apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Install an IKEA PAX system.

I would say check out Ikea's GORM system. I saw it recently while I was there and was shocked at how cheap it was! It's very simple too, so you could easily customize it with paint or colorful bins, fabric, etc... I believe it's cheaper than PAX (although not as nice I don't think), so it might work well for a rental situation.

Dry cleaning suppliers have great rolling racks-

I would go with Elfa components from the Container Store. They can be installed with a minimal number of holes if you used the hanging track system. They are infinitely customizable and you can take them with you when you move.

Can we see that photo please? Please post a larger version.

I second the Elfa storage solution. You can also get it in the freestanding option so there is zero drilling holes in the wall. It's more expensive than the Ikea solution though.

"Can we see that photo please? Please post a larger version."

That's not the OP's closet...
That's a stock photo of a Poliform closet system installation.

I would love to have enough room to put dressers and a closet system in another room. That's the ultimate BEDroom.! Good luck with your project. Just make sure your system is something you can take with you when you leave!

for the garment racks, go to home depot, and buy some pre-measured 3/4" lengths of threaded water pipe (either galvanized or black finish.) Also buy an assortment of "L" and "T" couplings. Then, like tinker toys, build yourself some heavy duty custom racks. When you are ready to move on, just unscrew them. I guarantee this will be heavier duty than anything you would buy from Ikea or the Container Store.

A menu for a 6' tall, 8' long rack would require 2 @ "T" couplings, 2 @ "L" couplings, 2 @ 6' length, and 1 @ 8' length. You can probably figure out how to piece it together from the menu....

If it doesn't work out, the pieces are a breeze to return. Since the pieces are pre-measured, you don't have to worry about cutting or damaging them.

Good luck!

Syntax error there. The diameter of the pipe is 3/4" -- buy various lengths of this diameter.

i have one room that is 6 feet wide and 11 feet long and the house only had 4 tiny closets, so i turned that room into a dressing room.

i have one of these

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/StorageOrganization/DebbieTravisClosetSystem/PRDOVR~0681414P/Debbie%2BTravis%2BWide%2BCloset%2BTower.jsp

it's fitted with drawers in the bottom.

then i put one of these along the rest of the wall

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/StorageOrganization/ExtenditClosetSystem/PRDOVR~0680600P/Extend-it%2BCloset%2BSystem%2526%2523153%2BKit.jsp

with wire shelving over it to hold my hats!

i just bought a 1930s-looking vanity table that needs a lot of work and i'm going to paint it white and put it in that room with all my makeup.

i love my dressing room!

Lucky you!

I just did this to a spare room in my house. I took one of the walls that was 8 feet wide and placed a dresser in the middle with a tall mirror on top. Across the top I put a shelf that spans the whole width of the wall and along the sides of the dresser I have put smaller shelves about 3 feet wide with brackets that can hold a clothing rod. It's working perfectly and cost only about $50. I bought all my shelves and brackets at our local Menards.

if you can put a long bar on your shortest wall, you can just get a wooden closet rod (or 1.5" wooden curtain rod) and two wall-mounted brackets for it, and cut your rod to fit. we did this for my roommate and it cost about $25.

i'm hoping to do this to a small room soon, as well. i'm going to put a small dresser under the rod, making the space above the dresser for short hanging like shirts, and the rest of the space for long hanging.

for non-hanging, i'm eyeing the EXPEDIT large shelf from ikea for folded stuff, and possibly some BILLY bookshelves as well. i used the EXPEDIT in college as my only dresser, and i loooooved it. i'm not good about putting things away, and being able to just shove it back on a shelf somehow kept me neater!

bookshelves also give you the space above them for out of season boxes or boots.

I would go with simple rods and shelves in case you need it to be a bedroom again someday.

Elfa componants are pretty expensive, depending on your idea of "on the cheap." I recently used an Elfa catalog to design my dream closet but went to Ikea and spent a third of what the Elfa system cost. I cast my vote for the Ikea wardrobes. Since the entire room will be the closet I suggest leaving the doors off .

A few years ago I worked at The Container Store and became enamored with Elfa during that time. Yes, it is pricey (in my opinion) but it will last much longer than most other options out there. That being said it is an obvious choice for those who are looking for an affordable permanent option. For renters who can afford it (which even I am not) it's great because it requires very few holes, is fully customizable for your space, and you can take the system with you and do something completely different. When I worked there we had people bring in old parts and we would help them do a design for their new space keeping in mind the parts they already had on hand. Often we would cut old pieces to fit new places as well. Also, if you can wait a few months everything goes on sale in January so you can get it at about 30% off.