People fall into two categories: those who enjoy organizing and those who haven’t found the joy of a truly tidy space. Once you experience the ease of an organized environment, it’s hard to go back.
I’m a little biased here. My weekly newsletter is called Breathing Space. I thrive in open, clean settings, and I’ve discovered that clarity at home translates to clarity in my mind. As we planned our beach house renovation, prioritizing organization was essential.
This project presented challenges, like maximizing space and ensuring smooth flow in busy areas. From the outset, I wanted California Closets involved. We’ve collaborated on multiple areas in our Austin home, from the pantry to the kids' rooms, and I trust their team to bring my vision to life with both beauty and functionality. Working with our California Closets designer, Katharine, we viewed each area not just as storage but as a chance to shape our home’s functionality and ambiance.
Here’s how we tackled four main spaces:
- The Laundry Room
- The Mudroom + Garage
- The Primary Closet + Vanity
- Phoebe’s Closet
Let’s get into the details.
Designing for Our Everyday Lives
Before discussing finishes or layouts, Katharine and I explored our daily routines. These spaces should facilitate the everyday transitions that are part of our lives. We considered small details like:
- Where do we drop off beach bags?
- Where do golf clubs accumulate?
- What feelings do I want while prepping in the morning?
Living near the beach means dealing with sand. During our first stay, I found myself vacuuming daily due to the sand that crept in. Towels and beach bags often ended up inside, spreading sand throughout the house. With a fresh canvas, we designed a solution.
We decided to place the mudroom within the garage. This area acts as a transition space—complete with hooks for beach bags, a washer/dryer for towels, and an outdoor shower to rinse off sand before entering.
Designing for real life rather than an “ideal life” allows everything to work better.
Another consideration: our family loves golf, which leads to gear scattered everywhere. We dedicated storage in the garage and mudroom for clubs, shoes, gloves, and hats to avoid last-minute chaos when heading out.
Even our daily routines influenced our designs. I enjoy picking out jewelry as part of my morning routine, so I placed my jewelry drawers right next to my vanity. At night, taking off my jewelry becomes a ritual alongside my skincare.
A favorite hidden feature? In the laundry room, we designed a concealed cabinet for Clem’s litter box, complete with a small opening for her access and a push latch for easy cleaning.
Turning Inspiration into Reality
While functionality drove the design, inspiration influenced the materials and aesthetics. I curated a Pinterest board with sections dedicated to each space.
My visual inspiration revolved around natural wood tones, matte finishes, warm integrated lighting, minimal hardware, and spacious designs.
We chose California Closets’ Quiet Grove finish, a textured natural wood grain, combined with soft matte white accents called Dove. This palette aligns with the Japandi style of the beach house, featuring soft roman clay walls and natural wood flooring.
In the primary closet, Moroccan clay zellige tile flows from the bathroom into the closet, creating a warm and cohesive feel. I intentionally avoided excessive open shelving; in a compact home, closed cabinetry is invaluable. I wanted these areas to contain our belongings rather than display them.
Bringing Our Vision to Life with 3D Renders
Seeing our plans materialize in California Closets’ CAD tool was thrilling.
The renderings helped us refine details that could have been problematic later. We adjusted shelf heights and drawer configurations and fine-tuned hanging rod placements as we discussed where everything would go.
In our Austin closet, the drawers were too shallow to be useful. This time, we focused on depth and proportions. Katharine guided us to layouts that optimize storage while maintaining negative space.
She also suggested track storage in the garage for bikes, skateboards, and tools—an idea I hadn’t considered that significantly improved functionality.
What I appreciate is how Katharine focused on flow, proportions, and the overall feel of the room. The outcome exceeded my expectations, providing solutions I hadn’t imagined.
The Laundry Room: Prioritizing Flow
The previous beach house lacked a proper laundry room; the washer and dryer were right at the front door. This setup resulted in constant clutter with zero storage.
Since I primarily fold laundry in this room, I needed ample countertop and hanging space for efficiency. We recessed the stacked washer and dryer so they align with the countertop (we even pushed the wall back slightly to achieve this). It’s a small detail, but it makes a big visual difference.
Upper cabinets reach the ceiling for storing platters and entertaining items. A tall closet accommodates brooms and cleaning supplies, while hanging space is provided for delicate items. The laundry room is compact yet highly efficient.
The Mudroom & Garage: Establishing a Functional Drop Zone
This area is designed to contain the mess before it enters the home. It features closed cabinetry, drawers, hooks, seating for removing shoes or wetsuits, tall cabinets for golf clubs, and hanging space for out-of-season clothing that doesn’t fit in our primary closet.
Given the tight footprint of our primary closet, this mudroom strategically adds flexibility. Our aim wasn’t perfection but creating a visually appealing space that contains everyday essentials.
The Primary Closet + Vanity: Setting the Mood
Our primary closet is compact, yet I’m impressed by how much hanging and drawer space we included—plus, a vanity for my morning routine! Katharine helped us design the walk-in closet with cabinetry wrapping around all sides, with an integrated vanity beneath an LED mirror.
We included a blend of double and long hanging, drawers, and concealed storage—everything is thoughtfully arranged. Integrated warm lighting illuminates the hanging sections, while the LED mirror provides bright, clear light for makeup.
Since you enter the closet through an open archway from the primary bath, it must be both beautiful and functional. I want mornings here to feel calm and intentional, so we designed it to showcase our clothing and make the selection process enjoyable. A well-crafted closet truly sets the tone for the day!
Phoebe’s Closet: Built to Evolve
True story: this space was nearly a DIY project, and I’m grateful it didn’t turn out that way! I initially tried to save costs by assembling components from a big box retailer. However, the room's unique shape—due to the recessed washer/dryer and mechanical units—made it overly complicated.
After estimating costs, I realized I’d spend almost as much for a mismatched solution that wouldn’t feel cohesive.
I reached out to California Closets, and we added this area to our plans last minute. We're utilizing Quiet Grove drawer fronts with gold hardware, a mix of hanging options, drawers, and select open shelving. Phoebe participated in the design process, choosing what to display and what to conceal. Collaborating on her space was special and made her excited about her new closet.
My lesson: trying to cut costs can sometimes lead to higher expenses—in stress, compromises, and long-term dissatisfaction.
Creating Room for What Truly Matters
California Closets recognizes that high-traffic areas influence how our home operates, and I’ve learned through experience that quality is crucial. Precise construction, thoughtful dimensions, and durable materials are essential, as are designers who prioritize flow, not just square footage.
When our systems are built well, life flows more smoothly. There’s less visual clutter and urgency, which is what it’s all about—creating a home that supports our lifestyles.
Ultimately, I seek organization for my belongings, but I also desire beautiful and orderly solutions. When our spaces feel clear, our lives feel lighter and freer, allowing us to focus on what truly matters.
Stay tuned for more updates as these spaces come to life.
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