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Plus Closets Closet Design Guide 1

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GUIDE TO CLOSET DESIGN BASICS

Plus Closets Closet Design Guide2

Table of Contents

Introduction to Closet Design...........................................................................................................................................3

Product Information.......................................................................................................................................................4

Why Custom Closets?...................................................................................................................................................5

Types of Systems .........................................................................................................................................................6

Building Blocks ............................................................................................................................................................7 Double Hang .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Long Hang ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Half & Half ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Shelving .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Measuring Guidelines Tools / Definitions ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Tips ................................................................................................................................................................ 11

Rules of Design Rule of the Corner ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Rule of the Short Wall ................................................................................................................................... 12 Rule of Shelving .............................................................................................................................................13

Drawing Request Form ........................................................................................................................................... 14

Drawing Request Glossary .........................................................................................................................................15

Plus Closets* 953 North Larch Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126

MAIN ( 866-826-7587 FAX: 630-832-6878BUSINESS HOURS: 8AM to 5PM Central

Business Development: Vince AlfanoDirect: 630-592-4533Mobile: [email protected]

Design Assistance: Mary LiegelDirect: 608-588-4499Email to [email protected]

Customer Service: Direct: [email protected]

Shipping & Receiving: Direct: 630-592-4532Email to [email protected]

Drawing Requests: Email to [email protected] or fax to 630-832-6878

Place an Order: Email to [email protected] or fax to 630-832-6878

Service Issue: Email to [email protected] or fax to 630-832-6878

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Introduction to Closet Design

At Plus Closets, we are passionate about closets and as a part of that, we take pride in ensuring that you are equipped with the proper information to transform any client’s space into a functional and practical custom closet.

The following guide has been designed by Plus Closets as an introduction to basic closet design. The information provided exists to function as an educational tool to the introduction of closet design for professional partners in the industry.

Thank you and good luck on your future design endeavors!

- The Plus Closets Team


Product Information

Plus Closets’ systems use 3/4” furniture grade melamine with a thermofused surface guaranteed never to peel.

Panels contain a 32mm line boring pattern. This enables the client to adjust the heights of shelves and rods as storage needs change throughout the years.

Exposed end-panels are half bored and half routed to give a clean look to that otherwise unsightly exposed end.

Surface Material:

Vinyl, Foil — These surfaces are typically found on materials sold through home improvement stores. They are glued rather than thermally fused to particle board, so they tend to easily separate or peel from the core.

True Melamine — We use thermally fused melamine, which is heat fused to the actual core materials, making separation virtually impossible.

Shelving:

All shelving has a purpose. For example 2 sweaters can fit side by side on a 30” wide shelf. This shelf can also hold 4 pairs of women’s shoes, or 3 pairs of men’s shoes. Design 18”/24”/30” widths so drawers and baskets can be added as storage needs change.

Design Suggestions:

Double Hang & Half and Half — Design these sections no wider than 42”. Designing wider sections than 42” could jeopardize the structural integrity of the system.

Long/Medium Hang — Design these sections no wider than 36” for the same reason stated above.

Base and Upper Drawer Cabinet — Finish the section above the top drawer with melamine counter-top or a surface provided by you.

Bridge Shelves:

These are used to bring two adjacent walls together. The bridge shelf allows you a continual shelf out of each corner in a closet. If specified, an oversized shelf with cams on one side will be pro

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Why Custom Closets?

While there can be many reasons to prompt a client to order custom closets, there are 3 main reasons that are most commonly cited.

1. The first reason a person might want to install custom closets is to increase usable space in a closet. When designed properly, a custom closet system can increase storage capacity up to and sometimes beyond 50%.

2. The second reason someone might seek the installation of a custom closet system is for ease of accessibility. While creating more usable space is important, it is equally important to be able to access what is stored in that space.

3. The third and final reason why any given person may seek out custom closets is the simple aesthetic pleasure that comes with a custom closet design. This is important as your customer will most likely begin and end her day in the closet.


Suspended and Floor-Based Overview

Deciding whether to design a closet around a suspended, floor-based, or a mixture of both, can not only have a large impact on the overall look of the system, but also on the price.

Suspended System:

A standard suspended system height hangs from a rail at 84” off the ground. This option is more economical than the floor-based system, and installation of the system is typically more efficient.

