Under-bed storage may seem like a good idea, but in practice the lack of accessibility can be maddening. Instead, custom closet systems can optimize your space.

The housing market may have cooled off slightly in the last year, with home prices around DC remaining relatively flat, but that doesn’t mean housing has become affordable. Home prices have been high for years now, and, as a result, there has been an increase in the development of smaller living spaces. This is particularly true in the greater D.C. area, where condo development and purchasing have seen an upward trend.

With square footage at a premium (especially for those in the Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, and Capitol Hill areas), storage space is getting hard to come by. This puts many of us in a strange position. As we get older, we are advancing in our careers and acquiring possessions, but we are trying to fit our growing lifestyles into smaller homes. When space starts to run out (which can happen before you even finish unpacking!), many of us are forced to get creative. This includes looking at under-bed space as a storage solution, which seems like a viable option for clothes and accessories–until it doesn’t. Some of us have learned the hard way that storing clothes under your bed is a recipe for struggle and disappointment.

Problem #1: Limited Accessibility

One of the most obvious problems with storing clothing or accessories under your bed is that they are hard to get to. Even if you just keep off-season items under there, you’ll eventually find yourself digging those storage bins out, and probably when it’s least convenient. You might even quickly find the box you’re looking for, but good luck finding the garment you had in mind. Worse yet, even if you find what you’re seeking, there is a good chance that it has deeply set-in wrinkles that have to be ironed out before you can even wear it. Given the fair amount of moisture that we get in the D.C. area, you are also going to have to worry about the possibility of mold and mildew damage when you store clothes tightly together in sealed containers.

Problem #2: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

All of that is bad enough, but there are actually other drawbacks to under-bed storage. One of these is what I like to call the “out of sight out of mind problem.” When you store clothing under your bed, you don’t see it every day as you would if it was in your closet, and this creates a two-sided problem. First, you are likely to forget that you have garments stored there that you would otherwise wear more often. Second, you are likely to store items under your bed that you actually no longer need. When your clothes are out of sight, they are also out of mind, leading to these two different kinds of waste.

The Solution

While under-bed storage is a problem for some, or even most area residents, our D.C. area customers have noticed that they can largely avoid the inconvenience of using their under-bed space for storage. With a custom-designed closet storage system, even limited closet space is utilized as efficiently as possible, with all of their items stored neatly and readily at hand.

It’s not that the space under your bed has no storage potential, but we recommend keeping non-clothing items like holiday decorations, luggage, or off-season bed linens under there. Your clothes should be in a closet designed specifically for your wardrobe, and they should be stored safely, neatly, and within view.

The Benefits of Custom Closet Storage

By some estimates, some of us spend up to 91 hours a year getting ready. We think a lot of that time can be saved and put toward more valuable uses, simply through better organization. A closet organizer system, however, isn’t just about reducing the time you spend on the floor searching for things under your bed. It is also about helping to organize your life to save you a great deal of energy and money in the long run. The benefits are hard to overstate.

• Avoid the need for constant ironing by getting your clothes out of those cramped boxes!

• Increase the lifespan of your clothes by storing them in a gentler fashion and protecting them from damage that may be caused by mold and mildew.

• Keep your clothes in sight and in mind, so that you can remember to wear those pieces you love and discard those you no longer have a need for.

• Incorporate personalized accessories such as jewelry drawers, belt and tie racks, and hideaway ironing boards, which will simplify your “getting ready” routine and take some of the stress out of your morning.

• Free up that space under your bed for more appropriate items. It’s good, usable space, just not for clothes!

If you are the owner of a new condo in Dupont Circle or Columbia Heights, you’re probably enjoying the modern amenities and the great location. At the same time, you are likely finding that there just isn’t quite enough room for all your things. Before you start cramming clothes where they don’t belong, consider a personalized, custom closet system that can maximize every inch of your storage space. We are a local company staffed by designers and engineers who personally deal with the same issues you do, so we understand your situation. We’ll build you a closet storage solution that can house everything you own today, and can adjust as needed to fit any future changes to your lifestyle.

Closet America is the D.C. area’s leading creator of custom-made closet, office, garage, and pantry storage solutions. Our experienced team of designers and engineers create unique solutions with your space in mind, storing everything in its place, perfectly. Contact us for more information about our services or to schedule a free design consultation.