Designing a custom closet system can be a difficult task. If you’re thinking of upgrading your current closet system it helps to know where to start. So, we’ve put together a few handy design tips to assist you with creating a beautiful custom closet.

Tip #1: Break Out The Measuring Tape

Before you upgrade your closet it’s going to be necessary to take some measurements. You’ll need to determine how much room you’re working with and assess the dimensions of your current closet. This would also be a good time to take an inventory of your wardrobe and make note of how many particular items of clothing you have. T-Shirts and sweaters may be easy to fold away in a drawer, but bulky jackets and outerwear can have significant space requirements. 

 

Knowing how much space you’ll need for each article of clothing will help you to design the optimal closet system to meet your needs. This will help you to plan the location of shelves, drawers, closet rods, and accessory racks. By measuring and planning in advance you’ll be able to know the vertical and horizontal requirements of your new closet system before you even begin.

Tip #2: Determine Who Will Use Your Closet

If your closet space is just for you then it should be easy to figure out who will be using it. But, what about your significant other or family members? If multiple people will be using this closet system it’s best to account for that sort of thing while you are still planning. Will you be splitting the closet in half? If you don’t have a separate closet it might be worth considering how you plan to layout the closet. 

 

Furthermore, you will want to plan what sort of color pallet you might want to use. If you are planning to accent your new closet space with color accents it might be best to choose a neutral color that will allow both persons to decorate their sections accordingly.

Tip #3: Optimize Your Space

Now that you have the measurements of your closet and you’ve determined who is using it you can begin planning your new custom closet. You’ll need to take stock of your clothing, shoes, and accessories and determine what would be the best option for you. Ties and handbags will need a hanging rack and long coats, dresses, and pants will require at least one closet rod. 

 

As a reference, the average drawer has an 18” depth at minimum. Storage shelves will be 16” deep, and a larger shelf for bedding could be 24” deep. Bear these measurements in mind when you are designing the layout of your closet.

 

Tip #4: Consider Installing An Island

If you have a walk-in closet with enough room then an island may be a great addition. A closet island gives you plenty of extra storage options for shoes and accessories. This could include a drawer for jewelry, a pullout clothes hamper, & cubby space for shoes. The real beauty of a closet island is that it allows you to add whatever storage options you can dream of. You’ll be able to neatly store your wardrobe and save additional room for closet rods to hang up your bulkier items. Plus the countertop is a great place for a hatstand or decorative art!

 

Make sure that when you are planning out the space for your closet island that you take into account the additional clearance you’ll need for drawers. If your drawers are too deep you’ll quickly find that your new closet feels cramped. 

Tip #5: Make Room For Accessories

Even with a closet island it’s likely you still have a few other accessories you want to store. Afterall you likely don’t want handbags or ties getting shoved into a drawer. Fortunately, you can add a simple accessory rack or two to hang some of your favorite items and remove unwanted clutter. 

 

There are several different styles of accessory racks you can choose to use in your closet, so make sure to look around and find what works best for you. If you’re working with limited space then a behind the door hanger may be great for some much-needed organization, but if you have the luxury of a walk-in closet then you likely have plenty of additional space to mount all the racks you need.

 

Another great option is valet hooks. These can be easily integrated into your new closet system and are a great option for storing accessories and clothes. Valet hooks also come in a variety of different styles and configurations that can meet your tastes and work well with your closet’s design. 

Tip #6: Hire A Professional!

If this whole process becomes overwhelming it’s never too late to reach out to a professional. If you think you’re getting in over your head consider reaching out to a professional team who specializes in space saving designs. A competent team can remove the headaches of the design process and make installation a cinch. Fortunately, we proudly provide services for custom closets in Greenville, SC and would love to assist you with your project!