
What is the minimum size for a walk in closet?
Walk-in closets should be a minimum of 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep. With these minimum dimensions, the closet will accommodate shelves and hanging space on one side wall and the back wall. A width of 6 feet will make room for storage on all three walls, and a width of 10 feet will be sufficient to allow an island or seating area in the middle of the closet.
What is the minimum depth for a walk in closet?
Typically, a walk-in closet measures at least four feet deep, but even that ends up being relatively shallow for a walk-in. Walk-in closets are classified as single-sided or double-sided, depending on the location of hanging space and storage. The single-sided walk-in has hanging space and storage on one wall (or side), and the double-sided walk-in uses two walls.
How big does a walk in closet need to be?
The dimensions of a standard walk-in closed should be anywhere from 5 x 7 feet to 7 x 10 feet. For comfort and storage, your walk-in closet should have 100 sq ft of area since this allows three walls of storage with a seat in the middle. However, a smaller closet should be at least 25 sq ft.
How to make a small walk in closet look bigger?
“Small or dark closets are never a good selling point,” Matzke warns. To maximize the space you’ve got, Matzke suggests painting the entire closet white or off-white to appear brighter and larger. You can also add a closet light to brighten the space.

Is 5 feet wide enough for walk-in closet?
The minimum walk-in closet dimension is 5 feet. This provides enough space for you to get ready and have room for drawers, shoe storage, open shelving, and hanging rods.
What is the average width of a walk-in closet?
between 5 to 12 feetThe standard width of a walk-in closet can range anywhere between 5 to 12 feet or more. This allows space for a 3-foot hallway into the closet, even after storing or hanging items along the closet walls.
What is the average size of a large walk-in closet?
12 feet x 14 feetThe Large Closet A large walk-in closet is a dream. Typical dimensions are 12 feet x 14 feet. This closet is perfect for big families, as it offers massive storage space and lots of walking room.
Is 5 by 5 big enough for a walk-in closet?
5 x 5: Maximizing the Bare Minimum We call these “bare minimum” walk-in closets, because they hold hanging storage on only two adjacent walls and offer just enough walking space to turn around in.
What is a good size for a master walk-in closet?
seven feet by 10 feetHow Much Space Do You Need for a Master Closet? A walk-in master closet should be a minimum of seven feet by 10 feet, and preferably 100 square feet for two users. That gives you space to line two or three walls with shelves, cubbies, and poles, and the elbow room to reach them easily.
Does adding a walk-in closet add value?
The short answer is yes, a custom closet can help with the resale value of your home with a higher return on your initial investment than other renovations. Adding a customized wardrobe to an empty spare room can make it feel like an extra bedroom, increasing the home's value.
Are walk-in closets a waste of space?
They do not take a lot of space and are overall more efficient. Walk-in closets can feel like a waste of space after a while, especially since their size makes them prone to cluttering and chaos. That's where the ease of maintaining a smaller closet comes out as the winner.
What is a standard size closet?
Average Closet Size The average reach-in closet size is roughly composed of these measurements – 24 inches in depth, 8 feet in height, and 6 feet in width. The door opening's height is 80 inches. These measurements provide a much easier viewing and access to all items.
How much space do you need for walk-in closet with island?
36 inchesThe number one concern is making sure that you have sufficient room to walk around the island once the closet has been installed. You will need to leave at least 36 inches of empty space on each side of the island so that you can walk around it freely and access the various storage systems.
Is 4 feet wide enough for a walk-in closet?
What is the smallest size a walk-in closet can be? A walk-in closet needs to be at least 4ft wide by 4ft deep – large enough to install at least three hanging rails in a U-shape.
How small can walk-in closet be?
Walk-in closets require two essential components: space to walk in and room for hanging clothes. The former requires at least 30 inches. Typically, a person of average size will want this much room just to stand or walk comfortably without bumping into anything. Large people require a little more room, up to 36 inches.
What is the average size of a bedroom closet?
A typical closet is approximately 24-inches deep. A walk-in closet should be at least 36- to 48-inches deep. The width of the closet ideally is half the width of the room, if not more. A standard 12-by-12 bedroom would ideally have a closet 6-feet wide by 48-inches deep.
Are walk-in closets a waste of space?
They do not take a lot of space and are overall more efficient. Walk-in closets can feel like a waste of space after a while, especially since their size makes them prone to cluttering and chaos. That's where the ease of maintaining a smaller closet comes out as the winner.
