a home where it can be found and put away easily. Adding vertical shelving space that holds sweaters or other items is a great way to add usable surface in a closet. Likewise, a shoe organizer can transform a jumbled pile of shoes into an organized and tidy space that protects your shoes and makes them easier to find.

Step 4: Move back in

Once you have installed your new organizational components, move your items back in! Again, take your time to think about how you use your items and put them back into the closet in ways that can make your life easier. For example, in a bedroom closet, sorting your clothes by color can ease the process of picking out your outfits in the morning. For mudroom closets, sorting jackets and other items by user can make getting out the door much faster.

Step 5: Maintenance

This is the most important step! A great closet organization system can do wonders for keeping your closets in tip top shape. However, a once or twice yearly purging and sorting of items in your closet will ensure that you never again reach the end of summer and wonder what happened to your house while you were out playing in the sun!

For more ideas on closet organization, check out the Closets For Life website. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

Contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation for your new closet,
Ph: 952-484-0416, Email: rlyrek@closetsforlife.com

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

How Women (or Anyone!) Can Build a Closet Organizer

2011-09-15T20:56:00.000-05:00

So you have decided you need to add some kind of organization to your closet? You are lucky in that there are many different options available to bring organization to your closet and your life. Keep reading for an easy guide to determining how to design and install a great closet organization system.

First Make Your Closet Wish List

Before hastily running off to the store, first take some time to make your closet wish list.

What could you do with your closet to make your life easier? For example, eye level shelving can make finding your sweaters much easier and extend the life of your garments.
Analyse the contents of your closet. For example, if you own multiple dress shirts, a dual closet bar would be a great way to double your usable space.
Go online to look at examples of closets like yours to get ideas of the different options available to you.
A great way to visualize possible options is to draw it out. Good old fashioned graph paper will work just fine.

Next Look At Your Options

Once you have an idea of what you want, the next step is to research the different closet organization systems available to you. There are basically three choices in closet organization: build it yourself closet organizers, off-the-shelf closet organizers and custom closet systems.

Build It Yourself - If you are a handy person, this option can be the most economical way to go. There are several great websites out there such as these Home Depot and Better Homes and Garden sites. Both sites give shopping lists and step by step instructions on how to build a closet organizer.

Off the Shelf Systems - Assuming an arsenal of tools and handyman experience is not at your disposal, then an off-the-shelf system or custom closet organization system may be the best option for you. There are many different brands of off-the-shelf options available at stores. On a tight budget, an off-the-shelf system can be a great choice, especially for reach-in or small walk-in closets. They offer flexibility, choices and easy installation. Some involve nothing more than hanging something from your existing closet rod. Others offer a more 'permanent' installation.

Custom Closet Design and Installation - Perhaps at the end of this process you find yourself overwhelmed by the choices, intimidated by installation or unsure that an off-the-shelf system can meet your needs. Then the custom closet option may be the best fit for you. Typically, custom closet companies will come to your house, assess your needs, design a system to meet those needs and professionally install it for you. The result is a closet organization system that will most likely last a life time and increase your home value.

In The End, Any Step Toward Organization Is Always a Great Choice!

Whatever choice you decide, you won't regret the decision or the time invested to add organization to your life. Good luck!

To see examples of closet organization, check out the Closets For Life website. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions for all your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

Contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation for your new closet,
Ph: 952-484-0416, Email: rlyrek@closetsforlife.com

Shawnessy Schwartz

Closets For Life Aficionado

Closet Accessories

2011-08-30T11:52:00.000-05:00

All of our closet organizer accessories come in the most popular finishes including Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel, and Polished Chrome. This makes it easy to accessorize your new or existing closet organizer design with additional features like a sliding tie rack, sliding belt rack and/or sliding valet rod. We also offer more advanced accessories like a fold away ironing board and a swivel mirror that are both functional and discreet at the same time. They install directly to your existing closet organizers and hide away when not in use.

Visit our closets accessories ideas on our custom closet and home office space website, http://www.closetsforlife.com.

