Where is the door? Draw us a sketch, showing domensions and where the door is and you'll get some answers.

Do you have Container Store or Ikea in your town? They both help customers designing closet/storage space.

They have great ideas and solutions for challenging areas. They definitely help us laypersons to avoid mistakes due to our lacking of experience and space design background.

The best part is if you want to carrying out their designs all at once or in phases, you have materials and parts readily available from both stores. They also recommend/provide installation services.

You could make some of that closet space a quiet reading nook or out-of-the-way office, Elfa goes on sale in January/February. Also, having a dressing area as a part of the closet is cool, put a chair and a small table at one end. Or even both ends.

I think good shelving, storing systems is the best thing for a closet. Our walk in closet includes some hooks behind the door, floor to ceiling wall shelving for things like pants and sweaters, bars for hanging stuff, and more shelving here and there for suitcases, etc.. The only thing it is missing is drawers. If it had that, we wouldn't need a bureau!

Not knowing where your door is, but you could have a 5' walkway with 2' deep storage on either side. My closet is set up with floor to ceiling 30" wide Ikea kitchen cabinets. I put closet rods in for hanging items (very easy to do) and put various size drawers and shelves for other things. checkout all the stuff that Ikea has for organizing the kitchen for inspiration.

While 16x9 may feel big but you'll be happy in long run. Its a great size for a closet/dressing room and huge plus with buyer on resale. I'd decide what type of budget you have to add clothing storage and then storage for other items. Do you want it to all be the same closet material and designed together for a customized built in look or not. I recommend finding one and use for all. That space will not be inexpensive no mater what material you use, unless you use cheap particle board like a Closetmaid system from Home Depot or Lowe's. Ikea is great if you can put up with the amount of assembly needed for that type of space. Container stores are a very good ventilated product, we've used in past, just very expensive for wire shelving that is usually self installed (no ability to customize for different lengths other than what they offer 2FT & 4FT, unless cutting) I've attached a design for a large space like yours we did for a client. They chose no drawers or behind door storage to keep it open and meet budget. We added a large low decorative fabric bench in the middle to break up space and give a warm feel and a place to sit and put shoes on. We have lots of projects posted with designs. Take a look for ideas...best of luck and congrats on the new home....Mike

The Container Store is a wonderful source.

I have to say, give yourself a little time, and you will be able to fill it up.