Are you preparing to lay new carpeting in your home? You might wonder if you should factor in the closets for this event. If you've ever wondered if your closets should be carpeted, we can help you. We researched the pros and cons of this from multiple sources, so you'll know for sure what to do.
Closets are better left with laminate or hardwood. Carpeting can create too many issues inside a closet, making it a less desirable type of flooring option.
Now that we know that closets are better left uncarpeted, we'll take a look at the pros and cons of both methods. You might also be curious about what you should never put into your closet or what you can put into your closet to prevent mold.
For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
The pros and cons of putting carpeting in your closet
Almost every decision you make with your home is going to have a list of pros and cons. Carpeting your closet is no exception to this, as you will see. Before you go to the extra expense, keep the following in mind.
The cons of carpeting your closet
Have you ever tried to vacuum the inside of a closet? It can be a real hassle to maneuver a vacuum cleaner inside a confined space. Of course, you can always use a smaller, portable vacuum for the job. But doing this is even more time-consuming.
Closets can be a chore to keep clean, and carpeting makes it all the more of a bother. Keep in mind that you are paying more money to do a lot more work, too.
If you are recarpeting your home, every square foot of carpeting counts. All the closets in your home could add up to the equivalent of carpeting an entire extra room.
Factor in the labor that's going to be required to carpet a closet, and it all seems like a no-brainer. But despite what we've learned about the downsides of carpeting a closet, there is one benefit.
Carpeting in a closet does have an upside.
The carpeting in a closet can add a layer of warmth to an otherwise colder room. In older homes especially, the carpeting can help trap heat, assisting in keeping the rest of the house at the desired temperature.
Is this one pro enough to justify the added expense and extra cleaning effort? For many folks, probably not. But if you have an older, drafty home, it might be worthy of consideration.
What should you never put inside your closet?
Closets can become a place where we tend to toss and hang items we just want out of sight. This makes them cluttered over time, making it harder to find the things you want to use.
To prevent this, there are certain items that experts say you should never put inside your closets.
If you don't wear it, consider donating it.
It's a great practice to never put an article of clothing in your closet that you know you'll never wear again. If you've outgrown an item or no longer find it to your liking, donate it. Clothing that will just sit on a hanger forever just takes up space.
Make it a point to go through the clothes in your closet twice a year. Be mindful of what you have worn and what you think you are done with. Downsize appropriately.
Don't put items you don't own inside your closet.
Most of us borrow an article of clothing or two over time. And sometimes, a guest will accidentally leave a jacket or hat behind. When these things happen, you might be tempted to make room in your closet for them.
This can be a bad idea. Doing so can make these items "out of sight, out of mind," and the forgetful owner might not even think to retrieve them.
Putting them away with your personal items will not only lead you to forget that they are there but will also add to your crowded closet.
Keep your empty hangers off of your clothes bar!
As you routinely purge your closet of unwanted clothing, you might find yourself with many empty hangers. Too many of these will take up a lot of space that you could be used for the inevitable replacements.
If you have the space on the floor for it, consider a clothes hangar box. These take up minimal space and will keep your clothes bar more open and freer for any new articles you will need room for.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't have an empty hanger or two. A few won't take up that much space. Just try to keep as many hangars as you have clothes that NEED to be hung up, and you'll find that your space is maximized!
What can you put inside your closet to prevent mold?
If you live in a humid environment, you might have some concerns about mold growing in your closet. This can be damaging to the articles that you store inside of them, as well as pose potential health hazards.
But do not despair. You can take steps to prevent mold from growing in your closets.
Light prevents mold. Consider keeping the door open during more humid months or leaving a light on inside the closet for several hours a day. Additionally, avoiding putting away any damp items will greatly help.
Keeping your clothes spaced apart on the clothes bar is also recommended.
Strategically placed silica packs also work wonders. These absorb moisture and will help prevent mold.
How often should you get rid of clothes?
The amount of clothing we accumulate can be astounding. As we age, we outgrow some articles. Some of us might lose significant weight, leaving us with clothes we hope never to fit into again.
A great practice in keeping your closet clutter-free is to evaluate them at least once a year. Examine each item and ask yourself if you will wear it again.
As we mentioned earlier in this post, keep the items you love and need, but only the ones you know will be able to fit.
The frequency with which you get rid of clothes will vary from person to person. But if you find your closet getting a little too crowded, it's probably time to cull a few things from that clothes bar.
What keeps closets smelling fresh?
Closet doors are most often kept closed. This allows the odors inside to ruminate, sometimes leading to an undesirable smell when the little room is opened again.
Shoes, boots, and sometimes lightly soiled jackets and coats can help give a unique scent in the very spot where your clean garments are stored.
You can keep your closets smelling fresh by not putting dirty items in them. This is not the best place for a dirty clothes hamper, and you shouldn't store any overly-soiled shoes or other footwear inside it.
Consider placing potpourri in the corners of the closet. This will help keep foul odors at bay and give your closet a freshness that you'll notice every time you open the door to retrieve or put away an item.
Final thoughts
Carpeting a closet is more costly and makes it difficult to clean. These tiny rooms should be kept as clutter-free as possible, so routinely sorting through their contents is highly recommended.
Keep your closets smelling fresh by being mindful of what is in them, and use potpourri or a room deodorizer to add a scent that you love.
Make it this far? We hope this post answers all of your questions. For additional information, we suggest reading the following posts:
What To Do With Open Space Above A Closet [11 Stylish Solutions!]
Should the Inside Of Closet Be White Or The Same Color As The Room?