A well-designed closet is pleasing to the eye and a major timesaver. It lets you find things quickly and keeps clothes wrinkle-free -- no need to pull out the iron.

California Closets, the cabinetry company based in San Rafael, California, has become the premier name in closet design. Its elegant, customized hardwood fixtures make the most of limited closet space. While few would question the quality of California Closets, some might question spending more than $3,000 on a closet.

You can get the California Closets look and function for less,* but you have to select, arrange and install the fixtures yourself or hire an installer. The materials often are not solid wood, but they look good and can be durable. Among the best options...

Container Store’s Elfa Décor System. Elfa fixtures are made of steel, and some have wood fronts. The Container Store’s knowledgeable employees can help with any design or installation questions either on-line or by phone. Expect to spend $2,000 or less. 888-266-8246, www.containerstore.com.

EasyClosets.com. Particleboard closets created by this Internet retailer are as attractive and well designed as those from California Closets for about two-thirds of the price. Expect to spend around $2,000. 800-910-0129, www.easyclosets.com.

Easy Track offers attractive wood laminate closet organization systems over the Internet and through home products and hardware retailers, such as The Home Depot. They’re a step down in quality from California Closets -- no crown molding, for example -- but still nice. Expect to spend around $1,600. 800-562-4257, www.easytrack.com.

Hold Everything. Hold Everything’s Alto and Fairfield modular wood-veneer closet systems are freestanding (not affixed to walls), so you can take them with you if you move. As a rule, freestanding units don’t look as elegant as installed pieces, and they aren’t as stable, because they rarely fit the space perfectly, but these work well. Hold Everything has 11 stores around the country, or you can buy on-line or through its catalog. Expect to spend around $2,500. 888-922-4117, www.holdeverything.com.

Target’s California Closets collection. Target sells modular closet organizing components made by California Closets. These freestanding particleboard pieces aren’t quite the quality of the original California Closets, but with pieces priced at $99 or less, you can construct a system for well under $2,000. Available in stores and on-line at www.target.com.

John Louis Home’s do-it-yourself closet systems. At about $1,200 to $1,500, this is the cheapest way to get the look and function of a California Closet -- if you have basic carpentry skills. The solid wood systems are available at independent retailers. 800-480-6985, www.johnlouishome.com.

*All prices are based on typical cost to completely outfit an 8-foot-by-8-foot walk-in closet and basic accessories. Prices do not include installation.