Contact Sue Trainor at 630-936-2710 or [email protected]
"Imagine a space that will make you smile" — Closet Works Senior Designer Sue Trainor still hears this echo of her father's advice to clients when she begins every project. Years of experience, attention to detail, good listening skills, and an uncompromising sense of style ensure that every space Sue sets out to design will blossom into a beautiful expression of organization and tranquility. Sue designs happy spaces, making the whole process seem effortless from start to finish, while transforming her clients needs and wishes into areas that are practical and attractive, yet reflect the uniqueness of every client. She takes great satisfaction in helping her customers imagine their perfect space, and then delivering it into their homes for years of enjoyment.
Contact Sue Trainor at 630-936-2710 or [email protected]
Sue's Awards: Honors & Recognitions
Each year, Top Shelf Closet Design Awards are given to honor designers for their creative closet and home organizational designs. This is the highest award given in the closet design industry. Sue Trainor was presented with this award for her work on the Young Lady's Dressing Room for the 2016 Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens benefitting the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.
Sue is veteran designer, certified by the ACSP, Association of Closet and Storage Professionals — the industry's top professional organization.
Sue Trainor's Closets
Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens
The 360 Organizer® Shoe Spinner
This room is part of a home chosen for the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens house walk benefiting the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. Closet Works closet organization systems include the 360 Organizer® in standard shoe spinner configuration shown in white laminate finish, plus the custom drawer unit and cabinets also in white with Shaker Mission doors and drawer fronts.
Details
Master Closet with Island Jewelry Display
Showcase of Elegance
Designed in white with Aspen drawer fronts, this master walk in closet is a showcase of elegance and fine taste. The center island has a beautiful glass jewelry display with acrylic inserts and velvet liners to keep everything safe and perfectly organized.
Cocoa Walk-In Closet with Chrome Accessories
Cocoa and Chrome
This lucky owner of this closet received a system in our rich Cocoa laminate (TFL) with chrome oval rods and Aspen style drawer fronts. Polished chrome Crescent handles and oval rods finish the look. The closet is roughly 14 feet across and challenges included both an angled wall plus a window that needed to be accommodated by the design.
Plenty of Room for Everything
Walk-In Closet in Chabli Clay
There's a place for everything in this closet! The traditional elegance is achieved through the choice of color - Chabli Clay, the accessories - Bar style polished chrome handles and hardware, and the details, like the clasic crown molding that extends this system to the ceiling and gives it more of a furniture look. Organization isachieved through a wall of shelving and drawers with another wall covered with hanging space. A combination of wall mount systems and suspended areas were used to make the most of the available space.
Custom Reach-In for Him
Custom Designed to His Needs
This closet has been catered to all storage needs for the male client. An array of shelving for shoes and folded items, double hang for work shirts and slacks, plus a set of drawers for loose items all equate to his perfect organization system just for him.
Details
Custom Reach-In for Her
Custom Designed to Her Needs
Part of a matching pair, this closet has custom features specific to the female client's storage needs. This organization system includes extra hanging — long hang for dresses and evening wear, and an additional drawer as compared to the male counterpart.
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Basement Wardrobe Cabinets
Doubles as Media Center
A finished basement should also mean a furnished basement. This storage cabinet provides storage for an entire wardrobe and multitasks as a media center by offering space for a television.
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Basement Wardrobe Cabinets
Increased Storage Creates More Inviting Space
This finished basement bedroom wardrobe cabinet system offers a unique storage solution with an inviting and modern look. In a bright, white laminate with custom contrasting handles this unit is a great way to brighten the dark space.
Details
Reach-In Closet System
Simple White Reach-In Closet System
White thermally fused laminate (TFL) finish with standard polished chrome handles, oval polished chrome rods and standard slab drawer fronts.
Clean and Bright in White
White Walk-In Closet System
How do you make a dark room with no windows bright and cheerful — use white! Classic white always looks right! This closet features white thermally fused laminate (TFL) finish with standard polished chrome handles, oval polished chrome rods and standard slab drawer fronts.