Minnesota Custom Closet Manufacturing Facility

2011-08-03T12:53:00.000-05:00

Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

All of our closet designs are professionally constructed in our Minneapolis closet manufacturing facility and installed according to what will benefit your individual lifestyle. By offering a variety of laminates, Closets For Life also offers garages, home office, media rooms, laundry rooms, pantries, mud rooms, Murphy beds and wine cellars.

Closets for Life -- Minneapolis Closet Manufacturing address:
220 26 th Avenue North, Minneapolis , MN 55411

Almost all closet installations take less than one day, and since we manufacture our own systems we can turn orders around quickly. This gives us an edge over our competition. There are no pre-made parts or sizes, our closest are TRULY custom and cut to size.

Learn more about custom closet manufacturing by Closets For Life on our website, http://www.closetsforlife.com.

Reward Youself With A Corner Home Office

2011-08-02T18:42:00.000-05:00

Reward yourself with a corner office.

The space that you dedicate for a home office should be one in which you can find solace to reflect, and empowerment to be productive.

We can help you design a comfortable space that works for you and all of your storage and equipment needs, so that all you have to worry about is the task at hand.

Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative solutions to all of your organizational needs. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

Visit our home office ideas on our custom closet and home office space website, http://www.closetsforlife.com.

A Reach-In Closet Custom Designed For You

2011-07-27T16:59:00.000-05:00

Whether you need a simple solution for a reach-in closet or want to pamper yourself with a beautiful walk-in space, Closets For Life can create a custom design that's perfect for you. You will work with a trained, professional designer who will help you with every step.

The first step is to call to schedule a complimentary consultation in your own home or office. A designer will come to your home or office to take measurements of your space and discuss which storage solutions would best suit your needs. Since Closets For Life's products are all custom made, you get superior flexibility in the design process. You are truly in control. There is no inventory of 'components' to confine design decisions. After the consultation, your designer will draw up your plans and give you a cost estimate. Working with your designer, you will be able to approve the plans or make any necessary changes. Your designer arrange your installation at a time that is convenient for you.

Closets For Life prides itself on our top-notch installation teams. They receive extensive training in all areas of installation, from reading plans to installing closets, garages, and all our other cabinetry products. They are also trained in providing excellent service to our clients. Systems are normally installed in just one day. We ensure that we make every effort to keep your home clean throughout the entire process. After walking through your completed project, the installers are happy to accept final payment upon your approval of the finished work.

Visit our website to view more reach-in closet photos, http://closetsforlife.com/bedroom-reach-in-closets-minnesota.htm

Closets for Garages and Workshops

2011-06-20T13:43:00.000-05:00

Is your car sitting in the driveway because your parking space is lost in a sea of clutter? Reclaim the right-of-way with a versatile garage storage system from Closets For Life. Easily add valuable storage space and keep everyday tools in sight or neatly hidden away. Design a custom workshop. Our fully customized garage system can help you store items that are currently taking up valuable space in your basements, mechanical rooms and fitness rooms.

Visit our website to view more garage and workshop storage photos, http://closetsforlife.com/garage-closets-minnesota.htm

Children's Closets - It's never too early to organize!

2011-06-16T21:42:00.000-05:00

As parents, you can teach young children that organizing can be simple and fun. We have the tools to help you start your children at an early age and to encourage them in a lifelong habit of organization. You won't believe how easy it is to keep them organized when you design a system that fits their needs.

See more children's closets on our website at http://closetsforlife.com/childrens-closets-minnesota.htm

Walk In Closets - A Place for Everything

2011-06-15T18:59:00.000-05:00

What a pleasure it is when you can walk into your closet and at a glance you know exactly what you will wear that day. Think of the time you will save and the frustration you will avoid when you can actually find it. Our systems can make this an everyday part of your life.

Click to view more walk-in closets by Closets for Life.

Apple Valley Home & Garden Expo

2011-03-15T11:55:00.001-05:00

Closets For Life will have a booth at the Apple Valley Home & Garden Expo. The date is Saturday, April 2nd from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Stop by the booth and see closets and wine racks on display. It is at the Dakota County Western Services Center next to the library. 14955 Galaxie avenue.

