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With the fall fashion season just around the corner, there’s no better time to create that dream closet you’ve always wanted. “You start and end every day in your closet, so make it your sanctuary,” says Kathleen Jacobson, a custom closet designer who owns Dallas-based The Couture Closet.
With that motto in mind, we asked Jacobson for her ideas for everything from a small reach-in closet to one the size of a small apartment. Whether you’re ready for a refresh, remodel or redo, here are seven tips for closets of all shapes and sizes.
Use storage solutions to maximize and organize your closet space.
When working with a small closet, one of the most important considerations is maximizing the space that you have. You could consider pull-out cabinets, or add shelves that allow you to stack neatly folded, bulky items like hoodies and jeans to free up space on rods and in dresser drawers.
Jacobson says if you have a small closet, keep the lower rod, which is typically about 40 inches off the ground. Then add a shelf above that with about 3 inches of clearance. “Depending on how the space is constructed, you can add shelves every 10 inches or so, using cleats on the side to support them,” she suggests. “Lowe’s and The Home Depot carry wood shelves that have been primed and painted. A handyman or a shop like ours can help install them.”
Once you have your shelves or other closet system installed, use dividers to keep things neat and tidy. Jacobson uses acrylic shelf dividers for clothes and handbags, and she loves custom-fitted jewelry trays in luxe velvet or leather if you have drawers to work with.
She recommends The Container Store as a source for drawer inserts, acrylic shelf dividers and leather dividers for jewelry. For a custom-size jewelry tray, Jacobson turns to The Jewelry Tray Factory.
If you have a large space and budget, Jacobson and her team have plenty of ideas for you too. “The ideal dream closet will feature floor-to-ceiling cabinetry with crown molding, a built-in dresser with marble top and a cabinet above to display a handbag collection,” she says. Jacobson opts for 24-inch-deep wardrobe boxes and will add an island if space allows for 3 feet of clearance around it.
“Islands can serve as great drawer storage and provide a surface to pack on,” she says. Jacobson likes slanted, fully adjustable shelves with a toe lip to showcase shoes and considers pull-out hampers a necessity.
Hang clothes by categories and colors for a streamlined look.
Once you have the foundation in place, streamlining and organizing can be a daunting task. So start with the basics. Jacobson recommends using matching hangers in an upscale material — velvet, acrylic or wood — to keep things uniform. (Jacobson says The Container Store is her go-to spot for hangers, too.) Then organize by category, with blouses, suits, dresses, etc., in the same area.
“All of your pants should hang light to dark, jackets and shirts the same. I also like short sleeve to long sleeve in each category,” she says.
You want the space to be organized and attractive. Some professional organizers even recommend styling clothes in ROYGBIV order, like a rainbow.
Add functionality with closet accessories.
Regardless of the size of your closet or budget, accessories can help transform your closet from drab to fab.
Jacobson’s favorite accessory is a valet rod, which comes in three basic varieties — stationary, telescoping and folding — and in just about every style and finish you can imagine. “They’re perfect for packing for a trip, putting together an outfit for the next day or providing a spot to drop the dry cleaning until you can change out the hangers,” Jacobson says.
She also notes that side-mounted, pull-out tie and belt racks add functionality as well as save space in a smaller area, at an affordable price. Jacobson recommends Hafele, Richelieu, Rev-A -Shelf and Hardware Resources for valet rods and racks for belts and ties, available in finishes to match any home style.
Speaking of accessory finishes, Jacobson says changing that element alone can have a big impact. “If a client wants an instant change, they can switch out their old chrome rod for brass and match all the accessories.” Check out the retailers she suggests above for the parts.
Choose beautiful lighting to add style and improve the view of your wardrobe.
“The biggest trend in closets today is lighting,” Jacobson says, noting that you can use LED lights vertically or horizontally. “Recessed LED ceiling can lights and a chandelier can all work together in the same color temperature to create the perfect space. You can ceiling-mount a chandelier or select one that drops a few feet below the ceiling.”
Think about different flooring options.
When it comes to flooring, you can stick with the flooring that’s in the adjoining primary bedroom or the rest of the home — or opt for something a little more creative. There are no hard and fast rules. “Flooring is so subjective,” Jacobson says. “Some clients prefer the feel of a silk or wool carpet on their bare feet. With a hardwood surface, you can always add a nice area rug to soften the space.”
If you have room, add seating to your closet.
In a larger space, it’s nice to have someplace to sit down. “You always need a little spot to put your shoes on,” Jacobson says. “Ottomans are great and come in so many different sizes. I also love a freestanding small bench that floats in the space. Clients can show their personality with a fun silk or furry fabric.”
Go with standout finishing touches.
Just like any room, the finish-out of a closet really impacts its aesthetic. “Wallpaper adds so much glamour to your closet and can reflect your style and personality,” Jacobson says. “You can wallpaper the back of your shoe storage unit, ceiling and side walls” in virtually any size space. She also mentions that a beautifully framed mirror or art can cap off a glam closet. For large closets, she suggests painting the island a different color than the cabinetry or selecting a different wood finish such as rift-cut white oak.
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