Took my pics yesterday and then forgot to post them. Will do it today! Kirk--yes, it's the Algot system (and yes, love Ikea sales!). The plywood is at least 1/2", maybe 3/4". I'm not exactly sure how the plywood itself is attached. There are studs in the corners I think it's nailed in. If the push against the wall at the center is definitely has a bit of "give" (vs a "normal" wall that wouldn't move), but it still seems sturdy, if that makes sense. I'm tempted to just give it a go and see what happens (famous last words...). Livewire--that was my initial thought, but for a total newbie, the concept of "building a stud wall" is a bit overwhelming! I need to find someone more experienced to show me the ropes. Thanks so much to both of you for your suggestions and insight. I really do appreciate it! Jessica

THank you for the responses. Very appreciated! Here's another picture of the room to get some sort of idea what our tastes are. I def don't want a cheap feeling or looking door! There is room for french doors and that's definitely a consideration. I'm a bit overwhelmed for some reason on doors! We literally have no doors in the apt! We removed them all when we started the renovations. Leaning towards single panel doors but again have not made any choices yet. A question is how tall to make the closet doors. Ceiling height i a little over 8 feet. The mirrored bi-folds that we removed were floor to ceiling. We have the same set up in the hallway closet that we redid and that also has no doors! For the hallway, I think bifolds make best sense as I don't really like sliding doors and the hallway is only 38" wide. I've attached a picture of the messy unfinished hall closet! That's about 7 feet x 28" deep. Also need a bedroom door, hall bathroom door, master bathroom door (in another thread) The apartment master bedroom closet and hallway closet seemed to have been designed for floor to ceiling bi folds..Ceiling height 98" I am wondering if it will look a little nicer to build down a few inches for these closets and am searching for ideas. Thanks again for the comments! Entry to bedroom Hall Closet Bedroom

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".

Requirements for egress differ from place to place. Where I live (Ontario Canada) it's enough to have an egress window somewhere in the basement, in addition to the main staircase exit. The window doesn't need to be in the bedroom. It may be different where you live, or you may want to put in a bedroom egress window even if your code doesn't require it. So be sure you budget for that expense if you don't already have what is required. The requirements for a legal bedroom, size-wise, also differ from place to place. If you want to list it as a bedroom when you sell, be sure you build it to the adequate size for your location.