Closets For Life on the DIY network show

2011-03-01T16:52:00.000-06:00

Closets For Life is featured on the DIY network show Rehab Addict. Rick Lyrek from Closets For Life is shown designing the master suite dressing room. Rehab Addict is a home makeover television show that is currently restoring a home in Minneapolis on the Minnehaha Parkway.
It will be airing on March 2 at 12:30 PM, March 9 at 12:00 PM, March 12 at 10:30 PM, March 19 at 10:00 PM.
It is the Master Suite Makeover episode

Children's Closet Features

2009-08-18T15:16:00.000-05:00

The most important feature of children’s closets is a flexible design, one which grows with your children. Shelves and drawers are adjustable, featuring baskets for loose items. Adjustable sections allow for small clothes to make way for longer garments.

Triple hanging sections that start at 25” can be adjusted as your child grows, changing over to double hanging for longer clothes. Baskets slide out on rollers and can be easily removed for quick clean up jobs.

Contact Closets For Life, www.closetsforlife.com, to custom design a closet to grow with your child's clothes and accessories needs.

Closet Organization

2009-08-18T15:13:00.000-05:00

Storage needs vary from person to person. Whether you have hats, dresses or an entire closet full of shoes our custom closets can manage your storage. Our systems are fully adjustable to accommodate almost any of your changing storage needs. Shelves and rods can be easily moved up or down. We offer divided drawers, belt and tie racks, adjustable cubbies and velvet lined jewelry trays to make finding accessories easier than ever.

With a luxurious custom closet design, you will:

Find what you need when you need it.
Use existing space to store a great deal more.
Improve your peace of mind and self-confidence with less clutter around your home.
Enjoy the benefit that properly stored clothes last longer.
Add a valuable home upgrade that is guaranteed for as long as you own your home.

Contact Closets For Life, www.closetsforlife.com, to custom design a closet for your clothes and accessories.

Bedroom Walk In Closet - A Dream Come True

2009-07-27T09:36:00.000-05:00

A place for everything.

What a pleasure it is when you can walk into your closet and at a glance you know exactly what you will wear that day. Think of the time you will save and the frustration you will avoid when you can actually find it. Our systems can make this an everyday part of your life.

Closets For Life can create a custom design that's perfect for you. You will work with a trained, professional designer who will help you with every step.

The first step is to call to schedule a complimentary consultation in your own home or office. A designer will come to your home or office to take measurements of your space and discuss which storage solutions would best suit your needs. Since Closets For Life's products are all custom made, you get superior flexibility in the design process. You are truly in control. There is no inventory of 'components' to confine design decisions. After the consultation, your designer will draw up your plans and give you a cost estimate. Working with your designer, you will be able to approve the plans or make any necessary changes. Your designer arrange your installation at a time that is convenient for you.

Closets For Life prides itself on our top-notch installation teams. They receive extensive training in all areas of installation, from reading plans to installing closets, garages, and all our other cabinetry products. They are also trained in providing excellent service to our clients. Systems are normally installed in just one day. We ensure that we make every effort to keep your home clean throughout the entire process. After walking through your completed project, the installers are happy to accept final payment upon your approval of the finished work.

Request a free custom closet consultation today, www.closetsforlife.com

Closet Organization

2009-03-30T20:36:00.000-05:00

Closets For Life, Giving Organization to Your Life

2009-02-04T15:40:00.000-06:00

Closets For Life, located in Minnesota, custom designs and builds closets for every room in your home or office.

What makes us different than the others? We listen. We pride ourselves on the ability to listen to the client and determine their specific needs. We understand that each part of your home has unique organizational requirements.

For over 18 years, we have been finding solutions for Minnesota's closet, garage and storage needs in Minneapolis, St Paul and surrounding cities.

Serving our customers is the number one goal of Closets For Life. We don't want our clients to be just satisfied. We want them to be thrilled.We work with residential clients as well as designers, builders, and architects to creative innovative closet solutions to some of the more challenging spaces we come across.

At Closets For Life, we take as much pride in your house as you do. Your happiness and our reputation depend on it. You deserve a company who cares as much as you do.
We build closets primarily in Minnesota, Minneapolis, St Paul and surrounding cities.

Contact Closets For Life for a free in home consultation for your new closet, 952-484-0416, rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. View many closets customed designed and installed in Minnesota homes online at www.closetsforlife.com