Do you lust over walk in closet ideas on your fave social media microblogging sites? We certainly do, and while we could waffle on in true Carrie Bradshaw-style about why this is one of our favorite way to display our garments – let's just cut straight to it.
Indeed, you can have walk in closet organization ideas (of sorts), even if your bedroom is on the smaller side. You just need to be really clever with your space and invest in the right storage. Here we've rounded up loads of dressing room ideas to help you live out your closet dreams no matter what size space you are dealing with.
Sure, closet organizers in your wardrobe can keep clothing tidy, but having a whole space dedicated to LBDS, shoes, and skirts? Prepare to strut down your makeshift catwalk like a true A-lister.
1. First assess your closet storage needs
Before getting carried away with glamorous walk in closet ideas, carefully assess your clothes storage needs and preferences so that you can take on the most convenient closet organization ideas for you.
It's worth checking out our guide on how to declutter your wardrobe first so you're not cramming the space with clothes you don't wear. We're not saying you commit your best buys to the charity shop, but it might be a good idea to get hold of the best clothing storage bags (for your seasonal wears), if space is a bit tight.
Do you prefer to hang or fold the majority of your garments? How much rail vs drawer vs shelf space will you need? Factor in shoe storage ideas (including shoe racks), as well as allocating an area for handbags, swimwear and accessories, as these smaller items are often the most challenging to store neatly.
Shelves instead of drawers for your jumpers and jeans are a good dressing room idea, using dividers and designated compartments to keep your clothes in a neat pile.
Hanging space is a must, but make sure you have enough room for full-length garments as well as shorter ones and double your clothes storage by incorporating shorter hanging if you only need to hang trousers or skirts. Hangers or slide-out fixings? A combination of both is good. Creased and crumpled clothes on the floordrobe is a no-no, so having a handheld or standing clothes steamer handy in your walk-in closet is a purchase you won't regret.
Oh and make sure you're not making these clothing storage mistakes, whatever you do!
2. Choose between fitted or freestanding furniture
Fitted or freestanding dressing room furniture? Fitted options are more expensive than off-the-shelf wardrobes, but have the advantage of being fully customizable to your space, increasing your storage by, on average, 30 percent, and therefore freeing up more floor space.
Simon Tcherniak, senior designer at Neville Johnson, says: 'Fitted wardrobes are an ideal way of keeping your clothes neat and organized, while also maximizing space in the bedroom.'
'Opting for bespoke fitted wardrobes enables homeowners to create personalized storage space for clothing, shoes and accessories, which makes the process of getting ready more enjoyable.'
'The big advantage of fitted wardrobes is of course that it can fill the space and cope with any idiosyncrasies. It is amazing how much storage you gain by going high up the wall, and if you make it no deeper than it needs to be, your room will still feel spacious.'
'If you need to access your higher-level storage on a regular basis, then a built-in ladder can be useful. Similarly, pull-out shelves will help you to make use of deep spaces.'
When it comes to choosing your dressing room storage furniture, have a combination of types, but be mindful that drawers cost more than shelves or hanging space.
If you're looking for budget bedroom ideas, use shelves and storage boxes in place of drawers. Also, choose an affordable, good-quality carcass for your closet and dress it up with investment doors, handles and soft-close hinges. Why not consider handleless doors for a chic and sleek aesthetic.
3. Raise the roof
Take your walk in closet ideas to new levels with a rooftop dressing room. The top of the house is a great location for storing your garments and this chintzy arrangement is goals. We love the floral wallpaper that frames the scheme, paired with a bi-fold door idea by California Closets, so that you can hide a messy closet quickly and easily.
4. Consider modular furniture
Isn't this the walk-in-closet of dreams? It's got plenty of room for shoes, clothes, and other precious items. Get the look by combining a mix of metal modular shelving ideas with high and low edges that you can easily add rods and hooks to. These fab ones featured are by Scandinavian retailer, String Furniture.
And don't underestimate those cabinets with flip doors overhead as they can increase storage capacity in an instant.
5. Choose brightly-colored decor
If you've been daydreaming about a boujie walk-in closet idea after binging on episodes of 'And Just Like That...' – we've got good news. With a little help from Neville Johnson, you can create a SATC-style suite for your clothes, including a personal fitting room.
