Closet Organizer Components

Organizing your closet

Storing clothes can be a snap once you have useful closet organizer components that are customized to meet your needs. This glossary of components may be helpful to those who are new to a closet organizer or confused by some of the terminology.

Bi-fold doors are usually found in closets and pantries. Bi-fold components involve two or four doors hanging on a track. The doors fold out in a V-formation, sliding along the track.

Bypass doors slide past each other. If you have bypass doors in your bedroom closet organizers, you might want to avoid positioning storage drawer and box components in the center of your design. The preferable design is with a section of long hang in the center.

Pocket doors are those organizer components that slide into built-in pockets in the walls. These closet organizer components come in pairs, with one door panel sliding to the right and the other sliding to the left.

Hanging Components

Single or long hang systems consist of a shelf with a vertically hanging chrome rod. Use long hang components for dresses, coats and longer clothing. In general, 25 percent of your closet organizer should be dedicated to long hang.

Double or short hang components can be used in any closet organizer to maximize space. A short hang closet organizer includes two shelves and chrome rods hanging in a row vertically. Short hang is ideal for your shirts, folded pants and suits. Typically, 50 percent of a closet organizer should be dedicated short hang.

Triple hang is typically used in children's closet organizers and includes three shelves and chrome rods hanging in a row vertically. Triple hang organizer components maximize space for small-sized clothing and is generally not recommended in a closet for an adult.

Headers: the wall space located above the doorframe in the closet.

Return Walls: the shorter walls located on either side of the door.

A reach-in closet is generally 24 inches deep, accommodates one row of shelving, and has sliding or bi-fold doors as components.

Walk-in closet organizers have enough depth to allow you to literally walk inside. A variety of door styles can be used.

Hardware Components

Brackets are essential to a closet organizer in that they lock securely into the uprights, support shelves and accessories. Shelving brackets come in two types: ventilated for use with ventilated shelving and solid for use with wood shelving.

Chrome rods simply snap into rod clips to offer a continuous-slide hanging rod anywhere you desire in a closet. Rod stops provide a convenient and secure stop at each rod end.

Hanging rail: a primary support component. Once mounted to the wall, all other closet organizer components simply snap into place.

Upright components hang vertically along a hanging rail. Brackets insert easily into the hanging uprights to support shelves and accessories.

Organization boxes can add more functionality to any space. Consider positioning organization box components side-by-side or stack them vertically within any configuration. These boxes can be found in various styles and colors.

Rod clips add to a closet organizer by supporting the chrome rods. The patented open-slide design of this component allows hangers to glide easily from end to end. Simply insert rod clips into the opening on the underside of ventilated shelf brackets and then snap into place.

A ventilated shelving closet organizer is usually constructed of heavy-gauge steel and coated with a finish that won't crack, chip or peel. This shelving component allows your clothes to breathe and is built with maximum strength in various colors and lengths.

Wood shelf closet organizers are attractive and durable and are available in a variety of colors and lengths.

Connective Hardware Components

Shelf locators secure the shelf to the bracket. Two locators are to be used with each bracket. No tools are required for this closet organizer, and there's no permanent damage to the shelf. The tape can easily be removed to adjust the shelf.

One short and one long screw are offered in this organizer package to permanently attach the shelf to a bracket. The short screw is simply inserted into the front of the bracket and the long screw into the rear of the bracket. Both screws are then drilled into the shelf organizer.

Used to firmly secure the hanging rail organizer to the wall of a closet, the heavy-duty, patented, universal anchor screw spirals into the drywall surface, providing maximum strength without having to attach to or mount into studs. This organizer package also includes peel-and-press cover stickers to cover and conceal metal screws.

Ventilated shelf end caps finish off the ends of any ventilated shelf that has been cut to a specific size, helping to avoid rough edges.

Wall mount upright components may be used to create a stack of shelves by mounting them into studs. This is not recommended for closet organizers, where the hanging rail would be easier to install and level.

More information on closet organizers