Classic Elegance: Ivory
Ivory Walk-In Closet System
This custom closet organization solution uses ivory thermally fused laminate (TFL) with a center island under an elegant chandelier. The ivory tones of the closet system compliment the wam tones of the hardwood flooring. Pull-out baskets, abundant shelving and hanging space create the perfect room for organizing all of this homeowner's belongings.
Cocoa Closet
Master Walk-In Closet System
Classic Cocoa sets the tone for this traditional closet system. A wire basket for laundry, plenty of drawers for small items, shelving for folded clothing, and an abudance of hanging space ensure that this closet has a place for everything, which is the first and most critical step to keeping everything in its place.
River Rock Closet
Master Walk-In Closet System
Popular gray tones create a cool and inviting sanctuary in this master closet. Perfect for smaller walk-ins, this system includes a closet hutch which creates the same storage capacity and countertop are as a closet island, without using square footage in the middle of the room. The inclusion of a row of hooks makes makes putting things way easier — no draping those jeans over a chair rather than hanging them up.
Walk-In with Closet Hutch
Closet Hutch for Your Accessoriwa
This lavish and rich wood-tone laminate organization system has a strong traditional look. The built-in dresser creates a custom closet hutch perfect for putting watches, wallets, and jewelry.
Custom Walk-In Closet on a raised platform
Traditional Look with Tons of Storage
This walk in closet is a floor-based system in a rich, cocoa laminate that leans more towards a traditional look. The system offers plenty of hanging and shelf storage for a sizable wardrobe.
Custom Walk-In Closet with Sloped Ceiling
Transitional & Elegant Look with a Variety of Storage
This design is a beautiful mosaic of shelves with a center dresser offering a convenient closet hutch for any desired decor. The variety of shelves and drawers can accommodate all folded clothing with additional storage space for every single pair of shoes — including space for boots at the bottom.
Custom Walk-In Closet with Sloped Ceiling
Hanging Section Provides Storage Space Under Angled Ceiling
This unique arrangement of shelving flatters the walls of this sloped ceiling room and displays of how one can gain efficient storage along slanted walls.
Custom Walk-In Closet with Sloped Ceiling
Smart AND Beautiful
As a sloped ceiling closet solution, this design turned out both beautiful and practical. The hanging unit is comprised of various custom heights and fits effortlessly along the wall to adapt to the slanted ceiling. A centered dresser with a window hutch fits flawlessly into the nook of the wall.
Guest Reach-In Closet
Adding Charm to Your Spare Closet
This reach-in guest closet got the perfect makeover! The reach-in closet has been designed in a Winter Fun! laminate and includes bonus boutique shoe shelving at the bottom of the unit. Slanted shelves with shoe fences truly add a charm not offered by your standard spare closet layout.
Sue Trainor's Media Centers, Wall Units & Rec Rooms
Custom Media / Entertainment Center Organization System
Custom Media Center and Wall-Unit
This media / entertainment organization unit features a large center opening to accommodate the television while keeping plenty of display space in the form of shelves on either side for the display of mementos and family treasures. Drawers and cabinets hide CDs and DVDs, while the cabinets offer additional out-of-site storage for high-end sound components, games and video gaming materials.
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Wall Unit with Window Seat for Bedroom
Add Charm and Storage with Custom Built-Ins
This wall unit system adds a ton of storage to the bedroom. They also increase the overall coziness of the space through the addition of a window seat in the center.
Custom Wall Unit Organization System
Hutch-Style Wall-Unit with Shelving and Cabinets
These wall units were designed to reference the traditional look of a built in hutch, but with the modern flair of open shelving and contrasting countertops. White Shaker Mission door fronts complete the simple but elegant look.
Wall Unit to Conquer Kid's Clutter
Play Room Toy Organization System
Floor mount closet organization system spans one wall of the homeowner's finished basement play area. White laminate finish keeps everything bright and cheery in this below grade application. Doors keep everything neat and out of site when not in use, but easily accessible for the children.
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Custom Wall Unit for Slanted Ceiling
Cozy Encounters
Custom fit under a slanted ceiling, this wall unit was designed in a VIVA laminate and offers storage beyond what was thought possible for this intimate space. The color, Tea for Two, evokes feelings of close and cozy encounters and gives off a warmth in contrast to the midnight blue walls.
