A luxury everyone should have, sufficient closet space is an organising essential. Take inspiration from our expert guide
Sleeping makes very little demand on storage capacity, so it is well worth exploiting the bedroom as much as possible for other purposes. In the past, keeping clothes in the bedroom was considered unhygienic – “It is not a clean thing to do and makes the room untidy,” opined the 2oth Century French architect Le Corbusier – but for most people today it is the only option.
If you have the space available, a walk-in closet is the most efficient way to store clothes, since there are no doors when you are inside and you can see everything at a glance. Because garments need to be kept free from dust, a walk-in closet must have a main door and preferably no windows.
Good lighting is therefore essential. A brightly lit closet will make it easy for you to view your clothes and put your outfit together. Think carefully about where to place functional lighting. At a minimum, you will need it above and around the mirror, but also consider spotlights targeted on each section of wardrobe. Use a fluorescent tube or light bulbs that mimic natural light.
Creating the perfect closet is all about great planning. So before you start, take stock of what you need to store. Sort clothing into categories: trousers, shirts, skirts, dresses, shoes and so on. While you don’t have to go to the expense of getting the storage custom-made, you do need to know how your clothing will fit the space. Measure the garments’ lengths when hanging from a rail, and measure the height, width and depth of folded items. When you go shopping for units, these measurements will help ensure that you utilise the space efficiently.
Restricted space can be used efficiently if you divide your clothes into winter and summer wardrobes. Out-of-season clothes are packed away in suitcases or zipped bags, kept on the highest wardrobe shelves or even under the bed.
Importantly, don’t skimp on hanging space; clothes packed tightly together are difficult to see, take out and put away. Shirts and blouses on hangers, rather than folded in drawers, are readily accessible and need no extra pressing to remove creases. Hanging rails can be positioned according to the length and number of the different items of clothing. A good solution is to fit one section with two rails; one at full height for dresses and trousers, the other mid-way for shorter-length shirts and blouses.
An efficient closet, however, isn’t limited to hanging rails and shelves. Drawers, pullout bins and racks make the space more efficient, and several manufacturers offer modular closet systems.
Shoes are logically placed at the bottom of the wardrobe. Leather soles kept off the floor stay in better condition, and a wire wine rack is a convenient solution. Alternatively, insist on taking the box when you buy shoes and stack the boxes. This is the retailers’ method of keeping shoes clean and undamaged.
When clothes are stored in cupboards, don’t overlook the potential of fitting inside surfaces with hooks where you can hang belts and jewellery. Two screw eyes or hooks linked together with a fine rod or thin elastic make a simple tie or scarf rack.
While a walk-in closet puts function first, there is no reason why it can’t also be beautiful. Take inspiration from the stunning closet that Chris Noth’s character Mr Big created for Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) in the 2008 blockbuster Sex and the City.
The bigger the closet the better, but less is more in terms of the decor. Confine yourself to two tones, black and white for a slick urban image; or brown and white for a slightly warmer feel. Hang as many full-length mirrors as you can; you should be able to see what you look like from behind as well as from the front. A small bench is a useful addition, providing a place to put on shoes and socks.
If you don’t have the luxury of a built-in closet, you can of course opt to convert a little-used study or bathroom.
Alternatively, you can enjoy many of the benefits of a dedicated room by installing floor-to-ceiling wardrobes across the length of one wall in the bedroom. Wall-to-wall storage is simply devised by fitting sliding doors on floor and ceiling tracks. These doors can be painted or papered to match the walls or totally faced with mirrors to create a feeling of greater space in the room.
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