Put simply, feng shui is a way of arranging buildings, objects, and even space to achieve harmony and balance so that the changes bring peace and prosperity. This process comes from ancient Chinese art and can be used virtually anywhere.

Incorporating harmony, balance, peace, and prosperity in your reach in closet or walk in closet can transform how you approach each day. So let’s dive into closet feng shui in 6 approachable steps.

1. Closet placement

Closet placement in feng shui bedroom design is extremely important. Ideally, it’s located within the north, northeast, or northwest area of the room. These directions are connected to the element of water and will encourage personal growth and development. If your closet or wardrobe can’t be moved, another consideration is to adjust the placement of your bed. The principles of feng shui say that having your wardrobe or closet to the left of your bed will keep your family thriving and prosperous.

Depending on your room’s layout, your bed may inevitably face the closet. If this is the case, don’t fret. Having your bed facing the closet won’t negatively impact your room’s feng shui, as long as the closet doors don’t hit the bed when opened and the space inside isn’t cluttered.

2. Free of clutter and complication

No matter how much rearranging you do, peace and harmony certainly won’t come into your space if it’s filled with clutter. Thoughtfully organizing the items within your closet will help avoid any negative impact your closet could have on your room’s balance.

After decluttering, review each item in your closet. Ensure you have enough shelves, hanging rails, and drawers to accommodate everything in a way that helps you stay organized. California Closets design consultants are experts at this step, taking inventory of their clients’ clothing – down to the last sock – to ensure the design they create provides a place for everything.

But if you find your closet is feeling less ordered than you’d like, keep your closet or wardrobe doors closed so that the flow of energy to your bedroom isn’t disrupted.

3. Mirror placement

The use of mirrors is an important element to consider when designing your closet with feng shui in mind. Ensure any mirrors are installed within your closet or on the back of closet doors facing into your closet. This is because mirrors can bounce energy around and can cause sleep problems if they are facing your bed, which is why mirror placement in a feng shui bedroom closet is such a key aspect of a closet

4. Lighting design

In feng shui, lighting is actually the strongest manifestation of energy for a space, and a strong lighting balance will ensure optimal closet feng shui. Ambient lighting, including natural light and accent lighting, will ultimately set the mood for your space. From shelf lighting for smaller cubby-like spaces to motion-sensor drawer or door lighting, there are so many ways to integrate lighting into your closet design for feng shui that also help with its functionality.

Many of California Closets’ lighting options are also available in different tones, such as warm, cool, or tunable white. These options allow you to customize the feeling that light brings to your closet — whether you’d like it to feel more calming or more active.

5. Shoe organization

Yes, feng shui for shoes is equally important! In fact, storing your shoes neatly and in pairs can create a feeling of stability and ensure your space feels grounded — two qualities that are wonderful to have when looking into or walking into your closet.

California Closets shoe rack options are varied and can be designed to fit your shoe collection. For example, adjustable shoe shelves can help accommodate different heights of shoes (such as boots and flats), and closed shoe shelves are another option if you prefer your shoes to be protected by a door. Custom lighting for shoe racks is also very popular to create ultimate accessibility when browsing your shoe collection.

6. Clothing organized by color

The order of your clothing can also impact the feng shui of your closet. For a harmonious and balanced space, sort your clothing by color and then hang it from lightest to darkest. This can be done with your clothing as a whole or you can separate your clothing by type and then organize each clothing type this way. Harmony achieved.

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Your stairs, believe it or not, are an ideal place for creating organization. Both over and under your steps, you likely have space that currently sits unutilized. Here are three ways to maximize this area and invent a storage solution that elevates your space.

1. Stairs as storage:

Stairs function as a means of getting from one floor of your home to another, but they can also be used as a little-known storage opportunity. The edge of the stairs against a wall is actually a perfect location for storage cubbies — especially if you don’t have a mudroom or your entryway is tight. In this space, backpacks, shoes and other daily essentials can be easily organized and kept out of the way.

2. Under-the-stairs office:

Are you looking for the best office storage solutions? The nook underneath your stairs provides another space for storage when you transform it into an office. This often-wasted area is an ideal location for a built-in desk and other storage components, like shelving. Use closed doors or bins to conceal items you don’t want to show, and display eye-catching artwork or photos to create a functional and stylish space.

3. Tucked-in mudroom:

Another use for under-the-stairs space is a landing station for your household. Get some space with smart entryway organization by installing cubbies, wall hooks and a bench, you can create a mock mudroom where items such as coats, shoes and mail have a home. Designating spaces for each family member provides even more order: Getting ready for school and work will be much easier when everyone’s essentials are well-organized and easy to put away at the end of each day.

