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Design Dilemma Storage & Closet Bedroom

Island in closet

6 years ago

We are installing Ikea pax cabinets in our master closet which is 115 inches wide. I have my heart set on having an island with a chandelier over it. We have mostly clothes to hang which requires 23 inch cabinets. Seems like our options are a 23 inch cabinet on one wall, a shorter one on the other wall 13.75 inch, two 30 inch walkways leaving space for an 18 inch island. It can be longer as we have a lot more space that way. Or do 23 inch on each side and skip the island and maybe do a bench on the middle. Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

Judy Mishkin

6 years ago

consider additional light sources as well. a lot of chandliers give a spattered pattern of light that wouldnt be good for matching clothes to each other. it would be dreadful to have to haul your clothes out of the closet and dump them on the bed, just to be able to see what you are doing.

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Comments (8)

Kathi Steele
6 years ago
Bench in the middle.
tatts
6 years ago
Yeah, I'd also put a bench--something useful for dressing. The island doesn't leave much room for moving around and dressing.
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I am intrigued by the idea of doing the ironing in a closet. When I am ironing, I need access to a TV and wine and none of my closets have that. Whenever I have ironed anything on a surface other than an ironing board, I have always found I needed some sort of padding underneath, which makes the countertop material less relevant. You can choose whatever looks good all the rest of the time that you are not using it as an ironing surface. For me, I would focus on making sure everything is ironed well before being put away and that the closet is designed for the clothes to hang without getting creased. That might not eliminate the need for top-ups, but it certainly minimizes it.
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suezbell
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If you add either a bench or an "island", make them portable and small enough to fit through the doors so they can be moved out without ripping them apart if you change your mind.

If you're building this rather than buying it as a stock item, you might consider creating a unit that is sized appropriate for your space that is a single seat connected to and as a part of a chest of drawers (with casters to make it a portable piece of furniture rather than a built in).

https://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=141713
Nick Platt
6 years ago
If you have your heart set on it, go with the island. If it was mine I'd shorten the island and build a seat into the end of it. My wife has a lot of space for walking but hasn't ever had a seat. She complains about it but has never gotten around to adding a seat.
PRO
Pacific Coast Cabinetry
6 years ago
An 18" wide 'island' at 36" tall would be a tipping hazard unless it is permanently attached. A bench would work and could actually have some storage underneath if designed correctly- and the chandelier would still work above. Share your after photos with us!
cpaul1
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If you don't have room for an island, see if you can make a round tufted ottoman work and hang a chandelier over that. My third choice would be a bench if that's all the space you have.
PRO
Innovative Closet Designs
6 years ago
Ottomans are also great pieces for when you do not have room for a full, permanent island.

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