I totally get the louvered door temptation. I keep circling back to this part:
Honestly, is there ever a bad reason to redo a closet? I’ve been reading about airflow and mold too, and it’s wild how many opinions are out there. Have you noticed any actual difference when you tried wire racks vs solid shelving? I’m always worried about dust with open stuff, but maybe that’s just me overthinking. Also—your cat sounds hilarious.part of me wants to try louvered doors just for peace of mind…or maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to redo the closet again.
Title: Closet Airflow: Louvered Doors vs. Shelving (and Cat Antics)
Honestly, is there ever a bad reason to redo a closet?
I’d argue there’s not, especially if it means you’re finally getting rid of that weird musty smell or the closet doors that never quite close right. I get the appeal of louvered doors for airflow—sometimes it’s just about peace of mind, even if the science is debatable. I’ve seen clients swear by them, and others who think they’re just dust magnets. Honestly, both are kind of true.
Wire racks vs. solid shelving is a whole other rabbit hole. Wire racks definitely help with airflow, but they’re not a magic bullet for mold if your closet’s already humid. I’ve noticed less mustiness with wire, but then you get those weird lines on sweaters and things can tip over if you’re not careful. Solid shelves look cleaner and are easier to wipe down, but they do trap more moisture if the air’s already damp. Personally, I lean toward a mix—wire for shoes and baskets, solid for folded stuff.
About dust: you’re not overthinking it. Open storage does collect more dust, especially if you have pets (and cats seem to find every shelf in existence). But honestly, I’d rather deal with a little extra dusting than risk mold creeping up on my clothes again. Maybe that’s just me being paranoid after one too many “why does this shirt smell like an old basement?” moments.
And your cat—mine once managed to wedge herself behind a stack of shoe boxes and refused to come out until I bribed her with treats. Maybe they’re secretly trying to help us “reorganize”...
If you do go for louvered doors, just make sure you actually like the look long-term. They’re not as easy to swap out as people think, and sometimes the novelty wears off fast. But hey, sometimes you just need an excuse to shake things up.
You’re not alone in the fight against closet mold and frizzy hair—humidity’s a beast. Love that you’re thinking through airflow and materials. Every step you take toward fresh air and less mustiness is a win, even if it means dusting more. Cats will always “help,” but hey, at least they keep things interesting...
- Airflow is everything—if you can, crack the closet door or install a vent. Even a cheap battery fan can help.
- I swapped out all my wooden hangers for plastic. Less moisture absorption, less mold.
- Silica gel packs in shoes and corners work surprisingly well. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
- Honestly, cats make it all 10x harder. Mine loves to nap right on the fresh laundry, so now I’m battling fur and mold.
Ever tried one of those closet dehumidifiers? Curious if they’re worth the hassle or just another gadget collecting dust...
Tried one of those hanging closet dehumidifiers last winter—honestly, it did pull out a scary amount of water in the first month. But after that, I kept forgetting to check it and ended up with a leaky mess. Not sure if it’s better than those little silica packs, but at least it’s cheap. Anyone else have issues with their clothes smelling weird after using these things?
