Of all the home spaces that tend to get the styling shaft, closets often find themselves at the forefront of neglect. But they also have the potential to provide a sense of tranquility when given some extra attention. Plus when you know what’s in your wardrobe, you’re less likely to spend money on things you don’t need or have a meltdown when you can’t find the outfit you’ve been saving for a special occasion. How can you overhaul your closet without a fully custom build-out? Fake it till you make it. Check out these IKEA closet hacks that spark joy in the pursuit of streamlining even the most jumbled spaces. 

For a Bit of Reflection

In designer Chloé Mason Gray’s experience, three-and-a-half months was a bit too long to wait for a replacement front for a mirrored Pax wardrobe in this Mexico home. She thought it would be a breeze to have the fronts custom-made elsewhere, so she purchased the unit sans mirrors and began her search for glass. “It turned out that hardly anyone makes ones with the particular thickness needed for this closet,” says Gray. But the time it took to find a fabricator was worth the wait: When her client wakes up each morning, he’s greeted by the reflection of the unique Cerami plaster walls. 

If You’re Starting From Scratch 

Domino’s own Julia Stevens and her roommates finally found the perfect NYC apartment. The only problem? Not a closet in sight. They converted the hallway by the entryway into their affectionately termed “walk-in closet” with IKEA’s Mulig clothes bars at $7 each. Six in total for the project only set them back $36. The racks stretch from 23 to 35 inches, so they expanded the top row to fit longer dresses and the bottom row for shirts and pants. Each roommate has her own section, with the option to share.

To Add Extra Room for Activities

Instead of a dresser that would take up valuable real estate, Judith Achumba-Wöllenstein’s IKEA closet hack meant installing a wall-mounted Boaxel system in her preteen brother-in-law’s room. (Bonus: More room for TikTok dances!) The showstopping red frame was another practical choice. “Because the wardrobe doesn’t have doors, all we needed to do was screw the MDF wood frame to the ceiling and to the side of the walls,” she explains. 

For a Complete Overhaul

When you have the luxury of a walk-in closet, make sure that every square inch lives up to its reputation. Erin Kestenbaum did just that with the help of IKEA’s Pax wardrobe system, which she outfitted with recessed lighting, crown molding, blue paint, and gold hardware. Sure, it’s a big to-do, but the results will be worth it. 

To Incorporate Extra Drawers

Sometimes your closet simply doesn’t have the room for your collection of knickknacks. And when that happens, you should slide in this chest of drawers from Full Time Fiesta. This idea takes an Alex drawer unit and paints it in an ombré design for a fun finish that’ll stand out among the rest of your possessions. Use it to store scarves, jewelry, and other accessories all in one place. 

Shop More Closet Savers Here

Pax Wardrobe Frames, IKEA ($250)

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MULIG Clothes Bar, Ikea ($7)

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Alex Drawer Unit, Ikea ($89)

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Pax Hinged Doors, IKEA ($75)

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The post 5 IKEA Closet Hacks to Get That Custom Wardrobe Look appeared first on domino.

Ivar, Pax, Kallax, Billy. These IKEA storage systems might come to mind when you want to declutter your home for good. But for the frequent mover or small-space dweller, the front-runners can fall short when you realize you barely have room for a dining table or that the cabinets in your galley kitchen just won’t cut it. When nothing seems to fit, we turn to the Swedish retailer’s modular marvel: the Besta. Whether you stack them, paint them, or mount them on a wall, it’s easy to make these units your own. From a color-blocked filing system to a minimalist book nook, these IKEA Besta hacks are the absolute best.

Besta Frame, IKEA ($65)

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Besta Shelf Unit With Doors, IKEA ($157)

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A Besta Breakfast Nook

Kendra Joseph, the Bay Area–based designer and founder of Rise Up Home, combined two Besta base units in this kitchen corner, topped them with a waterfall of wood, and painted the bottom with Benjamin Moore’s Midnight. The result is a $300 banquette that makes room for everything from morning coffee to midnight snacks. 

A Facebook Find

Jacky Mack, a DIY dabbler based on the Dorset coast of England, came across her Besta unit on Facebook Marketplace—for free. She initially planned to use just the doors for another project in her living room, but after measuring the base, she found out it was the exact width of her king-size mattress. She plopped a long cushion on top, and now the benchlike cubby lives at the foot of the bed and corrals extra pillows in between sleeps.

