Hiding Your Valentine’s Day Gifts

February 7, 2012
How are you going to hide your Valentine's Day gifts this year?

Photo Credit: Photostock

Maybe you’re one of those early planners and you’ve bought your Valentine’s Day gift a week early this year.  Congratulations.  Now how do you keep it hidden for a week?  The closet is an obvious place to start, but if you share a living space with your significant other, you can’t be sure that he/she isn’t going to accidentally uncover it while cleaning or looking for something else, so you’ve got to get creative.

One sure-fire way to keep the present hidden is to wrap it in inconspicuous packaging.  An old shoe-box shouldn’t raise any eyebrows and your significant other probably wouldn’t even give it a second glance.

Hiding smaller gifts in clothing isn’t a bad idea either.  Objects lodged in coat pockets, shoes, socks, or even sleeves wouldn’t attract extra attention.  Just make sure none of those items are on the dry cleaning list that week!

If your closet is somewhat cluttered or unorganized, use the clutter to your advantage and wedge the gift in somewhere unnoticeable.  It’s easy to spot something out of place amidst an orderly row of shelves and compartments, so if you have a little mess, use it to your advantage.

Of course there are plenty of other great spots in the house to hide things, but please don’t let us have all the fun.  Leave a comment below and share some of your favorite places to hide things around the house.

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The Key to a Dust Free Closet

February 6, 2012
Keeping a closet dust free is a big chore, but someone has to do it.

Photo Credit: Noricum

Believe it or not, it’s really hard to keep a closet dust free.  Most of us just organize the closet and maybe clean it out once a season, but dust accumulates quickly on clothing and valuables if a storage space is not dusted properly or regularly.

Here are a few tips to keep dust from accumulating in your closet and on your clothes:

1. Clean the closet to get it entirely dust-free.  Sorry, but before you can keep your closet dust-free, it needs to BE dust-free.  Take everything out and use a Swiffer duster or whatever your preferred product to remove dust, hair, dirt and whatever else might have made its way in there.

2. Use a lint roller on every piece of clothing you own before putting it back in the closet.  Repeat whenever putting an article of clothing back in without washing it first, especially if you have a furry pet.

3. Don’t let anything sit in there for too long.  If you have to let something sit for a while like a winter coat or a tuxedo, cover it up with a dry cleaner bag or a clean trash bag.

4. Keep the floor of the closet clean.  Not only with this lessen dust build-up but it will only take a few moments to vacuum once the dust does begin to accumulate.

5. Febreze your closet regularly or leave an air-freshener inside.  This won’t actually help with the dust, but it will keep your clothes smelling fresh.

Do you have any other ideas for keeping a closet dust free?  Leave a comment and let us know or tell us on twitter via @ContempoSpace.

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Color Code Your Closet: Easy Organization In Color

February 3, 2012
Keep your closet organized by color like a box of crayons.

Photo Credit: Kate Ter Har

It’s a tough job sometimes, but it’s never a bad idea to keep your closet organized.  An untidy jumble of pants, shirts, and jackets won’t make a hectic morning any easier nor will it give you any motivation to keep the rest of your home organized.

One easy way organize a closet is to color code your clothing items.  It’s simple and intuitive, plus it will create a peaceful, organized space for you to look at first thing every morning.

Start off by separating all of your clothes by type.  Put pants with pants, shirts with shirts, and so on and so forth.  Easy, right?

Now take each sub-category and organize from light to dark.  Start with anything white and then gradually add darker colored items until you get to black.  For multi-colored patterns, place them with whatever color appears dominant, or if you have a lot of items with a similar pattern such as plaid, you could make a whole separate sub-section strictly for patterned items.

One area where you might not want to apply the rule exactly would be navy blue to black.  On a rushed morning, it can be easy to confuse the two, so do yourself a favor by putting in some kind of dividing color such as brown or grey.

Do you know of any other good tips for color-coding or organizing your storage space?  Share below or contact us on twitter via @ContempoSpace.

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Out of Sight, Out of Mind: What’s Hiding in Your Closet?

February 2, 2012
Forgotten Secrets find their way to the back of closets and storage spaces.

Photo Credit: PM Social Media

When was the last time you cleaned out your closet?  Don’t be ashamed.  We all like to procrastinate, and sometimes things get lost in the time between annual spring cleaning sessions.

You can find some amazing things buried away in a forgotten closet.  Back in high school, a friend of mine found his Dad’s vintage Gibson SG guitar.  Being a huge rock and roll nerd, he drilled his Dad for hours about how he could have let something so valuable go unnoticed for years.  “It’s been buried in there so long, I guess I forgot,” he replied.

