Before Starting Your Closet Project

Designing a closet that is both attractive and functional requires some preparation. Finding the correct closet system that fits the size of your room is essential, as is selecting a style, such as wood or wire, that blends the desired aesthetic with the most practical layout. Consider how you use your closet. Do you hang more clothes or fold and stack? If you have a lot of dresses, skirts, and pants, or if you like to hang your blouses and sweaters instead of folding them, consider a storage solution with more hanging rods than shelves. If you fold more of your clothes and keep more items in baskets and containers, adding additional shelf space is the way to go. Do you enjoy getting ready in your closet? You might want to consider designing a setting that permits the room to accomplish this. Understanding your storage requirements and dressing routines will make it easier to design a closet that works for you. To get started, follow the advice and ideas provided below.

Step 1. Measure the Space

Take precise measurements of the closet using a tape measure, pencil, and notepad.

• Take a measurement of the height between the floor and the ceiling.
• Calculate how much wall space is usable. Measure the back wall of reach-in closets. Measure the side and rear walls of walk-in closets.
• Determine the space’s depth.

The depth of shelves, the quantity of shelving and hardware required, and the available options are all determined by these three parameters.

Step 2. Choose Your Style

Walk-In vs. Reach-In

Reach-In vs. Walk-In

In essence, walk-in closets are little spaces used for storing clothing. They typically have their own lighting and are large enough for two people to share. Smaller, more functional areas are reach-in closets. You may practically reach in and grab a sweater, a pair of shoes, an accessory, or whatever else you need to get dressed for the day when the doors are open because you can access almost everything that is stored there. Depending on your needs, style, vision, and budget, you can use wire or wood closet organizers and components to customize your reach-in or walk-in closet in a variety of ways.

There are numerous ways to create your new closet design. Buying a kit is the easiest method. There are numerous possibilities for wire or wood when using a closet kit. You can buy the individual components and create the full closet yourself for a personalized do-it-yourself closet makeover.

• You can purchase custom units by the linear foot.
• There are prepackaged kits according to the size of the wall (5-by-8-foot is the most frequent).
• Drawers, additional shelves, tie and belt hooks, hampers, and other accessories provide specific storage as required.

Wire Closet Organizers

A white wire closet system with mesh basket drawers, shelves, and hanging rods for a reach-in closet.

Components for wire shelving and closets are less costly, simpler to install, and compatible with a variety of closet sizes. Surfaces and clothing are protected from harm by a smooth, powder-coated finish. Seek out continuous sliding rods so that your hangers can move freely throughout the bar. You’ll need the following for a standard closet that is 4 feet by 8 feet:

• Shelving rails that are horizontal
• Uprights and brackets for vertical shelves
• Shelves
• Rods for closets
• Rod supports and end caps
• Corner pieces
• Hardware and fasteners

Wooden Closet Organizers

Wood closet organizers and shelving are strong, reasonably priced, and aesthetically pleasing. Drawers, closet rods, and other accessories are included with these packages. Although the installation is a little more complicated than wire systems, it is still do-it-yourself. You’ll need the following for a standard closet that is 4 feet by 8 feet:

• Corner or tower units
• Shelves
• Rods for closets
• Drawers
• Hardware and fasteners

Step 3. Customize Your Closet

It’s time to construct your own closet now that you know your measurements. Remember to take into account the following:

Towers of Closets

Wood closet systems include closet towers, which provide extra shelf space. Folded clothes, such as jeans and sweaters, are excellent for keeping in towers. Additionally, you can store shoes, bags, and caps on the shelves. You can build hidden storage using some that work with drawer units.

Rods for Hanging

Double-hang rods allow you to double your storage capacity for items like blouses, slacks, skirts, and shirts. Typically, the top and bottom rods are positioned approximately 84 and 42 inches above the ground, respectively. Typically, single-hang poles are positioned 70 inches above the ground for items like gowns, coats, robes, etc.

Shelves

Here are some ideas for closet storage if your ceiling is high. To maximize your storage space, install a single shelf that is 85-1/2 inches high and extends around the whole perimeter of your closet. To increase storage space, install shorter shelves at different heights throughout the remainder of the closet. For stacked clothing, space the shelves vertically at least 12 inches apart.

Drawers, Cubbies, and Baskets

Put sweaters in baskets, shoes and purses in cubbies, and belts and socks in drawers. You can mix and match closet kits for your convenience because many of them are customizable.

Additional Accessories

Additional features that help customize your closet to your needs include shoe storage, belt and tie organizers, and valet poles or hooks. You can hide stuff on the shelves by adding doors to wood closet kits.

