Need Help designing master closet layout

7 years ago

We are halfway through our build of our new house and we are trying to think about how we will organize the master closet. The space is ~5'x11'. This is the room we have to work with and it's too late to change the floor plan so please hold off on the "floor plan modification" comments. We were thinking maybe 2 racks of clothes on either of the short ends and then trying to fit shelves/shoe racks somewhere? Any ideas on the best/most efficient layout? There is a 2'6" archway entrance to the closet area as seen in the photo.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Toronto Veterinarian

7 years ago

This is kind of a "walk in but then don't move" closet. That's OK - I have one of those too.....mine is a touch wider (5.5'), but shorter. I agree that putting a hanging rack against the long wall will leave you with just under 3' of space between the racks and the wall (with the doorway), but that's still enough to stand there and choose what you're looking for; I know, because I've been doing exactly that for 12 years. However, it means you can't really put any storage furniture along the wall with the doorway.......So now you've got the back wall for hanging racks (you can do multi levels), and a very small amount of depth for shelves or a set of drawers at each short end. If you make the shelves on the short sides too deep (even where it won't bump into the doorway), it will conflict with the hanging clothes - either you won't be able to get to the shelves, or you wont' be able to get to the hanging things. (Of course, you could use a corner under a hanging rack for seasonal storage, only getting in there two or three times a year to switch out swimsuits and sandals for sweaters and thermal underwear.)

You can still get creative with some of the space along the wall with the archway, using it for things that really have no depth to storing them -- a rack for belts or scarves, for instance, or maybe hanging jewelry storage.

Also, remember to think about YOUR (collective) personal clothing storage needs, which aren't the same for everyone. I have very little need for full-length hanging space, for instance, as I wear almost no dresses. That means I can use half-height hanging space, and still have space for drawers and/or shelves beneath them......all my jeans and casual pants hanging over a chest of drawers.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
The problem is this is not a walkin closet. Once you have naging space on one side you will only have 3’ walk space not even. IMO you would be better off opening the long side and doing a well organized reach in clost maybe like Pax from Ikea.
Mrs Pete
7 years ago
As stated above, this closet really isn't deep enough to be a true walk-in closet. Here's the best thing you could do with it:

- Open the arch wider /in the middle of the closet.

- One solid wall of hanging clothes across the back.

- Two sets of stack-up shelves (sweaters, purses, shoes), which could be 2'9".
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PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
7 years ago
Allow about 24" depth for hanging clothes, either double pole both ends with 1-2 shelves above or double the entire back wall as shown above. Shelving can be 12-16" deep. The remaining door wall could have hook strips.

Worst case you have almost 20 lineal feet of hanging space. So how many pairs of shoes are we talking about ..... Imelda?

With small closets sometimes a professional closet organizer/builder is worth the money.
remodeling1840
7 years ago
Depending on budget, go to Container Store, Lowe’s, or a custom closet company. Look carefully at the clothes you will use. The booklets for closet systems ask you to inventory your clothes. For example, my closet needed double rods 36” long for shirts above, pants and skirts below. I needed 20” of longer hanging space for dresses, including floor length gowns and street length dresses. I needed 6 24” shelves for purses, sweaters, etc. I had room for two full width shelves over the rods for boxes to store out of season clothing. My DH’s closet required different configurations, including the double hanging rods to be spaced farther apart to account for his longer length shirts and pants. For us personally the Closet Maid system that has a fixed Shelf Track and standards and brackets that can be easily moved if your needs change.
Cheryl Smith
7 years ago
My husband is sleeping so I don't want to go in and measure but it sounds about the same size as the closet in our new house. The house was built in 2006 and had built-ins already there. It works but is a little tight. since I have more shoes I had my husband move his shoe shelf to my side. I added a shoe cubby on the entry wall too that makes it tighter but gives a spot to put things temporarily and hung scarves above. Also added a couple doublue shelves from Walmart above the hanging racks. I got one of those folding helpers you see store employees use, couldn't live without it now. The bathroom is beige but all I see is pink. it really looks pink in this picture. it's the only room we haven't painted over yet I hate it. I don't like that they put carpet in the closet either instead of the extending the flooring from the bathroom.