apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Closets !

I have a SMALL walkin closet (54"x43") that currently has no shelving or storage. I want some drawer space, a little hanging space, but mostly "cubbies" for folded clothes, shoes, storage boxes etc. I don't have a large budget for this project, so the major full-service closet companies are out. I have been looking at various options, and am considering EasyClosets and the elfa system from the Container store. I'll be installing myself, and am fairly new to the DIY world, but learning fast.

Any opinions about these closet manufacturers ? Other options to consider ?

C&D--

If I were in your position, I'd get a local handyman/carpenter to come in and create exactly what you need out of MDF and prefab drawer units from retailers like IKEA and Home Depot.

Also, don't forget that pegboard can a great base material for a wall to support plenty of hooks and small bins for smaller items.

I just redid my closet this weekend, using bathroom/kitchen cabinets and spare MDF boards from the ikea as-is section, Two closet rods from home depot and a can of paint. I hung the cabinets on the wall in a few hours, and filled in the left over spaces with the boards for added shelving. I did not stack the cabinets on top of each other, but rather separated them 10" to get in an additional shelf for sweaters/etc. However, I do have a saw, which allowed me to trim the boards down to fit perfectly into the left over spaces. If you don't, I think Home Depot cuts boards for .50 per cut. It turned out great if you can roll with it and be creative. And I think I spent maybe 50 bucks. It looks like a professional closet system, you can totally do it too!

My decorating style started out minimalist Shaker (not cutesy country) and has moved more modern. Room & Board is probably the store that matches it best, though I shake things up with more edgy colors and styles occasionally. My parents just gave me a small gift for my 30th birthday that was meant as a carefully chosen piece to fit my interests and tastes -- of 15 years ago. It's a kit to make a Shaker stool/bench.
http://www.shakerworkshops.com/catalog/view/shaker-stools/Shaker-Utility-Stool/F471

I appreciate the gift, but I'm worried that it's going to look too country. My living room has armless side chairs and sofa with a bit of MCM flavor, slim raw steel tables (Room & Board), and my favorite piece of furniture, a Shaker writing desk with simple turned legs and wonderful proportions. Wood floors, sage green walls, beige jute rug and brown chairs. Lots of rich wood tones.

So, is there a choice of colors and stain for that stool that will make it look more modern and less country? I've seen their chairs in ebony stain and they look phenomenal, and that would prevent me from having too many wood tones. As for the seat tape, I'm debating the plain beige or the olive/black stripe. I want to avoid the standard checkerboard pattern. Ideas?