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Here are six common questions — and answers — about Murphy beds.

1. What is a Murphy bed?

A Murphy bed is a hinged bed that can be stored vertically or horizontally along a wall. It can provide a bed for guests or when you need an extra spot to sleep; when not in use, it simply folds up against the wall creating space. A Murphy bed allows you to take full advantage of every inch of floor space in your spare bedroom, office or any other room. Other common names for the Murphy bed include: wall bed, pull-down bed or fold-down bed.

2. Why is it called a Murphy bed?

Murphy beds get their name from their inventor,  William L. Murphy. In the late 19^th century, Murphy lived in a one-room apartment in San Francisco. According to Smithsonian.com, he wanted to court a young opera singer, but customs at the time wouldn’t allow a lady to enter a gentleman’s bedroom. Instead of losing his chance at love, he created the Murphy bed, allowing him to stow his bed in his closet, turning his tiny bedroom apartment into a parlor instead.

3. How comfortable are Murphy beds?

They’re very comfortable, especially because you can select your own mattress.  Depending on the length of the legs you choose and the bed size (twin, full, or queen), you can choose a mattress that’s up to 12” depending on the model.  This allows you to tailor the bed to your specific comfort needs.

4. Is the bed easy to raise and lower?

Yes. California Closets wall bed’s spring-loaded aluminum frame and tubular steel legs are designed to make the process of accessing and putting the bed away absolutely effortless. The bed’s legs have also been designed to angle inward, ensuring you won’t stub your toes while walking around the unit once it’s set on the ground.

5. Where can I put a Murphy bed?

It depends on the size or layout of your space and your individual needs. If you live in a small apartment or condo, you may want to put a Murphy bed in your living room. However, if you live in a single-family home with multiple bedrooms, you may decide to put a Murphy bed in a room that you also use as an office or craft room. California Closets offers a full range of Murphy bed sizes to accommodate a variety of needs and spaces.

6. Should I choose standard or side-tilt Murphy bed?

This also depends on the size of your space and your needs, as well as where you’d ideally like to place the bed. A side-tilt option optimizes limited space similar to a daybed, while the standard option extends perpendicular to the wall giving the room a more traditional bedroom look. Our trained designers can discuss options during a scheduled showroom or in-home consultation.

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1. Mix in luxurious materials: Add personality to your space with glass shelves and colorful or textured back panels. Incorporating leather, in particular, is a great way to add some opulence into a closet. You can fully customize the look to match your wardrobe, your home’s aesthetic or your personal style.

2. Put your favorite items on display: You might have a collection of designer purses, an incredible array of shoes or a number of gorgeous scarves. Showing them off is a great way to add some glamour to your closet. Use shelves to display purses or shoes and install dedicated hanging racks to present your scarves.

3. Install fabulous lighting: While lighting is often overlooked in a closet space, it makes a huge difference when it comes to the overall look of the space. Lighted shelves draw the eye toward your favorite items, while a chandelier or a pretty lamp can give the space extra illumination and elegance.

4. Add a sitting space: A chair or pouf covered in luxurious fabric, such as velvet, linen, or faux fur lends a trendy and upscale vibe to your closet while making the space more comfortable, too.

5. Use decorative accents to give the space extra oomph: Infuse extra flair into your closet with carefully chosen accessories, such as acrylic or metal trays, mirrors and fashion-related artwork. Accents like these can give your closet additional color and texture, while showing off your personal style.

Details can make all the difference. See how we incorporated all of the above to achieve the ultimate fashion-forward closet for our Before and After campaign.

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Blue and Green

Reminiscent of the ocean or a serene lake shaded by trees, shades of blue and green are invigorating and calming all at once. You might associate these colors with a gorgeous day at the beach, a walk in the woods, or even a fun afternoon in the park.

A custom walk in closet with blue and green accents and light wood grain finish has open shelving, cabinets and a built in dresser created by California Closets.

Orange and Yellow

Summer is a time to revel in the warm sunshine with friends and family, soaking in positive vibes and happy memories. This sunny season is often associated with bright and bold oranges and yellows, which can give your mood a lift.

A reach in closet combined with a work desk station, custom cabinets, hanging poles, shoe storage and extra shelving in a wood grain finish accented with bold, bright colors created by California Closets.

Red

Red really has a place in every season. In the summer, red is most reminiscent of cherries, tomatoes, fireworks, and popsicles. This color isn’t just bright and bold, but also timeless—and the fact that it’s associated with so many positive aspects of the season makes it a decorating must. Summer is such a fun season. It’s full of vibrant hues that can spark creativity and bring energy to any space. We pulled together some design inspiration to illustrate how you can use popular summer hues throughout your home in a way that will also remain timeless despite the season.

