My main clothing dilemma was that I never seemed to have any (sizable) built-in closet whenever I rented a new apartment. (Must not be on my top-ten list of deal-breakers, what with my rockin’ David Zyla capsule wardrobe that just keeps giving!)
Background
Want to know how I did it (as if it weren’t obvious)? Well, I was trying to hang a curtain over my cute, ornate, curved window because I could not be certain that no one in the not-too-close neighboring apartment high-rises could see me at night when my lights were on. When I found nothing except soft molding for the ceiling crown or iron behind the paint immediately below that (it’s complicated), I strained my brain (which I try to do regularly just for fun) and envisioned exactly what I needed for that small space (for a person who likes to actually see space in which to exercise, etc. after she has placed all of her furniture for the room): a slim set of strong poles – ahh, a clothing rack!
Ikea to the rescue (because these slender metal “frames” will be completely covered by this enchanting curtain I found on Amazon.com).
Wherever you currently reside, you can find any sturdy rack (make sure it is Ikea or a trusted local brand as there are many cheap kinds which will be unsafe for this application) and delightful “3D printed curtains” for this purpose.
Step One
Simply construct the racks using the simple instructions and the few provided tools necessary, string your curtains across the tops, hang the clothing behind the curtains, and roll the racks almost to the wall. (If you really wanted to have some original fun and conserve even more space, especially of you’re single at the moment, you could even place a small cot or even Japanese sleeping mat behind the curtain (trust me, this is so cool) with a pile of pillows at the head and a thick, cozy blanket over you and sleep like a baby (behind the tall curtained clothing racks)!
Step Two and Other Uses
The racks from Ikea also have three strong bars at the bottom which can easily be converted into an office with a computer table (which was particularly necessary during the lovely work-from-home phase) and small chair/stool at your feet (with a table for drinks beside that) and then a bed table beside your head. The possibilities are (virtually) endless!
You can also use tidy storage boxes for sweaters and pajamas and place them on the bottom racks (behind the curtain). Then, even if you married later, you would be able to simply roll the racks further out and then unfold a day bed which would fit neatly behind the racks, or simply unfurl another sleeping mat for your mate!
Oh, and those smaller items of clothing such as socks, etc.? Simply use one of those over-the-door pocket situations and figure out how to hang it from a hanger at the end of the new closet (on the inside of the curtain)! This is so fun, discreet, and convenient!
Conclusion
Whether you live in a rooftop penthouse or a studio apartment, this is a delightful solution to make the most of that space in a fun, discreet, and elegant way. It was thrilling to have this little “clothing cache” station that was invisible behind the curtain (which expressed my personal colors and authentic vibe) to leave room on the other side for a proper sitting room! But that is for another post.