Kids’ Closets:
18A • East Tennessee’s Mountain Views, May, 2018
Go from Toddler to Teen
K
eeping ourselves organized is hard enough for most of us, but helping our children stay organized can seem almost impossible at times! And a child’s closet is an essential tool in helping minimize a messy room. A kid’s closet can be one of the more difficult spaces to design in your home and one of the most important. To grow from a toddler to a six-foot teenage boy, a closet design should provide flexible space to meet your child’s needs today while thinking about their future. Tailored Living of Knoxville, East Tennessee’s whole-home organization experts, suggests these tips and ideas when thinking about creating a new closet for a child:
Get Your Child’s Input Slide-out baskets and adjustable rods are key elements for a closet designed to change with a child’s needs
If they’re old enough, ask for your child’s opinion when designing a closet. When kids help with the organization, they feel a part of the solution versus being told what to do. Kids are more likely to maintain a clean closet if they help create it.
Pull-Out Baskets Sturdy, wire baskets make it easy for a child to see their toys or older children to quickly identify clothing items. They can also be used for a hamper to toss dirty clothes into.
Adjustable Rods and Shelves If kids can’t easily reach hangers, shelves, and bins, they’re not going to put things away. For younger children, hang adjustable rods at lower, child-friendly levels. As a child grows, those rods are adjusted to accommodate bigger clothing items. Shelves can also be added and adjusted.
Color-Coded Hangers For younger children, establish which color hangers will be used for different types of clothes. Separate clothes into categories of school, play, and dress.
Hooks Placed at a child’s eye level, or within their reach along the inside walls of the closet, hooks keep accessories such as caps, purses, and necklaces organized and easy to reach. Or hang the next day’s outfit to simplify the morning routine.
Slide-Out Racks Belts, scarves, and other everyday clothing items are hung on racks that slide in and out from the side of panels, allowing easy access and more space in the closet.
Seasonal Clothing Since most children’s closets are smaller in size, store hand-me-down and seasonal clothing in clear plastic bins in the back of the closet or on a shelf. Label the bin with a description and size of the contents. A Tailored Living custom closet organization system is the perfect solution for today and tomorrow by accommodating all the stages your child will go through. A custom-designed system allows you to keep pace as needs change without having to completely remodel the closet every few years. Make a few adjustments, add some new accessories, and the closet will be ready for the next stage! Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage 865-947-8686 www.TailoredLivingKnoxville.com
New Design Trends at Amish Excellence By Angie Carroll, Owner of Amish Excellence
W
hile you may not think of Amish hand-crafted furniture as “trendy,” the fact is that Amish made furniture has actually led the furniture marketplace in a variety of important ways. Amish craftsmen have always embraced the responsible use and sustainability of our nation’s natural resources. By embracing timeless designs and superior craftsmanship, Amish furniture has earned a reputation for its heirloom quality that is made to last many generations. Time and time again our customers tell us they prefer to invest in quality furnishings that their family will not only enjoy, but they appreciate that it is sustainable and has little VOC or off-gassing. The imported furniture (wood, fabrics, finishes) is constructed of or treated with a variety of chemicals that emit toxins in the home for long periods of time. Families who share our environmental concerns and/or allergy sensitivities find great value in choosing American hardwoods that
are not chemically treated and finishes are low VOC. This year you will discover a variety of dramatic fabric colors, particularly in our dining and bedroom suites, in addition to a growing palette of all-natural wood stain colors that accentuate the rich grain of our all U.S. hardwood constructed furniture. Although traditional by nature, look for intricate wood inlay designs, contemporary influenced table and chair legs and wooden accents, and “live” edges on dining and accent tables. The upholstered furniture availability comes as a surprise to many. We now have a wide variety of sofas, loveseats, sectional sofas, chairs, and upholstered headboards. All are made with solid hardwood (maple) frames, 8-way handtied springs, and high-density foam. Add splashes of color with performance fabrics and superior quality leather. Rustic wood is growing in popularity, as is the use of reclaimed barn wood. The beauty of the original saw marks, nail holes, variation in wood tone and patina found only in aged and reclaimed woods has been in high demand in recent months. Here’s something else that we think you will enjoy about Amish Excellence. Every piece of furniture we sell is custom made. That means that your new furniture fits your interior design plans rather than being “forced” or “made to work.” What is even more surprising is that all of our custom-made furniture is competitively priced and is of higher quality than the assembly line furniture found online or in big box stores. I invite you to visit our showroom often, as new pieces are arriving every week. In fact, you might find that our newly expanded showroom is more of a discovery center, where you will realize there are virtually unlimited design possibilities for the highest quality furniture available anywhere. Everything is produced one piece at a time by our Amish craftsmen, who exhibit a level of skill and pride that you might have thought no longer existed. The Amish people, whether in their craft or home life, continue to be peaceful caretakers of the Earth by replanting, repurposing, and restoring. We look forward to your visit soon. Amish Excellence 613 N. Campbell Station Road Knoxville, TN 37934 865-392-6000 www.amishexcellence.com Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4