Spring is approaching quickly, and you may be in the need for a closet revamp.

First, start with what’s hanging. Place clothes on their hangers in two piles—one for short items, like shirts, and the other for long items, like coats and pants hung full length by their cuffs or waistband. Measure the height of each pile to get the desired lengths for short- and long-item rods. Next, arrange your clothes that could be folded in 10-inch-high stack; each stack needs 14 inches of shelf length. The ideal reach-in closet is 6 to 8 feet wide and 24 to 30 inches deep. Standard double doors are best, assuming there’s room to swing them open.

Now, to start planning the interior, beginning with the left wall; measure everything to a T. Sketch a to-scale layout on graph paper, with each wall’s width and height as well as details. Make note of sloped ceilings, knee walls, and other oddities. Start with storage for your shoes; your best bet is open shelves without dividers. To squeeze in an extra pair, alternate toes-facing-out and toes-facing-in. Sketch in rods for shorter items, making them as wide as your wardrobe warrants, and a higher rod for longer items. Draw shelves 4 inches above the rods plus a high shelf for less-used items, and mark their depths.

For walls and plaster that’s in poor shape, line the closet with ¾-inch hardwood plywood and screw it to the studs. Now you are able to attach rods and shelves wherever you want.

No room for swing-open doors? Avoid sliders and invest in sturdy, solid-core or solid-wood bifolds and heavy-duty fittings. Lightweight doors with bad fittings wobble and constantly fall off their tracks. Decide where you want your off-season items, ideally in the attic or a dry corner of the basement. If you have spare room on the same floor, consider a clothes rack that can be wheeled to the closet when it’s time for a swap-out. If this isn’t an option, store your clothing pieces in bins and totes; be sure to label them so that you have easy access to something you need, year-round.

With spring just around the corner, you’re probably dying to spruce up your home with a little renovating or DIY. Here are a few ideas for some springtime improvement – without breaking the bank!

1. Landscaping – If you’re imagining a green lawn with some fresh blossoms, the prices for plants could add up quickly. With $5-$15 per plant, plus maybe some bark mulch and shrubs, it could be a pretty penny spent. Alternatively, don’t buy all established plants that will add up in cost. Instead, try planting seeds for a fraction of the price, and soon you will have that dream garden. Just be sure to keep in mind the importance of lawn maintenance, such as mowing, weeding and hedge trimming!
2. Repaving the Driveway – Between salt and snow in the winter, your driveway must be aching for a refresher. As concrete is very expensive and asphalt is a close second, prepare to pay for this project, because this is not a DIY. Sometimes all a driveway needs is a new sealcoat, which you can do on your own. With a few hundred dollars of sealcoat, a driveway squeegee, and a little prep time, you could have a brand new driveway – estimating $250 to $500 on a typical two-car driveway.

   

3. Repainting the Walls – Now that winter grays are past us and there is such wonderful color all around, you must be dying to add a pop of color to your rooms. But first, think about if you really need to repaint the walls, and if you’re willing to take the time out for this project. Instead, repaint what you really need to, such as a wall that has damage or a color that really takes away from the room’s potential. Light grays, earth tones, yellows or blues are all safe and appealing colors that won’t scare off a new homeowner, if you are planning to sell in the future. Focus first on areas where you entertain or spend the most time, because little costs can add up, on top of the gallons of paint, primer, rollers, paint brushes, tray liners and caulking to fill cracks and nail holes.

With these tips – and whatever else you can think of – you will soon be on your way to a happier feeling home (while saving some money)! Happy Spring!