Floor-Based System:

A standard floor based system height is usually 90”. Floor-based systems tend to be a little more expensive due to the additional materials used. These are commonly used when the client wants to achieve more of a furniture look by adding crown and base.

Mixed System:

A mixed system consists of both floor based and suspended applications. In most cases, the hanging is suspended and the shelving is floor based, so the height should be 84” to allow enough vertical space for double hang. For the most functional and economical mixed system closet, the hanging sections should be suspended.

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Building Blocks continued

In the art of closet design, there are 4 basic building blocks that are essential for a closet to be built. These building blocks make up the “skeleton” of every closet. Each of the building blocks can be floor-based, or suspended on the wall and come in a variety of depths and colors. These all have specific design guidelines that need to be adhered to for maximum storage, accessibility, and functionality.

Suspended Systems:

Double-Hang Long-Hang Shelving Half & Half

Floor Based Systems:

Double-Hang Long-Hang Shelving Half & Half



Double Hang: Commonly 42”+ 42” (42/84)

• Suits, shirts, blouses, folded slacks, skirts, jackets, tops, vests

• Hanging space can be increased by hanging short items above short items.

• Twice the number of garments can be stored in the same amount of space.

• The shortest items (i.e. folded slacks, shorts, vests, mini-skirts) should be placed on the top rod.

• Narrower clothing such as folded pants, skirts and vests should go in the top section so the bottom section is not shaded.

• In general, garments with shoulders should go on the bottom rod because they hang out farther.

Long Hang: Commonly 62” - 65”

• Dresses, gowns, robes, coats, jumpsuits

• Long items should be considered first.

• Always allow enough room for long hang. Shorter items can be hung in a long hang section but the reverse is not true.

• If long items are used less frequently, they can be hung in a corner, behind a door or other less accessible place.

• If the closet is shared, one long hang section may work for both people.

• If there are only a few long items, you may combine them with medium hang in one section.

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Half & Half: Typically 3 shelves over a short-hang section

• Folded garments, hats, purses, pants, shirts, jackets, tops, vests.

• Combines short hang and shelving.

• When shelves and hanging are in the same section, the shelves always go on top.

• Items that aren’t used as frequently should be placed on higher shelving.

• Doors can be added to cover shelves for a cleaner look.

Shelving: Typically 7-10 shelves, with the option to add drawers and/or baskets

• Shoes, folded garments, hats, purses

• Shelves must have a purpose. Use standard sizes whenever possible.

• Items stored on shelves are easily visible and accessible.

• Shelves are less expensive than drawers and baskets and provide many of the same functions.

• Doors can be added to cover open shelves for a neater look.


Measuring Guidelines

Tools you will need:

• Tape measure: A 25’ flat tape measure is recommended.

• 2 Acrylic square finders: These will help determine whether the corners in a closet are square in order to make adjustments. Using both squares will help you find the point where two systems need to join in a corner.

• Electronic measuring tool: This will help you measure longer walls more easily.

• Angle finder: This will help you determine the angle of a dormered roofline.

• Digital camera: This tool will help to communicate odd closets and obstacles to your engineer.

• Sketch pad: Make sure to properly transcribe all numbers and drawing to your sketchpad.

NOTE: While measuring, limit conversation so you won’t transpose any of the numbers.

Important Definitions:

• Hard Measurement: This is a measurement that is taken for a system that will be installed wall to wall. This measurement needs to be precise. Always note 1/4”-1/2” less than the exact measurement. This “wiggle room” is essential to ensure the system will fit this wall-to-wall section.

• Soft Measurement: This measurement is for a system that either floats on the wall or is only installed against one sidewall. This most often occurs in a walk-in closet where the system comes out of a corner. This measurement should never include fractions of an inch.

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Measuring Guidelines continued

Tips for Measuring:

• Take multiple measurements. For hard measurements, make sure to measure the closet high, middle and low, and take the smaller of these measurements and round down to the nearest 1/4” NOTE: Be sure to use acrylic square finder to make sure all corners are square.

• Watch and be aware of ALL OBSTACLES. These include but are not limited to: electric panels, access panels, outlets, light switches, trim, vents, light fixtures, pocket doors, laundry chutes, and windows. Make yourself aware of all such obstacles and note them in your sketch.

• If you are designing off of a blueprint, it is imperative that you take final measurements on site once the drywall has been installed. This will help avoid any unplanned changes.