An Artful Perch

As an artist, Agi Raw couldn’t resist tackling a few hands-on projects in her 580-square-foot Berlin apartment. As well as creating foam picture frames and tiling a nightstand, her IKEA Besta hack included adding a slab of stone to fancify the unit in her main living space. Extra seating, ample storage, and a spot to display objets d’art are all part of the masterpiece.

A Jewel-Toned Moment

Kelly Mindell’s colorful take hinges on the plywood frame she added to the top and sides of the original item. The wood is infinitely easier to paint than the original glossy surface. The seasoned DIYer gave the piece a vintage touch by swapping the drawer fronts with cane inserts.

A Fluted Seat

For her daughter’s bedroom, Chelsea Foy sandwiched a Besta unit in between two bookcases to create a cozy window seat. The Lappviken doors she chose have a smooth finish that allows wood glue to grip onto them, which was key to her plan to cover them with 3/4-inch wood half-round trim.

A Picture-Perfect Pass-Through

Ashley Rose made her IKEA Besta hack look truly built in by covering the open space underneath it with a toe-kick and buying fresh doors from Norse Interiors.

A Marble Marvel

Leftover marble scraps from this Brooklyn kitchen renovation came in handy in the living room. Designer Crystal Sinclair had the offcuts honed to fit on top of the Besta cabinets that line the TV wall.

A Chunky Support System 

Sarah Sherman Samuel’s cabinet looks like it’s sitting on the ground, but the two Besta units are actually hooked into the wall with suspension rails. Using an orbital sander, she flattened the top and bottom of four wood balls and screwed them to the bottom of the furniture so they look like proper feet. To get a flat plane on the balls, the designer recommends holding the sander as still as possible. If your floors aren’t level, sand a bit, test it out, sand a bit, test it out, until it’s perfect.

A Floating Bedroom Credenza

Ashley Rose wanted to give her daughter’s bedroom a more mature look while still making it easy for her to put toys away. She used the shell of the high-gloss Besta shelf as her base and upgraded the top with a panel of aspen, cut down to size and stained at her local hardware store. 

A Family Room Bench

Designer Laura Melling went for a custom millwork look in this family room by pairing crisp wood paneling with a configuration of mounted Besta modules. To take her wall-to-wall storage solution one step further, Melling incorporated a gray felt bench in one corner that can double as a reading nook for little ones or a bonus seat for guests.

A Daybed for Days

Sarah and Wes Day of This Maine House wanted to create a space near their kitchen where they, along with their little one, could comfortably lounge post-dinner. A daybed-and-bench combination with soft closing drawers proved to be the perfect fix. The couple went outside the box with brass cabinet knobs from Schoolhouse Electric and five coats of Sherwin-Williams Inkwell paint.

A Little Side Action

Here, Sarah Sherman Samuel used her Besta storage unit as a building block for a larger credenza made from birch plywood, and incorporated sleek side channels into the design for added stability. It’s easiest to build around the Besta if you assemble it upside down. For every joint, she used wood glue and a ton of screws.

A Color-Blocked Cupboard

Ashley Rose’s other big IKEA Besta hack comes in the form of a rainbow-infused credenza. Before assembling the doors, the blogger coated each front in spray paint, adding a clear shellac coat on top to seal the vibrant hues.

A Shaker-Shiplap Scene

Erin Broege of The Heart and Haven used a Besta TV unit as a divider between her shiplap built-in shelving units. She swapped out the original doors for Semihandmade’s supermatte white Shaker fronts in order to seamlessly merge the piece with the farmhouse-fresh look of the built-ins.

An Adult-Approved Toy Cabinet

DIY blogger Angela Rose also opted for a natural finish with Semihandmade fronts. To complement the design of her newly completed mural, she chose the brand’s Cove doors by Chris Loves Julia and bone knobs from CB2. Semihandmade’s cabinet fronts come with the hinge cup hole already drilled. When you’re drilling to make pilot holes for the screws, be sure not to drill all the way through the door.

The post 15 IKEA Besta Hacks to Incorporate Sneaky Storage Just About Anywhere appeared first on domino.

There is one thing everyone wants out of a kitchen lately, and it’s not a butter board. According to Houzz’s 2023 Emerging Trends report, searches for walk-in pantries have spiked 2,636 percent since roughly this same time last year. Blame it on professional organizers like The Home Edit or just the never-ending need for more storage. If you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in pantry, you’re aware of the benefits: room for Costco-size snacks, entertaining necessities, and that bread machine you pull out twice a year. Then there are the downfalls: lots of space for cluttered chaos, stacks of dusty cookbooks, and “Where did I put the food processor again?” To make the most of yours, we gathered 11 spaces with admirable walk-in pantry organization ideas, often masquerading as simple design details. Steal them all, below.