How do you design a walk-in closet?
Here are just a few key points to keep in mind:Use space above the hanging areas for storing purses and folded items.Designate top shelves as overflow storage to stow seldom-used items such as seasonal apparel and luggage.Create a focal point by anchoring the space with a built-in dresser or hutch.More items...•
How do you organize a small walk-in closet?
7 Walk-In Closet Organization Tips & Storage IdeasUse hooks to create extra storage for hanging items. ... Use old shoeboxes to build compartments inside drawers. ... Store out of season clothes in plastic containers or comforter bags. ... Use ice cube trays to organize jewelry. ... Repurpose pool noodles as boot inserts.More items...•
How much space does a walk in closet need?
A walk-in closet needs to be big enough to provide 24 inches of clear walkway space between any shelves, rods or other obstructions, keeping in mind that hanging clothes take up about two 2 of horizontal space.
How wide should a walk in closet be?
Walk-in closets should be a minimum of 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep. With these minimum dimensions, the closet will accommodate shelves and hanging space on one side wall and the back wall. A width of 6 feet will make room for storage on all three walls, and a width of 10 feet will be sufficient to allow an island or seating area in the middle ...
How many feet should a walk in closet be?
Seating in a walk-in closet should have a 2-foot walkway on all sides. If it's designed correctly, a walk-in closet provides an abundance of useful storage space, but if you try to jam too much into an inappropriate space, even a big closet can be too crowded to be functional.
How high should a double hang rod be?
Standard height for double-hang rods is 40.5 inches high for the low rod and 82 inches for the high rod. Medium-hang rods, which are mounted 54 inches above the floor, are best for pants and longer garments, and 66-inch-high long-hang rods work for dresses, coats and other long garments.
What is double hang?
Storage and Hanging Placement. Hanging rods can be positioned so that two rods occupy one wall, one above the other, in a configuration called a double hang; this configuration is best for shirts, jackets and other short garments.
How much space is needed for a 2 foot walkway on an island?
The 24-inch minimum also applies to the clear walkway space on all sides of an island; if there is not enough room for the 2-foot walkway in addition to the island, an island is not feasible. Advertisement.
What are the requirements for a walk-in closet?
To meet the standards for accessible design established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a walk-in closet must have adequate clear maneuvering space so that users in wheelchairs can easily access the interior of the closet.
Why are walk in closets important?
Walk-in closets are vital storage solutions. Even though they have gain popularity recently, they are perceptibly luxurious and remain highly desirable. However, like other major elements which go into designing a house, walk-in closets heavily rely on the design’s accuracy. When well-designed, walk-in closets are highly useful. They offer abundant storage and adequate private space. Designing walk-in closets are not easy. It is essential to place the layout and interiors. In the opinion of Closeandbeyond.com, the design of a walk-in closet depends on these factors:
How wide should a walk in closet be?
The act specifies a minimum clear space of thirty inches wide by forty-eight inches deep. Therefore, the standard recommended walkway width of twenty-four inches is not wide enough to satisfy the ADA. This act also requires that the reach ranges within the closet between fifteen inches and forty-eight inches from the floor. All the shelving, hanging rods, and hooks in the closet need to fall within the range.
How big should a closet be?
A walk-in closet should be large enough to offer twenty-four inches of clear walkway space between rods, shelves, or other obstructions bearing in mind that hanging clothes take up about 2 inches of the horizontal space. For this reason, the closet should be six feet wide to allow for hanging areas on both walls. A narrower closet should not have two feet of clear space between the 2 hanging sections. The two-inch minimum also applies to the clear walkway space on every side of the island. If there is inadequate room for the two-foot walkway beside the island, it is not feasible.
How deep should a closet shelf be?
The shelf needs to be 16 or more inches deep to give way for the storage of large items.
How high should a hanging rod be?
This configuration is ideal for jackets, shirts, and other short garments. The standard height for double-hang rods is forty point five in ches high for the low road and eighty-two inches for the high rod. Medium-hang rods are mounted fifty-four inches above the floor, and they are ideal for longer garments and pants in addition to sixty-six inch high long-hang rods work for dresses, long garments, and coats. Shelves along the rods should be fourteen to sixteen inches to accommodate larger items.
How deep is a single sided closet?
On average, the closet is about 4 to 5 feet deep, and it occupies around twenty-four inches of the entire depth, leaving about thirty-six inches of clearance.
