My eleven foot closet has a long history of being a bone of contention. When I moved into the small flat sixteen years ago, I was working, walking and extremely active despite my disability. Standing in front of a wall of clothing and having to reach up to a long shelf just over my head posed no problem.
Eventually, however, I ditched the traditional closet rod and shelf for Closet Maid wire shelving in an attempt to increase storage. There are two closets in the entire place and the one in the bedroom is the largest.
After several years of relative storage bliss, life changed on two fronts; I went into a wheelchair and began divesting myself of goods and assorted things no longer needed. I no longer desired to heft large pieces of luggage over my head from a closet shelf and needed things reachable from a seated position. While never a clutter queen, I discovered nonetheless that too much is as much a burden as too little. Obsessively tidy and almost minimalistic, I also faced having to organize both my living space and possessions differently.
This included my bedroom closet which was once more altered, this time by a licensed contractor who failed to grasp the need for things at seated height. After two years of fighting with his idea, I finally asked a young neighbor to help me demolish and re-do the closet with the height of rod and shelving properly adjusted for me. He measured, taking me with him to the local DIY center in search of an adjustable closet system. Two rather fruitless hours wandering the store in search of someone knowledgeable who actually wanted to answer our questions later, we departed the store with a palate of materials and he began removing old shelving, clothing and other items from my closet in what we both hoped would be the last renovation of this kind.
Cleaned, cleared, sanded and painted, the closet now looks positively monstrous with nothing in it. Unfortunately, the DIY closet system components were so flimsy they swayed when lightly touched, even with the due diligence taken during assembly. At one point, my neighbor looked at me and asked, "Are you sure you want this stuff in your closet? It doesn't seem very sturdy."
I paused and then decided that the lot should be torched. In the interest of fiscal responsibility, however, all will be returned to the store in favor of a rod and shelf at seated height for me. At least then, I can hang what needs to be hung and keep the wire drawers for now. I will also be able to stow the remaining bits including linens within reach, finally done with this episode.
You've heard the saying, "They don't make things like they used to..."
Absolutely true.