Disguise Under-Counter Storage With a Skirt

A sliver of fabric and a rod go a long way in a pantry. While you’ve probably seen similar setups underneath bathroom or laundry room sinks, designers Charlotte and Angus Buchanan prove it’s a worthy arrangement for a walk-in pantry. Think of this as the cottagecore answer to hiding extra crates of wine, rolls of paper towels, and other bulk goods.

Make It a One-Stop Shop

Sarah Sherman Samuel worked with Leslie Conneely from California Closets to outfit her walk-in pantry, which used to be a bathroom, if you can believe it. One of the most surprising things you’ll find inside? Her refrigerator. It turns out, it’s pretty convenient to have all the food located in one place. When the designer is up in the morning making a cup of tea, everything from the hot water (the appliance features a special dispenser) to the sugar is within arm’s reach. 

Put Heavy Things Down Below

Emily Henderson decked out her moody farmhouse pantry with big drawers that hold most of her family’s snacks, broths, and starchy vegetables. Notice how she only did a half-drawer front, which gives air to any perishable items. Next to it, in fully closed lower cabinets, she corralled water bottles and countertop appliances—things she used to keep up top but moved once she realized getting them down was a lot harder than putting them up. 

Put Baskets and Bins to Work

“Things often get buried in pantries,” says designer Marie Flanigan, “so I wanted to keep this space light and bright, allowing our clients to quickly find what they are looking for.” To do that, she used every shelf organization trick in the book: risers so you can see each can label, lazy Susans for condiments, and baskets to store snacks. Shallow cubbies under the counter also ensure nothing, not even a single jar of tomato sauce, can get shoved to the back and lost forever. 

Prepare for the Party (and the Dishes Afterward)

An associate designer at Maggie Griffin Design dreamed up this butler’s pantry for a family that loves to throw a good get-together. To accommodate parties of all sizes, she included a large farm sink and second dishwasher for the inevitable overflow of dirty dishes, as well as custom cabinetry to house serving platters, specialty glassware, and table linens.

Make Your Walk-In Pantry a Happy Zone

It’s simple: If you enjoy your walk-in pantry, you’re more likely to keep it organized. Take it from Tash Webb of The Colour Tribe, whose cheerful spot, outfitted in hunter green Kaboodle cabinets, is more like a mini art gallery. “I promise there are plates, glassware, and food in there somewhere,” she says, laughing.

Opt for Open Shelves

“Nothing is hiding,” says Interior Impressions’s Amy Leferink of open shelving in walk-in pantries, and that’s the point—you get function and a focal point in one go. The key to streamlined ledges lies within the items perched there. Leferink keeps it cohesive by displaying only glass and white ceramic dishware up top. Any not-so-pretty plates go in the closed cabinets underneath.

Don’t Forget the Doors

When you were a kid, did you ever dream of stumbling across a secret room tucked behind a bookcase? Meet the grown-up version. This walk-in pantry by Humphrey Munson is concealed behind what looks like tall cupboards. Open the doors, though, and you’ll find this storage-packed walk-in pantry with spice racks built into the doors, shelves for decanted dry goods, and even a mini ladder so you can reach the tea at the very top. 

Tailor Your Walk-In Pantry to Your Lifestyle

Carmel Phillips’s walk-in pantry is not only an extension of her kitchen but an extension of her day-to-day life. First, there’s the coffee station, where she fills up her mug each morning, which is next to the petite sink, where she arranges flowers and soaks vegetables. Within arm’s reach is a custom-built wine rack for when five o’clock rolls around. 

Create an Optical Illusion

Just because you have a walk-in pantry doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cavernous—Studio Laloc founder Lauren Lothrop Caron’s space is a mere 50 square feet. To stash cleaning supplies, she created a hidden closet in the wall, barely distinguishable when covered in wood paneling. 

Turn Your Walk-In Pantry Into a Baking Hub

This Jaimee Rose Interiors–designed walk-in pantry is a baker’s paradise. Wall-to-wall (and in some areas, floor-to-ceiling!) cabinetry is home to bulky mixers and food processors, while the double ovens allow the homeowner to bake twice as many chocolate chip cookies at once. Even the marble countertops are intentional—they offer a cold base when rolling out temperature-sensitive pastry. Perhaps most important, though, a built-in SubZero fridge means there’s always chilled vino at the ready while you wait for your dough to rise.