Closet Organizing Ideas

Consider how you’ll make the most of your storage and organizing space after selecting and installing your closet organization system. The following points should be remembered:

• In order for your items to clear the rear wall, your closet should be at least 24 inches deep.
• Make sure the vertical distance between any shelves you build for women’s shoes is between 6 and 7 inches.
• The vertical distance between shelves used to store folded clothing should be around 12 inches.
• Installing double hanging rods requires that they be at least 84 inches high.
• The amount of space occupied by various articles of clothing on the hanging rod varies. One inch is occupied by shirts and blouses, one and a quarter inches by pants and skirts, and two to three inches by dresses, jackets, and suits.

Walk-In Closet Ideas

To keep things tidy and orderly, you need make sure your walk-in closet is set up properly. Here are some ideas to make the most of your available space.

Planning

Planning and identifying your unique demands are crucial. Do you own a lot of jewelry, purses, clothes, or shoes? Or is your closet stocked with ties and suits? This will be something you should consider. Using a modular closet system that you can customize to your needs is the ideal approach to construct a useful walk-in closet. They come in wire closet systems and wood closet organizers.

Essentials for your Closet

After choosing between a wire or wood system, it’s time to think about what you’ll need. Here are some suggestions.

• Vary the length of the rods. For robes, long jackets, and dresses, use high rods. Alternatively, use low rods for shirts and high rods for pants.
• Include drawers for T-shirts, sportswear, pajamas, underwear, and other items.
• Store linens, bags, purses, caps, and sweaters on wire or wood shelves.
• Additional Features

There are several accessories that can enhance convenience and functionality once you’ve chosen the essentials for your closet.

• To make it simple to locate your favorite heels or shoes, use shoe cubbies, shoe shelves, or hanging organizers.
• Include a freestanding or wall-mounted mirror that can be used to store jewelry.
• To keep your accessories organized, install a rack for belts and ties.
• Remember to keep off-season favorites in containers and baskets.

Final Details

Here are some extras to think about if you want to design a sophisticated closet with all the bells and whistles.

• Use an island for accessories in large walk-in closets.
• Arrange a lovely ensemble or hang the clothing for tomorrow on a valet rod.
• For a cozy spot to put on your shoes, add a bench.
• To stabilize the area, add a soft rug layer.
• To add ambiance, hang a contemporary pendant or a glittering chandelier.
• Apply wallpaper to the ceiling or an accent wall.

Ideas for Shoe Storage

We have some shoe storage suggestions that can be useful if you have a closet full of shoes but are unable to arrange them.

Integrated Storage

Some shoe organization tips can help you, regardless of how big or small your walk-in closet is. Depending on the amount of room you have, built-ins like the ones in the above image are perfect for holding a few pairs of shoes or dozens. To make it easier to see your preferred heels or sandals, wooden shoe racks are angled slightly.

Shoe Shelves That Stand Alone

You can place a freestanding shoe shelf on the ground. Two to three shelves are the norm for them. For more storage, you can pull out the adjustable rods on some.

Cabinets for Storing Shoes

Put your shoes in a cabinet if you don’t want them to be seen. Although it looks like furniture, it can accommodate up to ten pairs of shoes when opened. Shoe storage cabinets are excellent for mudrooms, garages, entryways, and other spaces where you need more shoe storage than a closet.

Shoe Racks Over the Door

A shoe rack that hangs over the entrance is an option if you’re short of floor and shelf space. Usually constructed of canvas or plastic, these convenient shoe racks have a capacity of 10 to 36 pairs.

Clothing Racks

Whether you need more storage or convenience, a sturdy clothing rack is a great addition to closet management. Double-rod models make excellent use of vertical space, enabling you to arrange clothes, stage multiple days’ worth of clothing for a vacation, or enlarge your wardrobe. Shelves increase storage capacity or allow you to coordinate accessories with an ensemble. Whether you need a location to let clothing air dry or, if the rack has wheels, a convenient way to carry clothes from the laundry room to a closet, clothes racks can be helpful for laundry.

Organization of the Baby Closet

For baby closets or closets in a child’s room, adjustable closet systems are excellent options. Keep commonly used goods at eye level with a lower rod and out-of-season clothing on a top rod. Utilize the area between clothing and the floor by adding stackable storage cubes, and keep small goods like games, shoes, and toys in storage bins and bags. Use the bins and storage cubes elsewhere and reorganize the area to accommodate your child’s growing wardrobe.

Install Your Custom Closet

After gathering your supplies, start the installation. The hardware needed to secure shelves to the walls may vary depending on the type of wall in your closet:

• Wall anchors may be necessary to support paneling or drywall.
• To drill 1/4-inch-by-1-inch holes in concrete or masonry, you’ll need a masonry bit and #8 1-inch screws.
• Use #8 1-inch screws instead of anchors for solid wood.
• Instead of building your shelves from the ground up, you might choose to use a wood closet organizer kit to revamp your closet. These days, a lot of kits can hold any mix of hanging clothing, storage bins, and baskets and look just as lovely as custom-built models. Depending on your preferences, the shelf can be positioned at varying heights or level with the closet tower’s top. Some kits also come with drawers.