Built-in closet ideas

Drawers are useful for small items, folded clothes, accessories, and anything that tends to make open shelves look messy. They also take up more room than you might expect, especially when you account for the space needed to open them. Use them where they make sense, rather than filling a wall with drawers just because you can.

Shoes eat closet space fast, especially when boots, sneakers, and dress shoes are all competing for room. Slanted shelves make a nice display, but flat, adjustable shelves can offer more flexibility and better use of space. Cubbies, boot bays, and pullouts have their place too. Start with how many pairs you need to accommodate and how often you actually wear them.

Not everything needs to be on display, and not everything needs to be behind a door. Keep frequently used items accessible and use closed storage for things you'd rather have out of sight. Long hanging, double hanging, drawers, and upper shelves can all work together, but the right combination depends on what you're storing. A closet full of shelves won't do much good if most of your wardrobe belongs on hangers.

Sometimes a custom closet is one piece of a larger bedroom built-in project. Other times, the storage problem extends beyond the bedroom entirely. A mudroom might be a better home for coats and bags, while a laundry room can handle linens and overflow storage.

There's no reason to cram everything into one closet if a better solution exists elsewhere in the house.