And the journey doesn’t end with vintage instruments.  At the back of almost every closet in the United States lies a forgotten token of the past.  Once beloved childhood toys, love notes from sweethearts of yesteryear, family heirlooms meant to be passed from generation to generation sit in the darkness, gathering dust and waiting to resurface.

Look hard next time you clean your closet.  Even little things you wouldn’t normally notice – coins, jewelry, toys – might be worth more than you think.

Contempo Closet’s line of organizational storage products can help make sure that nothing important goes missing over the years.

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Make the Office Pop! With Modern Office Furniture From Contempo Closet

February 1, 2012
Sleek Office Space will impress clients and help employees feel proud of their business

Photo Credit: Mackenzie Kosut

Some people love their jobs.  Some people hate them.  Regardless, no one should have to work in a drab office space.  At Contempo Closet we can provide the tools to create an office that will turn heads on any firm’s clients and employees.

Contempo Closet’s premium line of wardrobes and storage closets can help keep your office neat and tidy with superior organizational capability thanks to custom interior/exterior drawers, shelving, and closet doors.  Our freestanding collection is easy to move, a touch of versatility for the chaotic office environment.  Tall and narrow wardrobes fit almost anywhere and leave extra space to keep the office free of clutter.

And, of course, we can’t deny the aesthetic improvements a Contempo Closet brings to the office.  Contemporary, stylish furniture will let your clients know to expect professional service and a unique, modern approach.  Our custom finishes and combinations give you the power to decide the details, while our top-notch design consultants will work with you to make sure your selection matches the pre-existing environment.

Feel free to ask about our custom desks as well, designed to fit your office both structurally and aesthetically.

Work doesn’t have to be boring.  Use Contempo Closet to let your office take on a life of its own.

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Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

January 31, 2012

Freestanding wardrobes are a portable, versatile solution to storage needs.

When it comes to your wardrobe, there are generally two options: fitted or freestanding.

A fitted wardrobe is quite literally “fixed” to your home; it will be built into the wall, provided there is ample space.  If there is enough space to build into the wall, it can be a great method to gain storage space while optimizing floor space to keep your room open and uncluttered.

A freestanding wardrobe, on the other hand, will be free to move and replace as you wish.  Think of it as a no strings attached relationship.  Freestanding wardrobes are a good choice when there is simply no room to build a wardrobe right into the wall.  It is a versatile solution, which you can model to fit with the rest of your space in terms of style, color and size.

Freestanding wardrobes will, however, take up a bit more space, but, on the other hand, they are not difficult to transport should you have to move homes.

Regardless of your choice, Contempo Closet can design and build the perfect closet to fit your home storage needs.  Freestanding or fitted, there’s no limit to our solutions.

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Why Buy Custom?

August 30, 2011

Want a wardrobe closet that fits you just so?

Contempo Closet specializes in customizable wardrobe closets. One big question we are faced with is why should a customer buy customized furniture rather than something “off the shelf?” This article will answer this question.

How many times have we all been in a store or on an Internet site, see a product and think “that’s perfect but I just wish it had/ was…” This can apply to a dress you wish came in red, or a chest of drawers that you wish were deeper.

When buying a custom item (in our case, a wardrobe) you are getting exactly what you want and need. If you want lots of hanging space and very little shelving, Contempo Closet can make it. If you have high ceilings and very little floor space, we can build something high so that your floor space is maximized.  Want it with red colored-glass fronts? We can do that too.

Buying custom is not about satisfying a whim, it is about understanding your needs and having them met. A wardrobe that meets your storage needs accurately will be one that you will be happy and excited to go to each day. Why? Because your clothing is organized in a way that fits your lifestyle—not someone else’s vision of your lifestyle.

We do understand that a custom purchase may be more intimidating that an “off the shelf purchase.” At Contempo Closet, we have a variety of customizable wardrobe units. These units have some standardized aspects that can be combined in a way that best suits you. For example, a four door wardrobe case can be filled with adjustable shelves, hang rods, or even drawers! The case can then be made in a variety of wood finishes and colored fronts. And the best part is, since some of these aspects are standardized, you can see what they look like, as far as size and configuration, giving you a good idea about what it will look like upon delivery. And of course, if you have an idea all your own, our design consultants will help you design something entirely personal and your own.

By: Emily Robinson Design Consultant, Contempo Closet

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“Walking Wardrobes” Take Over the Streets of NYC

August 26, 2011

Contempo Closet begins new campaign on the move

Contempo Closet takes to the streets with the "Walking Wardrobe"

Passaic, N.J. August 26, 2011 - Contempo Closet hits the streets of New York City with five of their specialty wardrobe closets on wheels. The wardrobes have been retro-fitted with wheels and are being pulled through Manhattan’s streets; lending themselves to the name “walking wardrobes.” This new initiative is a way to bring the product to the customer in a new and innovative way.