A kitchen pantry with beautiful custom cabinets in grey wood grain finishes with wine storag, custom drawers and red sliding doors made with ecoresin created by California Closets.

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Here are five ways to incorporate baskets into your custom closet organization design.

1. For clothing in the bedroom closet: With just a glance, you can choose folded items like jeans and sweaters from slide-out baskets in your bedroom closet, making outfit selection a quick task.

2. As hampers for laundry: Slide-out and removable laundry baskets in the closets make it easy to sort dirty clothing and take it right to the laundry room.

3. For easy organization in your entryway or mudroom: Keep boots and shoes neat, clean, and out of the way with a designated basket for each family member.

4. In the nursery closet: Babies and toddlers have so many small items that can easily get jumbled and messy. Plus, little kids move fast, so it’s important to be able to quickly grab clothing or cloths—sometimes with just one hand! Slide-out baskets offer the perfect solution for a baby’s smaller items, and can transition to hold toys for simple access and cleanup as your child grows.

5. In the linen closet: A combination of stand-up cloth bins and slide-out baskets makes it easy to elegantly store towels, napkins, and more.

The post 5 Creative Solutions How to Organize Space Storage With Baskets appeared first on California Closets.

As an industry-leading brand, why does California Closets prioritize sustainability?

At California Closets, I think we truly understand the importance of sustainability and our responsibility to the environment and to our clients. Sustainability is not something that is fleeting or a trend, but is a mainstay of our business and for this reason we realize the need to be continuously mindful of our resources.

It is this commitment that has enabled us to work with a number of builders on
various LEED® projects. This includes two large-scale LEED-certified projects in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Margarido House and the Hillside House, both of which were one of the first of their kind.

It is also from this pledge that we are constantly looking at sourcing products that
have sustainable attributes. Most recently, we rolled out a comprehensive line of
LED lighting, which offers an energy efficient option for illuminating a space.

How would you describe California Closets’ sustainable product options?

The beauty of our product is that it is made from composite wood, which consists
of recycled and/or reclaimed wood fiber. Using recycled material assists with
diverting waste from our landfill and helps to preserve our natural resources.

All of our board is CARB Phase 2 compliant. CARB (California Air Resource Board) is also the commonly used name to reference the California law, which consists of some of the most rigorous regulations for formaldehyde emission standards. Although CARB regulations are specific to California, this is the standard we use for all our board sold throughout North America. CARB has two phases – 1 and 2. Phase 2 is the more stringent of the phases and is the current rating for our Classic, Lago and Tesoro finishes.

We also offer an array of Ecoresin® inserts, which contain 40% pre-consumer recycled content. Some of the available patterns incorporate handcrafted materials from artisans in remote villages around the world, helping to bring more economic stability to these communities.

Additionally, we offer a variety of other products that have sustainable features.
To name a few: LED lights, Chroma countertops and a selection of fabric panel made from recycled material.

What are common misconceptions about sustainability?

For some, the word sustainability may conjure up thoughts of products that are not made well or are visually unappealing. However, products made with sustainable material are not only of high-quality, but they also can have a beautiful aesthetic.

Take for example our Fossil Leaf Ecoresin® insert, which can be used for doors,
drawers or as a back panel. It is made from 40% recycled material, can be recycled
through the supplier at the end of its life and has been made using natural leave
accents. The sustainable benefits of this are clear, but in addition this product is
durable and is a stunning combination of translucent resin with subtle hints of
elements found in nature, creating an exquisite design.

Another misconception about sustainability is that these types of products are
sold at a premium. To the contrary, just because a product is made with
sustainable materials or practices it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be more
expensive. As I previously mentioned, our board is made from recycled material,
so without any additional investment our clients are purchasing a product that
already has sustainable characteristics.

How does California Closets continue to educate its employees about its environmental commitment?

We offer a number of training resources for our employees to keep apprised not
only of our commitment to the environment, but to have a better understanding
of relevant terminology and sustainable characteristics of our product offering.
These resources include an extensive library of documents, videos and interactive educational materials.

We have recently implemented an entire learning module that is specifically
focused on sustainability. This course is available to all employees throughout our
franchise system and it is mandatory course for our corporate team members.

Additionally, we have on staff at our corporate office a LEED GA who is available
to answer any questions that may arise as they relate to the specific sustainable
attributes of our products.

Is California Closets still looking for ways to minimize its carbon footprint in the future?

