Moving into a new home is a great occasion for a custom closet, especially if you’re considering one of the spacious houses in the Maple Lawn community. 

If you live in Howard County, Maryland, I’m a bit jealous. You’ve got easy access to Baltimore and Washington, DC, and according to U.S. Census data, you’re in both the wealthiest county in Maryland and the fifth wealthiest in the U.S. Add in blue-ribbon schools, tons of space, and a bounty of real estate options from companies like Michael Harris Homes, Bozzuto, and Miller & Smith, and I think I’m justified in my envy.

The Maple Lawn community is especially eye-catching. There’s a ton of new construction, with plenty of room to create the home you’ve always imagined. Of course, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn I believe every dream home needs a dream closet. If you’re moving to Maple Lawn, consider adding a few closet upgrades to help your walk-in keep pace with the rest of your house.

Adjustable Shoe Shelves

Shoe shelves are an obvious way to get your footwear off the closet floor and on display. But if you’ve got a large collection, you know the frustration of narrow shelving that doesn’t accommodate five-inch stilettos. I’d suggest springing for adjustable shoe shelves instead, which let you change the height of each shelf based on the height of your shoes. This allows your closet to change as your collection grows.

A Built-in Ironing Board

I used to hate ironing because it meant a trip to the laundry room for the ironing board only to haul it right back to the bedroom—I didn’t have the space to store it anywhere else. To cut down on unnecessary back-and-forth, I finally added an ironing board to my closet storage system. It folds out and, when not in use, it’s completely invisible. It makes me dread laundry day a little less.

Expandable Valet Rods

A valet rod is a fancy name for a long hook that extends outward for you to hang items. This feature might not seem very exciting until you think about all the things you tend to hook onto your drawer handles and doorknobs. Those items can go on your valet rod instead (temporarily, I hope). If you’re an outfit planner, a valet rod gives you space to hang your clothes for tomorrow. This rod tucks away when not in use, so you don’t knock into it when you’re doing something else (like ironing).

A Wardrobe Lift

High ceilings are incredibly popular in new homes, even if they’re not the most functional.What are you supposed to do with all the extra wall space? Here’s where wardrobe lifts enter the scene. A wardrobe lift lets you lower and raise a ceiling-height clothes rail that would normally require a ladder or stepstool, letting you easily grab what you need. Short women like me get super excited when we see one.

Custom Shelving

While I’d love to suggest you hang all your clothes, the reality is that most people don’t have that kind of space. Custom shelving is a great alternative and helps you fit more into your walk-in.

To figure out how much shelf space you need, take a look at how much of your clothing is actually foldable. For example, jeans fold down very well and hold their own, but silk blouses spread more easily (and turn into a mound of wrinkles). You might also decide to include shelf space for your purses, especially if you’ve got bags with fragile straps—hooks sometimes cause a little too much tension. Once you’ve got an idea of how you’ll be using your shelves , we can work with you to design an appropriate layout.

Storage System Essentials from Closet America

Purchasing a new home is a great occasion to make an investment in a custom closet. Since the house is brand new, you’re starting with a blank slate and can add all the features you’ve always wished you had. Plus, a custom closet helps bump up your new home’s resale value, something to keep in mind if you ever plan on putting it back on the market. Connect with us for a free design consultation to get started.