How to design a wardrobe closet

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A custom-designed wardrobe closet may sound expensive, but if it is properly designed, it can actually save some costs. Ideally, the wardrobe should use space as efficiently as possible.This idea book can help guide you through the process of designing a closet so that you get the maximum out of the space. 

One of the best tips is to design a closet that is just the right size for storing all the things you own. You should have an approximate measurement of the size of your closet before you start on the design. Although it's easier to see plenty of space when there is a blank wall in front of you, it is better to decide on the size based on the contents the closet will hold. 

By designing a wardrobe based on only what you need, you can create a spacious room with plenty of space for the rest of the furniture. The designed closet will probably also end up costing much less as you might only use half of the wall instead of having the closet occupy the whole wall. 

1. Evaluate how many things you need to store in the closet

The best way to do this is to base your decision upon all the things you would like to store in the closet. This will help you decide how much space you need need for hanging clothes and how much space you need for storing folded clothes and other accessories such as shoes. Once you have a clear idea of how much stuff you will be storing in your closet, you will have a better idea of what size of closet you actually need. 

2. Get organised

The best way to make use of the space in the closet efficiently is to put all the clothes which are of the similar size together. Also make sure to keep space for hanging clothes that are longer. The design and space for the hanging section should be decided upon first before designing the space for shelves and drawers. The idea is to make the most out of the vertical space in the closet. Another great tip is to hang the top rod high enough in order to make the most of the space left at the bottom. 

3. ​Focus on practicalities

When designing the closet, make sure you can easily reach all the things you need. Shelves which are lower than waist level are not really practical as you have to kneel down to reach the things in there. The best is to position shelves above the hanging space so that all the contents of your closet can be accessed easily. 

Shelves should not be too deep—14 inches is an ideal depth. If the shelving is too deep, you're bound to mess up your folded clothes every time you want to look for something to wear. Shallow shelving can help you keep your closet neat and will also make it easier to find clothes. We highly recommend that you space the shelves 10 inches apart. The ideal width is 12 inches because this is how much space folded clothes usually require. 

5. Consider shoe storage

If you're a shoe collector, you may want to consider how much extra space your closet will require for shoes. It really depends on your needs at the end of the day. The best place for shoes is a shelf or drawer right at the bottom of the cupboard. For shoes, shelving or drawers should be ideally 12 inches deep. However, if your shoe collection is too large, it may be wise to consider finding another storage place for them, such as in a box under the bed. 

For more information on how to design a wardrobe, please refer to our article titled 6 cupboard designs your carpenter can build.

6. Think about seasonal storage when designing

If you don't have much space in your bedroom for a large closet, it's best to have a second closet somewhere else where you can keep the clothes you are not using during the season. There is not much point in having all your winter clothes stuffed into the bedroom closet during summer anyway. You can also use baskets and bins to store away the clothes temporarily until the season changes.  

You should also design your wardrobe with the seasonal changes in mind. The best way to do this is to have adjustable hanging rods so that you can have more space for hanging large jackets in the winter. You may also want to consider consulting with a professional or an interior designer for advice. 

7. ​Lose the drawers

Drawers can add a lot to the overall price of a closet as more material is used and usually there is no real need for drawers in your closet. So, lose the drawers because they only take up more space and limit the design of the wardrobe. If you really need a drawer, find a small desk or cabinet somewhere else to store things in the drawer. 

8. Create a clear partition for a shared closet

Most couples share a closet and get along without murdering each other, but sometimes it can lead to minor annoyances which you could blow up over. In order to avoid this, it's best to make a clear separation of the spaces for both partners. Generally, women require more space for their clothing and men need for hanging space for long clothing such as pants and slacks. Make sure you consider this if you are sharing a wardrobe. 

We hope you have been inspired by this idea book. For more ideas, please also read our article titled 15 dressing rooms suitable for Indian homes.

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