Home » Misc » Minimum width of walk in closet

Minimum width of walk in closet


10 small walk-in closet designs |

Small walk-in closets are a possibility – especially if they are fitted out cleverly to cope with all your clothing storage needs. They can transform how adult bedrooms look, and help children keep their bedrooms neat and their clothes in good order, too.

We've sourced our favorite small walk-in closet designs to show that your bedroom ideas don't actually need huge square footage – just natty tricks to maximize the space you have. 

Small walk-in closet ideas

If you are looking for walk-in closet ideas that are ideal for a smaller space, this is a great place to start. We’ve put together our top small walk-in closet ideas to inspire your bedroom remodel.

1. Small walk-in closets can be perfectly formed 

(Image credit: Sara Cosgrove)

This small walk-in closet design created by interior designer Sara Cosgrove is a perfect example of how you can make a tiny space work well. The curvy joinery makes the spacious but small walk-in closet efficient, which is exactly what you want to achieve in a smaller space.  

Mirrors are used to the maximum here. The shoes look great in the front section and add a decorative element as you walk-in. Keep your clothes folded each side and more seasonal pieces in the drawer at the bottom.

2. Stretch space with white walls and pale flooring

(Image credit: Kasha Paris )

Design studio Kasha Paris are experts at designing pieds-à-terre – and this includes stunning small walk-in closets that combine elegance with practical luxury. 

For apartment living at its best, you need to make the most of every inch of space. In this bedroom, the vanity is in the bedroom rather than in the closet – as some are – while the warm-toned herringbone floor and straight-laid floorboards define the two zones (a great tip to steal for larger, dressing room ideas). An open plan feel has been adopted between the two spaces, which keeps the view through into the closet light and airy – ideal for a small square footage. 

3. When space is tight choose clever lighting

(Image credit: Neatsmith)

Often small walk-in closets are tucked away and can be in spaces that have little or no natural light, which is where well thought-out bedroom lighting ideas come into play.

‘When designing a small walk-in closet, it’s important to think about lighting and light-reflecting surfaces to make a windowless or smaller room come to life, making it a beautiful place to spend time in,’ advises Philipp Nagel, director of Neatsmith .

‘Including warm recessed LEDs, mirrored door designs and decorative glass finishes helps to maximise light and a sense of space within a small walk-in closet.’

4. Create a multi-functional space full of personality

(Image credit: BarlisWedlick/Joshua McHugh)

If you want to know how to turn a room into a walk-in closet with a personality, this is a great example – even if the bold shades aren't to your taste.

‘Our inspiration for this closet was our client’s wardrobe,’ says Tina Schnabel, senior interiors associate at BarlisWedlick .

‘Our client has an amazing collection, and she loves color with playful prints. We used her love of color and pattern to create a dynamic space with a dark and moody backdrop, and a playful ceiling wallpaper. The dark backdrop allows her clothing and accessories to pop against the millwork and wall paint color.

'The space needed to function in many ways for our client. A walk-in closet for storage, but also a lounge space, and a desk space. Our client’s schedule is busy and packed to the minute, so this space is private for her to take calls and quick meetings. She didn’t want a space that was too serious, but playful, to function in all these ways.’

5. Opt for elegant muted tones and glass doors

(Image credit: Gunter & Co/Mary Wadsworth/Hannah Franklin)

If a neutral color palette is more your bag, then be inspired by this small walk-in closet by Gunter & Co , which demonstrates how bedroom storage ideas can be elegant as well as practical. 

With natural light pouring in through the French doors at the back, the emphasis has been placed on the glass doors being used to reflect light toward the front of the closet. They give it a spacious feel and allow you to see your clothes and shoes straightaway.  

It’s always a good idea to have somewhere to sit too– this round stool blends in whilst also adding a touch of pattern. 

6. Have a full length mirror at one end

(Image credit: Maison Valentine)

A top tip for a small walk-in closet design: add some space- and light-enhancing dazzle and glitz with 3D style floor tiles, a full length mirror and metallics – we love this gold-effect freestanding built in basin. 