To recreate your NYC-esque nook, choose bold cabinetry (Magenta pink is pretty) plus look up to your ceiling ideas to make the most of your fifth wall. These flowers are super cute and create an Instagrammable backdrop for those influencer-style outfit selfies. To copy the look, you can either stick faux flowers on one-by-one or there are a number of pre-made flower walls you can find on Amazon.
6. Create an instant closet with a space-saving curtain
This is a fab hack for creating a small walk in closet idea even if you have zero space. Hiding your closet behind a curtain gives it a separate feel from the rest of your bedroom, and also keeps the space free from the clutter that resides in your closet.
7. Or use a room divider to create a dressing room
Even if you don't have an obvious place for your closet, you could pinch this walk-in closet idea and create the look by using a wardrobe (or a floor-to-ceiling storage system) to split the space and zone the room to include a walk in closet. This room divider idea will work if you want to use part of your bedroom as a home office, too.
Alternatively, use a conventional room divider in the more traditional sense to section off an area to get dressed in. It's a great makeshift wardrobe if you're looking for upmarket guest room ideas when family and friends come to stay.
8. Leave wall space for smaller items
Ah pegboard, of course, there has to be some pegboard. It's great for creating storage for makeup, jewelry and accessories. Then, pop a mirror up and you have a dressing table as part of your closet too. This is a great bedroom wall decor idea if your fashion vault currently looks a bit blah.
9. Wall mount clothes rails to save on space
Wall mount a clothes rail for more hanging space and leave the space underneath for storing all those bits that you can never find a home for – shoes, suitcases, that sort of thing. Plus a clothes rail is really inexpensive too, so a great if you want to create a walk in closet on a budget.
10. Squeeze a walk-in closet into an alcove
Get creative in where you could put a walk in closet in your bedroom with a clever idea for an alcove. Even if you don't have an adjoining room to turn into a wardrobe if you've got a recess or a long run of wall, fixing clothes rails and shelving. Ideal if you're renting!
11. Keep your walk in closet organized with boxes
An organized closet saves you from jumper avalanches each time you want to get to a new item. Keeping things neatly folded in clear plastic boxes will allow you to see where everything is – you could even be extra Monica from Friends and label them.
12. Re-organize your walk in closet with the seasons
Because you don't need a whole closet of sandals and summer dresses in the middle of winter. Switch out your wardrobe every few months to keep it clutter-free and filled with clothes you are actually going to wear.
Pop whatever clothes you aren't wearing into boxes under the bed, or in the loft and, again, label them so you know what you get our as the seasons change.
13. Use the back of a door for extra storage
Pegboard again! Yes, we have sung the praises of pegboard many a time and they can add plenty of extra storage to your closet by fixing a few boards to the back of your closet or wardrobe door. They are really handy for keeping the smaller items, like, jewelry, shoes, glasses and bags organized and easily accessible.
14. Think about lighting
Lighting is key in closet design – thinking your lighting scheme through carefully will enable you to make the most of the space. Where possible, try to locate your dressing table in front of a natural light source. If this isn’t possible, make sure you add some spotlighting, even if the room is small. Aim for the magic number of at least five light sources, not only for practicality and visibility but to create atmosphere and spotlight accents.
Don’t forget the sockets – the last thing you need is to create your perfect dressing room and then have to stand on the other side of the room to dry your hair with your best hairdresser being stretched to its limits. Look at how to plan bedroom lighting to get started – many of the principles are the same.
Lighting is perhaps the most important design choice for your walk-in closet, and ideally, it needs to be layered for different functions.
We spoke to Michael Meiser, president of Lumilum on how to zhuzh up your walk in closet ideas with light. He says: 'Energy-efficient LED strip lighting can be used along clothes racks to accentuate your hanging garments, while ceiling bulbs and puck lighting can be used to shine a spotlight on collections of jewelry, bags, and shoes.'
'For your hanging garments, it’s recommended you have medium to high-density and medium-wattage bulbs, so you can clearly see your clothes in darkness. These work best in combination with a motion sensor.'
'Low-wattage bulbs and strips should be used for your accessories, with a glow that's just bright enough to show them off.'
'Natural lighting from a window or a skylight can also be used to accentuate your closet space during the day and provide the best light for getting ready. For your dresser, invest in a mirror with built-in vanity lights for precision beauty.'