• Note the baseboard measurements and whether or not quarter round is included. The custom closet design can accommodate baseboards. Drawers may also need to be raised if the baseboard is oversized.

• If there are drawers against the wall, watch for door and window trim. This may interfere with the opening of the drawer. A spacer may be required to move the section away from the wall in order for drawers to fully open.

• It is also important to check the corners to make sure they are at least 90 degrees.

• If the sidewalls angle in, the back wall measurement should be reduced.

• If the sidewalls angle out, no extra deduction is needed but there will be a gap between the system and the sidewalls.

• Acrylic square finders can be used to determine the amount to deduct from the back wall measurement.


Rules of Design

In custom closet design, there are three rules that should be followed in order to maximize both accessibility of closet items, as well as storage capacity of the closet itself. If the following rules are properly adhered to, the closet will not only be fully functional with maximum storage space, but will be aesthetically pleasing as well.

1. The Rule of the Corner

• Double hang or long hang should go into corners. Shelves, drawers, and half and half come out of corners. Shelving should never be positioned all the way in a corner.

• Out of the corner: In this case we have a 30” wide and 24” wide section on the soft wall. Always use shelving, drawers or half and half when designing out of the corner. In this case we have shelving designed. All shelving widths should be designed to the nearest inch. The odd dimension can be applied in the 26” to 30” width bridge shelf out of the corner.

• Into the corner: Hanging in the corner should always be utilized when designing a closet. It is always easier to reach for a hanger than access something on a shelf. Also, drawers in a corner aren’t suggested because fully extending the drawer box to access the items in the drawers would be very difficult.

• NOTE: The bridge shelf will be cut on site to make up for the odd dimension. Always allow 26”-30” coming out of each corner. We suggest this so you are able to access clothing items that are hanging in the corner (where wall 1 meets wall 2).

2. The Rule of the Short Wall

• The shortest wall in a walk-in closet should always be designed for long hang and double hang systems that go wall to wall.

• Because most walk-in closets have one wall that is shorter than the rest (and is usually positioned in the back of the closet), this wall should be reserved for wall-to-wall hanging.

• By following this rule, more shelving and drawer space will be created on the sides of the closet, as opposed to the back wall. This will allow the closet to feel more open and less like a tunnel.

• The short wall measurement is always the easiest to obtain, and it must be precise.

Bridge Shelves

Hard Wall Measurement: 2 & 4Soft Wall Measurement: 3

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2

3

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Rules of Design continued

3. The Rule of Shelving

• Shelving has purpose. Because of this, shelving should always be designed for specific items. Because the average person’s basic closet inventory is the same across the board, this task should be able to be mostly finished without meeting the person the closet is intended for.

• Sweaters and shirts are around 12”-15” in width, and drawers and baskets are designed to fit these measurements. Standard drawer widths are 18”, 24”, and 30”.

• Whether or not the system you are designing has drawers or baskets, you should always keep shelving measurements to standard widths and avoid fractions of inches, unless it is a hard measurement.

• By following these measurement guidelines, the shelves will be adjustable and interchangeable throughout the system. This will allow a customer to grow with their closet.

With hanging on top, the clothes filter out the light making it hard to see the items on the bottom shelves

With hanging on bottom, the clothes on the bottom are completely visible: the shelves do not block any of the light from getting through

TIP: When designing a half and half section with shelving, hanging should always be placed below shelving units so as not to impede lighting (see figures below). Clothes on hangers also stick out further than shelves, making it difficult to reach items on shelves and items that are hanging at the same time.

CLOSET and MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

Room Name: Install:Susp Flr Mixed Ceiling Ht:__________System Ht: 84” 90” 96”_____ Cutbacks: yes no Base:____x____Shoe:____x_____ Laminate Color: _______________________________ Edge:Std 2mm Edge Accent: Yes No

Door Insert:Frost Clear Wire Reed Mesh MirrorConstruction Method: Rail(no cleat) Rail & Cleat Adjustable Shelf: Shelf Pin Pin-in-Place(childsafe) Oval Rods: Chr BrChr Round Rods:Chr BrChr ORB Drawer Box: PVC Birch Soft Close: Yes No

Handle: No Yes Catalog #________________________ Rollout in Matching Laminate: Box Scoop Sweater Counter:Supply Own 3/4” 1” HPL 14” Deep Baskets:ORB Chr BrChr

