Kelly Laughlin

MY ADVICE:

• Organizing your hanging clothes by Occasion rather than Type makes it easier to find something to wear! For example, I keep my work clothes separated from my casual clothes rather than grouping pants, shirts, dresses, etc.

• Keep a stool or ladder in your closet so the top shelf is easily accessible.

• Fold one sock over the other before putting them in your drawer so the pairs stay together!

• Give items you haven’t worn or used in a while to charity. It’ll make someone else happy and you’ll have more space and less clutter!

“Closet Factory provided excellent design advice. They were accommodating in making many changes. The install staff was highly skilled. We are very pleased with the final project and would recommend their services.”

– Janet Hudd via Houzz

MY FAQ’s:

 “How do you first approach a space? In other words, what’s the first thing you think about when you first see a client’s closet space/storage problem?”

The first think I look for in a closet are obstacles that I have to work around such as outlets, access panels, etc. This is very important to take note of because they are things that cause the biggest challenges. Closet Factory has unique solutions to overcoming obstacles that other companies will just work around. Next I look at the client’s clothing inventory in and out of the closet to make sure I can design a space for everything!

 “What is the biggest design obstacle you’ve overcome? i.e. awkwardly angled walls, electrical sockets in bizarre places, big collections in small spaces.”

One of the strangest closets I have encountered was a reach-in closet that had a steeply sloped floor at a 45 degree angle.

 “Since collaboration is such an integral part of the design process, how do you like to engage or connect with clients in order to help them realize their vision for a space?”

When meeting with clients, I always have a bag of material samples and a book full of images to spark inspiration. It also really helps to either hand draw or computer generate the clients’ closets to help them visualize what they can do with their space. When I do this, the client and I are able to easily make changes and try out different designs.

 “How are you inspired by a home’s existing décor? Is there anything specific that you look for during an in-home consultation?”

I always take note of the clients’ existing wood finishes. For example, if I were doing a mudroom, I would look at the kitchen cabinets and would suggest a matching wood tone or a complimentary color. I also take a look at the client’s style. If it’s a very modern atmosphere, I might suggest a high sheen finish with simple clean lines.

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 “What are some ways a custom designed home office can improve productivity? In other words, how does the right type of home office help people do business?”

I am a huge advocate of organization and clutter free zones! A clean, clear, work space is a productive work space, especially when it is custom designed to your work style. When there is a designated spot for all of your papers, pens, supplies, etc, you will spend less time searching, and more time focusing on producing your best work.

 “What are some modern organizational trends, or what’s a trend you’re looking for?”

A fun trend that I like to incorporate in a design is choosing unique hardware. There are so many different door/drawer pull styles, the options are really endless and choosing a fun and trendy hardware can really make the space unique to the clients personal style.