There’s no doubting that walk in closets are the epitome of luxury, especially when they are designed to be stylish and functional in equal quantity.
After all, who doesn’t want an elegant space in their home that takes the stress out of the outfit selection process?
If you’re in need of some inspiration and guidance, here are 10 design tips that will make your walk in closet the envy of the whole neighborhood.
1. Set up a vanity for a touch of luxury
To bring your walk-in closet to its full potential it needs to offer a lot more than storage.
Somewhere to sit down for a bit of primping and preening would definitely land your closet in luxury territory and this is where a vanity or dressing table comes into play.
Styling a dressing table is a whole other conversation but the furniture itself is easily found in a statement-making design, so you’re bound to find a pamper station that makes both the process of getting ready and winding down a luxurious experience.
2. Open shelving for easy browsing
You’re unlikely to keep a mental note of every item in your ever-expanding wardrobe, so it’s a good idea to keep as much of your clothing and accessories in full view or they’ll just be forgotten about for a long time.
It’s better to display things like purses, shoes and piles of neatly folded clothes on open shelves and surfaces for this very reason, allowing you to consider a wide range of items with ease and therefore put together an outfit that’s different every day.
And besides, an open wardrobe is a great way to emulate a luxury boutique!
3. A few storage boxes to break up the aesthetic
If you make the wise decision to store most or all of your clothing out in the open, you’re much likelier to wear everything.
However, this poses a problem from an aesthetic perspective, as having everything on full display could confuse the eye.
Some storage boxes wouldn’t go amiss as they will provide small blocks of color, texture and pattern to break up a sea of clothes and a boring run of cabinetry.
And not to mention, storage boxes are useful for extra organization and keeping unseasonal items out of sight.
4. Have a light source for every task
Layering is key to a good lighting scheme and it involves the use of multiple lighting types to create a well-lit space.
Nobody wants to rummage through a rack of clothes, apply makeup and do a once-over in front of the mirror in poorly lit conditions, which is why it’s really important to light up specific areas to aid specific tasks i.e. task lighting.
This could be anything from the simple addition of a table lamp on your dressing table to something a little more aesthetically pleasing such as under cabinet lighting and under shelf lighting.
5. Transparent doors to force you to organize
Many people are happy adding to the contents of their wardrobe but when it comes to the organization side of things, they just don’t want to know.
Even when their walk-in closet has cabinets stacked to the rafters, they can get away with storing things with little care or attention by keeping everything behind closed doors.
If you fit this description, you can bring about a lasting change of behavior using see-through doors for your cabinets instead of opaque ones as the transparency will motivate you to stay organized.
6. Full length mirrors for a full outfit check
Not only do mirrors have the special ability to make small spaces feel luxuriously large, they are integral to the process of piecing together a cohesive outfit and walking out of your home looking and feeling red-carpet ready.
Knowing this, you should look far beyond hanging a normal sized mirror on the wall – go full length with your mirrors to optimize every square inch of space and enabling you to reflect your entire figure in that beautiful dress or stylish suit from head to toe.
7. Some decorative detail to polish things off
Incorporating one or two decorative objects will do a lot to transform a plain closet into a stylish changing room.
It’s also a chance to express a bit of personality and character in the design of your walk in closet. Ask yourself whether an item has intrinsic value and let that inform your choice of decoration otherwise you run the risk of creating unnecessary clutter.
Also consider upgrading the hardware in your closet i.e. knobs, drawer pulls and hanging rods, as these seemingly minor elements can make a big difference to the overall aesthetic.
8. Soft textiles for added comfort
There’s no question that cabinetry, drawers, shelves and hanging rods are vitally important in helping your walk in closet function at full capacity, but that alone isn’t enough to turn dressing and undressing into a soothing ritual.
Think about how you can soften the space for an enhanced sense of warmth.
For example, carpeting and rugs will be greatly appreciated in the winter months as stepping on hardwood floors on a cold morning is asking for a rude awakening.
Curtains and drapes are also excellent options for introducing warm fabrics and creating more of that soft effect.
9. Subdivide when space is a concern
It might be a hard pill to swallow but if the space you’re working with has limited square footage or lacks a source for natural light then the best route to a luxurious walk in closet is to subdivide the bedroom.
Simply put up a partial partition wall, ensuring natural light can stream in through the walkway, and just like that you’ve created a dressing area that flows naturally from the main bedroom.
Another layout that’s popular in master suites is to utilize the space between the bedroom and the bathroom to create a walkthrough closet.
10. Relax the mood with a neutral palette
Trying on and rejecting outfit after outfit is a stressful experience, particularly when you’re preparing for one of those big life moments like a job interview or dinner date.
To make matters worse, walk in closets are typically tight spaces and this can heighten anxiety levels because you’re left feeling as though the walls are closing in.
That’s why decorating in neutral paint colors is an absolute must as light and bright tones make small spaces feel bigger and have a calming effect on your mood.