The beauty of a small walk-in closet is that it’s your own private space that can totally reflect your character and individuality. Don’t forget to install some under-cabinet lights so you can easily pick out your outfit and match accessories easily.

7. Add a decorative aspect with Chinoiserie

(Image credit: Louise Bradley )

‘Add elegance to a small walk-in closet or dressing room by combining harmonious finishes to create a calming and luxurious space,’ advises bespoke luxury interior designer Louise Bradley .

‘Practicality should always lead, taking into consideration the clients' functional requirements. However, never underestimate the importance of unique decoration to make a statement. We opted for bespoke hand-drawn Chinoiserie for the joinery doors with bronze handle detail, combined with decorative lighting and a mirrored wall to optically lift and expand the space.’

8. Make a small walk-in closet glow – literally

(Image credit: Gunter & Co )

There are ways to incorporate special features into your small walk-in closet, so you’re not just stepping into a purely functional space. Take this stylish closet as an example – the hanging space is illuminated and has a wallpaper back while the gold rails add a luxurious touch and tie in with the wall lights both in the closet and on the bedroom wall. 

Encompassing the hanging section is a deep velvety blue that further highlights the closet space and tonally matches the claret vanity and velvet covered stool.  

(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)

There's something harmonious about choosing one single color for a scheme, and it's an interior design trick to apply when space is tight. 

In this charming small walk-in closet, the alabaster shade from floor to ceiling provides a welcoming feel. There's a good mix of drawers and hanging space and the double mirror provides enough reflection to bounce the light around. A comfy armchair is always worth considering – you can drape tomorrow's clothes on it or use it for relaxing in at the end of the day. The ribbed carpet adds an extra layer of luxury too. 

10. Use an accent color to highlight not hide

(Image credit: James Merrell)

Often, when faced with a tiny space, the tendency is to hide it away, not make a feature of it. This small walk-in closet idea shows how the opposite can work very successfully.

A challenging space is often when we get the most creative, and by painting this uber small walk-in closet in a ruby red turns it into a modern design feature. The blush shade on the bedroom walls softens the view through to the closet and then the bathroom, and sliding doors are a great option because they save space by not opening out into a room. 

What is the smallest size a walk-in closet can be?

A walk-in closet needs to be at least 4ft wide by 4ft deep – large enough to install at least three hanging rails in a U-shape. That would be the minimum; under the rail, you will need space for drawers or shelves, for shoes and a couple of baskets or boxes for accessories. Obviously the more you can fit in the better – have a shelf above the hanging rail that could be used for hats and shoe boxes, too. The key is to maximize every inch of space. 

What would you need in a small walk-in closet? 

To make the most of your small walk-in closet the essentials would be hanging space, a full-length mirror, hooks or shelves for hats and handbags, drawers for clothes and accessories like jewelry and watches – and the key ingredient for a small space – great lighting.  Knowing how much fitted wardrobes cost to install will help you budget for what you need to prioritize.

A Complete Guide To Walk-In Closet Dimensions And Layouts

02/05/2021 closet

Walk-in closets rule the world of storage solutions. Although much more common currently, they still remain highly desirable and perceptibly luxurious.

But just like almost every other major element that goes into designing a home, walk-in closets rely heavily on the accuracy of their design. If designed properly, walk-in closets are truly the belle of the ball. We wouldn’t go into WHY you should design those — the abundant storage is reason enough to go for a well-designed walk-in, not to mention the private space it affords the user. Instead, we will talk about how you can design one that is perfect for your master bedroom.

What Do You Need to Know Before You Start?

 

You have been warned: Designing is not an easy job. You will need time to plan the layout and its interiors, but if you follow through this guide, you should enough to start.

 

A walk-in closet design will mainly depend on three factors:

 

 

Before stepping into any project, you should know exactly what you need and want — for that will determine the final product you end up with. For example, for low/minimum storage requirements, a walk-in can be an overkill.  Similarly, if you don’t have the space, then cramming a walk-in closet in your bedroom will severely distort the layout of your house. Before you even begin, ask yourself the purpose of your walk-in closet and work from there. That will determine the layout, which in turn will determine the design.

