A Homebuilders' Guide To Closets: How to Optimize Storage Potential

‍Is a Walk-in or Reach-in Closet Better?

Walk-in closets are often at the top of a wish list for homebuyers and are revered as a luxury item, while reach-in closets have a reputation for being common with less versatility. From the perspective of capacity vs. footprint, this is not always accurate. In fact, an 18’ x 2’ reach-in closet has the same capacity as a 7’ x 7’ walk-in closet.

The main difference between the two is the accessibility and visibility of the areas behind walls and bulkheads. This can be mitigated by selecting the correct style and dimension of closet doors.

What Type of Door is Best for a Closet?

What to Consider When Selecting the Style of Closet Door:

Closet Dimensions: Closets come in all shapes and sizes. Doors, however, are most commonly available in standard dimensions. If a closet’s dimensions are not compatible with a standard door, it may result in accessibility issues, limiting the versatility and overall design.

Space Requirements: In modern construction, more space is allocated to common areas of the home, resulting in smaller bedrooms. In some cases, there is little room left over once a bed is placed in the space. This limits the options for closet doors.

Accessibility: Wide closets with tall ceilings in theory should provide a greater capacity for storage; however, if a standard bi-fold door which is 72” w x 80” h is used on a reach-in closet that is 10’ w x 2’ d x 10’ h, there will be severe accessibility issues.

Which Is Better: Bifold or Sliding Closet Doors?

Bi-fold Door

Bi-fold doors consist of two panels hinged together, folding in the center to open and close. They typically feature multiple panels, allowing for a wider opening when fully extended. Bi-fold doors are available in various materials, including wood, composite, and glass, offering flexibility in design.

Benefits:

• Space-saving: Bi-fold doors fold neatly to the side, requiring minimal clearance space and maximizing floor space in front of the closet.
• Accessibility: When fully opened, bi-fold doors provide easy access to the entire closet interior, allowing for convenient organization and retrieval of items.
• Versatility: Bi-fold doors are suitable for closets of different sizes and configurations, making them a versatile option for various spaces. Combining two sets of bi-fold doors will allow you to maximize accessibility when the width of the space is greater than six feet.
• Availability: Bi-fold doors are available at most building supply stores and come in a wide range of styles and sizes. With single and double-door options, they are suitable for almost any space.

Setbacks:

• Maintenance: The hinges and tracks of bi-fold doors may require periodic maintenance to ensure smooth operation and prevent issues such as sticking or misalignment.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors consist of two or more panels mounted on tracks, sliding horizontally to open and close. They are available in a range of materials, including wood, aluminum, and mirrored glass, offering aesthetic versatility. Sliding doors can feature single or multiple panels, depending on the width of the closet opening.

Benefits:

• Space-efficient: Sliding doors glide along tracks, requiring minimal clearance space and eliminating the need for swing clearance, making them ideal for small or narrow closets.
• Sleek design: Sliding doors offer a contemporary and streamlined appearance, complementing modern interior styles and enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space.
• Smooth operation: Quality sliding door systems provide effortless operation, with panels gliding smoothly along the tracks for ease of use.

Setbacks:

• Limited access: Sliding doors only allow access to one side of the closet at a time, potentially hindering visibility and organization, especially in larger closets.
• Track maintenance: Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in the tracks, affecting the smooth operation of sliding doors and necessitating regular cleaning and maintenance.

Hinged Doors

Hinged doors, also known as swing doors, are attached to the door frame by hinges on one side, allowing them to swing open and closed. They come in various styles and materials, including wood, composite, glass, and metal, offering versatility in design. Hinged doors can be single or double doors, depending on the width of the closet opening.

Benefits:

• Full access: Hinged doors provide unobstructed access to the entire closet interior when fully opened, allowing for easy organization and retrieval of items.
• Classic design: Hinged doors offer a timeless and traditional aesthetic, complementing a wide range of interior styles and adding architectural interest to the space.
• Durability: Well-constructed hinged doors are sturdy and durable, providing long-lasting functionality and performance.

