California Closets

I just looked into having custom closets installed. I did not price California Closets, though I have heard they are very good but a bit pricey.

I did have someone from a local, very reputable company called Storganize come out and take a look at our space. They were very helpful and came up with a great design. I am still trying to decide if we want to do this -- as it is still quite an investment. I also had a man come out that I found on the Angie's List referral system and his price was almost exactly what Storganize was (Storganize was actually a little cheaper and had a much better design.)

We tried going to Ikea actually just last Friday to see if we could put together something cheaper. We were pulling our hair out at the design computer, and one of the guys who worked there said that the Ikea closets are better for walk-in closets or flat walls where you want to add closets, but not reach-in closets, which is everything we have. We did buy something for our laundry room and that went together quickly, so I think the quality and price are fine -- just not for our reach-in closets.

Storganize's number is ###-###-#### and I worked with a designer named Jeana (pronounced "Gina.") Their website is storganize.com. I also just found a coupon for a $50 gift certificate to a fine Twin Cities restaurant if you have them come out for a free consultation. I am going to use one of these coupons, but I have two. You can have one (I can mail it to you or you can pick it up) but it expires 9/15 so let me know right away.

Anyway, hope some of this is helpful. We are going through the same thing right now trying to decide what to do. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to know more.

Take care,

K.

We used an install-it-yourself system from Storables (on France in Centenial Lakes Plaza in Edina). The "design" folks there did a much better job than we would have getting the most out of our small closets. The system is very sturdy and well made and easy to install. It was a fraction of what california closets would have been. I think it is much nicer than what Ikea has. We are very happy with the product.

I had California Closets give us ideas/bids when we were trying to decide. It was way too expensive but we liked some of their ideas and not others. I'd have them consult and then do your own.

We just went to Menards and Home Depot and found what we needed. Home Depot has some really nice units that are a lot like the California Closets. I like to make things like this a family event. What better way to spend a day then with your hubby working on your house. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to do things in your home that you can be proud of. We put an 1800 square foot addition onto our home a couple of years ago. It took us forever because we were doing most of the work ourselves but it was such an accomplishment that we are SO proud of.
Have fun,
J.

I don't know where exactly you live, but I am an interior designer in the Hudson, WI, area. We use a company out of River Falls, WI, called Amazing Space. They are much more reasonable in price than Cal. Closets, and the designers are great. They can certainly take your time investment down, and take care of everything for you, as well as maximize what little storage space you have. It will help any designer to know what you are trying to store in your closets - do you need lots of space for hanging clothes, lots of shoe shelves? No shoe shelves? etc. Good luck!

At 1100 square feet, I'm guessing your house is more of a starter home, so I'd be wary of how much I put into it. Ikea is what many of my friends in London put into their half a million pound tiny flats for their storage systems and they've been quite happy with it. Actually, one of my friends there told me about a sofa she had bought which was the cheap verion of a very posh sofa one of her friends bought and, years later, the posh sofa had died, but the Ikea one was still going strong. I'm one to always wait and buy the posh furniture, but I've got to say that I would probably go for Ikea before Cali Closets. My best friend, who is hopeless at doing things herself, did the mirrored Ikea cabinets with no problems and loves them.

I know you mentioned that your husband's time is valuable, but having a home means that you've got to spend time on it. It's simply part of the deal. Both my husband and I have full time, demanding jobs, but I enjoy making my home a better place. My husband, not so much, but he does enjoy the changes once they're finished.