The post The Best Walk-In Pantry Organization Ideas Are Hiding in Plain Sight appeared first on domino.

Come this fall, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, the founders of The Home Edit, won’t just be colleagues. They’ll also be next-door neighbors. “Our houses will be 600 steps away from each other,” says Teplin, who is a month out from moving into her new house. Shearer, on the other hand, is still in the construction phase. This will be her fifth home in Nashville in the last eight years. “I’m obsessed with moving,” Shearer says. “It’s an opportunity to set yourself up for success.”

The professional organizers and new hosts of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition recently teamed up with national home builder Taylor Morrison to launch a video series centered around organizing a fresh space. Given we’re already in the midst of peak moving season (June, July, and August are considered the busiest months), we sat down with Teplin and Shearer to get their top tips for a stress-free and superbly tidy transition, including the one area of the kitchen to not fret over. 

In the Weeks Leading Up to the Move

While Teplin argues unpacking is more fun than boxing up everything in your old space, she notes it is an opportunity for editing. The most common items they see their clients purge? “Fondue pots…or basically any wedding gifts,” Shearer attests. “I always tell people, ’Don’t put it on your registry. We’re just going to have to take care of it.’” True to The Home Edit’s extra-thorough ethos, the pros suggest going through everything you own and making an active decision about whether you want to toss, donate, or keep it. “You save yourself time if you do it on the front end,” adds Teplin. 

In the Heat of Boxing

Color-coded sticky notes and descriptive labels are no-brainers for Shearer and Teplin, but one thing you’ll never find in their mix is a box with “miscellaneous” written on it. “Those are the ones that end up in the attic and never get opened,” says Teplin. Rather than throw some articles of clothing in with coffee-table books because you’re in a rush, keep your containers hyper-focused on categories and rooms so you know exactly where they’ll go in your new place. 

In the First Few Hours of Unpacking

If you’re considering storing all your boxes in one room to keep your space clutter-free as you slowly work your way through things, think again. “I don’t like that method,” says Shearer. “It’s giving yourself a pass to not unpack them.” Instead the duo prefer carrying the boxes into the rooms where they need to be unpacked. “I like to be out of my boxes in 36 hours,” she points out. “I put myself on a pretty strict clock.”  

In the Kitchen

The first room they set up is always the kitchen—the hardest-working space. In their first video tutorial with Morrison, the organizers lay out their top tips: Store pots and pans near the range; create zones in the fridge with clear containers for dairy, beverages, eggs, produce, etc.; and use risers to take advantage of vertical space within cabinets.

A handy strategy for setting up the pantry? Don’t get overly specific with your categories. Instead of labeling bins for “granola bars” or “cereals,” keep them broad—“breakfast” and “snacks” will suffice. You’ll feel instantly at ease once your cooking zone is set up. “Putting books on a shelf is one of my favorite activities, but it’s not going to make or break the space,” Shearer says.

The post The One Thing Pro Organizers Don’t Obsess Over When Moving Into a New Kitchen appeared first on domino.

If you’ve ever found yourself rummaging through a mountain of mismatched food storage containers, you’ll agree that Tupperware sets are like the socks of the kitchen. You somehow always have too many and yet never any perfect pairs. And instead of going MIA in the dryer, they disappear into the depths of your corner cabinets. We’re happy to let you know that your days spent searching for elusive plastic lids are over. Here, pro organizers and interior designers share their best Tupperware storage ideas to manage the mayhem for good. 

Buy in Bulk

Container Collection, Our Place ($65)

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Nothing beats the satisfaction of having four or five separate sets neatly stacked inside of each other in size order. You keep your cupboards looking decluttered without having to compromise on the amount of Tupperware you have. —Laura Price, founder, The Home Organisation

Find Them a Good Home 

SpaceFlexx® Organizing System, Nobilia ($55)

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Since these are typically everyday items, we recommend storing them in easy-to-access lower cabinets. There’s nothing worse than having to rifle overhead for what you need or risk a waterfall of containers falling on your head. If you’re storing in a drawer, use little boxes or drawer dividers to separate your lids and bases. If you’re using shelves, consider installing a glider insert so you don’t have to dig in the back. —Jennifer Verruto, founder and CEO, Blythe Interiors

Keep Them Together…

Mepal Microwavable Nested Storage Bowls, Food52 ($61 was $77)

