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| Organization,
organization, organization might be the key to creating functional aesthetic
interior environments. Support areas for living spaces need to provide
sufficient space that is easy to access and utilize to accommodate today’s
busy lives. There is no need to stop your design organization projects where storage is important such as the kitchen, garage, and bedroom closets. Nurseries, home offices, entertainment centers, the laundry room, and bathrooms can all be added to the list of spaces where storage projects can be used to make your living environment more functional and visually aesthetic. The first question when planning an organizational storage project is to decide if the project will include a completely rebuilt or new unit, or if it will be a process of redesigning the interior of an existing unit. The budget can vary depending on the design plan and how much of the “sweat equity” you feel you have the time and expertise to provide. The selection of the product material will also affect the cost. Refurbishing the interior that has a visually acceptable exterior surface can be planned quite economically, while complete new units offer materials and finishes that can be economical but can also be investments with price points similar to fine furniture. The items that will be stored will need to be inventoried, and a careful analysis of the layering possibilities as well as the weight that will be created by the items will need to be considered. Items to be stored may also affect the materials used for doors that will be used to protect and/or conceal the items. Will an opaque or transparent material fit your needs? Transparent products can increase the visual concept of space where space is at a premium, but remember that the product to be stored will become important to the total visual décor. This can be a plus or minus. For products that are not used frequently, it may be easier to just store them. Desirable structural configuration is also closely related to the product inventory. The cabinet and storage industry is very conscious of the consumer’s enthusiasm for drawers, baskets, and other storage units that can be pulled out so the complete horizontal space is easily accessed. Another structural technique that is desirable and easy to produce is adjustable shelves. The depth of shelf space is important for access convenience when storage layering of similar lightweight products is needed, as well as for more delicate or heavy products that require a special height. Traffic patterns and the configuration of available space will affect the choice of doors or method of covering the storage elements. Areas such as the master bedroom suite may require special planning for opening and closing the units because of high traffic at given time spans. The consumer who is looking at installing a complete new unit may ask if sliding doors will be more convenient than hinged doors, or if a configuration such as a tambour unit where the covering unit folds back and stores in the space would be a better choice. What materials are available when selecting units for storage organization? When installing units into a finished structural shell, products are available in individual units to be installed within the space or in units that can be adjusted to retrofit. Lightweight metal wire units that are plastic-coated are strong and durable. A special consideration when developing garage storage design in relation to selecting materials may be the moisture content in the environment. The less-regulated temperature and humidity conditions in the garage may be hard on particle board or less durable products. Shelves that need to support heavier items may require supports placed closer together to prevent units from warping. One positive when developing a garage storage plan is that items can be displayed on pegboard or hooks so the items can become part of the design and are easy to access. High-end units that are to become an aesthetic focal point of the interior space, whether it be for an entertainment, office, or sleeping area, are sold in a number of materials. Solid and veneer wood units are offered in light, medium, and dark tones. All units can be visually accented with metal details and/or decorative glass. Painted traditional and cottage designs, as well as clean and simple yet elegant laminate materials, are all available. Suppliers also have design lines that offer you a selection of units that can be mixed and matched so a configuration can be designed that conforms to the space available and also accommodates the individual item inventory that is to be stored. This can be an advantage in a child’s room to accommodate the growth and development years. How do you decide how to organize your project? You may decide to do a portion or the entire project on your own, or you may prefer to hand the whole project from designing to installation over to a design expert. Whether the storage design project will be completed by you or a designer, the inventory list and daily activity considerations should be personally completed or discussed with the designer. If you plan to develop and install the project, you should first measure and develop a complete inventory with desirable width and height requirements, especially for items that have special storage considerations. Effective storage arrangements can be accomplished on a budget when you are willing to use your own time and energy to plan and shop. Careful planning is many times the key to a successful project. The individual who knows she does not have the time or patience to do the job will find there are a number of experts to consult. As with any service, personal references, interviewing candidates, and/or visiting job sites can help you find the best professional for the project. Professionals offer the advantage of knowing what options are available and the experience of seeing how they look and work. They often can save you money by getting the right materials and installation correct the first time. |
Custom Closets, Garages, & Storage |
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