(Las Cruces Sun-News (NM) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 3--LAS CRUCES --Despite the economy, it could be that Santa was very good to you and your family this year. Or maybe you were tempted by all those pre- and post-Christmas sales and stocked up on decorations and other bargains.

Now you have to face the downside of that bounty: Where will you put all the new stuff?

If you're looking for inspiration, a check with the experts indicates there are lots of options in closets and storage.

Even in a sluggish real estate market, "the closet business is usually extremely steady. Closets have become more upscale here," said Garry Selby of Coyote Closets & Central Vac of Las Cruces.

Selby's firm has designed everything from walk-in bedroom closets to pantries and garage storage systems.

Though he has done some retrofitting of storage space in older homes, "for the most part, I'd say most, about 95 percent, of our business is new construction," said Selby, who adds he's been involved in closet designs and planning for more than 15 years and household vacuum systems for 20 years.

Trends he's seen lately include larger closets, more custom shelving and decorating themes that extend from rooms into closet and storage areas.

"There are more colors available in shelving and accessories, and we can match everything from wall colors to woodwork and moldings in bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms," he said.

Whether you're consulting with an expert or planning a do-it-yourself project, the first step in creating closets

for a new home or retrofitting existing spaces is to do some thinking and planning, advises Selby.

"Planning closet and storage space is not easy, but it's not rocket science, either. Figure out your specific needs. For instance, do you have a lot more folded or more hanging items? Some people just want a general mix of items. We find out what they have and what their lifestyle is like."

Another major trend is that closets are expanding.

"A lot of people today are living out of their closets, in other words, rather than chests of drawers and wardrobes in their living areas -- such as bedrooms -- they are keeping all their clothing in a closet area."

And to accommodate it all, closets are bigger, and stacks or chests of drawers are moved into the closet or built-in, along with other fittings and accessories that make the closet area a kind of "living" room in its own right or a dressing room with mirrors, special lighting or even windows.

In addition to walk-in closets, Selby said, "We've built sit-in closets with bench seats and storage seats and island peninsulas. And we're also seeing more closet areas that are heated and cooled like the rest of the house."

He has built closets as big as 20-by-20 feet in upscale homes, he said.

The ultimate luxury may be a closet you never enter, with automated systems similar to those used in dry cleaning shops.

"I call it a rotisserie-style handling system, where the clothes go around and around and come to you. Those are expensive and few and far between," Selby said.

Also available are hamper systems that deliver soiled items to a central laundry area based on principles similar to vacuum tubes once used in department stores.

Other custom features are more within the reach of the average home owner, he said, such as "pull-down rods, special tie and belt racks and shoe racks that are "tilted and angled to display shoes," sometimes held in place with decorative rails that match your home's decor.

Thoughtfully designed storage areas can improve efficiency, comfort and livability in areas from the garage and laundry room to the kitchen.

"A pantry can be a lot more than just pantry storage, with fully adjustable shelving," he said. Such options allow you to organize food items as well as things like linens, oversized platters and appliances.

If you've hit a brick wall, you might consider enlisting the help of a professional organizer like Bryn Shoffstall of Las Cruces, who runs Clutter~Flies, a business devoted to helping others make order our of chaos.

"It's New Year's resolution time," said Shoffstall, who stresses that a fresh eye could help you discover you may already have more storage space than you think.

"The biggest thing I come across is people who don't use the vertical space in their closets. Invest in a small stepstool that stores flat and you can use more of the flat storage space on top, especially to store things that may be piled on the floor and seasonal things," she said.

Sorting and organization are also crucial.

"I advise people to sort their stuff by color, and within each color, by season and dressy or casual clothes. Once they see if they have red shirts, black shirts and maybe 10 white shirts, it's easier to coordinate and see what they need. Color coordination allows them to see more of what they've got and use it," she said.

Shoffstall thinks of herself as a kind of coach to help people develop their organization skills.

"I basically start with a consultation. I meet with clients, see what they need and give them ideas and recommendations which they can use on their own or, if they choose to hire me, a lot of what I do is coaching and training. I work with them to (determine) how they got into this mess, how to rethink what is happening and give them ideas, working within their budget."

Contact Shoffstall at (575) 640-9074, e-mail brynshoff@msn.com

To find more closet ideas, check the Yellow Pages under "closets and closet accessories" or search online with keywords "closet organizer systems" and "home storage" and check out the home storage and accessories sections in regional superstores or office supply stores, which carry several items, from desk and file cabinets to storage accessories, that can be very handy in home offices and other areas of the home. If you have some challenging storage needs and are looking for specific sizes of shelves and containers, you might also get some ideas browsing at an online storage specialty site like organize.com

To contact Selby, call (575) 642-8383 or visit his firm's display area at Kitchen Kraft, 980 N. Telshor Blvd.

Be resourceful

-- Search online with keywords "closet organizer systems" and "home storage."

-- See Yellow Pages under "closets & closet accessories."

-- Check out home storage and accessories sections at area superstores.

-- Check office supply stores for items with home organization potential.

-- Consult with a professional home organizer or closet design expert.

S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at dmoore@lcsun-news.com

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