For generations, people have come to New York City to pursue opportunities, create communities, and find belonging. Whatever has brought each individual or family to this magnetic place, making their home here has likely been a momentous milestone.
Designer Scott Arnold of California Closets New York loves getting to be a part of this personal journey for his clients. No matter how big or small their residence is, whether they want to rethink their home office or primary closet, Arnold is committed to bringing custom storage solutions and beautiful touches together to elevate their lifestyle. After all, bettering someone’s spaces allows more time and peace for them to focus on what matters most.
Recently, we sat down to get to know this passionate designer and organization expert. Now, you can discover his personal design philosophy, thoughts on what makes New York City clientele stand out, tips for maximizing small spaces, and so much more.
To start, let’s dive into how you got into design and working for California Closets. Did you always want to be a designer?
In some ways, I never expected being a designer in New York City would be part of my future. At the same time, I’ve always been an artist. From an early age, I loved to draw, paint, dance, sing, and create. My mom, also an artist, encouraged these passions. She had an affinity for interior design and would constantly transform our home, whether for holidays or simply to infuse new life into our spaces. Her creative endeavors inspired me to see interiors as canvases where beautiful designs could be brought to life.
I’ve also always been drawn to order and organization. From meticulously sorting my clothes by color to arranging my books alphabetically, I found satisfaction in creating order out of chaos. When I moved to New York City, I applied this skill in one of my first jobs as a professional organizer, helping clients across the city optimize their living spaces with efficiency and functionality. I discovered at this time, that the principles we discuss in art and design—such as balance, pattern, color harmony, and clean lines—also serve as fundamental pillars of effective organization.
This intersection of art and organization is really where I live as a designer. So, working alongside California Closets, whose mission is to create beautiful custom closets and storage solutions for you home, simply makes sense!
What is your favorite part about being a designer at California Closets New York?
My favorite part of designing at California Closets is “puzzle-piecing” the best solution for my clients; taking on the challenge of fully utilizing a space, while also incorporating my client’s specific needs. It’s incredibly rewarding to delve into each client’s unique requirements and spatial constraints, and then craft a solution that maximizes efficiency and functionality. Of course, without ever sacrificing style.
By carefully selecting materials, finishes, and organizational systems, we can truly transform any space into a harmonious sanctuary, that reflects the client’s personality and enhances their daily life. This process of marrying form with function is where I thrive, knowing that every detail contributes to a more organized, beautiful, and serene environment for my clients to enjoy.
How would you describe your design philosophy and what inspires you most?
My design philosophy is continually evolving, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources. Right now, I find myself coming back to Coco Chanel’s famous quote: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” This principle underscores my belief that simplicity is not only effective but also powerful in design. I believe in the concept of “less is more” and recognize the pitfalls of over-designing.
In the context of designing in New York City, where space is a premium, my philosophy takes on added significance. Personally, I find myself living and embracing a more minimalist lifestyle; first because New York apartments only allow you to store so much, but also because living simply and with only your favorite items evokes purpose and tranquility.
How that relates to a design philosophy, is we, as designers, often find it tempting to utilize every square inch of a space for maximum storage and function, but I now understand the importance of balance. Sometimes, filling a space to its capacity can inadvertently create an environment that feels cluttered and overwhelming, rather than serene and purposeful.
What do you enjoy most about going on the initial, free design consultation California Closets New York offers? What typically happens on these in-home visits?
I love the personalized approach of meeting with the client in their home, and being able to speak directly to their personal needs and lifestyle. These initial consultations are truly invaluable opportunities for us as designers; to fully understand our clients, grasp their needs, and envision first-hand how each space can be optimized.
We tour the space, take full, detailed measurements of each closet or area we’re designing, put those measurements into the computer, and then design the space alongside the client. With our advanced CAD program, we’re able to collaborate with the client to create a customized design that aligns seamlessly with their preferences and requirements. Using this technology, we can present realistic 3D walk-through images that vividly illustrate how the transformed space will appear upon completion.
This comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of the design process is transparent, efficient, and tailored to deliver a solution that exceeds expectations.
To you, what are the details of a custom walk-in closet or dressing room that make it feel especially elevated and luxurious?
Details are so important when elevating a space. If you have the room and ability, focusing on each individual item and crafting a space that not only stores them, but highlights them, will really evoke a sense of luxurious style. For example, incorporating dedicated drawers for jewelry, watches, sunglasses, and other accessories, complete with custom dividers that perfectly accommodate each item, adds both functionality and elegance to the space. Even consider dividers for items traditionally not stored with intentional divisions: Things like tees, pants, even underwear, ensuring every piece has its designated place.
Obviously, selecting high-end finishes, hardware, and accessories will also extend an air of refinement to the external elements of the closet. The luxury is in the details!
What would you say are popular design trends that you think are influenced mainly by living in New York City and the New York City culture?
New York is a fast-paced, forward-thinking city. I think I’m always surprised by the boldness of my clients, and their willingness to take risks. A trend that seems to be taking-off is the idea of mixing finishes and styles. Just as New York seamlessly blends historic architecture with modern skyscrapers, clients are increasingly combining traditional elegance with contemporary flair in their living spaces.
For example, rather than sticking to a uniform finish throughout a room, clients might opt to highlight specific elements by choosing contrasting finishes for select cabinet doors or drawers. This technique not only adds visual interest but also creates focal points that draw the eye and enhance the overall design.
With New York City being an epicenter of fashion and risk-taking looks, what are some bold choices or customizations you might guide boundary-pushing homeowners to make?