 

Different Types of Walk-in Closet Layouts

 

First of all, let us talk about common designs and layouts in the walk-in world. Depending on individual needs, walk-ins can come in various designs. Some of them, however, are more common than others:

 

 

 

 

The designs mentioned above are based on the placement of storage units. Talking specifically about size, walk-in closets can be broadly broken down into three categories — small & square, long & narrow, and large.

Once you have figured out your storage needs, your space constraints, and the functionality you want to extract from a walk-in closet — you can mix and match these styles to come up with the most efficient  for you.

For example, if you have ample space but minimal storage needs, you can incorporate a dresser inside the walk-in to take care of hair and make-up. Any leftover space can be utilized for an island or even an ironing board.

 

Determining the Measurements for Your Walk-in Closet

 

A standard full-size walk-in closet for two people should measure a minimum of 7 by 10 feet. It should preferably have an area of 100 sq. ft as this allows you to have storage units on all three walls with even a sitting area in the middle. In case you want a smaller one, small walk-ins can be built in as low as 25 sq. ft. of space.

 

Below are some standard measurements for various types of walk-ins as mentioned above:

 

  • Single-Sided:  Being the smallest, they are little more than a hybrid between a reach-in closet and a walk-in. On average, the closet is about four to five feet deep and occupies about 24 inches of the total depth. This leaves about 36 inches as clearance.
  • Double-Sided:  The depth of a double-sided walk-in can be flexible, ranging from four to six feet. It is wider than a single-sided closet, incorporating two 24 inches each storage space on opposite walls. With a 36 inch clearance in the middle, the total width comes out to be anywhere from six to seven feet.
  • Island Walk-In:  If you have an island in the middle of your closet, chances are you’re not worried about space. But in case you have been trying to ‘cram’ the island into the design, make sure that there is a three feet clearance on all sides of the island.

 

Tips to Follow While Designing Your Own Walk-in Closet

 

  • Double rods are a common and efficiency-focused element of a closet. They are typically placed 40 inches and 80 inches from the ground.
  • If you are using single rods, 72 inches is a good height.  Add shelves above the road to maximize the storage space.
  • Have a separate rack dedicated to shoes, or else it’ll take no time before the entire floor is covered with all sorts of footwear.
  • As a rule of thumb, a four-feet wide area will accommodate storage space on one side. A six feet wide walk-in can make room for storage on all three walls.  And a 10 feet wide room can sport an island.

 

Apart from this, if you want your walk-in closet to be compliant with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), you need to have a minimum clear space of 30 inches wide by 48 inches deep. It is not mandatory but is a great gesture, especially if you have space to spare. It’ll greatly help in increasing the resale value of your house if you ever decided to go down that path.

Dressing room: sizing and furnishing

A dressing room is created in a small space to make room for living in other rooms. For large apartments and private houses, a large area can be allocated for these purposes.

In this article, we will tell you how to determine the necessary space for a dressing room, how to properly equip it and place things correctly.

To properly plan a dressing room, you need to determine the type of things to store and their quantity.

What needs storage:

  • warm demi-season and winter jackets, coats, down jackets;

  • clothes of the second level: cardigans, sweaters, pullovers;

  • winter boots, boots, sneakers;

  • seasonal items, for example, blouses, skirts, trousers made of "winter" materials in the summer and vice versa - summer items in winter;

  • warm blankets and blankets also require storage space during the warm season;

  • pastel accessories;

  • household equipment such as vacuum cleaner, ironing board, iron, etc.

We consider the approximate number of each type of thing and proceed to the second stage.

Zoning

The correct location of all areas where things are located, easy access to the necessary wardrobe items and the lack of clutter will make the dressing room ergonomic and comfortable. For this, zoning of the premises is carried out.

