This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreeYourClutter #CollectiveBias

When Jeremy finished building our house two years ago, we began to install several Rubbermaid® closet systems. I purchased enough for a closet at a time, until we had them installed in most of our house. I put off doing the laundry room closet, and I’m almost ashamed to show you how cluttered it was. It became a catch-all for things that I decided we didn’t have room for elsewhere. The Rubbermaid® FastTrack® and Rubbermaid® HomeFree Series™ Closet Kits are easy to install, and you can quickly add-on to an existing Rubbermaid® system. Today I’m sharing some closet organization tips and tips for installing Rubbermaid® FastTrack® pantry kit with optional accessories.

The rubbermaid 1823150 fasttrack Extension Cord Hook is part of the FastTrack Garage Organization System. A locking gripper and push/pull lever make it easy to attach and adjust on the rail so you can create a customized garage storage system that can change as your storage needs change.

One of the greatest advantages to installing a Rubbermaid® Closet System is the ability to add-on accessories as you need them or when you have the budget for them. I prioritized finishing the laundry room closet last, and it quickly became a cluttered eyesore. I breathed a sweet sigh of relief when we finished it, and I could start reorganizing. We chose the Rubbermaid® FastTrack® Pantry Kit for our laundry room closet. The 4×4 kit was the correct size for our space, and included all the base pieces that we needed. Most of the Rubbermaid® systems in our home started with one of the kits because like I mentioned previously, they’re expandable.

Want to see the laundry room closet that I’m so ashamed of? Yes, that’s the cats’ litter box.

This laundry room closet is oddly shaped and our kitchen is on the opposite wall. I wanted to make the most out of this small space to store items that I didn’t have use for elsewhere. I like to buy paper goods in bulk, and I knew this would be a good storage space for that.

Jeremy, Gabe, and I headed to Lowe’s to look for the system that the Rubbermaid® Storage Planner recommended, and the matching accessories. Our local Lowe’s has a nice selection of Rubbermaid® HomeFree™ and Rubbermaid® FastTrack® kits.

Before you go, carefully measure the space where you plan to install your Rubbermaid® closet system. The kit we chose was a very tight fit, but ultimately fit perfectly. The top of our closet was slightly wider than the bottom, and we could have easily ran into trouble.

Rubbermaid has an online Rubbermaid® Storage Planner, that really helps with planning your space and itemizing what you need.

I purchased

How To Install Rubbermaid Fasttrack Garage Shelving

• Rubbermaid® FastTrack® Pantry Kit
• Rubbermaid® FastTrack® White Plastic Wardrobe Kit accessory (the Pantry accessory was out of stock)
• Rubbermaid® HomeFree Series™ White Wire Shoe Shelf Kit (to add-on to our existing system in our master closet)
• Extra vertical and top mount bracket to install the wardrobe kit separate from the pantry kit.

Jeremy and I emptied the closet when we arrived back home, and prepped the space for installation.

Jeremy gathered the tools he needed including his stud finder, level, drill, tape measure, hammer, a pencil, and some screwdrivers.

He used his stud finder to locate all of the wall studs and marked them. Jeremy then drilled pilot holes to install the top steel rail. He installed wall anchors in the locations that didn’t have studs.

Once the rails are installed, the rest of the installation is a snap (literally).

There are multiple ways that you can install a Rubbermaid® kit, and a wide variety of accessories available. The Rubbermaid® FastTrack® White Steel Valet Rod was out of stock in-store, and I hope to purchase it on our next trip to Lowe’s to help with hanging laundry straight from the dryer.

Doesn’t our closet look better?

We couldn’t install deep shelving in the area above, the attic access door is just above this nook.

Here is a glimpse of some of our other closets and our pantry. Please excuse the mess, we live here. Now that I have the laundry room organized, I hope to start cleaning my closets for a yard sale.

When we installed the system in our closet, we put a shelf nearly all the way around the top to store miscellaneous and/or bulk items. Jeremy loves to save his shoe boxes.

Here are some of my best closet organization tips:

Installing Rubbermaid Shelving Systems

• Always install your Rubbermaid® system according to manufacturers instructions.
• Follow the weight restrictions on your shelving, and leave space between the lowest shelf and the floor for very heavy items.
• Don’t try to tackle a closet in stages. Make time to pull everything out. Sort through items that you don’t need or use, and find an organization system that works for you.
• Adding accessories helps to maximize your space, and you can add them on when you have time and money.
• Be creative with storage space, and store items that you don’t regularly use but feel that you need to keep.
• Work on eliminating clutter by sorting through unneeded or unused items regularly.

