What does your closet look like? Is it organized or messy? Do you have a few built-in shelves where you just stuff random clothes in? Do you have a section for your shoes or you make do with the floor space?
Choosing the best types of closets for your space should lean towards functionality more than aesthetics. Velvet hangers and overhead lights are nice but you must determine if you have more clothes to hang or fold.
Overall, the perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics should be a priority.
Five Types of Closets You Should Consider
Walk-In Closets
Best For: Larger Homes and Luxury Hotels
Walk-In Closets are luxurious and have slowly become the choice for many modern homes. Walk-in closets are usually larger than reach-in closets and typically need at least a width of six and a half feet for better access.
With a walk-in closet, you have enough space for your entire wardrobe including shoe racks and pull-out sections for folded clothes. There are different types of walk-in closets to fit your bedroom style. With a little research, you can find the best design for you.
Pros and Cons of Walk-In Closets
Pros
- Better Organization. A walk-in closet allows you to put in multiple shelves, drawers, and islands for all of your clothes, shoes, and jewelry.
- Multi-purpose. Your walk-in closet can double as a dressing room or a space to relax after a long day.
- Hygienic. Thanks to how spacious walk-in closets are, your clothes are less susceptible to mould and mildew.
- Higher Property Value. Homes with walk-in closets tend to have a high resale value
- Customization. With so much space, you can be flexible with deign and tweak some areas from time to time.
Cons
- Walk-in closets cannot work for small homes because it requires space
- You need adequate lighting, which might be more expensive.
Reach-In Closets
Best For: Smaller Homes, Children’s Bedrooms, and Guest Rooms
Reach-in Closets are small storage spaces designed primarily for hanging clothes by a rod in a closet. Unlike a walk-in closet, you access your clothes and shoes by reaching into the storage instead of walking into it. Reach-in closets are the most common storage because it requires less space.
Most Reach-in closets have either a swinging or sliding door, a single rod, and a shelf above it. However, you can do more by installing a custom closet system that features multiple cabinets, shelves, rods, and creative light fixtures.
Pros and Cons of Reach-in Closets
Pros
- Budget-Friendly. Reach-in closets are cheaper to make and install.
- Space Saving Solution. Since Reach-in closets are compact and installed by the wall, it saves a lot of space.
- Easy to Organize. Less space means less clothings to sort out, so a reach-in closet hardly gets messy.
Cons
- You can’t fit a lot in a Reach-in closet because of limited space.
- The items at the back can be harder to reach depending on the amount of clothes.
Wardrobes/Armoires Closets
Best For: Apartments, Rental Properties, Homes with Flexible Storage Needs
Wardrobes are free-standing decorative cupboards that are great for storing a host of items. Unlike a closet, wardrobes are standalone structures that can be moved around your home. A wardrobe is essentially a type of closet in the bedroom with swinging doors.
An armoire or wardrobe also differs from a closet because it can be built to order. With closets, you usually have to work with the wall space, however, wardrobes can take any size or shape depending on your preference.
For instance, there are hinged, sliding door, and mirrored wardrobes. All of which have their benefits depending on your space.
Pros and Cons of Wardrobes
Pros
- Space-Saving. Wardrobes are convenient as they can fit into tight corners of the home.
- Easy to Customize. Since wardrobes can be built per your specifications, you can make design them however you prefer.
- Easy maintenance
- Versatile. You can store different items on the racks, shelves, and cabinets of your wardrobe
Cons
- Wardrobes can be bulky. If you have a small space but need a big wardrobe to house your clothes, it can look a bit out of place in the home.
Linen Closet
Best For: Storage of bedding items
Linen Closets are as the name implies, a designated space to store your beddings, linens, and towels neatly. They are smaller than reach-in closets and usually feature shelves of different heights to store multiple types of items. Most linen closets are in installed in the hallway not far from the bathroom.
Some people prefer to have the linen closet in the laundry room. So, you might find that these types of closets accommodate the washing machine and dryer. In addition, you may make this space even more efficient by including a space for laundry supplies and a fold in ironing board.