The easiest zoning method: vertical division of three zones:

  • mezzanine or upper zone - located at a height of 180 - 250 cm from the floor. This part is perfect for storing not heavy, but voluminous and rarely used items: out-of-season clothes and accessories, blankets, blankets, sweaters;

  • the middle part at a height of 60-170 cm from the floor. This area has to be used often, so you should think carefully about its arrangement. Here you can place things on hangers, as well as open shelves with clothes that do not wrinkle too much (jeans, T-shirts). But bed linen, towels are best placed in closed sections or wardrobe trunks to protect against dust;

  • in the lower zone - below 60 cm from the floor, it is worth placing shoes, bags, suitcases, as well as heavy items and household appliances.

With limited space for a dressing room, you can move the border of the upper and lower zones, depending on what type of things you will store more. A pantograph can be used to accommodate more hanger bars at the top. For placement in the lower part - use the trousers or the second row of crossbars.

Determining the depth of wardrobe sections

If the space for arranging a dressing room is not limited, choose the optimal depth option - 60 cm. If you plan a dressing room of very small sizes, then the depth of the drawers should be calculated according to the scheme:

  • to the size of the depth of the shelves, add the depth of the retractable structure and additionally lay out a place for free passage. For example: the entire width of the dressing room is 120 cm: the depth of the cabinets is 40 cm, 40 cm for retractable structures and about the same for the passage. The minimum width for the dressing room is 1 meter.

  • if the cabinets are installed on two opposite sides, then the minimum width is calculated as two cabinet depths on one side and two cabinet depths on the other side, plus a passage space of at least 30 cm.

Standard storage spaces

Clothes on the shoulders take up most of the dressing room. Fur coats, coats, down jackets, as well as shirts, dresses and jackets should be placed here.

Remember how often you prefer to wear a thing that does not need to be ironed that is wrinkled in the closet, because there is no time and it's time to go to work. Install twice as much hanger space as shelves and drawers to keep your items flat and presentable.


To correctly calculate the length of the area intended for hangers for an adult, consider the following:

  • shoulder width approx. 45 cm

  • for a shirt, the required distance from the floor to the bar should be about 100 cm, and for a long dress - 150 cm.

  • each clothes hanger requires a bar width or length of at least 5cm

Calculation example: about 8-9 shirts will fit on a bar 50 cm long and 1 meter high from the floor.

Shelf system

On open shelves it is convenient to store large overall items: blankets, bedspreads. Distinguish stationary shelves and retractable. The second option will be more convenient if the depth of the shelves is large enough. When choosing shelves, you should be guided by how much space things will take up when folded.

Consider the example of men's shirts:

Shoe storage

It is more convenient to store winter shoes in boxes; shoe racks with a retractable design are also considered a good option for storing summer and casual shoes. They are roomy, due to the mesh structure, the shoes are well ventilated, the design itself does not take up much space due to the inclination.

Baskets

Retractable baskets are convenient for storing fairly large items that do not wrinkle much. They occupy a small area, have good capacity and are versatile.

Accessory storage

  • use trouser and skirt cases to store trousers and long skirts

  • holders or shallow drawers with internal dividers for ties and belts

  • the hooks are handy for handbags and the holders or stands are great for umbrellas

Recommendations

Dressing rooms less than three square meters. meters must be ergonomic and roomy. Here are a few tips to make them really comfortable and functional:

  • ideal option - separate compartments for each family member

  • things that are rarely used should be stored separately on distant shelves, as soon as the thing is no longer used, it is better to make room

Does it happen that you don’t wear things that lie in the far corner of the closet for years? It can be a thing that is not in size or a wardrobe item that has nothing to wear or nowhere to wear, or it looks bad on you. And if there are several such things, how much space do they take up? Don't be afraid to part with these things. The “golden rule of one year” says that if a thing has not been used for 12 months, then it is not needed, there is something to replace it with and 99.9% you will never wear it. Is it worth it to occupy space for life with such items of clothing?