How much clearance do you need for an island in a closet?
However, if you are attempting to install an island into the design, ensure there is a 3 feet clearance on every side of the clearance.
What is the minimum size for a walk in closet?
While there is no standard size the minimum size for a walk-in closet is 4ft by 4ft.
How big is a walk in closet?
To accommodate this as well as space for shelves and clothes, your walk-in closet will need to have dimensions measuring at least 12’ x 12’.
How wide should an island closet be?
Ideally, an island will have a minimum walkway width of 36 inches on every side. This allows you room to get around it and ensures that it won’t push directly up against any storage situated against the walls.
What is the biggest bedroom in a home?
Master bedrooms are the biggest bedroom in a home and often feature additional amenities such as large closets or attached bathrooms. As such, the standard dimensions for a master walk-in closet are larger than a walk-in closet located in a standard-sized room.
How many sq ft should a master closet be?
At a minimum, a master walk-in closet design should be 7’ x 10’ or 70 sq. ft, with preferably at least 100 sq. ft. of total space in the closet.
How wide is a closet?
To meet the requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act, you’ll need to use the minimum dimensions of 30 inches wide and 48 inches deep for the walkway in the closet. If you or anyone in your family is older has a disability affecting their mobility, these ADA standards are important to remember.
Why do you put an island in a closet?
Having an island in your walk-in closet has a lot of benefits. It can be used as a place to fold clothes, pack luggage, and many islands even feature extra storage space. However, if a closet isn’t sized correctly, islands can end up adding clutter rather than functionality.
How deep should a closet be?
If your closet is going to have shelves above or below a hanging rod it makes sense that they will be the same as the hanging rod space, so that's 2ft or 61cm. At this depth it makes sense to store items 2 deep but to make this practical the shelf needs to pull out, or be a drawer.
How tall is a full closet?
Not a bad idea. For half height, the average height is 3ft 6ins (1.07m) and for full height the average height is 5ft 6ins (1.68m). When you come to design your closet one of the steps includes measuring your reach so that you can customize your closet dimensions to your height and reach. Half and full height hanging spaces.
How deep should a shelf be?
If you're going to have shelves which inhabit their own space you have more of a choice of how deep the shelves are. 12ins or 1ft / 30cm is a common depth because it matches the depth of kitchen wall cabinets.
How big is a walk in closet?
If you want to get dressed in your walk-in closet you'll need a minimum space of 4 x 3ft (1.2 x 0.91m). You need 4ft to sit and bend down to put your shoes on or put a top on one arm at a time. The 3ft dimension is in line with corridor width. It works out to be the size of a small changing room you find at retail stores.
How much clearance is needed between a hanging rod and a surface?
Another little detail about hanging rods is the clearance required between the rod and the surface above. Make sure there's 2ins (5cm) for a hang er to pass over the top of the rod.
What Do You Need to Know Before You Start?
You have been warned: Designing is not an easy job. You will need time to plan the layout and its interiors , but if you follow through this guide, you should enough to start.
What are walk in closets?
First of all, let us talk about common designs and layouts in the walk-in world. Depending on individual needs, walk-ins can come in various designs. Some of them, however, are more common than others: 1 Single-Sided Walk-In Closet: An extension of reach-in, this is the smallest and of all and is a pretty common design.The storage is placed on the opposite wall of the entrance and there’s clearance space for access. 2 Double-Sided Walk-in Closet: For this design, storage units are placed on the opposing walls as you enter the closet, with a clear pathway down the middle. Small to medium in size. 3 Island Walk-In Closet: Basically a double-sided walk-in closet with an island in the middle. Storage can be housed on all three walls or one side can be reserved as a dresser unit. They do require a lot of space and can be classed into luxury products. 4 Wrap Around Walk-In Closet: This design maximizes the storage space available, with storage units placed on all three walls. Medium to large in size.
What is an island closet?
Island Walk-In Closet: Basically a double-sided walk-in closet with an island in the middle. Storage can be housed on all three walls or one side can be reserved as a dresser unit. They do require a lot of space and can be classed into luxury products.
What are the factors that determine a walk in closet?
A walk-in closet design will mainly depend on three factors: Your budget. The space at your disposal. Your storage requirements. Before stepping into any project, you should know exactly what you need and want — for that will determine the final product you end up with.
How wide is a walk in closet?