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The golden rule of storing Tupperware is to never put a container back in the cupboard without a top on it. It’s nature’s great mystery as to how they manage to lose their lids, but they do. A lot. Store them as a complete set so you never have to worry about mismatched pieces clogging up your cupboards. —Laura Price

…Unless You Don’t Have Space

Nest Lock Food Storage Set, 10 Piece, by Joseph Joseph, Amazon ($27 was $30)

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One of the easiest ways to keep containers organized is to store them stacked in a drawer or cabinet with the lids on, but if you don’t have the room to stack, nest the containers inside one another, and line up the corresponding lids right next to the bottoms. If you’re really tight on space, I recommend getting a nesting set with lids like this. —Amy Berryhill, founder, Spiffy Chicks

Take Care With the Tiny Ones 

Pull-Out Drawer Organizer, mDesign Nate Home by Nate Berkus, Amazon ($39)

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Store smaller pieces, particularly sauce and dressing containers, in a small basket at the front [of the cabinet]. This way you never run the risk of losing the little ones in the abyss of the cupboard. —Laura Price

Don’t Toss Mismatched Pieces

Inevitably, a lid will get separated from its bottom, but that doesn’t mean you have to toss it! Tupperware bases become great bath toys, craft storage, or under-the-counter toiletry organizers. One of our favorite uses for extra lids is as furniture movers. Place them underneath the legs of something that needs to be moved to prevent scratching your floors. —Jennifer Verruto

The post 6 Clever Tupperware Storage Ideas to Keep Your Cabinets in Check appeared first on domino.

We know what it looks like when Tan France, one of the stars of Queer Eye, transforms the inside of someone’s closet. Now we’re getting a taste of how he’d dress up the inside of kitchen cabinets with his new collection of cookware for Caraway. The Tan France x Caraway Home Monochrome collection just launched with three limited-edition sets in moss, a deep shade of green that France says was influenced by the way he uses this “neutral” in his wardrobe; blush, a soft “of the moment” pink; and créme, for those who prefer more of a classic option. Each piece comes in a striking single shade with hardware to match, but the general makeup of the pots and pans is the same: You can still count on the nonstick, nontoxic ceramic coatings and magnetic lid organizers that make them one of our go-to brands. 

We spoke with France to get the scoop on how he puts these pieces (and other kitchen staples) to use while entertaining. He also shares his favorite hack for making cleanup quicker.

People are coming over for dinner tonight—I’m making:

I just made this for my castmate Anthony: a baked cod dish that I first tried in Iceland. In a pan, you’ve got the likes of soy sauce, chili, onion, and garlic, and then you add a bunch of parsley to create the bed for your fish. The combination is absolutely dynamite. It took maybe 20 minutes max, and Anthony said it’s one of the best meals he’s ever had.

My favorite organizing hack:

If you’ve got one of those utensil stands in your dishwasher, they’re compartmentalized for a reason and it’s not just so you can separate them out a bit. I group everything. So for example, all the knives go together, all the dessert forks go together. It makes it so much easier to put your cutlery away. I thought this was common knowledge, and whenever my friends come over they call me Monica [from Friends], but it just makes sense to me.

The appliance that gets the most use on my countertop: 

KitchenAid® Artisan Stand Mixer, 5-Qt., Williams-Sonoma Home ($450)

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Definitely my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer. It gets more use than most other things in my kitchen because I bake a lot. Any opportunity to fill my face, even if I have to put in the work, I’ll take it.

My biggest kitchen splurge:

Cookware Set, Caraway Home ($395 was $545)

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This Caraway collaboration came about after someone sent me a pan while I was shooting Queer Eye. I fell in love with it straightaway and purchased the complete set in the sage color.

My best cheap thrill:

Primula Stewart Whistling Stovetop Tea Kettle, Amazon ($9)

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My kettle. I use it almost every day, and I’ve had it for probably five years. I got it for maybe $30 from the grocery store.

My go-to glassware for guests:

Modern Optic Double Old-Fashioned Glasses, Williams-Sonoma Home ($70)

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Modern Optic Highball Glasses, Williams-Sonoma Home ($80)

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My everyday glasses are simple IKEA pint glasses, but when I have company over, I bring out these gorgeous fluted ones from Williams Sonoma. I have both the small and the tall tumblers.

My quick-and-easy centerpiece tip:

Whenever I go to somebody’s house and they’ve got a large centerpiece, I can’t talk to the person across from me, so I don’t do big fancy tablescapes. I have this long, rectangular vessel that holds moss that’s usually my centerpiece, and I put a couple of tall and short candles around it to add depth. I also often serve in Pakistani or family style, and I like a sleek and simple setting so the table is as clear as possible.