15. Use mirrored doors to make a closet feel bigger
If you are cramming a small space with storage, you need to prevent it from feeling enclosed. Closets that reach all the way to the ceiling will maximize your storage but will make the room feel smaller. You can combat that with mirror ideas on wardrobe doors, or by choosing furniture in light-enhancing hues and high gloss finishes.
16. Add sliding doors to create a hidden dressing room
Get inspired by this walk in closet idea and section off part of the bedroom or build a walk-in wardrobe in an adjoining room, using sliding doors for division and to keep dust away. A mirrored door not only has an obvious practical use, but will also create the optical illusion of even more space.
17. Create a 'dressing room wall'
Again, if you don't have room for a walk in closet you can create a similar setup in your bedroom. Just look at this closet design – two very sleek wardrobes that almost blend into the wall and a floating shelf in between as a handy place to get ready.
18. Consider soft flooring underfoot
Just like using the bathroom in the morning – no one likes to walk on cold floors when getting ready. So it's important that you select your flooring ideas carefully. By choosing one of the best types of carpet, you can keep your tootsies warm while you're trying on an outfit, and you won't have to worry about scratching or marking your wooden floor with your high heels.
If you've already invested in the best types of wooden flooring, like hardwood or laminate, but still want to incorporate a softer touch, accent rugs are the perfect accessory to adorn your space, while also adding color and texture to the room.
19. Display some framed wall art
Framed wall art is an ultra-chic way to style your walk-in wardrobe. Alongside fashion mags, it's the next best way to provide some inspo for your look. If one print isn't enough, dedicate an entire wall or corner to a gallery wall idea.
'A piece or two of artwork can add to the atmosphere of your walk-in closet,' says Sarah Fishburne, director of trend and design, Home Depot.
'You might consider a glam black-and-white photograph from old Hollywood. The framed cover of a magazine, whether vintage or contemporary, can give offer style inspiration. A landscape painting can give you a moment of relaxation as you scramble to get ready or simply remind you of a favorite spot.'
'Adding visual appeal to your walk-in closet can help encourage you to keep the space arranged neatly.'
Wall art aside, we also love how this slubby loveseat sofa has been used in the space – a great way to gather your girlfriends to get a second opinion on your outfit.
Where can you add walk in closet ideas?
Lucky enough to have a box room next to your master bedroom? Hello, walk in closet ideas! This is the perfect place to site your dressing room – and it can stay separate from your bedroom, saving you the cost of knocking through.
If you're planning a major renovation anyway, blocking up the door between the box room and the hallway and opening up the wall between the box room and your bedroom will give your space more of a master suite feel.
In both cases, lining the walls of this set-up with clothes storage and perhaps room for a dressing table, with a bench/ottoman for seating or extra storage in the center of the room is the best use of space.
No room for a separate dressing room? You can recreate the feel of walk-in closet on a long run of wall or large alcove in your bedroom. Use wardrobes or a stud partition wall behind the bed to make a dressing area that feels like a separate space – just ensure the lighting is adequate. You can also use a curtain to create the illusion of a separate space.
How much does it cost to put in a walk in closet?
Trying to calculate closet remodel costs? To have a walk-in closet installed by a professional on average costs between $1,500 and $3,000 depending on the size, design, and finish you want. The price will also depend if you need to add any walls to create your closet, as this will add to costs too.
You could DIY a walk-in closet using off-the-shelf systems and install them yourself. Depending on the quality of the storage you choose, you could do this project for under $1000 if you were after a budget-friendly option.
Are walk in closets worth it?
If you are in need of extra clothes storage and a new set of drawers just isn't going to cut it, a walk in closet will add an ample amount of storage.
They can also often double up as a dressing room too so you can pop your dressing table in there, freeing up even more space in your bedroom and saving time spent in the bathroom too. Consider storing your iron in there too (this is why it's great to have plenty of sockets in a closet) and you can use the space to iron and fold your clothes too.
Of course, as well as making your life a lot easier, and your bedroom a whole lot less cluttered, a walk-in closet can also add value to your home or at least make it much quicker to sell when you come to it. It's the perfect thing to show off to potential buyers and is now something on many people's must-have lists.