  • correct layout of the room: there should always be a place for free passage

  • the presence of good lighting in each zone will allow you to quickly find the right things

  • full-length mirror is convenient for quick fitting things

  • floor-to-ceiling installation allows you to use the entire space

  • store only those things that have not gone out of fashion, have not faded and have not been worn to holes, know how to make room for a new one in time

Arranging a comfortable dressing room is not easy. Especially for small spaces, it is important to start with planning and accurate calculation of each section. Let the dressing room be a successful addition to the storage system in your home.

Convenient dressing rooms for you!

How to equip an ergonomic dressing room - INMYROOM

Tips

Ergonomics of a dressing room or how to get the most out of a few square meters

A dressing room is primarily an organized storage system. There is an opinion among designers that in an ideal dressing room one family member should have about 12 square meters. But most with their typical 36 square meters are very far from ideal. How to use every centimeter with the help of the science of ergonomics, we will tell in this article.

Dressing room dimensions

The best shape for a dressing room is a rectangle with no ledges and no more than four corners. The minimum floor space is 3 square meters. In this case, the length of one wall should not be less than 2 meters. In such small dressing rooms, it is better to place the storage system with the letter “G”.

If you know exactly how many cabinets you need, then it will not be difficult to calculate the area of ​​​​your dressing room: count the number of compartments horizontally along a long wall, multiply by their width (usually the width of one compartment is 50, 75 or 100 centimeters) - that's the length . Now, if there are drawers in the cabinets, then multiply the depth of the cabinets by two and add a minimum passage of 50 centimeters (optimum - 80-100 centimeters) - this is the width of the dressing room, where the cabinets are located along one of the walls.

Where and what is stored in the dressing room

  • The upper area is located at a level of 200–250 centimeters from the floor. There are mezzanines designed for storing off-season or rarely used items. Takes about 50 centimeters.
  • Middle area (located at a height of 60 to 170 centimeters from the floor) is the main storage space. It is here that things will hang on hangers, towels will lie on the shelves and various accessories in drawers will wait in the wings.
  • The lower zone occupies the space within 70 centimeters from the floor level. It is convenient to build systems for storing shoes here or to put things that are not used so often.

Storage of things on a hanger

  • Blouses , shirts , jackets on hangers take about 1 meter in height, and about 5–7 centimeters in width on the bar; storage depth - up to 50 centimeters.
  • Fur coats , raincoats , long dresses , trousers differ from the above standards only in length - it is 175 centimeters.
  • Compartments for trousers and skirts are usually made 120–130 cm high.
  • Hangers with trousers , outerwear should be located no higher than 120 centimeters from the floor, but not lower than 50 centimeters.

Shoe storage

  • Shoes can be stored compactly using special racks or drawers.
  • The distance between the shelves in height should be maintained within 20 centimeters for summer shoes and 45 centimeters for boots and boots. In width, one pair of shoes takes about 25 centimeters, the recommended width of a shoe shelf in a closet is 75-100 centimeters.
  • If you decide to store shoes in boxes, choose special ones - transparent, with windows or a place for notes.

Accessory storage

  • Tights , socks and store underwear in shallow drawers (12-17 cm) divided into sections 10-15 cm wide. The length is determined depending on the type of things. So, bras require longer sections, and square ones are also suitable for socks.
  • To store small accessories such as ties , belts , belts or handkerchiefs , special racks or hangers are available. But caps and gloves are best hidden in drawers - so there is less chance of losing them.
  • Bed linen and towels store on shelves as wide as possible, and small items ( hats , bags ) - on the contrary, in narrow compartments with compact shelves - 15–17 centimeters high and about 25 centimeters deep .

Advice InMyRoom : To get an idea of ​​how much space you need in terms of width, look at their folded dimensions. In height, it is usually 25–30 centimeters.

Note: this is also important to know

1. If you have a lot of expensive, "capricious" things made from natural materials, think about internal, forced ventilation. Or make louvered doors: this way air will also enter the dressing room.

2. Every dressing room is always stocked with essentials as well as less popular items (eg shirts, trousers, suits for special occasions - these are usually put to the very top). However, getting the item you need becomes problematic. There is a very simple solution to this tricky question - a pantograph.

Learn more