Custom Wall Unit for Slanted Ceiling
Wardrobe Storage & More
A look inside this wall unit shows us plenty of shelving that accommodate the slant of the wall with custom-cut panels. Generous drawer space is provided by the built-in dresser which in turn can be a place for a vanity or even media center where the customer can hang a television.
Custom Wall Unit Organization System
Light and Refreshing
This custom wall unit adds a light and refreshing touch to the room which its bright white laminate glows against the midnight blue wall. All unsightly clutter can be concealed in the cabinets and treasured mementos can be proudly displayed on the generous shelving.
Wall Unit for a Family Room
Enjoy Quality Time Together
This wall unit makes it possible to have a lively and welcoming family room without having unsightly clutter take up valuable space. The expansive design allows for a large television and cabinets with pull down glass doors for electronics with cords. The shelves accommodate books, artwork, photographs, and all other media-related items.
View MoreSue Trainor's Laundry & Mud Rooms
Laundry Center Storage Solution
White Laundry Center Organization System
White laminate laundry center organization system provides shelving, hanging space for drip dry materials, and a countertop to house the washer and dryer.
Laundry Center in Shaker Bead Board
Classic Shaker Style Laundry Organization System
Laundry seems like less of a chore when you have a space like this to wash clothes. Cabinets with white Shaker Elite bead board doors and standard polished chrome handles offer a clean, classic aethetic to this family laundry center. Cabinets above hold detergent and a tall side cabinet provides hidden storage to stash the baskets of dirty clothes waiting for a wash.
Sunshine Mud Room
A Well-Lit Luxury
Mud rooms can live up to their name — A dirty place cluttered with shoes and coats and any other junk your family decides to throw in there. This design proves that all mud rooms do not have to look like jumbled messes and can be organized to perfection. The bright white laminate reflects the sunlight and creates a warm and inviting space. The mudroom system provides hooks to hang coats or dog leashes, cubbies for shoes and boots, overhead compartments for bins and baskets of hats and gloves, and a bench to sit and put on shoes or rest backpacks.
Sweet and Simple Mud Room
with Boot Box Storage
The simplicity and convenience of this mudroom design make it a pleasure to look at and use daily. The overhead cabinets provide storage for baskets of miscellaneous items and the generous amount of hooks allows you to hang up plenty of jackets, backpacks, and other outerwear. The boot box below is a great way to reduce clutter of shoes everywhere.
Sweet and Simple Mud Room
with Open Boot Box
As you can see, this boot box can hold numerous pairs of boots and shoes and has a divider to separate the footwear from winter accessories such as gloves and hats.
Frequency Laundry Room
High Frequency Style
This small laundry room is packed with style! The cabinets are in a Frequency laminate — a color that has a unique texture making these cabinets stand out as stylish notes in this space. Brushed chrome Synergy handles add to the fashionable, modern look. Curved corner shelves offer maximum shelf storage space for detergent and various cleaning products. Along with the spacious shelves, matching Frequency laminate counterspace is roomy for folding laundry. A tall cabinet provides the perfect broom closet space.
Back Entry Locker
The Perfect Stop
Coming in from the patio door, it's easy to track in dirt, snow, etc, but this mudroom locker design is the perfect stop to take off shoes, hang up jackets and bookbags. The design is in a soft and sophisticated White Chocolate with a Blackwood accent bench seat.
Sue Trainor's Home Office & Wall Beds
Home Office & Murphy Style Wall Bed in Morning Dew
Classy with a Bit of an Edge
A spare bedroom is a blank canvas. It can have exensible uses such as a guest room, a home office, movie den, and more. The versatility of a wall bed is transformational to the space as it provides rest along with work and play in close quarters. This room combines vastly different styles for an intriguing aesthetic — a smooth and classic Morning Dew laminate with a grungy countertop and décor.
Home Office Cabinets
Minimal Design with Maximum Storage
These sleek and modern home office cabinets offer a great deal of storage similar to a commercial business. They are built in a Vintage laminate with custom hardware.
Home Desk Area
Small Space Creates Big Difference
This small work area design is a great example how you can take minimal space in your home and build something simple and worthwhile such as a work area. The elegant design is in a white laminate with Regal drawers — perfect for office supplies, paper, and more.