One of the advantages of working with a wood product such as ours is that trees are nature’s natural way to assist in lessening the impact of climate change. What is meant by this is that trees use CO2 during photosynthesis, store this carbon and oxygen is released as a by-product. This sequestered carbon is stored until the wood is broken down at the end of its life cycle.

Also, by using products such as LED lighting in lieu of less efficient incandescent or even CFLs, we can help further reduce our energy use and carbon footprint especially when electricity is produced by coal or gas.

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Here are eight crucial terms you should know when you’re embarking on any kind of interior design project.

1. Unity. Unity is what ties a room, or space within a room, together. Often, unity can refer to a color scheme, tone or style. When these design elements within a space are cohesive, the space looks consistent and organized. Unity can come in the form of a color palette; an example would be a living room where every element is styled in teal, light turquoise and white. It can also be conveyed through a shape or item; an example would be when you use only one kind of hanger for all your clothing.

2. Balance. This term generally applies to the weight and symmetry of a given room. A room where two identical couches sit facing each other has symmetrical balance. When furniture pieces of the same weight but different types even out a space, this is known as asymmetrical balance. In a walk-in closet systems, you might have both sides lined with the exact same shelving and hanging units, or you might devote one side to a full rack of hanging clothes and the other to a chic vanity setup and storage bins.

3. Focal point. Many spaces have one pivotal eye-catcher, such as a fireplace in a living room, a large window in a dining room, or an ornate light fixture in a bedroom or wall wardrobe closet. The focal point anchors the room and gives a designer something to build the rest of the details around, including where to place furniture or storage and which colors or texture to use.

4. Rhythm. Rhythm isn’t just for the dance floor. In design-speak, the term is defined as continuity or organized movement. This is where your creativity comes to life as you use colors, patterns and textures to create contrast, repetition and progression. For instance, creating a monochromatic color palette in mixed patterns will create liveliness in your space without looking too busy.

5. Dimension. When it comes to design, vertical dimension, or the available space from floor to ceiling, is key. You can place curtains closer to the ceiling to make a room look much larger than it would with window treatments covering just your windows. When it comes to designing a closet, take advantage of all vertical space so that you not only get more storage, but you also open up the area to create the illusion of more square footage.

6. Walkable floor space. Square footage is one thing, but the actual space you have to move around a room or portion of a room is quite another. When you’re designing a space, keep in mind how easy it will be to walk, turn, kneel, sit or stand, as well as how many people might fit in the space at one time. This way, your newly designed rooms will be comfortable and functional.

7. Sight lines. Visibility in your home is important, and a sight line is essentially what you can see from a given vantage point. While this term is often used when talking about an open concept floor plan, it can apply to how you organize your home, as well. When you’re creating a closet, for instance, you might consider accessories like translucent drawer fronts, wire bins, specialty racks and drawer dividers to create sight lines for everyday items. This would allow you to easily find and grab any item you need.

8. Flow. This term is what makes your home feel refreshing and inviting, carrying you seamlessly from one space to another. Mirrors and natural light can open up a space. Rugs and runners can create movement and area rugs can designate gathering places. You can also create flow and prevent a crowded feeling by building wide doorways.

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Imagine a closet that is much more than just a closet, but a space that beautifully displays some of your most cherished items. While the idea of creating a showcase closet may sound somewhat intimidating or out of reach, it’s actually very possible and quite simple. You’ll only need to incorporate a few basic upgrades and accessories to achieve that boutique-worthy look, according to New York City-based design consultant Carolyn Musher. After that, it’s just a matter of maintaining the order you’ve created.

We spoke to Musher about designing such a space and she shared the following four key tips to transform your closet into a place that will show off your best-loved pieces.

1. Incorporate lighting: Ceiling lighting is important for illuminating the whole space, but you’ll want to include other types as well to really get that showcase look. Closet lighting within your shelves and lights that are strategically placed to highlight specific items will create a stunning display.

2. Include specialized closed storage: Be sure to dedicate space for your non-showcase items that allows them to remain organized, yet out of sight. For instance, flip-flops and sneakers can be stowed in baskets, while workout clothes can be neatly folded in drawers.

3. Keep like colors and items together: Once your closet is installed and you’re ready to put your belongings back in, how you organize your clothing can make a big aesthetic difference. Be sure to arrange your clothing by type and by hue: All short-sleeved shirts should be put together, for instance, and then hung by color within that grouping. Do the same for each category of clothing. 

4. Stay consistent with your hangers: What you hang your clothing on makes a huge difference when it comes to creating that boutique look in a closet. Be sure that all of your hangers match and your clothing is all hung facing the same direction. Also, always take the plastic off of your dry-cleaned items before putting them back into your closet.

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