Finally building the blueprint for your walk in closet? Congratulations! A walk in closet can save a ton of space and help you move what you normally keep stacked around the bedroom into an organized place that you actually want to utilize. More importantly, features like walk-in closets can do a lot to increase your home value… if they’re done right.
Believe it or not, designing a good walk-in closet is no easy walk in the park. Here are a few elements to consider before you start designing the walk-in closet of your dreams.
How Much Stuff You Actually Need to Fit in the Closet
The typical walk-in closet is anywhere from six to twelve feet long and 36-42 inches wide. However, your closet needs may be anything but typical. Start your journey to the blueprint by taking stock of what you’ve got. Make a list a list of everything you want to store in the closet. Next, separate those items into categories based on how you want to store them. For example, your dress clothes will likely go in the ‘hanging’ category.
Additionally, take the time to decide how much you want to be able to move around the space. If you’re a larger gentleman, the typical 36-42 inches may be a bit too small to enjoy. In the same light, if you’re hoping to treat your walk-in closet like a second home, you may want to opt for wider walls.
Decide How Much Space You Actually Have to Build the Closet
Now that you have a better idea of what you want out of your walk in closet, it’s time to determine what you can actually design given the size and dimensions of your home. If having a 17 foot walk in closet means losing part of the living room, you’re not going to feel like you’re gaining much space by building a custom closet. Before you start looking for quotes, walk up to your current closet and think about the schematics of your home. How much space do you actually have? How much of it are you willing to give up?
You may want to take note of any other anomalies you notice while looking at your closet, such as angled walls or drywall that’s falling apart. Having a list of these design challenges beforehand will save you a lot of heartache in the long run.
To help you identify a few, here are common mistakes:
- Not enough light installed, or dangerous electrical installations.
- Awkward L shapes or difficult corners.
- Not enough space to open the door.
- Shelving is not sturdy due to weak walls.
Decide Whether to Do it Yourself or Hire a Professional
It’s tempting to make a trip to Home Depot and give DIY a try, but mistakes are often costly. More costly than hiring a professional to do it right the first time. Unless you are an expert contractor with years and years of experience in building closets, it’s best to hire a professional closet designer that can both build your blueprint and your closet. This is especially true for those who have housing codes that they need to meet or electrical components that need installed.
On a design note, contractors and companies who build and renovate for a living have been around the block a few times. Your closet will not be the first nor the last closet they build. Which means they can really help you make the design of your dreams as functional as it is posh.
Conclusion
Creating the custom walk in closet of your dreams may not be a walk in the park, but it will certainly be worth the effort. If done correctly, you’ll live a more organized life with the help of closet organizers and clean lighting. For best results, hire a pro and know what you want before you start getting estimates.
Did you do your own closet renovations or hire a professional? Why? Share your experience in the comments.