Champagne tap in your closet? In Middle Tennessee, that's a big yes.
California Closets designer Danielle Millis said the most outrageous thing she's ever designed into someone's closet was a champagne tap.
Similarly, fellow designer JT Morin has designed and installed coffee bars, laundry spaces, an illuminated shadow box for a wedding dress, islands, wine bars and staging areas for travel packing — all inside people's closets.
"A closet isn't just a space for clothes to live anymore," Morin said. "What we do now transcends just organization. The closet is the only space in your house that's totally yours. I have one client who has meetings in her closet."
We don't fight anymore
Brentwood residents Amy and David Freese enlisted Millis' help recently to redesign their shared closet. Ironically, the upgrade — as well as specifics like moving the laundry into the closet — were David's idea. Amy, however, was happy to oblige.
"He's never done a load of laundry in 34 years," Amy Freese said, laughing. "I'm not being mean, I'm just being honest. We don't fight anymore in the closet."
Millis began by taking inventory of the Freeses' closets and worked to find an organized spot for everything.
"I always do a thorough inventory and ask my clients things like do they fold or hang their jeans? Same with sweaters," Millis said. "Some clients want to see everything and others want everything hidden."
She said what the Freeses needed was mainly organization, shelving, lighting and cabinetry to help organize their space.
"I have always wanted to own my own boutique and that's how this closet feels," Amy Freese said. "We started the design process early in the fall. We knew we were going to be gone in February, so while we were gone, they did all this, and they even recommended an organization team. When we came home and saw it, we were stunned."
Organization beyond just the closet
Closets aren't the only spaces in the home that can benefit from some well-thought-out organization and multi-functionality. Kurt Schusterman, owner of California Closets of Tennessee, said during the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many people worked from home, his company saw a lot of business adding Murphy beds to offices so they could function as both an office and a guest room.
"If you have to office from home but just don't want to lose that spare bedroom, this is a great solution," he said. "We've been very busy with that."
In addition, he has seen business increase in homework stations for kids and empty nesters converting emptied bedrooms into dream closets.
Melonee Hurt covers growth and development at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network — Tennessee. Reach Melonee at mhurt@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: In Middle Tennessee, some closets are more than a place for clothes