Explore texture! It can be a simple thing like adding trim around your closet doors or drawers, in a variety of shaker styles, to more bold choices like incorporating back-painted glass or leather accents into the design. With leather, for instance, California Closets can add leather to almost all closet components. Some of my favorites include drawer faces wrapped in leather, or even bolder statements like filling the back of closet walls in leather styling.
Beyond closet materials, I like the idea of enhancing the aesthetic appeal with custom artwork, wallpaper, or wall finishes that complement your style and create a luxurious atmosphere within the closet space. I always encourage my clients to personalize the space and make it uniquely theirs. When you apply these touches to the space, you’ll never want to leave!
In big cities where you’re fighting for every inch of space, what are some of your top design strategies for making the most of a small living room, bedroom, or home office?
It all starts with a willingness to think of your space differently than initially imagined, and being creative with how items are stored.
1. Consider vertical space. Whether or not you have tall ceilings, consider designs that span from floor to ceiling, to capitalize on wall space. Store the items you use often lower, and decorative or off-season items higher.
2. Be intentional with storage solutions. Select bins or baskets that are specifically designed for the items you store within. Consider a drawer or cabinet, over an exposed shelf. Tailoring your storage solutions will evoke purpose and reduce clutter.
3. Chose light and airy finishes. Light-colored pieces take up less space visually to create an illusion of more space. Additionally, the use of mirrors will reflect light and add depth to the room.
4. Think of spaces and furniture that can be “multi-functional.” If you’re debating whether your extra room should be used as a guest bedroom or office, why not have both?! Consider a wall bed that can fold up when you need it to, and provide more floor space, rather than working around a physical bed. California Closets even offers a wall bed with desk attached, so that you don’t have to compromise work space for entertaining those visitors that come to the city.
Tell us about one of your favorite recent projects. What was the process like and what makes the finished result stick out to you?
I really enjoyed working with a local non-profit in the city, Bottomless Closet to create new organizing solutions for their workspace. Bottomless Closet’s mission is to “be the connection that inspires and guides disadvantaged New York City women to enter the workforce and achieve success.” In addition to providing resume assistance and interview coaching, Bottomless Closet allows women to select professional outfits from donated clothing, ensuring they feel confident and prepared for their job opportunities.
I had the privilege of redesigning several spaces within their workspace to optimize the organization of donated clothing, shoes, and accessories. Working closely with their team and gaining insights into their daily operations was instrumental in developing effective design solutions to streamline their processes. We implemented new drawers, maximized hanging space, and utilized floor-to-ceiling storage to make the most of their available resources.
Contributing to Bottomless Closet’s mission was deeply impactful for me as a designer. My hope is that the designs we intentionally crafted together will continue to support them in uplifting the women of our New York community.
In a no-expense-spared home renovation, what kind of customizations or technologies would you want to incorporate?
Lighting! Lighting is a truly transformative element in design, capable of turning a space into a luxurious experience. The strategic use of lighting not only illuminates but also accentuates and elevates the atmosphere of a room.
For instance, lighting from the top of a shelf creates a natural downward flow of light, gently illuminating items and creating a sense of focus and hierarchy. This technique can be particularly effective for showcasing prized possessions or creating a sophisticated display in a living room or study. Conversely, lighting from the side of a partition or feature wall casts a broader, more expansive illumination. This approach lends a modern and dynamic feel to the space, emphasizing textures and forms while infusing the environment with a full-bodied glow.
In essence, effective use of lighting is about more than just illumination; it’s about sculpting and defining the space. Consider adding lighting elements to your design, you will not be disappointed!
What, to you, are timeless upgrades or renovations homeowners can make to their residences to enhance their lifestyle and home value?
Consider exploring under-utilized areas within your home—spaces that, with better organization, could significantly enhance functionality. For instance, in a living room, integrating a hutch or entertainment center can provide stylish storage for media and decor and serve as a focal point aesthetically. By customizing these pieces to fit seamlessly into the space, you both maximize storage and elevate the overall design of the room.
Additionally, I have a lot of clients that create custom wardrobes in bedrooms that lack a closet. The idea of a wardrobe, in itself, is traditional and “homey,” while also providing immense storage capabilities that echo the same functionality of a standard closet. Obviously, adding more “closet space” (even in the form of a wardrobe), adds tremendous value to the home.
Ultimately, introducing storage solutions where none currently exist not only enhances the home’s overall value but also opens up more opportunities for effective organization. Look at those empty walls, and think about the possibilities!
Lastly, what are some of your favorite design trends right now and what would you like to see get more popular in the future?
I love that there is a push to use more eco-friendly materials, such as reclaimed wood or recycled plastics, in closet construction and throughout the interior design world. In my opinion, not only is it commendable that we’re collectively reducing environmental impact, but I also believe these elements add a unique character and warmth to closet designs.
California Closets works with a sustainable leather and fabrication company, EcoDomo. By incorporating their beautiful, eco-friendly finishes into our doors, drawers, and accessories, we not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our products but also support sustainable practices throughout our design process.
Closet design is increasingly becoming a blend of functionality, style, and innovation, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of clients. As technology continues to advance and sustainability becomes a central focus in design trends, I strongly believe that the future holds exciting possibilities for new and creative closet solutions.
Scott Arnold is dedicated to your vision and a joy to work with, which is what you can expect with everyone at California Closets New York. The brand, which has been in business for 41 years, is committed to giving their clients an enriching experience from the initial design meeting to the final day of installation.
With seven showroom locations in the Tri-state area, and a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Westchester, California Closets is known for its innovative, custom spatial solutions and superior craftsmanship. Most importantly, their aim is to help you create where you belong and create your sanctuary.
To find your closest showroom or seek a thorough, free design consultation for your unique spaces, click here.