Custom closet tips that meet your space and organization needs

Three main types of custom closets

Just like your home, custom closets come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

If you have a home, you have a reach-in closet. And if you live in a condominium, townhouse, or older home, reach-in closets might be all you have. In more recent construction, reach-in closets are often used for kids’ rooms, making them the first space to get overburdened with clutter yet so often the last space to get addressed. Reach-in closets typically measure 6 x3 feet and have bi-fold, bypass, or French doors. Oftentimes, the biggest impact is felt during a closet remodel that involves a reach-in closet. Why is that? Because the smaller the space the more important it is that every square inch of space be usable. There’s less “margin” if you will, and thus a design that groups like items and makes clothing more visible and accessible transforms what may have been considered a “lost cause”.

A custom reach-in closet results in having more usable space than you previously had to hold everything you own – and more. Although small, a custom reach-in closet can be loads of fun to design and own, featuring unexpected surprises such as a pint-size bookshelf or built-in bulletin board and twinkle lights. Custom reach-in closets are also what we refer to as “wall hung” meaning the closet organization system is affixed to the wall using a rail system. No part of the structure touches the floor leaving space on the floor to store a laundry basket, backpacks, or a suitcase. A custom reach-in closet can be installed in a morning or afternoon by our experienced installation teams and typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on the features and overall size

A walk-in closet is exactly what it says – a closet big enough for you to walk inside and move about. Some bigger than others, a walk-in closet typically measures 6 x 8 feet and usually has 3 walls that can be considered in the design. With more space available than a reach-in closet, a walk-in closet often features a single bank of drawers that functions as a supplemental built-in dresser giving you some extra drawer space.

Walk-in closets often feature multiple hanging sections – short hang for shirts, medium hang for mid-length jackets or dresses, and a long hang section for longer dresses or coats. Custom walk-in closets also offer homeowners ample shelf space for folded sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans, and t shirts. Most custom walk-in closets feature a built-in hamper, shoe shelves to prevent your shoes from piling up on the floor, and overhead shelving for occasional use items like extra pillows and blankets.  All these features work together so that in most custom walk-in closets, two people can share the custom closet with ease.

Walk-in closets can either be “wall hung” or “floor mounted”. A floor mounted solution sits on the floor and is anchored to the floor and wall as opposed to being hung on the wall from a rail. Floor mounted walk-in closets have a more built-in look, especially if accented with top and bottom crown molding. A custom walk-in closet can be installed in 1-2 days and typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on the size and features.

Like a walk-in closet, a boutique closet is large enough for you to walk inside, move about, and easily get dressed while you’re in the closet. It’s also the largest closet measuring 12 x 15 feet.  Boutique closets are often part of the master bedroom, but boutique closets can also be created by converting the smallest bedroom in the home into a custom closet you’ve been wanting for years.

Boutique closets often feature a center island, the top of which is ideal for setting down shopping bags, folding clothes, or packing for a trip. Many center islands feature a built-in bench so you can sit down while you put on your shoes. The island can often house a built-in hamper or two, a built-in ironing board, and shelves. Thanks to its 4-wall size, boutique closets have ample space for a triple bank of drawers that function as a dresser and eliminate the need for a dresser in your bedroom. Integrated 3-way mirrors, jewelry drawers, necklace cabinets, custom tie racks, and layered lighting are just a few of the many features that can be designed into a custom boutique closet.

And when it comes to shoes, say no more.  The Inspired Closets Shoe Shrine® is a must-have, making it possible to adjust every section to fit the exact height of the pair of shoes it holds, delivering maximum shoe storage. Big enough to include an island, a boutique custom closet offers homeowners the opportunity to begin and end each day in a space they love. Boutique closets are nearly always floor mounted with top and bottom crown molding. A custom boutique closet can typically be installed in 2-4 days and the price usually starts at $10,000.