FAQs Answered On This Page

Can I fit an island in my closet?

We frequently get asked, “Do I have room for an island?” The answer depends on both the size of your closet and the island. Are you wanting an island with shoe shelving, drawers or a tilt-out hamper?

Typically, a minimum of 30” to 36” is optimal space needed to comfortably walk around the island. Consideration should be given to clearance when opening a drawer or tilting-out a hamper comfortably. This can easily be determined by taking blue tape to lay out your closet on the floor. Be sure to allow 24” for clothes to hang out and 30”-36” for your path. You’ll quickly determine if your closet has room for an island.

As an option, consider putting an ottoman in the space. This is a cost-effective way to dress up the closet and provide function. It can be moved around, used to layout your clothes for a trip and provide a place to sit when putting on your shoes.

Do you recommend storing shoes in a box or on a shelf?

Shoes should be stored in a way that inspired you to wear them. We recommend storing shoes on a shelf in a tall shoe shelving tower to maximize your storage space, this will help keep them organized and easily accessible.

However, there are shoes for seasonal wear or special occasions, whether it is your favorite pair of designer sneakers or your Christian Louboutin heels. For these shoes we recommend storing in a clear storage shoe container. This will not only keep them visible but clean and dust free. To avoid attracting mold place a silicone gel pack inside the container to absorb any moisture from perspiration.

How can I better organized my drawers?

To determine how best to organize your clothes you need to know what is going in the drawer. Are you wanting to store lingerie, underwear, socks or t-shirts, workout clothes or bulkier items like jeans and sweatshirts. How about a jewelry drawer? Will it need to be locked? The Closet Solution recommends a combination of drawer heights for storage flexibility. Delicate items fit best in a shallower drawer and bulkier items like jeans or sweatshirts in a deeper drawer. How do you fold your clothes? Do you use the file method or roll your clothes? There are different space saving techniques. Or do you fold your clothes flat and stack in the drawer? If so we recommend only three or four layers of clothes in a drawer since most people only wear the top three layers leaving seldom worn clothes below. The Closet Solution builds each drawer specific to your needs and your designer will help you determine the drawer combination you need. To better organized the drawers The Closet Solution can also provide a number of accessories shown above.

Is my closet too small for a custom closet?

A reach-in closet is an example of a small closet, usually 24”d x 24”- 72”w. This is a closet you can only reach into not walk into. A reach-in closet can be designed to provide more storage and organizational ability than wire shelving and hanging.

A simple design can create organized zones for long hanging, short hanging, shelving, shoe shelving, and depending on the width of the closet and size of the door opening, drawers. These pictures show the storage custom closets can provide.

What is the best way to store boots?

There are a variety of ways to store boots. Some like to keep them in a box stored on the top shelf. If you prefer storing your boots in this manner, The Closet Solution recommends storing in a clear box so the boots can be easily identified and accessible otherwise you run the risk of forgetting what you have. Like the old adage “out of sight out of mind”, this can happen when things are stored in a cardboard box.

If your closet space allows, The Closet Solution recommends keeping your boots within reach by storing taller boots on a shelf with boot shaper inserts inside for support. For taller boots we allow a 23” opening between shelves. Since boots vary in heights you’ll appreciate the adjustable shelving The Closet Solution provides. This gives you flexibility to adjust the shelving to accommodate different boot heights and sizes.

Is slanted shoe shelving or flat shoe shelving better in a closet?

Slanted shoe shelving can be an attractive way to display your shoes. It can also make them more visible and accessible should you decide to go higher than 72”h. Keep in mind, the number of shoes that can be stored with slanted shelving verses flat shelving will change. This is because angling the shelves require more space and decreases the number of shelves that can fit in a shoe tower.

If maximizing your shoe storage is key, The Closet Solution recommends doing a combination of slanted and flat shoe shelving. This can be accomplished by slanting the top 3 or 4 shelves where the shoes would be difficult to see and doing flat shelving for the lower shelves to maximize the storage. However, if storage is not an issue then by all means slant all the shelves to achieve the look you are wanting.

Is there a benefit to a floor standing closet system verses a closet system that hangs off the wall?

This is determined by your preference and budget. Floor standing will give you a more custom built-in look but will add to the cost. Whereas a closet system that is suspended from the wall can be just as secure, attractive, functional, and more economical. However, we recommend not suspending a dresser from the wall since this is the heaviest component in a custom closet. Clothes, shelving and shoe shelving can be suspended from the wall. We recommend doing a combination of floor standing and wall hung. This gives you the best of both worlds, it is easier on the wallet and provides a custom built-in look.

Should I add a custom dresser to my walk-in closet?

Absolutely. Today’s custom closet is more than just a place to hang our clothes it’s your personalized dressing room. There are many advantages to adding drawers to the closet space. It will provide more storage options and create a place for everything. It eliminate multiple trips between the master bedroom, master bathroom, and closet to gather items when getting ready. And It frees up space and helps keep the bedroom tidy since dressers often become catchalls for clutter.

