What to Consider When Designing a Walk-In Closet

Large walk-in closets are nearly every woman’s dream – there’s nothing better than having plenty of space to store a large shoe collection, dresses, pants, sweaters, shirts, hats, and more. And what’s even better is being able to design your own walk-in closet that can be customized to fit your needs. But when approaching an empty closet with bare walls, it can be intimidating trying to determine what you want, the best layout, and what features will fit your belongings.

At Mulberry Millworks in Charleston, South Carolina, we’re passionate about helping our clients design custom closets that exceed their expectations. Our team has years of experience with walk-in closets, designing the best layout, and coming up with a strategy and plan that will make the room functional and beautiful. If you want help designing a closet that has everything you need, get in touch with us today!

Top Things to Consider When Building a Custom Walk-In Closet

The Layout

One of the most important things to think about is the layout of the space. If you want to access your shoes more often than your jeans, do you want the shoe rack to be closer to the entrance? You’ll most likely want a mix of hanging space, shelves, and drawers, but think about the location of each type of storage option in relation to the entrance of the closet, what items will be in each space, and how often you use those items. You can also plan on having a seating area, somewhat like a built-in desk. A walk-in closet is first and foremost a functional storage space, so it should be easy and comfortable to move around in.

Drawers, Shelves, and Hanging Space

Everyone has unique likes and dislikes when it comes to how and where they store their clothing and accessories. Some people like to fold their jeans and place them on shelves, others like to hang them. Some people like to hang sweaters and shirts, others like to fold them and place them in drawers or on shelves. Think about what you own and how you want to store them and you can then design the closet around those wants and needs. Typically, people prefer to fill their walk-in closet with a lot of shelves, then slightly less hanging space, and drawers typically take up the least amount of space. In addition, you may want to consider leaving a section of the wall empty so that you can install hooks where you can hang bags, hats, or jewelry.

Consider the Ergonomics

“Designed for efficiency,” ergonomics in the bedroom closet pertains to the height and placement of various features such as drawers, shelves, hanging space, and hooks if you want them. A well-designed custom closet will be incredibly efficient and functional, allowing you easy access to clothing and accessories. Shelving is often placed at waist height or above so that you can easily see what’s there. Drawers are often installed below shelving or in conjunction with hanging space. Hanging space can be installed on multiple levels to maximize space. Items that aren’t used frequently can go toward the floor.

If You’re Sharing the Space

Even if you have his and her’s closets, there is still a difference in the design of the space. Men’s clothing, like jackets, is usually larger and taller – jeans are bigger and take up more space, as well as sweaters and shirts. Although not always true, men often have fewer accessories or simply different accessories (ties and belts instead of purses and necklaces), that require different storage features.

Lighting

One aspect that is often overlooked in designing a walk-in closet is lighting. While there will be overhead lighting to brighten the room, you may want to consider also installing different types of lighting within the closet itself. You could have spotlights for display shelves, above hanging spaces, or within drawers so that the light turns on when the drawer is pulled out. With the right lighting, it can really transform the closet into a beautiful room for you to showcase your belongings.

If you’ve been staring at an empty closet and are still wondering what to include, get in touch with the closet designers at Mulberry Millworks in Charleston. We’re here to ensure that your custom closet has everything you need and have dreamed of having.