Help my closet. Not for the faint of heart

[stephm0188]

We do not have a basement. Le sigh.
So my coat closet is built in underneath the stairs. It has fullsize double doors that swing outward. When you open them, the coat rack is on the right side. It's a normal depth for a closet.

But then on the right, we have this:


and then it kind of turns a corner behind the part that is that has the coat rack. It's shorter back here because of the stairs.


I'm on a mission to make it more functional. The huge box is for the Christmas tree. It needs to live here, as do three totes of ornaments that I can't store in the shed. The carpet cleaner and vacuum also live here.

Suggestions for storage options/ ideas?

[prazenjc]

i looks like you need some longer shelves that have a slight lip to store some of the items you have leaning in there. can you install one or two above the cubbie unit (even varying lengths, if necessary)?

then, i would go ahead and get another of those cubbie units (a 2x3 one) to add to the end of the existing. i agree w/callmefia and encourage the use of the bins or baskets that can go in the cubbies and label them. having defined spots really is more effective in effective use of storage systems.

[carifly]

At my old house I had an under-the-stairs closet and the best thing I did was install the wire rack closet system that Home Depot has. It is pretty cheap and relatively easy to install, it just took an afternoon to get it up.

Once the shelves were up I got baskets to organize in, just cheap plastic ones from target but they worked fine.

[ssmjlm]

I would probably look into some sort of shelving system. We just installed melamine shelving from Lowes in our pantry. We liked it better than wire shelving b/c it's solid for boxes and jars. There's also the rubbermaid homefree series that is similar to elfa in installation and configuration.

[mac08]

Since you have doors that swing outward, you can use the backs/insides of them for extra storage. I see you have some wrapping paper and gift bags, those would be a good option for the back of the door, inside some wire door organizers.

[lys]

shelving to the ceiling where you have the cubbie.

[knitty]

My personal favourite are the melamine shelves on adjustable racks. You hang tracks on the back wall, then use metal supports that hook on. Adjustable, but also pretty.