Modern-day closet and storage solutions have been evolving rapidly in recent years. Yet there are still many of the classic themes that remain popular no-matter-what. If you are building your new home or simply doing a major remodel, there are a lot of closet types to choose from. To the point that it can be hard to know what type of closet is right for you, or the room you have in mind.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some old and new closet types, as well as the situations they serve best.
A Walk-In Closet
A walk-in closet is thought by many to be the height of luxury. They tend to be connected to the master suite or master bedroom. Though there are some homes with a “Mother In Law Apartment” that also have smaller walk-in closets.
With a walk-in closet, you’re dealing with a lot of space and many people will go beyond basic garment storage to include things like:
- A dressing area with mirrors
- A handbag storage area
- A side shoe closet
- Jewelry armoire or jewelry box
- Display areas
- Coffee bar
- Dressers and drawer organizers
A walk-in closet is a place that invites customization to your specific tastes. Many people see it as a place to enjoy a little “Me Time.” While it’s often thought of as being exclusively for the lady of the house, there are a fair number of men who enjoy a walk-in closet all their own.
The trade-off here is that a truly customized walk-in closet is going to eat up a fair amount of square footage. In a new construction home, it’s not as big of a deal as it is trying to work a sizable walk-in closet into a remodeling project. Especially if the home didn’t originally have a walk-in closet. Though there have been more than one empty nesters who turned their child’s old bedroom into a massive walk-in closet.
A Reach In Closet
A reach-in closet is arguably a step smaller than the prestigious walk-in closet, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be impressive. Indeed, there are some that command an entire wall of a master bedroom giving a lot of his and her garment space.
A lot of reach-in closets have a long closet pole rod for hanger space with overhead shelving or cupboards to hold other items like hats and handbags. There’s usually room at the base for a fair amount of shoe storage.
Some people will leave their reach in closet open and on display, while others choose to tastefully hide it behind folding doors, curtains, or a dressing screen. A recessed reach-in closet is also a great candidate for sliding barn doors that can further enhance the décor of the master suite.
Lighting is also a blank canvas to play within a reach-in closet. Recessed lights can be installed in the ceiling or out of the overhead storage. They let you highlight specific garments, or simply help you find what you want to wear.
Wardrobes, Armoires, and Chifferobe
These are three different terms that essentially describe the same thing. Here again, you are taking a step down in overall size from a reach-in closet. Most tend to have a large cabinet with hanging space concealed tastefully behind a pair of double doors. The lower portion tends to be drawers that you can pull out to hold other loose garments like socks, and folded tee shirts. When the doors are open they can hold scarves and necklaces or perhaps a modest dressing mirror.
Many wardrobes are free-standing, though some people will still mount them to the wall. You can set up two of them in a master suite to provide his and hers garment storage. The architecture and design of wardrobes, armoires, and chifferobes can be customized to match the overall décor of the room.
Wardrobes can also be multi-functional. After all, there are no hard and fast rules stating that you have to use it for clothing. The upper portion can house a modest TV to create a bedroom entertainment center. Not to mention more than one teenager has repurposed a wardrobe as a gaming center.
Linen Closets
Linen closets don’t get to enjoy the fame of their more prestigious siblings. Yet you would miss them if you didn’t have at least one in your home. Yes, they are utilitarian in that they hold extra blankets, sheets, pillows, washcloths, and towels. You tend to find them most near bathrooms and outside of the bedroom areas. They free up storage space in other closets, while also giving you one place to store so many essential soft items.
While there aren’t a lot of fancy linen closet features to play with, it doesn’t mean a linen closet has to be completely plain-Jane. Some potpourri at the back of a shelf or some cedar hanging in the rear can give towels and blankets a pleasant odor. Adjustable shelves will let you maximize storage space. Especially for times when you need to put away thick comforters or store a duvet.
Foyer Or Hall Closet
Here again, we’re talking about a utilitarian closet that still serves an essential purpose. Foyer, hall, or entryway closets give you a place to store your family’s jacks and shoes out of sight. Little things like personal cubbies, shoe racks, and shelf dividers will also help give everyone their own space while encouraging them to keep things properly organized.
A Pantry
When you take a moment to think about it, a pantry also qualifies as a closet. It just happens to be a closet that stores food. It’s a great place to keep non-perishable food items, baking ingredients, perhaps a few bottles of table wine, and even the good china.
Some pantries are little more than a wardrobe closet that matches the kitchen décor, while there are others so large that they are nearly a walk-in closet for food. If you are going to invest in a walk-in pantry, you’ll want to also give it some type of door to make sure it doesn’t just feel like an extension of the kitchen. Heavy-duty shelves are also important, things like canned goods and big bags of flour can all add up in weight.
