Need help with layout for Master Bedroom Closet

11 years ago

We are about to start a major house renovation, with the primary purpose being to add much needed storage space and bathrooms. For the last 15 years, my husband and I have each had our own 36" x 24" closet in our bedroom and have shared a similar-sized closet in our guest room and a garment rack in the attic for overflow and off-season clothes. We've also had a large dresser and door chest in our room. After the renovation, our oldest daughter will be moving into the guest room, so we'll lose that closet space, and I really dislike having to go up into our attic to get clothes out when a new season arrives.

I'm attaching a drawing of the space that will become our new master closet. It's a huge improvement over what we have now, but because it's squeezed between two bathrooms and a chimney, the space is shaped very oddly and I'm at a loss as to how best to configure the storage. Hanging rods on the two long walls? Hanging rod on only one wall and drawers on the other? Bureau or shoe storage on the end with the window? My husband and I both have a combination of traditional work clothes (think lawyers) and casual clothes. We will have a 5'w x 3'h built-in bureau just outside the master bath and will retain one of the existing 36" x 24" closets in the master bedroom, which we could configure any way we like (with a hanging rod, shelves, etc.). I'd like to get rid of the large dresser and door chest in our bedroom, if possible. Thank you for any suggestions!

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Comments (3)

kmcg
11 years ago
Wow - that's going to be so nice! Configuration depends so much on what you need to store (lots of shoes? longer hanging items such as dresses and coats?) and how you like to store your clothes (drawers? folded on shelves? on hangers?). But in general, it makes sense to me that you would do hanging rods (double would be my preference) along the 2 long walls, with shelves above the rods. You could put a 30" wide bookcase or shelving system directly across from the door - these are great for storing shoes in clear boxes, or folded items. Over by the window, on the 5' wall, I'd think about another shallow shelf system. It would be fairly tight between the hanging clothes on the long wall and the shelves on the 5' wall, but if you do really shallow shelves - like Ikea's Billy at 11" deep - you could get lots of good storage. An alternative would be to use the 5' wall with some sort of rack system, like a giant pegboard or slat wall. Then you could hang accessories, jewelry, hats, purses, or even an ironing board.

Have you looked at the Container Store website? Their Elfa shelving systems are on sale until early February. This would be a great time to design your closet and buy while you can save 30%.
camlan
11 years ago
Neat. That's large enough to be considered a dressing room, I think. Since I struggle with a 42" x 14" closet, I'm really happy for you to get that space.

I think the first thing you need to do is look at the clothes that you have. How many feet of hanging space will you need? Double rods will save a lot of space, but that depends on how you hang trousers and such--by the hem with those clamp hangers, or folded over a hanger? How much long hanging space will you need for long dresses and skirts and coats? Given that you will have more hanging space than you did before, what do you have folded in drawers now, that you will be hanging in the new closet?

You might do a consultation or two with a closet company or the closet designer at a home store. They will have the knowledge of specialized storage units that would work well for you.

My first instinct is to do double rods on the 12' wall, a single rod on the 5' wall, with shelves above everything. (I'd put all the out of season clothing at the window end of the closet.) Then go wild with shelves and drawers on the 8' wall. Put a full length mirror on the wall that the door opens against, and a bench or stool somewhere to sit down and put on shoes.

I've added a link to a video of a woman giving a tour of her closet--the configuration is a little like your space, except that you might have more room. It's long and she rambles a bit, but she does a decent job of explaining what's stored where and why. There are many other closet tours on YouTube that could give you some ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: organized closet
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I think my closet plans fall into the range of "real people". Most of us don't have Oprah-sized closets or the number of shoes owned by -- is that Mariah Cary? Most of us -- even if we had the space -- wouldn't install a custom island topped with granite. After all, as lovely as these spaces are, they're closets. Here's my inspiration picture -- though at 7' wide x 8' long, my new house closet will be a little bigger than this one: Specifics that matter to me -- obviously, you'll have way more space and will be able to have more: - 3' of walking space down the middle of two aisles. - A pretty light in the middle of the space ... and maybe a couple canned lights on the edges. This is, of course, not important in terms of function, but I want a bit of fancy in the closet. - Since I am only 4'11", I will shorten my hanging clothes area. I want matching hangers. - Plenty of folded space -- we are on the cusp of retirement and won't need lots of dress clothes. Plus we want no dresser in the bedroom, so we want space for EVERYTHING in the closet. - A couple built-in drawers for unmentionables. - Space for roughly 30 pair of shoes for me, 10 pair for him -- plus several pairs of boots for the two of us -- but our footwear doesn't need to be showcased as if they were something special. - A few attractive baskets up top for "boxing up" traveling items, purses, out of season items, etc.... and a planned space for a step stool since I want to access those baskets. - My inspiration pix shows wallpaper on the back wall, but I'll probably paint something pretty with a stencil. I have a round mirror, which I plan to repurpose on the back wall ... and I want a shelf underneath it, which can hold jewelry, etc. - A fluffy rug in the middle of the closet. - A valet rod on each side of the closet for "hanging out" church clothes. - One narrow "open locker" at the doorway on each side ... with a couple hooks. This will be for clothes that we plan to wear again ... a once-worn nightgown, workout clothes, or jeans. This'll keep them separate from the "completely clean clothes".
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susanthierfelder
11 years ago
I would configure it this way...
TO RIGHT OF ENTRY: small but sturdy stool/bench; to right of door
LEFT SIDE: 16" deep shelves with dividers - store folded sweaters, etc. and/or use linen bins and store items (camisoles, purses, pajamas) inside the bins. At 5' space, small hooks for hanging necklaces, and other jewelry, scarves, etc.
RIGHT SIDE double poles with 1 shelf (80"H)with a small portion of that side to be a single pole.
WINDOW WALL: If there's room, shelving above and/or below.

Need help with layout for Master Bedroom Closet

Comments (3)

kmcg

camlan

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