A good walk-in closet is planned in zones, not filled in order. Start with what you own, group it, and give each group the right kind of space. This guide covers the three things people ask us most: how deep a closet should be, how to split it into zones, and where light matters.
Start with depth
Closets are commonly 22 to 24 inches deep, and we plan the depth with you for your room. Hanging walls need the most depth; shelves and drawers can be shallower. If the closet is wide enough, a walk-in with units on two or three walls leaves a walking aisle in the middle, and the aisle should stay comfortable to move through with a laundry basket.
Divide the closet into zones
- Short hanging for shirts, jackets and folded-over items: two rails one above the other.
- Long hanging for dresses and coats: one rail with the space below it kept clear.
- Shelves for folded clothes, bags and shoes.
- Drawers for small items. A bank of drawers also makes a good place for a mirror or a bench.
Put what you use every day at eye level and between waist and shoulder height. Keep the top shelves for things you reach for rarely.
Plan the light
Light is easy to forget and hard to add later. Put light where you look: along the hanging rails and over the shelves, so the colors you pick in the morning are the colors you see. Plan power for it before the units go in. If your closet has no window, light matters even more.
Measure the space
Sketch the room from above, measure each wall in feet and inches, and note the doors, windows and anything on the walls. Our guide to how to measure your closet shows the steps. Then tell us what you need to store and we will help you draw the layout.
Where we come in
Design help is free, and the standard price list is the same for everyone. Send us your measurements and a photo, or start your design, and we will draw the layout with you. You can see what we offer on our closets and wardrobes page. Lead time is about 7 days. Shipping within the US then takes 3 to 7 days, depending on your location. For custom work we confirm the production time when the order is placed. From our policies: "We offer a 1-year limited warranty to the original purchaser, covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential use. The warranty is non-transferable." and "We will repair or replace the affected part at our discretion." Full terms: thelocalcabinetry.com/policies#warranty.
