Tell me about your walk-in closet

[Anonymous]

We were on a budget and just had the contractor put in simple shelves and rods. In hindsight I’m really glad thats what we did. Becuase then I could customize the rest and change it around as needed. I went through a phase where I had lots of belts and scarves and had a hanging belt and scarf holder. When I stopped collecting those, it was easy to get rid of that holder and replace it with more functional storage. I could put hooks exactly where I wanted them and make room for a hamper. I have a small dresser that fits exactly in an otherwise awkward nook that is great for things like socks and underwear and PJs.

So think about how you like to store particular items and how you can do so in a flexible way in case you come up with a better system. If you do a whole shoe specific shelf that might not always serve your purpose and you won’t be able to use the space for something else.

[Anonymous]

We have Elfa, which is very functional and efficient, but it's not going to give you a closet-as-sanctuary feel.

My main advice is that clutter reduction will be an ongoing project, no matter how good your storage system. And don't stash stuff in your closet because you can -- put things where they belong, and if the don't have a home, find them one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, and I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. I am reading everything and it’s definitely helping me think this through. Thank you so much.

The space isn’t huge — will probably be 10’ by 7.5’, which I figure with pocket doors is enough for two “rows” with a full length mirror at one end? Maybe a tighter U-shape? I assume there’s no room for a washer dryer, though that would be amaaaazing.

Closet is shared with DH who mostly has casual clothes and button down shirts, a couple of sports jackets, not a suit guy.

Budget - would be nice to keep to 10k if thats doable. More would be over-investing for the house. TBH, for me the value is beyond financial. The part of me that longs for order/calm wants total custom cabinetry….but DH will be more practical about ROI. That said I would prefer wood/plywood to MDF if possible, but maybe that can’t be done for the budget.

I don’t need makeup in this room.
My clothes are mostly casual — very few long dresses, few dresses. A handful of skirts and nicer pants I do like seeing my clothes, so I’d ideally hang long sleeve casual shirts and thin sweaters.
Handbags: max 12?
Shoes: A couple pairs of tall boots, a couple of wedge sandals/shoes, far more flats and sneakers.

Jewelry: not a ton. I currently keep earrings attached to a strip of burlap ribbon that’s hung on a wall, and necklaces/bracelets on some hardware store hooks in wall or draped over a mirror. A better system has thus far exceeded my imagination.

The main thing I want is to stop rummaging. I am constantly rummaging in bins — undergarments and socks and tights and bathing suits and whatnot. I rummage for workout clothes, which are jumbled in with regular clothes. The rummaging is weirdly triggering for me.

We also don't have good places for the stupid, rarely-used stuff (shoe polish and water shoes and glasses cases, that sort of thing), so are always digging around for those.

Would be nice if there were room for sheets and towels, but not sure that’s realistic.

Would love good roll-out drawers or bins. Yes to valet hooks.

Based on this does it sound like my best bet is Elfa? Something else?

Again, thank you. This is out of my wheelhouse and am truly grateful for your thoughts.

Hi OP, I'm the PP who customized my own small walk-in closet with Lowe's & Home Depot. And my big coat closet with IKEA Pax (at the time the drawers had real wood veneer fronts).

IKEA has a Pax Planner. Look for that. Take a look at the corner units. See if they will fit your space. They are large. But might help maximize your space.

https://www.ikea.com/addon-app/storageone/pax/web/latest/us/en/#/planner

Also look at big box hardware stores. I used big box rods and other hardware with my IKEA cabinets.

Re: your comments bolded above.

MDF gets used a lot even by custom-built companies. Especially for painted wood. Thick MDF doesn't warp vs. thinner real wood, can paint up nicer than a knotty real wood, and is cheaper. Don't be too snobby because you don't want to spend $10K on a closet. Spend $2K and go on a dream trip instead.

I think you should go "U shaped" and put cabinets or wall units at the bends of the U and the short section (bottom of the U). In my opinion, a wall mirror at the back is a waste of wall space that could be used for a lot of cabinet space.

Try mocking up that back wall with standard IKEA units in each corner. If there are gaps, think about how a gap could be used to provide long garment hanging space either symmetrically or asymmetrically. Then, on your DH's side make two rods or shelves that have hanging space (one above the other). If the space is longer than 4 feet you may need to break the rods up with a storage tower in the middle or use wire shelving. (I don't like wire shelving because the rod is not continuous and stuff falls through the gaps.) You can do same or different on your side.

With storage towers, look at filling some shelves with jewelry drawers and junk drawers. Or just get a jewelry box. (My Pax had a two drawer jewelry drawer set with a lock. We use it as a junk drawer and don't lock it.) Also look at pull-out drawers for your foldables and lingerie.

Put 2 shelves above the rods on the long arms of the "U". Spaced narrowly for the first shelf (reduced height like shoebox height). You can store rarely used shoeboxes up high. Other shoes on the floor underneath hanging clothes. Unless you are a shoeholic, don't get custom storage for shoes. Showcasing shoes attractively is a comparative waste of space because each pair of shoes take up the width of quite a few hanging garments. You don't have that many so don't sacrifice space.

If you had a conventional closet door, you could mount or hang a full-length mirror on it. This applies to the bedroom door also.