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Archive of the Category 'Uncategorized'
Best Way To Store Your Ties!
December 7, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized
The best dressed fashionistas are equipped with a shirt and pants, but the accessories are what truly makes the outfit. Women have jewelry, shoes, and handbags; and every man has a collection of neckties. Neckties have become a boy’s rite of passage into manhood, some treasured for sentimental assets and others to capture the best dressed suit for any job interview. For these reasons and the those in-between, a man can accumulate an abundance of neckties. Since neckties are treasured and, like any favorite accessory, should be cared for and stored properly. Before making your storage purchase, investigate your options by exploring your closet space. Do you have space to hang your ties or do your favorites deserve to be preserved in a drawer? Here are a few options to explore when organizing your closet and storage spaces.
Necktie storage is not always an easy feat, but finding the perfect tie can be resolved easily: First evaluate the size of your tie collection, the space you have available in your closet or room storage, and the fabrics used to make majority of your ties.
Tie Racks
If you're lacking in space on the closet rod, a tie rack would be the best solution for you. With many styles and options to secure the hang of your ties, you can have installed an easy to use extendable tie rack. This options secures the tie, reduces the amount of space taken up for the biggest of collections and keeps the most expensive fabrics crisp and clean.
Tie Butler
A Tie Butler offers a more complex storage option that operates like a drawer with an appropriate hanging space within the closet. Unlike normal hangers, tie butlers are created to keep your collection of ties neatly organized and upright with an easy pull out to see all your favorites.
The advantage of these two hanging options are to maintain easy access to your collection and preserve the color, cleanliness and crispness of your fabrics! There is an alternate option to a hang which would be more suitable for knit ties or those who do not have any closet space.


Back to School Mud Room Tips
August 10, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized
August is a great time to make sure your mud room is in order before the school year starts. If your mud room isn't organized your kids will be leaving their shoes, jackets and backpacks all over the place once school begins. Having a well-organized mud room will save you time, keep your home clean and make life easier for both you and your kids.
Need a Mud Room?
Does your home currently have a mud room? If not, your first step should be to contact Crooked Oak to schedule a free in-home consultation. We'll review your space and provide suggestions for the best set up for your new mud room. We'll also provide suggestions for storage and style options. Once we get started, we'll provide you with a custom design rendering of your project so you know what your new mud room will look like.Organization
Does your mud room have ample space for everything your family will be leaving in it? If you initially designed your mud room when your kids were young, they may need more space for their items now. You may need new, larger cubbies for their school supplies and shoes.
Hangers
Are there enough hangers for all of your coats, backpacks and umbrellas? Freestanding hangers can be useful when you don't have many items. If you have 2-3 kids and want to keep things organized, a set up like the one pictured here may be more suitable for your home.Washer and Dryer

Seating

When’s the right time for a new custom closet?
July 29, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized

You can't keep your closet organized
If you're finding that your hanging clothes are getting wrinkled because they're cramped in your closet or that you're piling pairs of shoes on each other, it's time to consider a new custom closet. While your existing closet may have been sufficient when you first purchased your home, styles and personal preferences can result in a need for more space for clothes or better closet accessories. Crooked Oak can access your closet and recommend the best way to make the most out of your closet space. The result will be a closet that will be much easier to keep organized.You're changing your room's style
If you're redoing your kitchen, it's the perfect time to overhaul your pantry as well. If you're overhauling your spare bedroom, a custom closet will add style and functionality. If you've decided that you want your bedroom to be more contemporary, we can design a custom master closet that fits the new aesthetic. When you're renovating any part of your home, including your garage and basement, consider how Crooked Oak's custom closet and storage solutions can enhance the space. If you don't have any specific ideas yourself, we always encourage you to contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation. We'll provide you with some options that will accommodate your specific needs and budget.You're selling your home
Custom closets add value to your home. If you've been making due with a very basic closet, having Crooked Oak optimize the space will help to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Many new home builders are incorporating custom closet solutions into the homes for this reason.Summer Closet Tips
July 13, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized

