Hello, thanks for taking time to comment. This is the main closet for anyone who enters. So ideally guests could use the space too. But currently that would be embarrassing. lol

Since it’s so deep I thought maybe we could put in French-type doors so

There would be better access. But still, trying to figure out what exact storage solution and maybe I just need help with organization!

I’ll take a look at the Elfa series!

I have lived with bypass doors on closets and I absolutely detest them. I vastly prefer french doors because both can be open at the same time. In your closet, I’d have shelving installed floor to ceiling in the red box area I drew. And maybe at the opposite end, shallow shoe shelving floor to ceiling.

Be sure to have excellent lighting - not just one overhead light. Nothing worse than a crowded, dark closet.

Oh thank you for mentioning lighting!! That didn’t even cross my mind but would make it so much more user friendly.

I’ve never thought to put shelving on the ends caps since it’s so deep, it’s hard to figure out how to access those shelves if I put custom built-ins…..

Here’s another picture with your shoe racks on the left. Something I forgot to mention - both sets of shelving should NOT be solid shelving but rather some type of coated wire. So light will shine down through.

Also, have you seriously considered paring down the items stored here? Sometimes we toss stuff in because there’s room and before we know it those things haven’t been touched in three years. Stuff like that belongs elsewhere such as attics, basements, garages, or even the local Goodwill store.

Oh I see why the metal shelves provide better light, that’s nice. How would you use the middle area? With the shelves going all the way back I’m having a hard time seeing the additional pieces together. I’m definitely thinking about changing this to a French-door style for better access

I have gone through 5 different purges, lol, we majorly downsized into this much smaller home and I just got burnt out.

Now I’m back at it, and your feedback really helps! The items in the upper boxes are used seasonally (bb guns, hats, gloves), the dresser holds my reusable bags, scarves, car vacuum, sunglasses, and I tend to store stuff in here that I don’t want out on the kitchen island.

In our last house we changed the bypass doors to regular swing doors and I was so glad I did it. In this house I didn’t change them, but we just seem to live differently. Having more of a mudroom has helped.

Looking at the two sides - you do a good job on the left side using the space from top to bottom. On the right, there is a lot of open/unused space above the drawers. Do you use that mirror? You need that wall space!

Because the right side has a deeper "dead space" than the left I would hang clothes there - to me, it's easier to reach back for jackets than to use shelves or drawers.

Do you live in the midwest? I really like Dakota Closets from Menards. I have put them in 4 closets, between our current house and our last one. They are easy to assemble, and can have hanging rods, shelves, and drawers.

The big thing for you is going to be determining how much storage space you need, and what kind. Do not limit yourself to thinking about modifying what you have - start from scratch. Are the drawers useful for you, or would baskets or tubs on shelves make more sense?

Here is the closet by our garage door. The greatest thing is the shelves for shoes (I put carpet squares on the shelves, so wet shoes on the top don't drip on shoes below). There is another wire shelf above the one you see - that's where I put our winter boots in the off season. I didn't tidy up for this photo - this is as bad as it gets, since everything has a place.

Yes more upright storage - where the mirror is - would help a lot. I’m not sure I understand where you would put the coats? I’m super visual so it’s harder to imagine without a sketch or something, lol

My drawers are pretty packed but I think open shelves with clear bins could work as well. I use the mirror as my lipstick mirror before leaving the house, but could just do it in my bathroom!

I would put the coats on the right side, and shelves/drawers on the left.

Is there anyone that has the ability to do a 3D layout?

Update: I took all the awesome ideas and drew it out to scale. I’m still trying to figure out the best option to replace the doors, without blocking the items on the left and right side.

I’m also trying to find ideas for creating a area to gather/charge my vacuum, mop and brooms