We shopped for our Rubbermaid® closet system, cleaned the closet, installed the Rubbermaid® FastTrack® Pantry Kit and accessories, and reorganized the space in a single evening. I spent just under $200 and I feel like it was money well spent.

Trying to decide between the Rubbermaid® FastTrack® and Rubbermaid® HomeFree Series™ Closet Kits? Here are a few things you should know about each:

Rubbermaid® FastTrack®

• These systems are made for laundry closets, linen closets, pantry closets, and mudrooms.
• The shelving is available in various sizes from 12 to 20 inches.
• The rails and uprights are made of durable steel, and easily customizable to fit your space.

Rubbermaid® HomeFree Series™

• This system was made with bedroom closets in mind.
• Available in expandable wardrobe kits for closets 3-6 feet, 4-8 feet or 6-10 feet in length.
• Can be used on both walk-in and reach-in closets
• A wide selection of accessories that make expanding or customize your closet easier.
• No cutting necessary and kits include all installation hardware.

I’m about to tackle organizing my Master Closet this afternoon. Who’s up for a yard sale this weekend?

For more great organization tips and inspiration please visit Rubbermaid on

Is your two car garage really a no car garage with all the clutter you’ve got messing it up?

Don’t waste that empty wall. Get a Rubbermaid FastTrack garage system to help you organize. It combines endless flexibility with strength and style – you’ll wonder how you’ve managed without it for so long.

Photo credit: Rubbermaid Products.

Check out the rest of our Rubbermaid FastTrack series to learn everything you need to know about this simple system and take your garage back now.

• Part 2: 9 Ways The Rubbermaid Fast Track System Can Help You
• Part 3: Rubbermaid Garage Organizer Review
• Part 4: Popular Rubbermaid FastTrack Shelving & Accessories
• Part 5: Fast Track Rubbermaid FAQs

What is the FastTrack system?

This garage organization system from Rubbermaid comprises a wall mounted rail and attachable storage accessories. The rail is available in 48″ and 84″ pieces.

The rail can be mounted quickly and easily and then the accessories, including hooks and shelving, are snapped on. They can just as easily be snapped off and relocated elsewhere on the rail if your storage needs change.

The hooks, racks, shelves, baskets and other accessories can store up to 2000 lbs of your tools and equipment, from bikes, to spades, to wheelbarrows.

You are no longer restricted to hanging things where you wall studs happen to be. You can now use the entire length of the wall and even double up with a two tier system.

> Click HERE to let Rubbermaid solve your garage storage problems <

How to use FastTrack to organize your garage

STEP 1 – Get started and clear out your clutter

As with any organizing project, the basics do not change even when you buy yourself an efficient system! So start by going through what on earth it is you’ve got in your garage and toss or donate anything that you no longer need or use.

Don’t put off starting this job. If your garage clutter is going to take a while to sort through, get started by just going through a drawer, a corner or a box today and move onto other small tasks as you get time.

STEP 2 – Sort your items and plan your purchases

Once you are down to the items that you want to keep, sort them into groups of like items, for example, small tools, power tools, garden tools, sports equipment. Then you are in a position to work out how much FastTrack rail you will need and what accessories will be most appropriate. Remember that most hooks can hold up to 50 lbs of weight, but it is worth checking their capacity before purchase.

STEP 3 – Think about the best way to organize your items

Rubbermaid Fasttrack Garage System

Consider how to organize your items into zones (such as garden, recreation or seasons) and mount your rails accordingly. You might find that having a recreation wall and a gardening wall works for you if you have room, or perhaps you could split one wall into summer and winter activities. If you only have room or the budget to store one season’s items at a time, you could keep the off-seasons’ items in storage until the time comes. So perhaps your bikes will come out in summer and your skis will be returned to storage.

How To Install Rubbermaid Fasttrack Anchors

STEP 4 – Mount the rail and get your things off the floor

Mount the rail and find the right hook for the right item. Snap it onto the rail and start putting things into place. When you are snapping your accessories onto the rail, try and keep those items that you will use most often in the easiest to reach position, with less used items being hung up high (unless they are heavy and would be dangerous to take down). You could use your higher rail for things that you want to keep out of the reach of your kids.

Installing a Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage System

It really is easy to install this system – take a look:

> Click HERE to let Rubbermaid solve your garage storage problems <

Rubbermaid Installation Instructions

For a simple yet functional garage storage system, FastTrack rails and accessories from Rubbermaid storage are something no garage should be without.

Install Rubbermaid Fasttrack Rail

Like this post?Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more FREE!