Should I change my flooring before my custom closet is installed?

It would be advantageous to install the flooring prior to the closet installation. However, if you choose to change the flooring at a later time, here are a few things to consider:

• If the closet system has floor standing components (closet material that touches the floor) and you anticipate replacing the carpet, most carpet companies will cut the new carpet around the floor standing closet components.

• If you are considering replacing carpet with wood or tile flooring, the floor standing closet components will need to be disassembled and reassembled after the floors are installed. This can easily be coordinated with The Closet Solution and the flooring company.*

(*If you are a client of The Closet Solution, we would be happy to provide a quote for disassembling and reassembling your closet system when new flooring is being installed.)

Can I included my own dresser in my custom closet?

Yes, your dresser could possibly be included. Since the dresser is one of the most costly components of a custom closet, using an existing dresser can save money. However, one thing to consider is its size. How wide, how deep and how tall is it? We often find adding a piece of furniture into the closet can conflict with the overall function of the closet. It may also limit how your designer can best utilize the space.

If you have a dresser that you would like to incorporate, we would be happy to discuss what design options may be available.

How much does a custom closet cost and what should I budget?

The total cost often depends on the size of your closet and specific needs. Is it a walk-in or reach-in closet?

• A basic reach-in closet with long hanging, short hanging, shelving can range from $1,000-$1,600 depending on the size.

• A small walk-in closet with long hanging, short hanging, shelving, shoe shelving including a dresser, hamper, in white can range between $2,000-$2,400 depending on the size. To do the same closet in a color could cost 15%-20% more depending on the color.

• The average customer spends between $2,700-$5,800 for a walk-in closet depending on size, color and profile drawers and doors.

• More elaborate larger walk-in closets with an island, a color, profile drawers and doors, crown molding, pull-out accessories, jewelry inserts, mirror, ironing boards or LED lighting can range between $12,000-$30,000 or more.

Are you looking for something functional and budget friendly or are you more concerned with getting your dream closet that says “wow” and budget is secondary? Having a budget in mind and communicate this, along with your needs and wants, will allow your designer to create a tailored closet that is not only functional and beautiful but a favorite space you will love for years to come.

Can I add corner shelves to my custom closet?

Typically, these types of shelves are called “pie” or “L” shelves because of the shape. Most often these are used in pantries where large items are stored, such as kitchen appliances, mixers, or large bins. You may want to consider the depth of corner shelves since these can become quite deep and smaller items tend to get lost in the back. Corner shelves may seem to be a space saving solution in a master closet, however, consider possible conflicts such as hanging clothes limiting access to the shelf. The best use of these “blind corners” is to have long or short hanging filling the space. Your designer can discuss the pros and cons of incorporating these types of shelves.

What to consider when adding custom doors to my closet?

What to consider when adding custom doors to my closet? Adding doors is a great way to keep your wardrobe dust free, neat, and tidy.

One of the considerations would be cost. Adding doors to hanging sections requires a depth of 24” for your clothes to properly hang without any conflicts with the doors. This can add considerably to the cost of materials not to mention the cost of the doors, hinges, and hardware. Secondly, is the closet big enough for 24” deep cabinets? Will the space allow for the doors to open without any conflicts to other closet components, such as dresser drawers and hampers? A nice compromise would be to add doors to shelving units, which are generally shallower, 12”-14″ deep. This allows your shoes, purses or folding items on a shelf to be behind doors. Solid, glass, or mirrored doors will accomplish a more “built in” custom look without breaking the bank.

How can I reach my top hanging rod if I’m vertically challenged or petite?

Unlike something a carpenter might build, our closet systems are completely adjustable. This gives you flexibility when it comes to how you want to adjust your shelves, move your hanging rod, and organize your items. As an example, a comfortable reaching height for hanging items is about 82 inches. If this is too high, and depending on the length of the garment, the hanging rod can be moved to a more comfortable height. Typically, our closet systems are 96 inches high depending on ceiling height. This gives you an additional shelf above the hanging rod. However, lowering the top shelf to 84 inches is another option that will still allow for you to reach your hanging and not compromise the design. If you have taller ceilings (128” and above) a pull-down wardrobe lift is another way to gain more hanging space for storing those seasonal items that you may not want to store in another closet.

What ideas do you have for working around a window in a closet?

A window in your walk-in closet can be to your advantage and not wasted space. Besides letting in natural light, with the right design, the area near or below your window can be utilized to become a functional space. While it is wise not to put hanging clothes near a window because of fading, a bench seat with shelving or drawers below can be a great way to make the best use of this area. If the space allows, tilt out laundry hampers are a great addition to a master closet and can add aesthetic appeal.