Need help with closets

13 years ago

We just bought a condo, which is in an old industrial building. We are creating a master bedroom out of the former "media room" (otherwise known as "room without closets"). We have two choices - either put up a wall of closets within the bedroom or, and this is the way we're leaning, constructing a very long but not very wide walk-in closet ---- overall it would be about 14' x 5.5', so the plan would be to use one long wall for "wide" stuff (hanging, built-in drawers), and use the other long wall just for "other" (shoes and accessories, no more than 1' deep). The advantage for us to the "walk-in" versus the in-bedroom reach-in is that you don't have to be as neat - shoes and a hamper can go on the floor, my husband's soccer stuff can be stuffed in a corner -- that kind of thing.

What closet companies can you recommend? California Closets is big here, but I have a feeling they're more costly than others due to their advertising budget. We don't have a particularly low budget, but also don't want to spend a ton for a 'furniture' style closet.

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Comments (8)

annzgw
13 years ago
Are you a DIY person? You could buy Closet Maid from Lowes/HD and install it yourself.
Otherwise, I'd track down all the closet companies in your area and price shop.

I'd also suggest you consider going wider than 5.5' if possible. Hanging clothes take up at least 2' and with 1' of shelving on the other side that's only going to leave you 2.5' for access.
joaniepoanie
13 years ago
I used Easy Closets...at the time they were availabe throught Costco and we got a discount...not really cheap but less expensive than some of the other places. We installed. I think Coscto now partners with Closets to Go.

Wish I'd gone the Lowes/HD route..our friends did that and it was way less, but theirs is pretty simple as well..we have a hamper, etc..but definitely could have lived with a simpler set up.
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cat_mom
13 years ago
I can't say enough good things about elfa closet systems (The Container Store). Much flexibility, with the ability to return/exchange/change stuff, customizable around your indiviual storage needs, and the annual elfa sale (usually Dec 26 to mid-February); 30% off every single component, down to the wall anchors, incl installation. I love, love, LOVE the walk-in closet (with elfa closet system) that DH built for me in/off our master bedroom.
sjhockeyfan325
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm looking at Elfa - thanks for the info on the annual sale.

Joanie, why do you wish you'd gone the HD/Lowe's route instead of Easy Closets? Just cost?
joaniepoanie
13 years ago
Yes...cost. I think we spent around $1000-1200...have a hamper and drawer I never use because they are behind a door. Would have probably spent only a few hundred at Lowes. Quality is good though. Even wish I would have changed things round a bit.
Sujafr
13 years ago
We used HD Martha Stewart line for our current home and like it better than the CA Closet in a previous home and better than a custom build in another home. DH and I installed the HD MS ourselves...they ship right to your home, but he's pretty handy. Espresso or white were the same price, and we've been very happy with it. You design the layout online so it lets you see what will fit in the space you're planning. It was a better price than easy closets for the layouts we used which included quite a few drawers. I think your walk-in idea sounds preferable to walls of closets...at least I like them better. :)
mitchdesj
13 years ago
My son used the Ikea system with sliding doors , he used their installers and it looks great.
annkh_nd
13 years ago
5.5' is a little tight for clothes + shelves. I just measured our walk-in closets, and they are 4-1/2' wide with clothes on one side, and only 4' deep (DH and I each have one). There isn't a lot of room to stand. I could imagine getting a little claustrophobic in a full closet 14' long.

I don't know where this 14 x 5.5' closet is in relation to the bedroom, but if it's along the bedroom wall, I'd recommend two walk-ins side by side, each 5.5' deep and 7' wide. That would allow you to hang on both sides, or put in drawers that you can open while standing in front of them. You might be able to find a used chest of drawers or dresser, rather than built-in.