12 Secrets for Designing The Ultimate Walk-in Closet

Declutter Your Closet

Closets are great for holding all of the random things we don’t use frequently but don’t want to toss. A cluttered space can make even the most fashion-forwarded wardrobe look shabby. Remove all items that aren’t the correct size or that you haven’t worn in a year or more, and donate them to a local charity or throw them out if they’re stained or ripped. Only keep clothes, bags, and accessories that fit well and are special to you. Once these items are out of your closet, you have more room to organize your favorite items and room to see everything clearly.

Organize Clothes by Color

Arranging your wardrobe may feel overwhelming in the beginning, but it will help you in the long term when you’re searching for a particular item. Taking a cue from clothing stores, an easy way to organize your clothes is by color and more specifically, going from dark shades to lighter shades. Start with your black pieces on one end, then add gray, and go from there. You will see the color contrast when looking for an outfit, and especially if you’re a visual person, it can be extremely useful.

Hang Accessories

To organize your jewelry, belts, and scarves, try hanging them instead of piling them into drawers or boxes. By displaying your accessories, you can see them easily and decide more quickly what to wear. We've shared tips on arranging items, such as trying a jewelry mannequin or taking advantage of the hangers in your closet. We also talked about how using a wall-mounted jewelry pegboard works great for hanging jewelry – allowing you to hang a variety of necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets in a stylish way.

Use All Available Space

Every room has hidden, underutilized spots – even walk-in closets. Look for ways to use an empty corner or space under a window for something playful and unexpected. Add a fun corner basket or flat decorative box to give visual appeal while adding extra storage. Shelves above hanging rails are great for storing seasonal items, like winter boots, summer hats, or special occasion purses. Try placing pretty boxes on these shelves for an attractive look that doubles as functional storage.

Add a Small Dresser

Adding a dresser to your closet gives your closet a classy custom vibe. A dresser also offers a new element to what can be a boring room while adding extra drawer storage. Skilled organizers at Real Simple share how a long wall often calls for a long dresser and a short wall speaks to a taller dresser. They explain that you can easily place a shorter dresser under a rail and hang tops and blazers above it.

Spruce Up Your Lighting

Lighting is important in any room but is essential in a closet. If your closet isn’t well-lit, the color of your clothes won’t display well, and it can impact what you wear and how you see yourself. Combine overhead lighting with a chandelier, pendant, or sconce fixture for maximum effect.

Bulb selection is key too. Try different shades of bulbs, from a daylight version with a brighter white hue to a casual bulb with a softer off-white hue. If you have a closet window, make sure the light from the window isn’t too bright, as the UV rays can fade your clothes. Investing in a good-quality window blind or window shade can make a big difference in your lighting and for preserving the quality of your wardrobe.

Lay Down a Rug

Adding a small area rug to a walk-in closet adds instant appeal. A cute rug can make a big difference by adding visual appeal and a way to bring in a fun focal point. Life as Mama experts explain how a rug brings an aesthetic focal point to the bottom of your closet. They add that before laying down a new rug, try painting the inside of your closet too. Some luxe wallpaper can spruce up this small space.

Take a Seat

Whether it’s a bench, stool, or small chair, having a spot to sit down in your closet will improve your getting-ready process. It’s nearly impossible to put on socks, stockings, or skinny jeans standing up, so make your life easier by adding a small seat. Some benches come with inside storage, so a stylish bench could have a second use in a small space.

Feature a Tall Mirror

Adding a mirror to your walk-in closet is a great way to add more personality to your closet. With so many options available, you can add an over-the-door mirror, flat wall mirror, standing mirror, or hanging mirror to most closets. Your closet is where you try on outfits each day, so having a good mirror adds functionality and takes the guesswork out of what outfit to choose. A mirror will also make the small space look larger.

Accessorize Your Closet

An inexpensive way to add a classy look to your closet is by updating your closet hardware. By switching out the handles or knobs in your walk-in, you are spending very little for a maximum result. This small hardware change will brighten up a tired space and help modernize your closet to match any new updates in the rest of your home. Use more stylish hardware for a higher-end look, or more standard hardware for a classic look. Either way, your whole closet will look hipper and more updated.

Try Wooden Hangers

Your hanging clothes will look better if you use the right kind of hangers. Change out the metal dry-cleaner hangers and cheap plastic hangers for wood hangers. By incorporating all wood, your wardrobe will look more cohesive and coordinated while helping to shape your clothes with wider hanging pieces. Wood hangers will also help prevent your clothes from falling off the hangers and help them remain unwrinkled and avoid stretching.

Improve on Shoe Organization

When organizing an ultimate closet, shoes can sometimes be overlooked. Whether you are a shoe aficionado with designer pumps and boots or you prefer to have three or four everyday classics, it’s essential to think about the best storage options for all your shoes.

When planning where to place your shoes, consider what pairs you wear most often and put them up front. Seasonal or special occasion shoes can go toward the back since they’re used less often. Shoe racks can be helpful for organization as well as labeling cardboard or clear plastic shoe boxes or bins by season. Shoe bars are another good option for seeing all your shoes at a glance. Snapping photos of shoes for the outside of shoe boxes can identify each pair to help avoid opening each box when searching for the right pair.

In Closing

Designing a beautiful closet is a wonderful way to add style to your home. With these easy fixes, your walk-in will look and feel lavish. By taking control of your shoe organization, adding wooden hangers, a plush rug, mirror, and dresser, and organizing your wardrobe by color, your closet will look extravagant in no time. Use these tips for creating your dream closet and turn your smallest room in your house into your favorite place to hang out.

Sources:

• https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/closets/walk-in-closet-design-tips
• https://lifeasmama.com/6-ways-to-make-your-closet-look-more-elegant/