Knowledge Builders

what is the minimum depth for a closet

by Aleen Hudson MD Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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24 inches deep

What is the smallest depth for a closet?

When designing a closet, consider the specific efficiencies of each different storage element to better serve your closet needs. The comfortable recommended depth of a closet is 24” (61 cm), but closet depths as narrow as 20” (50.8 cm) can be used if desired. Shelf depths of 12” (30.5 cm) should be used for shoes and smaller clothing elements.

What is the standard height for a closet?

The standard closet height dimensions that most architects and interior designers go by is a comfortable 8 feet. This gives the homeowner plenty of room to add shelves and rods as needed and generally works no matter if they’re using a walk-in or reach-in design.

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 size for a bedroom closet?

What Are the Standard Dimensions for a Bedroom Closet? Standard dimensions for bedroom closets vary based on the type of closet. Minimum dimensions for a walk-in closet should be 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep. Conversely, the minimum dimensions for a reach-in closet should be 36 inches wide by 24 inches deep. Standard Dimensions for Bedroom Closet Hanging Sections

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What is the smallest depth a closet can be?

Reach-In Closets The standard minimum depth for a reach-in closet is 24 inches, but a closet intended to store coats or other bulky hanging items may need to be as deep as 28 inches. A closet less than 22 inches deep isn't deep enough to allow hanging clothes.

Is 2 feet deep enough for closet?

The storage accommodations of the closet design should allow for at least a 24-inch clear passage between shelves or closet space. If you consider that the minimum depth required to hang clothes is up to 2 feet, having a 4-foot wide closet will only allow you to hang clothes on the back wall.

Can a closet be 20 deep?

Can a Closet Be 20 Inches Deep? A closet can be 20 inches deep, but it will be very small and won't do its job very well. While cheap wire hangers are typically just under 16 inches wide, oversized wood hangers can be 22 inches wide.

What is the minimum size for a bedroom closet?

The minimum dimensions for a reach-in closet are 36 inches wide by 22 inches deep. A standard reach-in closet would be 36 inches wide by 24 inches deep. If this is a closet primarily used for coats, outerwear, or other bulky items, you should consider increasing the depth to 28 inches deep.

How shallow can a linen closet be?

Generally, linen closets are designed at around 15 to 24 inches deep.

How much room do you need to hang clothes in a closet?

You will need at least 1-foot, 9-inches (24-inches is standard) away from the back wall for hanging. When spanning an opening of more than 48-inches, consider adding a center support to the closet rod for added stability. The same general rules apply to kids' closets.

Is 18 inches deep enough for closet?

The comfortable recommended depth of a closet is 24” (61 cm), but closet depths as narrow as 20” (50.8 cm) can be used if desired. Shelf depths of 12” (30.5 cm) should be used for shoes and smaller clothing elements.

What is a Jack and Jill closet?

Often, a walk-in closet is paired with the private vanity, giving this area more a dressing room feel. There are other compartmentalized bath configurations which are sometimes referred to as Jack and Jill. Some have direct bedroom access while others have hall access and a combination of both.

How narrow can a walk-in closet 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. That would be the minimum; under the rail, you will need space for drawers or shelves, for shoes and a couple of baskets or boxes for accessories.

Can a bedroom have no closet?

Closet Space Most states actually do not require bedrooms to have built-in closets. Some local markets may not consider a room a bedroom without a closet, however, so it's important to know the local code in your area. Technically by national standards, however, a room does not need a closet to be a bedroom.

What is the average closet depth?

24-inchesThe standard closet depth is 24-inches or two feet. You can't go any less than this because the hanger itself is around 20-inches for an adult hanger. This means that you will have a few inches to spare for wider clothing.

What makes a bedroom a legal bedroom?

In the real estate world, a space can be considered a bedroom if it has a door that can be closed, a window, and a closet. The closet requirement is not covered in the IRC and is instead a bedroom feature more related to comfort and livability than safety.

How deep should custom closets be?

A custom closet design can be as deep as structurally sound, but the most common depths found are 12”, 14”, 16”, 20” and 24”. In most cases, designs go as tall as 84-96” or in some cases even taller.

How deep should walk-in closet be?