The post The Genius Kitchen Organization Hack That Earned Tan France the Nickname Monica appeared first on domino.

In case it wasn’t enough to have the coveted EGOT acronym on his résumé, musical artist and entrepreneur John Legend has another title to add to his growing list of achievements. As part of Etsy’s Creator Collab program, the star can now call himself a designer, too. In partnership with 11 makers from around the world, with a priority on marginalized and underrepresented sellers, Legend has cocreated a limited-edition collection inspired by his interior style and life at home. Naturally, there’s a music-centric piece in the mix. 

The LOOP record storage unit, crafted by MoWoodworkstore, helps solve a problem that vinyl lovers are all too familiar with: finding the perfect place to store, show off, and cue up your favorite tracks. Legend’s solution with the Polish-based vendor was to construct a three-compartment cabinet that does it all. The upper part of the solid oak console features a cubby that makes it easy to flip through and display your favorites. (There’s also a removable rack for storing up to five albums you’re currently listening to). At the bottom, a slatted sliding door allows you to choose what’s on display with plenty of space for additional audio equipment, holes for cable management, and, of course, room for more records. Every made-to-order unit is assigned a one-of-a-kind number and will be available on the platform until September 6.

Prefer to take in your tunes via Alexa? Legend’s Etsy collection wasn’t just made for music enthusiasts. Beyond the storage cabinet, the line includes earth-toned ceramics, planters, intricately woven baskets, textured throw pillows, and elevated pet accessories starting at $29. There’s something for everyone: animal lovers, green thumbs—even just ordinary people. 

The post John Legend Partnered With Etsy Makers and Solved This Tricky Storage Issue appeared first on domino.

There’s no better feeling than finding a pair of jeans that fits just right. Well, actually, there is one: knowing that all the extra scrap denim from the factory is going to good use. As a part of its second global social entrepreneurship collection, dubbed Mävinn, IKEA collaborated with Vietnam-based company Saitex, which trains and employs people with different abilities and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to make chic home products out of preconsumer textile waste. 

“Denim is so durable and super-long-lasting, and it gets more beautiful the more you use it,” says Paulin Machado, who oversaw the creation of the collection with fellow IKEA designer Maria Vinka. A handy wall organizer with plenty of pockets was a natural fit for the assortment. “We’re both craftspeople, so for us it’s important to have a place for stuff like big scissors and pens,” adds Machado. 

The 43-inch-long hanging storage staple will retail for a mere $20 once the full line hits stores and the website this June (the Mävinn collection as a whole consists of 20 handmade items from seven different social-good businesses across Asia). And while you can definitely use it for miscellaneous art supplies and tools, an organizer like this works wonders in multiple spots:

• On the back of a bathroom door (your Dyson hair dryer will fit snugly inside)
• In the closet as a catchall for sunglasses, belts, and small bags
• In the garage, pockets filled with your nails, screwdrivers, and the like

Other denim gems include a hardworking apron, which Vinka points out can be used in the kitchen, garage, or garden, and a striped cushion cover. Machado also loves how the woven pendant shades turned out—they’re made out of 100 percent banana fiber from India. “When they harvest bananas, they’re left with the whole trunk and the bark,” she explains. “Through different processes, they’re able to make it into thin strips that can be braided.” When the waste bin is a little less full, our homes are a lot happier.

The post Denim Isn’t Just for Wearing—IKEA’s New Mävinn Collection Will Have You Organizing With It appeared first on domino.

The most surprising thing about the 120-year-old carriage house that my husband and I rent in Brooklyn is not its bundle of quirks—spanning from the more charming layout and windows with comically large molding to the more taxing absent dishwasher and barely there bathroom. No, the biggest revelation is a true New York rarity: bedroom closets that afford an unusual amount of storage space.

Although I am grateful for this unique bonus, with extra square footage comes a need for organizational discipline, something I don’t have a knack for when it comes to closets. Our previous setup consisted of one metal bar and a long shelf—the result, as you can see, below, was lacking big-time. After three years, a global pandemic, and no will to invest in more bins that I wouldn’t maintain, I was excited to hear that Pottery Barn was rereleasing its classic ’90s Hold Everything Essential Closet. Before Marie Kondo took the world by storm, there was Hold Everything—a brand of organizational solutions launched by Williams Sonoma back in 1983 and later picked up by Pottery Barn in 1993. For the two decades that the line was around, its products were a favorite among home organizers. 