“When making a big purchase, like furniture, consumers should have the opportunity to see and interact with the product,” says Gary Flax, a Contempo design consultant. Interacting with the product means a variety of things; for some, seeing is enough while for others, a more sensory experience is needed. “In this case, we are being proactive and taking the product to the customer.” Due to the increased accessibility of the Internet, manufacturers need to take new and creative steps to engage customers in real time. This project is a way to unite the wardrobe closet to the consumer in a way they never have before.

In order to find out where the wardrobes will be, follow us on Twitter @ContempoCloset and at Facebook.com/ContempoCloset. In addition, check back shortly for photos and video of the “walking wardrobes” in action and for future appearances.

Contempo Closet supplies “The Instant Wardrobe.” Contempo Closet, a furniture company based in New Jersey, specializes in American made custom wardrobe closets for quick and efficient storage solutions. Design consultants and craftsmen work with customers to create freestanding wardrobe closets from modular units that best meet the customer’s storage needs. For more information, or to view the complete line, visit www.contempocloset.com.

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Economic State and the Requirement of New Storage Solutions

August 23, 2011

Contempo Closet avoids confusion by differentiating between a closet and a wardrobe.

closet vs. wardrobe

Passaic, NJ August 23, 2011 – Due to the current economic state, there is a downsizing shift in housing.  As people and families move to smaller homes, closet space is at a premium; however, they still have what to store and need to find new solutions.  Contempo Closet is here to provide the answers by providing custom wardrobes.

But what is a wardrobe?  A wardrobe is not the same as a closet.  Contempo Closet (who ironically specializes in wardrobes) seeks to define these two terms.

A closet is a storage compartment that is built into the wall.  One advantage of a closet is that it doesn’t take up floor space in a room since that space is already closed off and unusable for any other purpose.  However, if additional closet space is needed, it cannot be added without the help of a contractor nor can the space be easily reconfigured.

A wardrobe, on the other hand, is a freestanding piece of furniture that can be moved, adjusted and reconfigured as needed. If additional storage space is necessary, or if you are in the mood for a change, there are various options that anyone can execute-without a sledge hammer and sheet rock. A wardrobe can be moved or repositioned, or pieces can be
 added to the original piece to extend the storage area.

Different people have different storage needs. Gary Flax at Contempo Closet sees the benefits of wardrobe storage from a family perspective. “As a family grows, in size and in age, their storage needs to change. When children are growing up, they need storage space in their bedrooms, but as they get older and move out, their stuff may be moved to the basement or to the top of the wardrobe. Built-in closets do not necessarily provide the long term versatility a family may need, whereas a wardrobe can be moved with the stuff to keep the area tidy.” Gary goes on to explain that there are benefits for those in apartments as well. “A wardrobe can be installed when you move in, and can go with you when you move out. A closet stays where you put it.”

Contempo Closet supplies “The Instant Wardrobe.” Contempo Closet, a furniture company based in New Jersey, specializes in customizable wardrobe closets for quick and efficient storage solutions. Design consultants and craftsmen work with customers to create freestanding wardrobe closets from modular units that best meet the customer’s storage needs. For more information, or to view the complete line, visit www.contempocloset.com

 

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Mirror, Mirror on The Wall—Using Mirrors to Create Space

August 8, 2011

Use mirrors to create depth in a small bedroom

We all have mirrors in our homes; today’s blog is about positioning mirrors in creative ways to open up your space.

Mirrors help create space by reflecting light making an area appear brighter and airier, giving the illusion of space. The key to harnessing the power of light is in the positioning of mirrors.

In an article about decorating in the Hisdustan Times, Furniture designer Urvashi Kaur gives some interesting tips for using mirrors. “Put mirrors on coffee tables and pillars instead of just hanging them on walls to create the illusion of extra space.” Mirrors can be installed on the fronts of furniture, (like free standing mirror wardrobes) to help create depth in a room.

If mirrored furniture is not your thing, you can use freestanding mirrors to create a similar affect. Placing a mirror opposite a window or other source of natural light allows the mirror to reflect the light out into the space. This is a great way to keep moveable furniture organized—it has a purpose in its space and therefore a permanent space.

Hanging mirrors also are a great illusion maker. Like other kinds of mirrors they can be strategically placed to reflect light but they have an added advantage. A hanging mirror can be placed over an end table with a lamp—creating a light source that will be reflected into the room.

When decorating with mirrors, be mindful of your personal style. If you are more modern, choose a mirror with sleek, straight edges. But do not be afraid of mirrors with beveled or fluted edges as these can add a nice, simple twist. Traditionalists can find beautiful antique style mirrors. If your style is somewhere in between, consider a mirror with an interesting frame or shape.

As always, let me know if these tips are helpful or if you have a tip to share!!

By: Emily Robinson, Contempo Closet Design Consultant

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