The closet:

When you think about it, a closet is a designated space for stuff. But it has come to mean much more, particularly when house hunting. It's size is just as important as its shape. The total number in the house matters as much as where they are in the house. Or in our case..is it carpeted? Is there a mini door next to the main closet door..for your gnome squatters? According to the real estate agent who listed our house, having only two (very awkward) closets played a major role in its 80 days on the market and two price reductions. In times like these one must exercise a little closet creativity.

We had a nook in our bedroom that needed a purpose. I bought some mesh steel drawers, installed a rod with an upper shelf and pushed our bookcase over five feet to function as a sort-of partition. It's the closest I've come to a walk in closet, and I love it.

Oh, and the narrow carpeted closet is now storage for shoes, bags and luggage. Not perfect, but it works for now.