Closet Design Part I

When building a custom home, the primary closet is always one of the most exciting—and personal—spaces to plan. It’s more than just storage. It’s your daily launch pad. And when it's well thought out, it makes life easier.

At the start of every project, we work with the home designer to carve out the right amount of space based on each client’s lifestyle and wardrobe needs. From there, we focus on four core zones that make up a functional closet layout:

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The Four Essentials

1. Double Hanging SpaceFor shirts, blouses, pants, and most day-to-day clothes.→ Most clients need more of this than anything else.

2. Single Hanging SpaceFor dresses, long coats, or any full-length items.→ Usually just about 25% of total hanging space.

3. Adjustable ShelvingThe workhorse of the closet—great for shoes, folded clothes, or handbags.→ A good starting point is two 4-foot sections.

4. Drawers & CabinetryHelps move furniture out of the bedroom and into the closet.→ Two drawer stacks (around 54” tall) are now very common.

Plan It Early, Walk It Later

We always place built-ins like drawers and shelves on the plans early. Once the home is framed and sheetrocked, we meet clients onsite for a trim and closet walkthrough. Standing in the space together helps confirm that the plan actually works—before anything gets built out.

Drawer Islands: Look Great, Plan Carefully

Closet islands are popular, but spacing is key.Plans often show a 12” shelf depth, but clothing actually takes up 21–24 inches. If you think you have 36” of clearance around an island, that can quickly shrink to just 24”—which feels cramped.

Bottom line: Always account for hanging depth, not shelf depth.

Smart Add-Ons to Consider

Once the layout is in place, a few small additions can go a long way toward making your closet feel tailored and complete:

• Seasonal Shelf: A high shelf that runs along the top perimeter is great for off-season items, luggage, or bins you don’t need to access every day.

• Framed Mirrors: Built-in or wall-mounted mirrors are worth thinking about during the trim stage, especially if wall space is limited.

• Hooks for Bags, Hats, Robes: Hooks on the walls are a simple but functional addition that can make the space more organized without taking up too much room.

• Vanity Space: If your closet layout allows for it, consider adding a small vanity area. A place to sit down and do makeup, hair, or get ready can make the closet feel like a more complete, multi-functional space.

These finishing touches don’t take up much room but make the space feel polished—and personalized.