Pros and Cons of Linen Closets
Pros
- It’s great for making your bedding essentials easily accessible.
- If your washer, dryer, and ironing board are located in your linen closet, it improves efficiency.
- It’s more hygienic to have a designated space for your beddings as opposed to storing them with your clothes.
- Having your linen closet outside your bathroom reduces the chance of mold spots on your beddings.
Cons
- It requires extra space that your home may not have.
Types of Closets for Pantries
Best For: Storing Food and Cookware
Pantry closets are designated spaces for storing cooking essentials such as cookware, food items, and spices. It features racks, shelves, baskets, and drawers.
The location of your pantry will depend on your space; most times, you will find one in the basement, adjacent to the kitchen, a repurpose kitchen cabinet, or an annex space.
Pros and Cons of Pantry Closets
Pro
- It’s great for adequately storing and organizing food and cookware.
- Your cooking essentials will be easier to find.
- The chances of food getting bad because of heat and moisture is minimal.
Cons
- If you have a small space, it could lead to clutter.
- You might need space to install the perfect pantry
Choosing the Right Closet Type For Your Home: 5 Factors to Consider
1. Closet Type
There are several types of closets available to choose from depending on your preference,
- Walk-in
- Sliding
- Stand-alone
- Custom
Walk-in closets are luxurious and stylish but require a lot of space to install. Sliding and custom closets are more compact and can work with many spaces. Stand-alone wardrobes are also excellent alternatives for small spaces but the size has to fit your space for the right balance.
2. Size
Your space plays a huge role in determining what size of closet you can get. If you have a large room, you can opt for walk-in closets, otherwise you may have to consider reach-in closets or wardrobes. Space-saving options are always available and can come in handy is small homes.
3. Material
It’s essential to choose a good material for your closet because it will affect its durability. There are so many factors to consider before choosing the material of your closet such as,
- The location of your closet, is there a chance it could get wet?
- Would you like to paint or design your closet?
- Will your closet hold light or heavy items?
The answers to these questions could affect your final decision. Overall, Plywood, solid hardwood, and laminate are the top choices for most of these types of closets.
For instance kitchen cabinets repurposed as mini pantries are an excellent idea because they are usually made of laminate or MDF. So, they hold a lot of weight and do not easily warp.
4. Doors
Whether you prefer traditional hinged double doors or sliding doors, you must consider your space before making a choice. Although, doorless closets are becoming more common, doors help with keeping dust out of your closet. It’s best to make a choice that meets your needs.
5. Budget
The different types of closets vary in costs. For instance, walk-in closets tend to cost more because they require more work and touchups. Also, a ready-made closet will likely cost less than a custom closet built to your specifications. The prices of materials, process of building, and installation will affect the final price.
5 Tips for Maximizing Closet Space
If you are unable to get the adequate closet size because of your space, here are a few space-saving tips,
- Declutter. Remove clothes that doesn’t fit or you haven’t worn in a year. This also includes shoes and accessories.
- Use wall hooks. You don’t have to drill your walls, get those that stick. They are great for hanging tote bags, soft shoes, and belts.
- Roll your clothes in your drawer. This will create more space for more clothes to fit.
- Separate your short hanging clothes from the long ones. This will create floor space to place a stacking shoe rack or dresser.
- Add a mirror to the back of the closet. This will make your closet space appear larger.
The best types of closets for you largely depends on what is functional for your space. Aesthetics are nice but functionality is important, find a way to merge both and you will get the best results.
FAQ
Which Type of Closet is the Best?
Custom Closets are the best because they are built to your specifications. Access your space and you will get a closet that fits and provides exactly what you need.
How Do I Choose a Wardrobe?
To choose the right wardrobe, you must consider different factors such as the size of your space, material of the wardrobe, and your budget.
What is The Most Space-saving Closet Type?
Reach-in closets are the most space-saving closet. They are installed within the walls and you can customize them to be more functional by including shelves and drawers.
