10 Elements of the Perfect Closet
We Can Dream, Can't We? Get Ideas for Your Ultimate Walk-In Closet
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern clean spaces and timeless vintage decor which makes for a unique eye. I work in Los Angeles but offer e-design services nationally. Visit my website and my blog at http://www.veneerdesigns.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern... More »
Many of us dream about the walk-in closet with built-in storage to maximize our wardrobe potential and keep us neatly organized. Now that we have done our spring cleaning and purged what we could, let's organize what remains (which always still seems like way too much) for maximum efficiency and good looks. Here are 10 great closet layouts to inspire your own makeover.
Plan for enough rod length. The first rule of thumb when planning your closet is at least 48" of rod length per person in the household. Here a dark stained wood built-in closet takes on a masculine seriousness.
Add a vanity. A more feminine closet has light painted built-ins and a vanity area on top of the drawers. Sometimes more drawer space needs to be sacrificed to provide a vanity wall mirror and a surface to place jewelry and perfume bottles on.
Include ample light. Lighting is very important. Bright lights allow us to see what we are about to wear, especially in closets carved out of space deeper in the room, away from natural light.
Maximize your vertical space. The minimum height of rods is 63" for street dresses. You can fit two rods in your 48" long allotted space by allowing 45" for hanging pants and shirts.
Include a mirror. A full-length mirror is very important to seeing how the outfit comes together. Here, the clothes are hidden behind frosted glass for a modern and extra tidy feel.
Decorate. Closets spaces can take on their own personality, like a tiny room. A statement rug and pretty wall decorations create a darling space I would want to spend time in to pick out outfits for a young child.
Add a seat. Trying on outfits can be tiring. Provide seating, even if it's a small built-in bench to try on shoes, or drape rejected clothes items on. This custom tufted version with the small chandelier above is trés chic. I feel glamorous just thinking about getting dressed here.
Get creative. You can create your dream closet in otherwise unusable rooms. An awkward attic space with slanted ceilings would be used for storage of seasonal decorations, winter coats, and old board games. This wise homeowner created a storage haven with custom built-ins that maximize the atypical ceiling heights. A skylight provides natural light and the white cabinets with white painted walls and white ottoman upholstery allow for a clean canvas against which to build outfits.
Do it yourself. The IKEA Stolmen system is a budget-minded organizer's dream. It offers components you can mix and match that work with a tension-mounted pole system allowing you to customize the system to your needs and install it ourself inside a closet or against a blank wall. I have been very happy with this system.
Or go all out. And for drool-worthy inspiration: Natural light, traditional glass pendants, a charming floor runner make for a gorgeous custom-built closet along one wall in a tight space that feels regal instead of cramped.
Next: Browse more photos of closet designs
Next: Browse more photos of closet designs
Ideabook updated on May 26, 2011.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
Good luck!
A roman shade tpe would work. You could put two up- side by side, then you can either open both or just one side at a time. See if plastic shoe boxes would fit on your shelves for shoes, if shelves are adjustable, hopefully you can stack two on a shelf. If you put all colors together, it will look more organized. Put all hangers with the hook facing you, when you wear the item, turn it around. You will know what you wear (most of us have favorites and wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time) after a season or year, get rid of the items you dont wear. This is more than you asked..as a professional organizer thought you may like some additional comments.
A nice curtain on grommets would be a great solution. You can add a curtain tie back hook on one side if you don't want to slide it open and closed all the time. (Don't throw the sliding doors away. If you own and want to sell, buyers will want the doors back on the closet, and if you rent, your landlord will ding your deposit if you don't put them back.)
The shelves in your closet appear to waste a lot of space. You can buy pull out fronted, stackable plastic bins that would hold sweaters, shoes or purses and make these shelves more organized. You also might try an over-the-door wire shoe rack to hang on the back of your bedroom door. There are some out there that hold 18-21 pair of shoes. Also, it appears that the hangers on your closet's bottom shelf are the bulky, wooden kind. You should trade these out for the thinnest non-slip hangers you can (Huggable Hangers are great) and hang pants on tiered hangers so they take up the least amount of space.
the ikea chest/shelving components shown in this section might also be a consideration to provide
versatility in a smaller closet
Also, what is a good color for a closet--does it have to match the bedroom color?
Check them out at http://www.TheStowCompany.com and on our profile at http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/23078/The-Stow-Company
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60143746
a breeze to work in a well thought out closet. But the more space you have , the more you tend to clutter up your space. Therese / Clutered Solutions.