Dry Clean Coats and Suits
If you haven't dry cleaned your coats, suits and other clothes recently, it would be a good idea to do so. Dry cleaning them now will keep them fresh throughout the summer so they're ready to wear once the weather changes again.Store Winter Clothes
Store your winter shirts, pants and other garments in a spare bedroom closet or elsewhere. Keeping those garments in another place while they're not needed will help to save you time in the morning. They'll also give your summer clothes more space, which should result in less wrinkles.Throw Away Unused Items
The change in season is a great time to get rid of items you haven't worn for a while. You may also want to check your winter clothes for holes, stains or other signs that they're past their prime. Getting rid of these items now will save you space and will save time when it's time to transition back to fall and winter clothes.Make Room for Accessories
Big summer hats, beach blankets, sandals and other summer accessories can take up quite a bit of space. Consider hanging shoe storage or storage bins if you don't have room for them on your existing shelves.Clean Your Closet and Check for Damage
The change in season is a great time to give your closet a thorough cleaning. While you're cleaning it, check for scuffs, scratches or other damage. If need be, contact Crooked Oak for assistance with repairs.5 Little-Known Facts about Closets
June 22, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized

Roman Soldiers
The history of the closet traces back to Roman soldiers. They invented the armorium to transport their weapons and armor safely. In the medieval period, wealthy individuals would make cedar wood chests to protect their expensive clothes from moths and mice.Walk-In Closet Popularity
Walk-in closets first gained popularity in the 1950s. High rise buildings in New York started building fewer units and more closets so that residents would not need to rely on wardrobes.The Hanging Rod and Hangars
The hanging rod was first used in 1870. Hangars soon followed, though their origin is disputed. Some believe President Thomas Jefferson invented them, others say O. A. North invented them in 1869. Others believe that Albert J. Parkhouse invented the hangar in 1903. According to Wikipedia, Parkhouse was annoyed when he got to work and there were no hooks to hang his coat. He quickly bent a wire into the shape of a hangar for his coat.Walk-In Wardrobe
In Britain and Pakistan, it's common to refer to closets as wardrobes or cupboard. Walk-in closets are referred to as walk-in wardrobes.A closet tax?
A popular myth is that early American homes were taxed if they had bedroom closets. Many believe that this myth became popular because of the way closets were used in these homes. Bedroom closets were not popular yet. Closets were often located in the living room on either side of the fireplace and were used for general storage. Clothes were kept in a chest, clothespress or a chest of drawers.Tips for Keeping Your Home Organized
June 9, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized
Between busy work schedules, messy kids and Chicago's ever-changing weather, it can be difficult to keep your home organized. Piles of clothes, books, and other items can quickly accumulate in rooms and hallways, forcing you to spend time during the evenings and weekends putting things away.
Effective closets, built-ins and other storage units help to keep your home organized on a regular basis. They provide you with storage compartments that are useful for you and your lifestyle. Below are elements of custom storage solutions that allow our clients to maintain an organized home.

