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Creating Vacation-Ready Closets: Packing Stations, Built-in Hampers, and More

What did you forget to bring on your last vacation?

Sometimes we luck out and forget something easy to replace on the go. In other instances, it can be an entire toiletry kit or comfortable walking shoes.

Then there’s unpacking. It sits on the to-do list for a solid week (or more) after we return. Some even put off unpacking until it’s time to pack for the next trip.

The answer to all of our vacation packing and unpacking woes comes down to a clever closet system. Here are a few secrets to vacation-ready closets that make travel a summer breeze.

Custom packing stations

If you take more than a few trips a year, design an area dedicated to packing. A good custom packing station can include:

Space for luggage
Storage for travel-friendly toiletries
Device accessories
Travel documentation
An iron/ironing board to prep clothing for packing

Closet islands for travel necessities and outfit staging

If you don’t want to work a new station into your current system, add an island. Generous amounts of counterspace help you plan outfits, while drawers below can be reserved for travel essentials.

Pre-pack small items (toiletries, jewelry, underwear) in cubes and cases. Stow them away in the island, and it will shave an hour or more off your final packing session.

Valet rods for vacation prep and travel

Portable valet rods make separate hanging areas everywhere you go. At home, use an additional rod especially for clothing you plan to pack, as well as dry cleaning. This way, garments don’t blend in and get forgotten among everything else on your fixed rods.

On vacation, use an extendable valet rod for additional hanging space, keeping clothing smooth, orderly, and off the floor.

Hanging shelves and organizers for ongoing packing

Shelves and other compartment organizers can be rolled up, folded, or otherwise compressed for travel. One mistake travelers make is pulling it out to pack it, only opening it up and letting it hang once they’ve arrived at their destination.

Keep organizers like this open and hanging at home, too. You can add or swap items as you think of them instead of trying to remember them all at once. Edit items between trips for a highly relevant vacation rotation.

Baskets and hampers for ongoing organization

Never underrate the ability to sort items on the spot. Pull-out baskets on tracks, built-in hampers, and other features help us stay organized in seconds. They keep floors clear and entire closets clutter-free.

Baskets can hold sorted vacation must-haves while easily accessible hampers make short work of unpacking.

More vacation packing tips highly organized people swear by

Roll, don’t fold, your clothing. It’ll be less likely to wrinkle and can nearly double the amount of space.
Wear your heaviest or biggest items on the flight. Keeping bulky sweaters or sneakers on you en route saves space (and lightens your luggage).
Make your carry-on the VIP. If checking a bag, keep all important electronics, documents, and a change of clothes in your carry-on.
Know The Big Five: These are the items people forget to pack most. Double-check that you have a reusable water bottle, chargers, sunscreen, medication, and copies of travel documents.

Vacation-ready closets custom-made for you by The Designery

If your current closet is holding you back, it’s time to go custom with The Designery. We offer a comprehensive range of closet remodeling services, including: