To me, a closet has always been a place with a single rod to hang clothes from, and a door to hold in all the clutter tossed in right before entertaining company. But with all the bells and whistles available, modern closets are anything but an afterthought in home construction, or a simple storage space. They can become entire multi-functioning rooms unto themselves. There's practically no limit when it comes to concepts, materials - and costs. With all the closet options out there today, it might just be true: if you can think it, they can build it. And after a little dreaming, the closet possibilities begin to resemble an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous": some options with "Lifestyles"-like price tags, and some surprisingly inexpensive.

If you have a lot of fur coats, or plenty of jewels that need safe-keeping, a hidden walk-in storage vault might be the right option for you. Get Organized, located in Eastview Mall, can install anything from a simple wall safe (hidden by hanging clothes) to a walk-in vault (hidden by a moveable clothes rack or shelving unit), according to Laurie Posadny, buyer and manager of the store.  Since every unit is custom, says Posadny, built-in safes and vaults start around $200, but can go well into the thousands.

If you have a lot of clothes, and little patience for shuffling through racks of them, Get Organized can also install a rotating bar into most closets. This bar would bring the clothes to you, similar to the movable racks in dry cleaners.

While Colby Means, owner of Closet Concepts of Rochester, hasn't installed a rotating clothes rack, he has built and installed valet rods - rods that pull out of the wall so you can hang an entire outfit on it, from the shirt to the shoes. It acts as your own personal mannequin, giving you a preview of your day's outfit, and the ability to mix and match before getting dressed.

And for the shoe connoisseur, or those with a weakness for stilettos or a passion for pumps, there are a host of shoe racks that can accommodate any closet space, and virtually any amount of footwear.

Get Organized's Posadny suggests using the back of your closet door space with an over-the-door shoe rack. These pocket-lined drapes clip onto the top of a closet door, can hold 10 to 20 pairs of shoes, and come in such a wide variety of brands that there's bound to be one for every taste and budget. There are also custom shoe racks that can go floor to ceiling. Whether they are shelves, racks, slots, or pouches, they can cram a lot of shoes into a tiny space, all the while keeping them easily accessible.

If you have the space, consider a folding ironing board installed right into your walk-in. With this amenity, wrinkle-free clothing is all but guaranteed. But despite all the options, Means of Closet Concepts says that most people still choose a more basic closet design, which includes a variety of rods, racks, shelves, and maybe a few drawers, usually built with metal and plastic, a much more economical option than wood. A simple redesigned and rebuilt closet can start at around $100.

If you're set on wood, and are looking for a natural moth-preventing and mildew-resistant material, closets can be made entirely out of cedar. While this wood may be more aromatic than most, it also comes with a large price tag. Posadny says a full cedar closet can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Side Bar:

Organizing on the cheap

To organize your closet space without breaking the bank, or to add extra storage when redesigning your closet is not an option, Janise Beguhl, a professional organizer and owner of Shipshape Organizing, has given City some quick tips and simple do's and don'ts to get you started. 

De-clutter by getting rid of items If you don't love it or use it, let it go (sell it, donate it, etc.)

The most used items should be easiest to get to in your closet Tuxedos and formal dresses can probably find a place in the back corner.

Hangers that are the same color and style make a closet seem more organized Uniformity brings the look of organization.

Save space by hanging things worn daily on the back of a door Thinkpajamas, bathrobes, etc.

Save space by keeping only in-season clothes in the closet The rest can easily be stored in well-sealed containers placed in the attic, basement, or under the bed.

Get extra storage by using bed lifts These can raise your bed about six inches, giving you plenty of space to store boxes (and cost about $12 for a set of four).