4ft deepA 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. That would be the minimum; under the rail, you will need space for drawers or shelves, for shoes and a couple of baskets or boxes for accessories.

How deep is a standard closet rod?

Opt for a closet rod depth of at least 12 inches. You can avoid this clothing disaster by mounting the rod at least 12 inches from the rear wall of the closet. Keep in mind that the average closet has a depth of 24 inches.

How deep is a walk-in closet?

about four to five feet deepOn 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. Double-Sided: The depth of a double-sided walk-in can be flexible, ranging from four to six feet.

Minimum depth & width of a closet

The depth of a closet should be at least 24 inches. Besides, the minimum width of the closet should be 36 inches. This measurement is the minimum for a standard-size closet for our house. But if the width of a closet is wider, the depth can also be increased according to the ratio.

Is 3 feet too deep for a closet?

Yes, 3 feet is too deep for a standard closet. But a walk in closet can have 3 feet in depth. Whether a 3 feet depth is too deep for a closet depends on the type of closet. Because different closets have different depth requirements.

What are standard closet dimensions?

A standard closet should have standard dimensions. That means the standard closet has a standard height, width, and depth of the closet. Generally, the size, width, and depth are related. If one dimension is inappropriate, the whole outlook will be interrupted.

Three factors that determine closet depth & width of a closet

Now that you know about the dimensions of a closet, you might want to know the affecting factors of a closet. So, let’s see some factors that determine closet depth and width of a closet.

Does a closet need to be ADA-compliant?

Yes, a closet needs to be ADA-compliant. But this does not apply to all spaces. Closets that are in public places should need to be ADA-compliant. Because all types of people use a public area or closet.

Final Thoughts

A standard closet’s minimum depth and width are 24 inches and 36 inches, respectively. If the closet is a walk in closet, the depth and width should have at least 48 inches. Otherwise, the closet will not provide enough space. You can also modify the dimension according to your choice.

Is My Closet Big Enough?

To determine if your closet is big enough, you have to consider the various clothing elements you’re going to place there. To give you a better view, here are some of the closet size standards of the common items placed in a closet.

How high should a closet shelf be?

For the depth, it is recommended that a shelf should have a minimum of 16 inches depth if you’re going to store large items. For bulky items, like blankets and pillows, a 24-inches depth is strongly recommended.

How deep should a closet be for a coat?

The standard depth for a reach-in closet is 24 inches. However, if you’re going to store bulky items, like coats, it best to opt for a 28 inches closet depth. Also, keep in mind that a 22 inches closet depth is not enough for hanging clothes.

How much shelf space do women's shirts need?

Women’s shirts, on the other hand, are smaller, so they only require about nine inches of shelf width. Keep in mind that if your closet space is not enough, you can always use space-saving hangers to optimize your closet space because they will allow you to fit more items on the rod.

How are closet depths determined?

To explain further, closet depths are determined based on the dimension of different clothing elements such as folded clothes and shirts hanged on hangers. So, what is the standard closet depth?

How much space does a closet need?

To have storage on both sides of the wall and the back wall, you’ll need about six feet of width. With this width, there is still about 24 inches of available space at the center of the closet.

How high should a hanging rod be?

Short-hang rods are best suited for blouses and shirts, and it is usually placed about 42 inches above the floor. As for the double-hang configuration, one of the rods is typically placed about 42 inches above the floor.

What is the absolute minimum width & depth of a bedroom closet?

What do you think the minimum size for a bedroom closet is? I'm talking not for a master but for a secondary bedroom, mainly used as an office/guest room, with plenty of storage in other places of the house.

How wide should a closet be for a bedroom?

If you are building or remodeling, please check your building codes. In most places in the U.S., you can't call it a bedroom if there isn't a closet. Your building codes may specify minimal dimensions. 24 inches is the standard depth to fit most hangers. 18-20 inches wide was ok in the early 1900's. I've lived with these, and it was unpleasant. By the 1950's closets were usually 36-48 inches wide. That's small by current standards, but usable with good space planning. That's the absolute smallest I would use. 60-72 inches would be better. Down the road, if someone wants to use it as a bedroom, you can be certain that the occupant won't want to go to other parts of the house for clothing.