Setbacks:

• Space requirement: Hinged doors require clearance space for swinging open, which may be a limitation in small or cramped closets, especially if adjacent furniture or fixtures obstruct the door's swing path.
• Limited layout flexibility: The swing of hinged doors can impact the layout of the surrounding space, potentially restricting furniture placement or obstructing pathways.
• Potential safety hazard: In areas with limited space or high traffic, the swing of hinged doors may pose a safety hazard, especially if they swing open unexpectedly or collide with nearby objects or people.

What are the Standard Dimensions for Closet Doors?

Standard dimensions for closet doors are driven by practicality, building codes, and industry norms. Standardized dimensions ensure that closet doors are compatible with commonly used door frames and openings, help streamline the manufacturing process, and result in cost savings with a greater variety of choices in terms of design and materials.

‍What will Affect the Storage Capacity of a Closet?

There are three major factors that limit the capacity and design of a closet: accessibility, clearance, and obstacles. When designing a closet, we first have to consider the moving parts. Will doors and drawers collide in operation? Will items and obstacles be accessible?

Obstacles:

A poorly placed light switch, thermostat, vent, or baseboard heater will dictate the design of a closet. Simply placing the closet’s light switch or a thermostat on the outer wall instead of inside the closet will eliminate their impact on the design. Positioning vents and heaters under windows or along walls that cannot be utilized will decrease their impact on the design. Access and electric panels are best placed on walls that cannot be utilized; for example, behind the swing of a door. If an access panel or attic access is located in the ceiling, it is best to have a removable panel in the center of the space instead of a hinged panel near the walls. Bulkheads and buildouts are unavoidable in some cases, but it is good to consider the following standards when building closets. Double hanging (two rows of hanging vertically stacked) requires a minimum of 86” in height and 22” in depth. Shelving and drawers require 14” to 20” of depth.

Clearance:

The amount of space required to open the doors, drawers, and pull-out shelves must be considered during design. It is also important to consider the overall layout and accessibility of all closet sections; no items should be hidden or made inaccessible by obstructions.

The width, style and location of the closet door can also limit optimization. Where possible, a pocket or barn door is an ideal system for a walk-in closet; especially if it is a walk-through closet.

Example #1: Small walk-in closet

1. If you have a 4’ x 4’ space with a 30” w hinged door swinging into the closet, you are limited to a minimal amount of hanging space and shelving.
2. In the same 4’ x 4’ space by simply decreasing the door’s width to 28” will allow an increase in hanging capacity and the clearance for shelving and drawers.
3. In the same 4’ x 4’ space, reducing the door’s width to 24” and installing a single bi-fold door, will allow the most versatility in this small space.

Example #2: 5 ½’ W x 8’ L   

In this example we compare using swing doors and bi-fold in closets storage designs:

A) In this option, the placement and style of the door limit the use of the right wall, limiting the design options.
B) In this option, the placement and style of the door allow for a full “U” shaped design maximizing the use of the space.

                                          B)

Accessibility

Example #1: 10’ Reach-in

A) In the first option, the clothing behind the return walls would not be visible and would only be accessed when the clothing in front of it has been removed.

B) In the second option, everything is visible and accessible for the two separate openings.

Note: In options “B” hinged or sliding doors could also be utilized, depending on the clearance inside the room.

What is optimal size and shape for a closet?

Reach-in Closets

Ideally, reach-in closets are 24” in depth. When utilizing it for hung items they can not be less than 22” deep. For pantries and linen closets, an interior depth of 16” to 22” is typical. Avoid creating angles less than 90 degrees or jutts greater than 14” in depth.

In these cases, it would be better to remove the angle and decrease the width of the closets.

When it comes to widths, anything goes. However, it is a best practice to consider the standard door dimensions, so you do not create accessibility issues. Large return walls and tall bulkheads over doors will decrease accessibility. When possible, use taller doors to increase vertical accessibility.

Walk-in Closets

When possible, avoid angles other than of 90 degrees. This will eliminate dead space resulting in a cleaner design. This also requires less technical skill to install, so there is a greater chance of precision and will lower the cost.

In terms of ceiling height, the range of 8 to 9 feet is considered ideal. While 10-foot ceilings may exude luxury, they do not necessarily offer additional storage space.

Another thing to consider is material dimensions and optimization. If you are on a strict budget, sticking to these guidelines will help.

Should I have a Window in my Closet?

