The Best Walk-in Closet Ideas, Design and Inspiration

Let’s face it, we all dream of having a walk-in closet like Cher’s in Clueless or Carrie’s from Sex and the City. A room dedicated to your clothes and getting dressed is the ultimate luxury. It’s also useful – it frees up space in the rest of your house.

While creating your walk-in closet might seem like a challenge, it’s worth it. Read on to find out why you should consider installing one, and how to do it yourself.

How to get started with designing your walk-in closet

Plan, plan, plan. The first step is to think about what you want to keep in your walk-in closet. Someone with a minimalist set-up will need something different from someone with an enviable shoe collection. Choose a space in your house based on how much you need to store

Then you start with other details, including the shape, storage, sitting area and mirrors. Let's take a look at how to get started.

Long and straight, square or a u-shaped walk-in closet?

Depending on how you want to set up your shelving, you have a few options when creating your walk-in closet. Consider a U-shaped walk-in closet or even a square one if space is no object. Place the seating in the middle of your dressing area as a place to admire your clothes.

Walk-in closet set up tips and ideas

Just like in any other room in your house, your walk-in closet should reflect your style and personality. Even if it’s somewhere you only visit when getting dressed, it should be somewhere you don’t mind spending time.

Choose a theme

If you’re a minimalist, stick to a neutral or monochrome color scheme. Otherwise, go wild with your theme and colors – it’s a relatively private place, so you don’t need to play it safe. If your children will be using the walk-in, why not give it a kid-friendly theme like animals or space? Make getting dressed fun, no matter your age.

Light it well

Your walk-in closet deserves to look as great as you do. Ensure that there is a good light source in it that displays your clothes clearly and allows you to see your reflection in all its glory. As it’s probably smaller than most other rooms in your home, the right lighting will stop it from feeling dark or dingy.

Mirror, mirror in the closet

You’ve gotten dressed, but how do you look? Lighting is essential, and so are mirrors. Choose a full-length mirror so that you can see your whole outfit. If you are also using your walk-in closet for hair and make-up, invest in a practical magnifying mirror. Hang good lighting so that you can see what you’re doing, no matter how intricate your eyeliner is.

Create a sitting area

It’s much easier to put your shoes on when there’s somewhere to sit on. If you’re wear your shoes indoor, you need low seating area in your walk-in closet to do up buckles and laces before heading out.

Seating also makes you more stable when you’re doing your makeup. Consider a comfortable, adjustable swivel chair so you can easily spin to reach the beauty products you need.

Make storage simple with a wire rack

If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful solution to make your walk-in closet work, why not try a wire rack? It’s more easily adjustable, and you might even be able to buy a purpose-built set.

Create a place to store jewelry

Of course, the primary consideration in a walk-in closet is your clothes. But don’t forget the smaller details, such as jewelry storage. There are several ways to store it – consider hanging necklaces from pegs on a pinboard. Keep your rings and earrings safe in small baskets or a segmented drawer. If you want to keep your jewelry on display, why not invest in some attractive dishes on your dressing table?

Maximize your vertical space

Walk-in closets of every size can benefit from vertical space. Top-to-bottom storage is highly efficient and looks luxurious. Utilize all the room you have available, such as the space below your hanging clothes and shelves closer to the ceiling.

Play with levels

If you don’t have space for a traditional walk-in, consider a loft bed with room underneath for a wardrobe that you climb into in the morning. Your walk-in closet can go anywhere, whether it’s in your bedroom, below your bed, or down some stairs.

Care for your knitted items

Prevent snagging at all costs. Allow your knitted, delicate items enough space so that they won’t get caught on anything. Choose coat hangers covered in a soft material and fold scarves before hanging them up.

Where to keep your shoes

Shoes deserve to be the pride of place, just like your clothes. High heels can be stored on a rack or even hang from a horizontal pole. You don’t have to bend down to reach your shoes – use that vertical space! Keeping shoes at eye level helps you see all of your shoes more quickly and uses space effectively. Don’t forget to include a comfortable seat where you can put your shoes on.

Kids' closets

Babies, kids and teenagers can all enjoy a walk-in closet. The first rule is that flexibility is vital. Keep all shelves at a reachable height, and make sure there’s room to adjust as their clothes get bigger. Get the kids used to putting everything back in its place wherever possible.

Closet shelving

You can rearrange shelves once your closet is set up, but you'll save a lot of time if you plan the layout of your shelves before you start. Shelving is very versatile and can be used for many purposes. They're great for shoes and folded clothing that can't be hung. Use wooden shelves for a classic look and glass for a luxurious, contemporary touch.

