Closet organizers can be incredibly effective at increasing the perceived size and overall functionality of your closet spaces. I consistently see a trend towards larger closets in homes, yet also see a lack of organization or space efficient storage solutions. Organizing closets is one of the best ways of pleasing prospective buyers, since a neat and clean closet will indeed look larger and more inviting to all who come to view the property.
Remember, when staging a home for sale, you are seeking to create an idyllic environment which will make potential buyers feel right at home. If they love your closets, they will picture all their own possessions filling these desirable spaces and will be more inclined to place a good offer on the property.
This guide provides helpful tips on buying and installing organizers for your closets during home staging.
Types of Closet Organizers
There are 3 basic types of organizing systems for home staging closets. While none meet the demands of every home owner, here is some basic information about each variety to help you find the right choice for your home:
Pre-fabricated DIY systems are sold in many stores. These organizers typically have a base system and also feature expansion modules to help you configure your closet perfectly. These organizers are not too expensive. However, it is wise to avoid the least costly of them, as the fixtures are little more than cheap plastic.
DIY custom organizers are perfect for handy home owners with good carpentry skills and tools. Fitting your closet with a custom-made organizer is really just a matter of measuring and cutting shelves, drawers and hanging rods to suit your needs. This is actually a very cheap solution, but can be labor intensive.
Professionally designed and installed closet systems can be incredibly lovely and functional, but equally expensive. These are not advised for most home staging applications; since the goal is to save money, not spend it unnecessarily. However, in high-end luxury homes, professional installation is expected and is a safe and smart investment.
Troubles with Closet Organizers
Investing in a closet system is only a good value if you use it to its full potential. That means that you must still stage your closet to sell if they are to become assets in your home. No matter how nice your organizers are, I still recommend following my closet staging guidelines to make your system a worthwhile investment of time, effort and money.
Remember that you must declutter before you can organize, so be prepared to remove most of the items in your closet and pack them for storage. This alone will make a huge difference in the perceived space available in every closet you have.
Advice on Closet Organizers
I seldom advise my clients to install organizers, unless their closets are truly horrific in layout. Most of the time, simply decluttering will provide the largest benefit and adding some storage drawers or bins is an easy and inexpensive fix. For huge closets, which just do not make the best use of space, I may recommend an inexpensive organizer which is available for a few hundred dollars. In these cases, the money will always come back, often many times over, once the buyers see just how large and functional the closet has become.
Best of luck with your closet organization project. If you need help, you are always invited to write to me for advice.