Fall Home Show: Maximize closet space with built-ins

  • By Ashley Stewart Herald writer
  • Wednesday, September 26, 2012 8:07pm
  • Life

A Mukilteo-based business will give home show visitors a chance to maximize the space in their closets and other areas of their homes.

Jim Lees, owner of All Ways Organized, builds shelving and storage units for closets, entries, pantries, garages and offices.

“In the long run, it’s all about saving time,” he said.

“When you’re organized, you know where everything is, and you’re not wasting time looking for stuff.”

Lees said that a closet installation can more than double your storage space.

Sandy Werner of Mercer Island hired Lees to build units for her master- and secondary-bedroom closets in February 2011.

“We remodeled our house with the idea that we weren’t going to have large pieces of furniture,” Werner said. “We wanted our closet to be our dresser.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Werner selected an open layout, without doors or drawers, which made room for hanging and folded clothes, shoes and other items.

She said that the unit created extra space in her bedroom, leaving room for a couch and fireplace.

“Now our bedroom is the getaway room; our haven,” she said.

Lees said most clients spend between $1,200 and $2,000 on closet units. They can select amenities depending on how much they want to pay.

“Stay away from drawers and doors, and you can get a great closet for a great price,” said Lees, who will give free estimates.

He offers choices of materials that range in pricing, from basic white laminate to wood finishes, and shelving options, such as simple adjacent shelving, or cubbies and drawers for shoes.

“I want to sell someone their needs and point them in the right direction,” Lees said.

Lees uses a software program to produce three-dimensional images of installations for the customer to see before he orders materials or begins building.

“There’s no ‘I hope he understood what I wanted’. It’s very clear,” Werner said.

Werner hired Lees again this summer to build a bookshelf for her office and to revamp one of her closet units.

“One of the nice things about what he offers is that it is upgradeable at any time,” Werner said.

“You can redo it if you change your mind or if your lifestyle changes,” she said.

All Ways Organized

425-760-9788; allwaysorganized@gmail.com; www.allwaysorganized.net

Ashley Stewart: 425-339-3037; astewart@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Former Herald writer Melissa Slager’s new book was 14-year project

The 520-page historical novel “Contests of Strength” covers the 1700 earthquake and tsunami on Makah lands.

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali full-size pickup truck (Provided by GMC).
2025 GMC Sierra EV pickup is building a lineup

Denali Extended Range and Denali Max Range are just the beginning.

Striking Nightshade Edition Creates Luxury Vibe For Less
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade Edition Adds Wow Factor

Seven-Passenger SUV Checks All Boxes And Adds Some

Swedish-made XC90 Designed For All Seasons
2025 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Ultra – The Best Gets Better

Swedish Luxury Hybrid SUV Includes All-Electric Miles

Steven M. Falk / The Philadelphia Inquirer / Tribune News Service
James Taylor plays Sunday and Monday at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.
A&E Calendar

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV, shown here in the European version (Provided by Mercedes-Benz).
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV has a 54-mile range

The plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV goes a class-leading distance in full electric mode.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.