Bedroom-adjacent closet

Having your walk-in closet next to your bedroom is extremely handy. Go in in your pajamas and come out fully clothed! It stops your bedroom from becoming cluttered, making it an even more relaxing and peaceful place to sleep.

Hallway closet ideas

If you don’t have room in your bedroom for a walk-in closet or it’s just not convenient to put it there, why not take advantage of the space in the hallway? This way, you can share it with your family or anyone else living in the house. Keep it as near to the bedrooms as possible.

Keeping it minimal

If you have limited space, or just need an excuse to tidy up and strip everything back, redesigning your closet is a great way to do this. During the planning stage, assess how much clothing you have. Is there anything you don’t wear anymore? Consider donating it or selling it.

Make it fancy

On the other hand, if you have plenty of space, think about creating a luxurious boudoir. Opulent touches such as a chandelier, a huge closet, and velvet cushions are a fantastic way to feel like royalty. A dressing table with a large mirror creates an even more regal feel.

Cheap but customizable

If you want a walk-in closet, but you’re worried about price, consider buying shelving units from IKEA. You can customize them by putting them together at a height that suits you and paint them the color you like. PAX and KALLAX are both great options.

Contemporary and chic

How modern can you go? Monochrome styling works for many rooms, and a closet is no exception. Keep the space clear and minimalist, and think about using LEDs to draw attention to your items.

Add personality with custom features

One way to bring in your style is to build your walk-in closet from customized items. Consider using storage in an inventive way and go for colors that suit you. After all, although the look matters, it doesn’t need to be to everyone’s taste, as it is a room solely for you.

Storing suits in a walk-in closet

If you’re a professional who’s always on the go, make sure your walk-in closet has space for hanging your suits and storing your shoes to avoid scuffing and damage. Keep your walk-in closet minimal - while it should still feel visually appealing so that you start the day right, you don’t want to get distracted.

White walk-in closet

White is an excellent color for a walk-in closet. It reflects a lot of light, and it also helps bring brightness, especially if you have a small space.

Play with lighting

Make your walk-in closet genuinely unique. One way to do this is to customize your lighting. Your walk-in closet should be well-lit so that you can see your beautiful reflection. But you can also find exciting ways to use lighting – mount LEDs above your hangers and consider using spotlights on your shoe shelves.

Options if there is no room for walk-in closet

Smaller space and no spare rooms for a walk-in closet? There are a few ways of creating a separate area to keep your clothes and get dressed. Choose a corner or wall and split it from the rest of the room, using a curtain, cool divider, or even a piece of furniture.

Conclusion

Designing a walk-in closet can be a very rewarding project that can yield huge benefits. Not only can it add more space and offer  a more organized living, but it can also increase the value of your home. You can even turn a spare room into a walk-in closet for all your clothes and accessories.

Not sure how to design your closet? Try out different configurations with Planner 5D's software before starting any work. Preview your design in 3D and perfect it till you're completely satisfied.

FAQ

How do I design my closet?

The most crucial consideration is planning. What clothes do you have? How many pairs of shoes? And what space do you have available? That’s when you can begin choosing the shape, size, and way of decorating your walk-in.

What is a good size for a walk-in closet?

Any size goes. As long as you have room to store your clothes safely, a place to try on your clothes, and a mirror, you have what you need.

How much does it cost to build a walk-in closet?

Again, that depends on your wants and needs. If you’re buying shelving and a curtain from IKEA, you should be able to complete the project for much less than if you had it custom-designed. More extensive projects that take up whole rooms will cost far more, depending on how much you need to remodel your space.

Are walk-in closets advisable in small spaces?

A walk-in closet is possible if you have the space as small rooms are often challenging to keep clutter-free. Having the extra space dedicated to clothes and dressing takes a lot of pressure off the storage in your bedroom and elsewhere in the house, leaving you with a more spacious bedroom.

What are easy organization tips for a small closet?

• Make sure everything has its own space. Decide where each item will go and stick to it. You’ll save time and space when looking for it, and you’ll also be aware when it’s time to add more space.
• Use every inch of space. Don’t let your hanging clothes have space underneath them. Install shelves for shoes and accessories.
• Be aware of what you wear and what you don’t wear. One hack is to turncoat hangers around when you have worn something – it’s a visual reminder of what you use. If you find that you haven’t worn an item in several months (or even a year), donate it, and you’ll save space.

We hope you’re inspired to create your own walk-in closet! What are your favorite organization hacks? Share them with us below, and don’t forget to share your renders with us on Instagram!