Sue Trainor's Garage Organization Systems
The Garage — The Biggest Closet in the House
Custom Garage Organization System
This custom garage organization system features slat wall for hanging up the clutter, along with wall mounted custom cabinet storage units. The slat wall system included specialty hooks for hanging bicycles, tools, sports equipment, and lawn and garden equipment. Sue chose large, square brushed chrome handles for the cabinets, which were done in Rain Cloud laminate to compliment the slat wall.
Garage System for Wet Location
Cabinets, Shelving & Pull-Out Organizers Keep Garage Tidy
This custom garage cabinetry and organization system includes full height vertical cabinets with doors to keep sports equipment tidy and organized, but also serves to store fertilzers, motor oil and chemicals safely away. The pull-out shelves are a great way to store automobile fluids, oil and smaller items that might get lost in the back of the shelf. An overhead cabinet above the sink keeps degreasers and household cleaners out of reach of children and pets. The cabinets surround a utility sink — a great feature to have in a garage. Installed as a suspended system, the cabinets float off the floor, making it very easy to hose down the floor when it gets dirty with salt and dirt. Keeping them about 18" off the floor ensures that no moisture gets in to ruin the cabinets and their contents.
View MoreSue Trainor's Pantries
Rustic Pantry
A Proper Place for Good Eats
When buying a house, an imperative concern is always the size of the kitchen. No one likes having things take up all of their counterspace and cabinets and with this rustic cherry design, there is an entire separate area provided for kitchen essentials and countless food items. No more cereal boxes on top of the fridge and no more storing baking sheets in the oven. Spacious shelves are provided which can accommodate organization of boxes, cans, and jars by type such as pasta, snacks, and soup for example. There are also slots for baking sheets or cutting boards and convenient drawers for spices, spare silverware, or other utensils.
A Cook's Pantry
All the Space You Need to Feed
With a streamlined pantry design like this, there is no need to be conservative about buying food because there is plenty of space to stockpile snacks. The towering, curved corner shelves maximize pantry storage in this small space. There are slots for baking sheets and also an array of drawers to organize spices and kitchen utensils.
Above and Beyond Pantry
All the Assets for Ideal Organization
This pantry is in a rich Corretto Cherry laminate with features to improve and maximize pantry storage including curved shelves, vertical tray dividers, wire baskets, and a pull-out bottom shelf.
Sue Trainor's Commercial Projects
Tutoring Center Bathroom Cabinets
Construction Details Render One Complete Unit
The original structure of the bathroom wall presented a design challenge where an alcove was available for the storage cabinets, but drywall protruded below (where you see the toilet paper and bar). The storage cabinets were fit perfectly into the recessed alcove and a panel was placed over the protruding wall to make the unit look unified.
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Tutoring Center Bathroom Cabinets
Minimalist Design Provides Maximum Storage
The minimalist cabinets open up for a great deal of storage of all toiletries, cleaning supplies, and more. The simplicty of the cabinets works as a nice contrast aside the other industrial and artistic elements of the commercial space decor.
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Tutoring Center Office Supply Cabinets
Dark Cabinets Allow Artwork to Stand Out
The cabinets are constructed in a Vintage laminate, a color option that catches your eye with its artistic, textured graining. Paired with the static lines of the hardware, the dark cabinets create a bold, yet unpretentious fashion statement that allows the colorful and dynamic decor of the space to stand out.
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Tutoring Center Office Supply Cabinets
Custom Storage Elements for Perfect Organization
The office supply cabinets follow suit with the appearance of the bathroom cabinets but are a bit more involved — offering cubbies for paperwork, pull-out pantry shelves for office supplies, and a compartmentalized file drawer
View MoreNews Stories About Sue
Woodworking Network
Modern Design Meets Functional Storage in this Commercial Cabinet
Chicago Academi, a tutoring and test prep center, tapped into Sue's expertise to solve a storage problem with the company's office supplies. Sue's unconventional solution took advantage of the only available space in the office — a public restroom. Read More
Woodworking Network
Shoe Spinner and Tall Wardrobe Doors Enlarge This Small Walk-In Closet
This custom "Ladies Dressing Room" designed by Sue Trainor, Closet Works, Elmhurst, Illinois, maximizes the challenges of working in a small space. Read More