I agree with Geokid. I design and build custom closet organizers for a living and the layout you've described is one of the most challenging. The only way to utilize the space is to either put 24" deep shelves in both corners facing toward the center of the closet or to add a hanging bar going across with the clothes facing toward the center of the closet. Yes, it will be awkward to access these spaces but not as awkward as if you build everything across the long wall all the way into the corners. Use these two end walls to store items that you don't access very often like suitcases, Christmas boxes, gowns, etc. Best of luck!

Susan, I also planned to build a small island using all IKEA cabinets (approx 48"X24"), and after adding in the panels and the additional support structure it looks like it is going to cost around $1K(!). This is the full workup with everything IKEA.. I have a pretty handy contractor and we've previously worked out some good solutions for the cabinetry in the bathroom and mudroom, so I am hoping we can figure this out too..

will absolutely need gown hanging space, lots of shoes, room for tall boots (ideas?), purse storage, etc. Do you mean you have a lot of evening gowns that must be stored, or do you mean a hook to hang a night gown you're going to wear again? If you mean wear-again items, do you also need a place to hang worn-once workout clothes or jeans you're going to wear again before they're washed? Regardless, I say start by cleaning out what you haven't worn in a while, then inventory just how many "long items" and just how many "short items" you have ... then you can make an intelligent decision (rather than a guess) about how much space you need for hanging items. Shoes are space hogs in the closet, and 8x10 may not stretch as far as you need with "lots" of shoes. Things to consider: - You can get a shoe ottoman, which opens up and gives you a place to sit down and a place to store shoes inside. - You might take some of the shoes out of the closet and put them into a shoe storage item at the foot of your bed. - In so many online pictures, the homeowners use the back wall for shoes ... seems like a good idea. - As for tall boots, I'd plan to keep them under dresses ... and buy a couple dollar-store pool noodles to make them "stand up" and keep their shape. Why the double doors for a closet? Depending upon how your room is laid out, you might want your doors to open "out" into your bedroom so nothing's covering up your clothes in the room. Personally, I'm going with NO doors on my closet. Use height as much as you can. Yes. If you have high ceilings, you might look into handicapped pull-down bars. If you have the height, they'll allow you to have a third row of clothes ... way up top: For last minute touch ups my fold away ironing board could not live without it! See, this is why you have to consider your personal needs. I gave my ironing board to the Salvation Army a decade ago and haven't been sorry yet! We love having pullout valet bars in the closet especially when packing for a trip. Oh, I want valet bars! I almost always lay out my clothes the night before, and I know I'd use them. A pretty hook would do. I have an over-the-door hanger for this purpose right now, and it's okay, but it isn't pretty. Things I think you should consider: Do you intend to include drawers or shelves for your folded items ... or will you have a dresser outside the closet? Do you intend to keep a hamper in the closet? Do you need to set aside space in the closet for linens? Do you want a mirror in the room? This could go on the doors. The ceiling is a great place to bring in something decorative without wasting space. Don't forget good lighting. You might consider an automatic light, which would come on automatically when you enter the closet. On that subject, consider lighted hanging rods: What would you like to store in baskets? They're prefect for things that look messy even when they're folded neatly (like shorts, swim suits, or pajamas) ... whereas, things like jeans look neat when they're folded. Do consider picking up a bunch of matching hangers, and -- once your closet is perfect -- make a "one in, one out" rule. What accessories do you need to store? Do you wear lots of scarves, or do you want to store jewelry in the closet? Do you need to allot space for coats, or do you have a coat closet elsewhere in the house? If you're short, you might want to include a spot for a small stool. Finally, here's a website with lots of closets I find attractive: https://thehappyhousie.porch.com/20-incredible-small-walk-in-closet-ideas-makeovers/

Hi everyone!!! I’m sorry for the late response! Life was happening a bit more then usual this week. Thank you, sincerely, to everyone for the EXTREMELY thorough and detailed and helpful advice!!! Honestly as a new user to this app, I wasn’t sure what to expect but based on this post and the amount of support and help I’ve been given- Im so grateful for every response. Answers to questions- It’s a rental!! 3 bed/2 bath. Apartment is approx. 1050 sq ft, kitchen is about 8’3” x 8’7” The amount of people is 3, sometimes 4 people. It’s my Roommate and I, and my boyfriend just moved in. Her fiancé is in the navy so he’s here a lot as well when he’s not working (but doesn’t officially live here). We also have a full grown husky. We’re all full sized humans, shortest being 5’ tall, tallest being 5’9”. Husky is tiny for her age but still a full sized adult dog. I’m not sure what a soffit is. I can’t ditch the coffee pot unfortunately, it’s used far too often and IMO is the most used appliance in our kitchen. I DID have my coffee pot in the living room in the past on a side table but felt it was silly to be there. However, the amount of suggestions telling me to move kitchen things into that area is questioning my original judgment. So many of you are saying to move stuff to be not in the kitchen and it’s just something I’ve never done before. I’m going to try it out and keep everyone updated but it seems so odd to me. Why would my pots etc., be anywhere but the kitchen?! Clearly, all of you seem to know something I don’t in this regard so I’m gonna try it! Haha please be patient with my ignorance here. Everyone keeps mentioning a rice cooker but we don’t actually have one of those??? The appliances seen in my photos don’t show a rice cooker so I’m confused on that. The issue I seem to keep finding while trying to tackle this apartment is that we both (roommate and I) have double of things because we’re two adults living together. (Hence the two paper towel holders, etc.) My roommate and I are close enough with each other that we can share food, cleaning, cooking supplies etc etc, whatever it may be so while we don’t NEED two of everything, my issue is where do the doubles go?? Obviously neither of us want to get rid of our belongings just to save space. (if she or I move out, are we supposed to just buy everything all over again??) we don’t really have a place to store doubles unless in the same place as the other? This is where I’m struggling. We’ve got a closet I guess we can put that extra stuff in but as far as the kitchen goes, does it not make sense to just keep them in the same place? (Genuine question) I’ve attached a pic of the rest of the living room area for any further (& much appreciated!!) suggestions. To be honest: you’re all correct. My roommate and I are both fairly clutter-y people, and neither one of us really mind if the other leaves things around or doesn’t clean up right away. But I promise we really do clean!!! Even though my pics show differently. The issue is when were both doing so, it just gets messy and it gets messy FAST. I really love the pegboard idea and the mugs underneath the cabinet on hooks so I’ll do that today and look into getting a pegboard too. Pics to update will follow! Thanks so much everybody