How deep should a closet be for clothes?

The standard minimum depth for a reach-in closet is 24 inches, but a closet intended to store coats or other bulky hanging items may need to be as deep as 28 inches. A closet less than 22 inches deep isn't deep enough to allow hanging clothes.

How wide should a walk in closet be?

Walk-in closets should be at least 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep, and the closet's storage accommodations should be designed so that there is at least a 24-inch clear passageway between shelves or hanging clothes inside the closet.

How long should a closet return wall be?

If the return walls are too long, they create deep spaces at the ends of the closet that are difficult to reach into. In general, return walls should be 12 inches or less.

How high should a hanger be for pants?

A mid-hang rod is positioned to allow pants to be hung without folding them over a hanger; it is typically placed 50 inches above the floor. A long-hang rod allows enough vertical space for longer items, such as dresses and coats; it is usually placed 68 inches above the floor.

How deep should a shelf be?

Shelves intended to hold exceptionally bulky items, such as pillows or blankets, should be 24 inches deep.

Why are hanging rods in closets important?

Hanging rods are positioned in the closet to maximize the use of space given the types of clothes that are hung on them.

How deep should a reach in closet be?

Ensure reach-in closets are at least 24” deep in order to accommodate shelving and storage items.

How to maximize the size of a walk in closet?

Utilize corner shelving for maximizing every dimension of your walk-in closet.

What is a slanted closet?

Closets with slanted ceilings. Shorter, adjustable shelving works well in these areas to house items just under the arch of the ceiling. In spaces where the ceiling is arched and slanted on both sides—like attics—multiple dresser drawer boxes work well for storing your memorabilia. Attics and other sloped closets are especially useful for storing holiday and seasonal items that you use infrequently.

What is closet America?

At Closet America, we’re happy to share our design expertise to help you find the best custom closet solution for you, starting with closet measurements and ending with professional installation —not to mention ongoing support to ensure your closet continues to be a perfect fit for you and your home. Contact us anytime—or feel to schedule a free design consultation today!

How to avoid cluttering a walk in closet?

Ensure you don’t accidentally clutter your walk space by avoiding large, bulky dressers and other furniture in favor of more compact options, such as adjustable shelving and cabinetry.

How many hanging bars are there in a 7 ft closet?

A 7 ft. area will enable separate hanging spaces, including two parallel hanging bars (one on each side of the closet) and one shorter hanging bar on the far end.

How deep should a shelf be?

Shelves should have a depth of no more than 15-20” to ensure the best fit.

How deep should a walk in closet be?

Walk-in closets should be at least 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep. Any storage should be designed to have a passageway of at least 24 inches between shelves or hanging clothes. Keep in mind, hanging clothes take up 2 feet of depth.

How deep should a closet hanger be?

Most closets will include rods for hanging clothes. Hangers require at least 22 inches of depth to swing freely on the clothing rod. You should position the rods at specific distances from the floor and ceiling to accommodate several types of clothing.

What Are the Standard Dimensions for a Bedroom Closet?

Minimum dimensions for a walk-in closet should be 4 feet wide by 4 feet deep. Conversely, the minimum dimensions for a reach-in closet should be 36 inches wide by 24 inches deep.

How Much Usable Space Should Be In a Bedroom Closet?

Assuming you use standard-size wooden hangers, use these spacing guidelines to ensure your closet can fit your clothes.

How much weight can a closet rod hold?

The weight capacity of a clothing rod will depend on the material it’s made out of and the length of the rod. A 6-foot oval aluminum closet rod can hold about 45 pounds. However, a rod of the same length but made from 1 5/16-inch steel polished chrome can hold 170 pounds.

What is closet shelving?

Bedroom closet shelving can be a practical way to organize and store your clothing. Shelves can also store bulkier items used in your bedroom, like pillows and blankets. Ideally, the top shelf of a closet should be high enough so that items are out of the way.

What is a good closet?

When there is insufficient closet space, or your room doesn’t have closets, a wardrobe closet is a good option. Wardrobe closets are the most common type of closet in Europe and have become popular in the US in older homes. This is an easier alternative than cutting into walls to create closet space.

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