Windows in closets can provide natural light and ventilation, making the space feel larger and more inviting. However, there are several drawbacks. Direct sunlight can fade clothing, and windows reduce the available wall space, impacting storage design. Using UV-protective film on the windows or blinds and shades can mitigate sunlight damage. When designing a closet, it's essential to balance natural light with storage needs and privacy.

How Much Should You Budget for Custom Closets?

Aside from having several companies quote on the project once the construction is well on its way, it is difficult to determine a realistic budget.

The most important part of determining a budget is understanding the value your client places on home organization. Here are a couple of questions you can ask your client to get clarification and direction:

1. Are custom closets a priority for you? A nice to have or need to have?
2. Rank the following in order of importance when considering custom closets: Budget, function, aesthetics, quality, service

If their answer is “Need to have” and they ranked function before the budget; home organization is of utmost importance to them. These clients already understand that personalizing the closets in each room will allow for more versatility in the bedrooms, decreasing the need for additional furniture.

If the answer is “Nice to have” and the budget is ranked at the top, it is best to set realistic expectations with your clients so you know which direction to steer them. If they are not overly concerned about quality or functionality, a company that provides a simple melamine shelf with a metal rod will suffice. This could be your glass company or even your kitchen company.

A General Guideline for Estimating a Budget for Custom Closets:

There are several aspects to consider when searching for a provider:

1. Quality and customization: again, “Nice to have” vs “Need to have” will be key
2. Design: if functionality is a top priority, expertise will make all the difference
3. Service: what level of service do you expect and how involved do you want to be?

What is the difference between closets and cabinets?

The primary difference between cabinets and closets is the construction and installation methods. A cabinet consists of 4 sides and a back, whereas closet parts consist of shared panels, a series of shelving, rods, doors and drawers; they will often not include backing. Cabinets are most often assembled in a shop, whereas closets are flat-packed and built on-site.

At Clever Quarters we specialize in both cabinet and closet construction. With the ability to design, manufacture and install utilizing both methods, we can create almost any form of custom cabinetry.

When considering sourcing your closet organizers from a company that predominantly designs and installs kitchens/bathrooms, there are a few things to consider. 

Differences in Product:

• Kitchen cabinet standard depths (12” and 24”) are not ideal for a 22” - 24” D closet space, this will create accessibility issues. These dimensions are also not ideal for the items stored inside a closet.
• Kitchen companies will often utilize 24” deep cabinets in walk-in closets which create blind corners that are difficult to utilize.
• Cabinets construction requires more material therefore it is often less cost-effective to design smaller spaces with cabinets.
• Closet accessories are built with the standard 32mm system and closet depths of 14” and 16” in mind.

Differences in Expertise:

• Kitchens are often the reason for a home renovation. Therefore the construction is planned around what needs to be accomplished.
• Closets are often an afterthought, resulting in more challenging shapes and sizes to design within.

• Kitchens have four main components that require accommodations such as dedicated power, ducting and plumbing; therefore the space will be designed around where these essentials must be placed.
• Closets are often where HRVs, access panels, and other obstacles are placed to keep them out of sight. Few people know how to place these obstacles to minimize their impact on design possibilities.
• Kitchens provide storage for food, cookware, utensils, small appliances and serving ware.
• Closets serve several purposes beyond clothing storage and will vary from person to person; therefore there are countless variations for each space and the design greatly depends on the content and intended use of the space.

At Clever Quarters we take pride in our 5-star reputation. Our service-focused process will provide you and your client with peace of mind that you are in good hands. With experienced Design Consultation acting as a project manager, we can handle the complete process from start to finish, involving you as much or as little as you would like. Our goal is to make this process stress-free for you and your client.

Conclusion

While larger closets may be desired, more space does not always equate to greater storage. Selecting the correct door style, ensuring adequate clearance, and strategically placing obstacles will allow you to maximize the available space. By considering the various benefits and setbacks of bi-fold, sliding, and hinged doors, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs and preferences.

While the kitchen is said to be the heart of the home, your closet is where you begin and end your day. It can be a haven or a hassle, the difference is in the details. Hopefully, this blog has been informative, providing you with the information required to make informed decisions on behalf of you and your client.