Help needed - design me a closet system - tricky!

6 years ago

This closest has some recessed space at either end that is hard to access. The closet opening is smaller than the closet, and half the shelving goes into the recessed space. I cannot, for the life of me, keep things organized on the shelves because it’s hard to reach stuff. We are ripping it out on Black Friday and putting in something more functional. It had bifold doors which we just removed. The opening is 4’ and the closet is about 6’ wide, so at least 12” of recessed space at either end. I have to be able to store extra bath towels there since the attached bathroom is tiny. There is good vertical space above the existing wood shelf, but at 5’ tall, I’d have to put rarely used items or my husbands stuff up there. Thanks!!

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ShadyWillowFarm
Original Author

6 years ago

Here is my updated closet:

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Comments (7)

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HALLETT & Co.
6 years ago
A closet organizer from Home Depot is perfect. It will give you more hanging space with the shelves in the middle. The clothes on hangers are what need to be in the two ends because you can push them around easily. I would add cleats to the wall at the level of the top of the center portion so I could put in another shelf across the whole top.
latifolia
6 years ago
I have something similar in my sewing room, although mine is wider and 9’ high. I got a crazy high estimate from a closet place, plus they were going to waste a lot of space using their standard pieces.

Instead, I got some double track (heavy duty) shelf standards (kv or similar), two on each end and 12” heavy duty brackets.

I found a guy to make shelves to go the width of the ends and fit behind the door casings. I can adjust them as needed. All my fabric is stored there. I had him build an extra u-shaped shelf around the top, where I store bins of lace and embroidery stuff, as well as extra pillows and blankets.

I need a step ladder to access the high shelf, but that was always going to be the case with 9’ ceilings. This has proven to be a great system, at a fraction of the cost.
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apple_pie_order
6 years ago
Is this your main closet? One or two people?
roccouple
6 years ago
this may be a controversial answer but I might consider blocking off 6” of space on either end. Or widening the opening which is a bigger deal. But if you cant use the space it might as well not exist. If you get shelves and put spacers behind so they stand away from the side walls that could work. As a longer term goal you could save up to widen the opening. It looks like sliding doors may Be your best option if you want doors, or a curtain, because you have door collision issues. Good luck!
ShadyWillowFarm
Original Author
6 years ago
I think the closet organizer with shelves in the center is the best bet. Thanks!!
kootenaycapable
6 years ago
I would put 12" shelves that are the depth of the closet on the ends where the walls are, mount a bar above that, then a full length shelf above the bar. Imagine if the shelves on your current closet organizer were perpendicular to where they are now, and filled in the area behind the wall. Also, I think that is your bath right beside the closet. Could you make that 1 foot of space part of the bathroom storage. I hope you can understand what I'm trying to say, because I'm having difficulty explaining my thoughts.