While other systems exist, Hold Everything appealed to me as an ideal in-between of off-the-shelf and custom. (I also own a Vitsoe 606 Universal Shelving System, but that’s for display, not hiding away.) Plus, after the product line’s return, it became a favorite among Domino readers, topping our best-seller list for February. When the opportunity to review the legendary Essential Closet presented itself, I committed to installing it without hesitation. To find out whether or not it helped our closet—and me—reach peak storage potential, read on.

Pottery Barn Hold Everything Essential Closet

The System

Finding the right Hold Everything system begins with a choose-your-own-adventure move: Are you looking to outfit a reach-in or walk-in closet? The main difference is in the posts—for reach-ins, you get a single post that connects to the wall in two locations at top and bottom. For a walk-in, it’s a double post that connects to the wall only at the top. 

Modular in design, there is just enough customization for either style without catapulting things into “I am paralyzed by the choices” territory. The post height is just over 7 feet tall, and widths vary between 4 feet and 8 feet. Optional components include basic shelves, shelves with rods, shoe racks, dresser drawers, cabinets, and cabinets with glass fronts. 

If you are looking for color or darker wood, this is not the system for you. If you’re hoping to keep your closet light, bright, and devoid of anything that borders on industrial, you’re in the right place. Everything is made either from white powder-coated steel (brackets, posts, rods) or MDF finished in white (shelves, drawers, cabinets). 

Essential Reach-In Closet by Hold Everything, 8′ Hanging System with 4 Drawers​, Pottery Barn ($3,061)

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To maximize the large size of our bedroom closet—and to avoid putting a dresser in the room, an already tight space—we opted for an 8-foot-wide reach-in style featuring several regular shelves, shelves with rods, and two 4-drawer dressers. Note: Measuring ahead of ordering is advised again and again by Pottery Barn, and being precise in this step is necessary for the system to fit properly (more on that later).

The Price

The systems are constructed from solid, coated MDF and metal frames, which helps justify the cost (the walk-in versions range from $1,123 to $4,305; the reach-in styles are anywhere between $763 and $3,061). These numbers are comparable to many full-priced options you’ll find at the Container Store, and the look is leaps beyond anything from Rubbermaid or what you’d see on Wayfair. We’re not talking custom California Closets, but there’s definitely a finished look at the end, which feels decidedly upscale.

The Installation 

Pottery Barn recommends hiring professionals to install the Hold Everything system. In an effort to get as close a look as possible at the entire process, my husband and I decided to do it ourselves. 

We collected the products at our doorstep since our building has a difficult entry, but white-glove delivery is available for an additional fee. At present, if you order today, you will likely wait no longer than a few weeks to get your entire closet. Boxes began arriving within a week, but the whole apparatus was not in our apartment until closer to the end of two. I am not lying that the amount of packaging took up three-quarters of our second bedroom; our set came with 31 boxes to manage. (Editor’s note: Within each box of brackets, there were 10 pairs packaged in their own boxes, which added up to quite a lot more.)  While I appreciated how carefully wrapped and packed everything was, as well as the fact that the system is certified nontoxic, this part would be my main complaint—breaking down all the cardboard, wood braces, foam, and plastic felt like it took as long as installing the unit itself. I couldn’t help but feel wasteful, even with a good portion of the packaging constructed from cardboard.

First, we had to deinstall the makeshift system from our closet—a bit of an ordeal, but we made it happen. After everything for the Hold Everything setup was out of boxes (which took, in total, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours), we were ready to go. Each box comes with the hardware and anchors you need, which is nice reassurance, but we thought the excess of small Allen wrenches to be overboard. We had a drill and drill bits handy, which we found necessary in the few instances that the drillable anchors weren’t sharp enough to get through wall material.

Now’s the time for another reminder: Measuring and ensuring your closet walls are free of obstacles top to bottom is not something to take lightly. Ditto goes for reading the instructions a few times through. This is particularly true with the reach-in style. It connects at the top of the post and also at the bottom, about 8 inches above the ground. 

Our closet width measurement was slightly off (we’re only human), so we had to use three bays instead of four. And thanks to our building being a century old, there are small pipes running through our closet along with molding at the bottom—right at the exact spot we needed to attach the posts. Because of this, we had to raise the floor up with wood from the hardware store to make the attachment possible. Securing the posts and drawers was definitely the most time-consuming part; it took us approximately three painstaking hours, considering we wanted each component to be level and secure. The drawers are supported by brackets but also secured to the wall; we had to install ours slightly higher due to the aforementioned pipes. Once those were up, we decided to call it a night. The following day, everything else went in pretty smoothly. Shelves screwed in easily, and rods were added quickly. Once it was 100% in, the system felt extremely durable—and I haven’t noticed anything to suggest otherwise in the weeks we’ve had it. 

