In San Francisco, space is at a premium. One way to take advantage of every inch is with a built-in wall bed and external wardrobe unit from Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets. I was able to create just such a space-saving solution for some homeowners near the Presidio.

Topics: San Francisco, Custom Closets, murphy beds, Guest Rooms, External Wardrobe, Custom Wall Beds

City living has many benefits and delights, especially in the Russian Hill area with Fisherman’s Wharf just blocks away. There’s lots to do, lots to see, and all of it close by. There is also a palatable sense of excitement that attracts many of us to live in downtown San Francisco. Having an abundance of space in your condominium or studio is one of the things we sacrifice for these other benefits. Although space may be limited, Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets can make the most of that space, taking city-dwelling to a new level. For this home owner in Russian Hill, elegance and functionality were the primary goals for her studio remodel.

Topics: Custom Wall Beds, Custom Kitchen Design, custom media center, Custom Home Offices, Russian Hill, San Francisco

With its background of diversity and industry, the Bayview District of San Francisco holds a unique place in Bay Area history. From the shrimp industry to the naval shipyard, this community has drawn blue collar workers and provided an affordable place to live and work. In the past few years, however, many changes have come to the area, giving it a renewed sense of neighborhood, where people talk to each other on the street and exciting new eateries are opening. Long a refuge for artists with its roomy warehouse spaces and comparatively low cost of housing, the Bayview District is becoming a place for city professionals to purchase affordable houses on the Peninsula and young families to own into their own homes. Homeowners can get in on the ground floor so to speak, with affordable housing in an up-and-coming neighborhood. With ownership come the myriad decisions about organizing and storing your belongings. This is where Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets can take you from simply living in your home to delighting in it with custom closets designed just for you.

Topics: Bayview District, Bayview housing market, Custom Closets, San Francisco

There are few pastimes as exciting as choosing a new home for your growing family. Walking through empty rooms full of potential, imagining a Star Wars nursery, planning for all the little and big kid furniture, and dreaming about extra floor space for Legos and Mr. Potato Head are activities that tend to consume new parents on the house hunt. If you’re planning on raising a family, you’re likely wanting to settle down with the careers and the companies you currently have. Unless, of course, you’re starting out in San Francisco.

Topics: Bedrooms, Kid's Bedroom, Custom Cabinets, Reach-in Closets, Kid's Workspace, San Francisco

It’s getting less expensive to buy a condo in San Francisco. Of course, when I tell people this, they’re understandably skeptical. Less expensive than what, they ask—going to Mars with Elon? Well, yes—and also less expensive than it used to be.

Topics: External Wardrobe, San Francisco, condos, Custom Closets, Valet Rods, Drawers, Custom Cabinets

We were contacted by a couple who had retired, moved from the Peninsula to San Francisco, and purchased a lovely 2-bedroom condominium near the ballpark with incredible views of downtown San Francisco. They wanted to update their space to fit their style and needs. With the help of interior designer Kimball Starr, they worked with Larry Fox and went with very contemporary styling throughout their new home. 

Topics: Custom Wall Beds, Custom Home Offices, San Francisco, condos, custom media center

Tumalo Mountain Cherry wood veneer cabinetry surrounding a wall bed brings warmth to the room as well as providing storage space for clothes

Image source: Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets

San Francisco is one of America’s great cities, and it’s the heart of the tech industry. What it isn’t, always, is the easiest place to commute to. The difficult (some use stronger language) commute is why so many people who work here own a studio condo or loft which they stay in for the week, then go home to Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, south San Jose or other Bay Area cities like Los Gatos on the weekends.

Topics: San Francisco, space-saving ideas, small spaces, bay area, condos, second home

Airbnb’s meteoric rise and the impact it has had in San Francisco has been a hot topic for many in the Bay Area, including those of us in the closet and cabinetry business. Custom storage and space-enhancing cabinetry can play a vital role in the ratings and financial value of an Airbnb property. There are key things to consider when you open up your home to Airbnb guests, and the way space can be utilized is a big factor. 

Topics: Custom Murphy Beds, Custom Cabinets, San Francisco