Our front closet desperately needed some help. We needed somewhere to store the kid's gloves, mittens, and hats where they could reach them, and I wanted them to be able to be able to hang up their own coats.
Inspired by the modular closets that can be found in many bedrooms, I had my husband build shelves into our coat closet and added hooks for the kids coats. Each person has a shelf in the closet with a bin for their gloves and such, and a space for purses or other "extras", we have a spot for leashes and umbrellas. It's never quite as organized as I'd like it, but the extra storage sure helps.
By Stephanie from Hillsboro, OR
Someone put a Little Tykes bookcase at the curb. I used it to organize my hall closet. Previously, all my paper plates and plastic cutlery were in bags on the floor.
The hall closet usually is for storing coats and other outdoor apparel. Our closet is used to hold: winter coats, spring and fall coats, hats, boots, umbrellas and gloves. I don't move out of season clothing to another closet for storage. So its here all year around.
I have always hated looking through my closet for the proper coat hanger to hang my clothes. So I have placed a hook inside my closet.
Here is a tip for storing large flat objects such as picture frames or odd shapes such as wrapping paper tubes, etc. Use a shower extension rod at the back of a closet.
I built and installed a cheap cube style shoe shelf unit. I placed it into my front closet on the floor and designated everyone in the house a row for their own shoes.