The Final Word 

After going through installation firsthand, my final opinion: If you have the bandwidth in your budget and/or your home has tricky edges or some extra character, hiring a pro is worth it. If your home is on the newer side with perfectly smooth, squared-off closets, two able-bodied people could absolutely install the Hold Everything system—but it is definitely a weekend project. 

Even after all of this, I would still recommend the Hold Everything system, particularly for new construction or a gut reno or someone who wants to get as much out of hidden storage as possible. I could even see the system being used in a linen closet or craft closet, too—not just for clothes and shoes. The posts are well constructed, and the MDF feels hefty and stable. The hardware and anchors are pretty dummy-proof once you get the hang of it, and I like the ease of being able to move shelves around. The biggest perk? I’m actually inspired to put my clothes away instead of tossing them on our dog’s crate at the end of the day. 

Editor’s note: In a previous version of this article, the number of boxes noted included additional packaging that was sent erroneously, as well as boxes included within boxes. According to Pottery Barn, the average number of boxes across all closet configurations is 19.

The post I Didn’t Think I Needed a Closet System to Get Organized Until I Tried Pottery Barn’s Version appeared first on domino.

If you thought organizing the cupboard underneath your sink was a challenge, then you haven’t had a space with an upper-corner kitchen cabinet. With its often narrow doors and deep, awkwardly shaped space within, it’s a storage nook that stumps the best of us. This is why many renovators tend to knock them out and replace them with open shelving or a chic vintage pie cupboard. But not all is lost if you decide to stick with your quirky uppers. Here, we share how to organize a corner cabinet to take full advantage of the tricky spot. Plus Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, shares the tool she can’t live without. 

Create Your Own Shelves

If you need an upper-corner cabinet organizer with some height, look no further than this adaptable game changer. The customizable carousel-inspired concept instantly transforms this tricky space into a functional and easily accessible cupboard that puts all your essentials within arm’s reach.

Utrusta Corner Cabinet Carousel, IKEA ($80)

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Turn It Into a Good Time

Architect Idan Naor tackled the cavelike feel of this New York kitchen by designing walnut uppers and shelving that seamlessly transition from a sharp corner into a smooth bend. To fully utilize the extra-deep storage, the owners installed curved doors to hide their cocktail-making essentials in the corner cabinet.

Live by Lazy Susans and Labels

Turntables make the world go round—er, okay, just your nuts and olive oils, but their handiness can’t be overlooked. “We love using multiple lazy Susans on shelves in corner cabinets, or you can mix and match products and use a combination of them and clear bins on hard-to-reach shelves,” says Hord. Invest in a label maker so you never have to play a guessing game from the ground. 

Tier Lazy Susan by The Home Edit, The Container Store ($27)

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French Kitchen Marble Lazy Susan, Crate & Barrel ($100)

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Put the Tallest Things Up Top

All those decorative glass pitchers you’ve collected should go way up top (just adjust your shelves to fit things accordingly). This is especially key if your corner cabinet features a see-through glass panel; it’s an opportunity to put pretty cake stands and pitchers on display. “That can be include stemware or other aesthetically pleasing items like matching china,” says Hord. 

Improvise Shelving

Raise the roof for risers. Vertical space is often underutilized, which is where these simple wire supports come in. They’re a favorite of Gilat Tunit, the founder of Project Neat, because they keep everything accessible and not in danger of falling out. She also recommends hanging shelves, which can be affixed to the bottom of upper cabinets. “It’s all about creating space,” she says.

Shelf Risers, Open Spaces ($46)

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Under-shelf sliding wire basket by Nate Home, mDesign ($40)

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Keep Your Spices Separate

Meet the other type of corner cabinet: the straight-on version. This nook is less awkward and not as deep, but you still need to be strategic about what you store there. Designate the highest shelf for occasional entertaining-ware, and carve out a small drawer for things you use every day, like spices, below. “We call this cabinet ‘not-prime real estate,’” Hord points out. Use it wisely, and don’t forget the lazy Susan, of course. 

The post When It Comes to Upper-Corner Kitchen Cabinet Organization, a Pro Swears by This Tool appeared first on domino.