How to Plan Your Custom Closet
A well organized closet is one of the first steps to building a great wardrobe. Two years ago, I decided to replace the standard wire racks builders install in most closets with a more custom closet.
The biggest issue with my closet was it was packed to capacity and I couldn’t see what I had. It was also poorly configured and had a lot of wasted space. The hardest part was figuring out the best layout for the closet. My closet’s awkward shape made it absolute hell trying to figure out a use for every inch of the space.
There are several tools that can help you with your design. Of course the engineer in me wouldn’t let me use those tools. I decided to design it on my own without the help of any tools. That made it a little more difficult, but by doing this I ended up with exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted to have corner hanging space, so I based my design on that. The rest of the closet design flowed from there. I also knew I wanted shelving for my jeans, cardigans and purses. I also needed more hanging space for my dress pants. The end result is a closet where I can find exactly what I’m looking for.
So are you thinking of a closet overhaul or are you customizing a brand new space? If you are going all out and planning a complete closet overhaul, be sure to design for functionality. Your new closet should allow for convenient access to all of your items. Here are the steps you need to take to create an amazingly laid out closet.
Assess your needs
How much hanging space do you need?
Would you like drawers or open-faced shelving?
Would you like to display your shoes or keep them in their boxes?
How do you plan to store your other accessories?
Measure your space
You need to get the dimensions of your room, so you can draw your floor plan.
Walls are rarely straight, measure your walls at three (3) different heights, using the shortest of the lengths.
Design your overall layout
Now that you know what you want to store and the dimensions of the space you are working with, you can now figure out how to lay out your closet.
Here’s a chart of hanging dimensions that will help with figuring out the space you need for the items you plan to hang.
Clothes Hanging Dimensions*
Places to Purchase
Once you figure out your overall layout, you need to figure out the pieces you need and where to purchase them. Here are some of my favorite places to find all things closet organization.
- The Container Store
- Ikea
- California Closets
- Pottery Barn
- The Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Easy Closets
The easy thing to do at this point is to hire someone to do the install. Now for me, I chose to install the system myself with the help of my uncle. Tip: If you are installing your system yourself, Lowe’s and Home Depot will cut pieces to size for you.
Give it a Boutique Feel
If you really want to give your closet more of a pop, make it into your own personal boutique. Here are a few ways you can accomplish this.
- Add a little color to your closet with paint. A bright pink or Tiffany blue would look amazing in a closet (as long as you don’t share it with your spouse).
- You can add a nice chandelier to class it up a little more.
- Matching hangers will give your closet a nice, uniform feel. Please no wire hangers, the thought of them make me itch.
- Every girl needs a floor length mirror. If you have the space, adding a mirror will give your closet a nice dressing room feel.
If you follow these simple steps, you can have the well organized, boutique-style closet you have always wanted.
If you are in the Birmingham area and you want help designing your closet, be sure to check out my new Services page. If you are outside of the area, contact me through email. Virtual services are coming soon.