CT Color: _____________ ccc Backing: Yes No

Door Front :_____________________________________________ Drawer Front: ___________________________________________ Open Frame Doors: Yes No Crown: 1pc Windsor 1pc Angled Scribe: Yes No Base: Contempo Traditional Shoe: Quarter Rd. Angled Contempo Traditional

SKETCH AREA - Include Door Height and Swing Direction, Window Sizes and Electrical Locations

ACCESSORIES

Tie Rack 5” Dwr Hooks Felt Liner 6” Bskt Basket Liner Shelf Divider Lock Key Belt Rack ____7” Dwr JDA Ling Div 11” Bskt Shoe Cubbies P.O. Iron Bd Wine Rack

Valet Rod 10” Dwr JDV Dwr Div 17” Bskt P.O. Pants Rack Iron Bd Insert Spice Rack

Tie Butler ____12” Dwr ____3-Tier ____Cedar Dwr ____Tilt Hmpr ____P.O. Mirror ____WM Iron Bd ____Step Stool

Draw a top-down view of your closet on the grid above. Make sure you include wall measurements and ceiling heights/slopes. Please note height and thickness of baseboards. Measure doors and windows, including molding. Tell us location and type of door (folding, sliding, etc.) and how it opens. Locate pipes, access panels, outlets, and switches in your closet.

7/17/15

Dealer Name Da eJob Name

Page o

please circle the desired option

Designer Email

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Drawing Request GlossaryDealer Name: Your nameJob Name: Client’s name

Closet and Materials SpecificationsRoom Name: Specify location in job

Install: SUSP = Suspended off the floor; FLR = Floor based; MIXED = Both Suspended and Floor based

Ceiling Ht: Note all ceiling heights

System Ht: Height of system from the floor

Cutbacks: In a reach-in closet, the top shelf can be less deep and cut back to allow better accessBase: Note baseboard size if verticals need to be cut to clear the baseboardShoe: Note shoe size if verticals need to be cut to clear the shoe base

Wall: DW = Dry Wall; PLST = Plaster; CMNT = Cement

Floor Type: Note the flooring material in the room

Laminate Color: Refer to colors on page 34-35 of consumer catalog

Edge: STD = Standard (.05mm); 2mm = Upgrade and is available in limited colors. Please refer to the laminate reference sheet

Edge Accent: Note the edge band color if different from the material color

Door Inserts: Frost: White frosted glass;Clear: Clear glass;Reed: Reeded glass;Wire: Antique brass wire;Mesh: Black mesh;Mirror: Mirror glass;

Construction Method: Rail = Stainless steel hanging rail with white paintable coveCleat = For floor-based units (see Installation Instructions)

Cleat & Rail = A combination of the two (see Installation Instructions)

Adjustable Shelf: Shelf Pin = Shelf sits on top of a pin

Pin in Place: Prevents the shelf from moving

Oval Rods: CHR = Chrome; BRCHR = Brushed Chrome

Round Rods: CHR = Chrome; BRCHR = Brushed Chrome;ORB = Oil-Rubbed Bronze

Drawer Box: PVC/Regular = PVC wrapped drawer box with full extension drawer glides;PVC/Soft Close = PVC wrapped drawer box with side-mount soft close glides;Beech/Soft Close = Beech wood box with under-mount soft close glides

Handles: Select a handle from page 40 of the catalog or provide your own

Counter: If not providing your own counter-top, specify a 3/4” Melamine top, or a 1” high pressure top (Refer to the laminate reference sheet for available colors)

Baskets: ORB = Oil-Rubbed Bronze BasketsCHR = Chrome BasketsBR CHR = Brushed Chrome BasketsWhisper Glide (full extension slides) included with each basket

Drawer Fronts and Doors: Refer to page 36 of the catalog

SLAB: Flat Melamine with all 4 surfaces edge-banded

All other profiles or fronts are thermofoil or wood

Crown: Refer to page 38 of the catalog for visual representations of each one

Base: Refer to page 38 of the catalog

Scribe: Refer to page 38 of the catalog

Shoe: Refer to page 38 of the catalog

Sketch AreaUse this area to draw the plan view with all obstacles noted. Include door, window, and electrical locations and sizes.Include elevations to help explain any difficult areas needed.Attaching your drawings to the form is acceptable if the top portion is completed

Accessories SectionAccessory views are available at the end of each category in the consumer catalog.

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