Entertainment Centers
The living room can become cluttered easier than just about any room in your house. From electronics to books to CDs and records, if you don't have enough room for everything, your space can quickly become unorganized. That's where a custom entertainment center comes in to play. Crooked Oak can design and build an entertainment center that fits your lifestyle. Love listening to vinyl records? We can built shelving to house your collection, with plenty of room for it to grow. We'll build your entertainment center to effectively conceal electronic components and cables, while also providing you with space for books and other items.
Shoes
Shoes can quickly turn a bedroom into a cluttered mess. While some might argue that you can never have too many pairs of shoes, having a place to store them is important. If you have an impressive shoe collection, Crooked Oak can design a shoe storage section in your custom closet. We'll assess your shoe collection, talk with you about how much extra space you'll need for future shoe purchases, then build a beautiful shoe storage solution.
Mud Room
Mud rooms have their name for a reason. They're meant to be the place for your wet coats and dirty shoes. But they can also provide storage for picnic items, board games and other items that may be cluttering up your home. If you need extra space for kitchen items, custom mud room storage can be quite helpful. Having your washer and dryer in your mud room can be a real life saver too. Crooked Oak can help you maximize the space in your mud room so it fits your washer and dryer in an efficient manner, while still providing you with room for other items.
Kids Rooms
Keeping a kid's room clean and organized can seem like an impossible mission. One way to make it easier is to ensure that there is plenty of storage in the room. Sometimes a basic closet isn't enough, especially as kids get older. Having a large built-in in your kid's room gives them a place to store all their toys, games and books. It will make it easier for them to keep their room uncluttered and it will take you less time to find items in their room.
Hallways & Kitchen
If you find that your dining room table is often covered in piles of magazines and books, or that your "junk drawer" in your kitchen is now two or three draws, adding a built-in can be a lifesaver. Crooked Oak can create a built-in that matches the look and feel of your home. Keeping items that typically pile up around the house stored in closets helps to keep your home clean and relaxing. Plus, the new custom storage unit will be a new dimension of style to your home.2016 Closet Trends
May 16, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized
Crooked Oak works hard to ensure that your new custom closet fits your style and needs. We also do our best to give you suggestions based on our experience and current trends to help you make the best decisions for your space. We regularly have new accessories, lighting and finish options available, so we want to make sure you're aware of how you can use them to create a beautiful closet.
Below are some of the current trends for closets.
Bold Colors

LED Lighting

Exposed Sliding Doors

Any Space Will Do

Unique Built-In Storage Ideas
April 29, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized
A great built-in combines function and style to become a highlight of the room it is in. If you've decided that your room needs a built-in, going with a custom design provides you with limitless options. Below are some built-in storage ideas that may work well in your space.

Incorporate a Countertop
If you're adding a built-in to a spare bedroom, hallway or home office, consider incorporating a countertop. It will provide some extra work space and may allow you to omit other furniture from the room.
Conceal TV or Computer Monitor with a Sliding Door
You may want to hide the TV or computer monitor in a more formal living room or a guest bedroom. Crooked Oak can incorporate a sliding door into your custom built-in, allowing you to conceal devices when not in use and access them easily when you need them.
Add Seating
Incorporating bench seating into your custom built-in is a great way to make the most of your space. The storage/seating combination can work great in bedrooms, entryways, mud rooms or garages.
Match Your Existing Decor
If you're rehabbing an old house, Crooked Oak can create a custom built-in that retains the look and feel of existing decor. Creating your new built-in with Crooked Oak will allow you to meet your storage or display needs while complimenting your home's original design elements. Contact us today to discuss your custom built-in storage needs.Popular Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles
April 14, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized


Shaker
Shaker-style cabinet doors are one of the most popular style today. The shaker style features flat panels and clean lines. Their popularity is largely due to their ability to look great with almost any decor. The style works well in many colors and finishes as well.
Slab
The slab style provides a clean and simple look. Slab cabinets work well in kitchens with a modern look, though they can be incorporated into more traditional kitchens as well.
Raised Panel
The raised panel cabinet door style is known by the raised center panel, which can be accomplished with a profile or contour. Raised panel cabinets are popular in kitchens that have a more traditional look. The depth and detail of the cabinets can beautifully accent your kitchen's style.
Flat Panel
Unlike raised panel cabinets, the center panel is not raised with the flat panel style. The style can look similar to shaker cabinets, but flat panel cabinets can have arched panels, contour or detailing. Flat panel cabinets can be a great option for those wanting to combine a traditional look with a more contemporary style.Choosing between Solid Wood and Melamine for your Custom Closet
March 30, 2016 | Leave a Comment » | Posted in: Uncategorized