Apart from this, if you want your walk-in closet to be compliant with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), you need to have a minimum clear space of 30 inches wide by 48 inches deep. It is not mandatory but is a great gesture, especially if you have space to spare.
What is a single sided walk in closet?
Single-Sided Walk-In Closet: An extension of reach-in, this is the smallest and of all and is a pretty common design. The storage is placed on the opposite wall of the entrance and there’s clearance space for access.
How deep is a single sided closet?
Single-Sided: Being the smallest, they are little more than a hybrid between a reach-in closet and a walk-in. On average, the closet is about four to five feet deep and occupies about 24 inches of the total depth. This leaves about 36 inches as clearance.
What is a small walk in closet?
The small and square walk-in closet tends to vex homeowners the most. We call these “bare minimum” walk-in closets, because they hold hanging storage on only two adjacent walls and offer just enough walking space to turn around in. In truth, you’ve got barely any more storage space than you would in the average reach-in hall closet —and a deep reach-in might even be preferable. But we all have to work with the minimum closet dimensions we’ve got!
How much space is needed for a walk in closet?
3’ walking space is considered the minimum allowance in a modern walk-in closet. If you want space to get dressed inside the closet itself, 4’ is ideal.
How many walls are there in a walk in closet?
This standard walk-in closet layout involves two long walls of parallel hanging space, with one short wall at the far end. This room couldn’t exactly be described as “generous,” as plenty of spouses discover when attempting to maneuver during the morning rush. Whether you’re dividing the room lengthwise between partners or you’ve come up with some other configuration of wardrobe elements, it’s easy for this space to become stuffed. An experienced closet company is your best bet for transforming this space without adding even more clutter.
Do you need to install shelves in a single family house?
Also, more than anywhere else, it’s important that you install shelves all the way to the ceiling to maximize wall space.
Can you center a closet around a center island?
Unless you’re wanting to include a chaise lounge or are simply dedicated to having space to twirl on the hardwood floor in sock feet, that space is essentially wasted. One way to remedy this first world problem is to center your custom closet design around a center island. You’ll gain valuable storage space with drawers and cabinets as well as another useful work surface– perfect for folding clothes, planning outfits, or displaying knick-knacks.
Do new construction homes have walk in closets?
New construction homes are often equipped with walk-in closets that are nearly as large as the master bathroom. If you happen to own an older home that comes with this amount of storage luxury, you remember what it felt like to walk-in the door for the first time and realize you’ve got an entire dressing room at your disposal. The main challenge with the “oversized” walk-in closet is that most of the square footage is open, unused floor space.
Is Closet America knocking down walls?
Because our designers at Closet America aren’t interested in knocking down walls, we’ve become experts on maximizing the available storage volume in each of these layouts. Below you’ll find a few of our small walk-in closet ideas and our best design tips for making each dimension ratio work better for you in your upcoming custom closet investment.

Clearances in Walkways
Placement and Storage of The Artwork
- Hanging rods may be arranged such that two rods fill one wall, one above the other, in a double hang arrangement. Jackets, shirts, and other short clothing are suitable for this arrangement. Double-hang rods are typically forty-five inches high for the low road and eighty-two inches for the high road. Long-hang rods are placed sixty-six inches above the floor and are excellent for dress…
Requirements of The Americans with Disabilities Act
- A walk-in closet must satisfy the ADA’s requirements for accessible design by providing enough maneuvering room for individuals who use wheelchairs to comfortably reach the closet’s interior. A minimum open area of thirty inches wide by forty-eight inches deep is required under the legislation. As a result, the typical suggested pathway width of twenty-four inches is insufficient …
Seating and Walkways
- With a width of more than 10 feet, a big walk-in closet may contain seats, a peninsula, or a storage island. Every side of the building must have at least 24 inches of unobstructed walking space.
Height of Dangling
- Hanging rods may be put in the closet to maximize space and provide options for the types of clothing that can be hung on them. A short hang rod, which is typically placed 42 inches above the closet floor, is excellent for hanging blouses or shirts. One rod is positioned at a height of 42 inches above the closet floor in double hang arrangements. In a double hang arrangement, one r…
Shelves
- The top shelf in a closet is typically placed at 84 inches above the ground, the same height as the upper rod in a double hang arrangement, according to Crddesignbuild.com. To allow for the storage of big goods, the shelf should be at least 16 inches deep. The closet dimensions guideis a great resource for people looking to measure their closet. It has detailed information on the aver…