Coat Closet Dimensions (Sizes & Design Guide)
Here’s our coat closet dimensions guide, including standard, small, and large hallway floor plan sizes and how big a storage layout design should be.
Unlike constructing a powder room or renovating the kitchen for a breakfast nook, a closet building is not regulated by state or local building codes and standards. Building closets depend on the builder and the homeowner, no matter how big or small they want them, and this is true for coat closets.
Coat closets are exactly what they sound like: a hanging clothes storage area entirely utilized so that, as Marie Kondo would say, it will have its own ‘home.’ They can be smaller or more extensive than the standard size and would depend on several factors. [toc]
Standard Coat Closet Dimensions
The storage dimensions will change depending on the floor space in your home and the location where it will be constructed. The typical closet usually has depths of 24 inches or 61 centimeters, but this measurement is not enough since jackets are typically wider than the average shirt or dress.
The rule of thumb is for a foot of closet space; about six jackets will be able to fit. If a family of three each owns six coats for every season, then the minimum layout should at least be 3 feet or 36 inches.
A typical coat closet is between 3 feet or 36 inches to 6 feet or 72 inches. It should be wide enough for thicker and heavier jackets to hang.
If you are designing a closet you can use one of the software applications to plan your layout based on the amount of square footage in your room.
Standard Hanging Clothing Closet Depth
Many closets have depths of 24 inches or 61 centimeters, and this number would go up for roomier designs. Typically, the depth of a coat closet would measure 28 inches or 71 centimeters up to 72 inches or 183 centimeters. This size will allow multiple coats and thicker jackets at one time.
How Wide Is A Coat Storage Closet?
This space has no exact width since many factors, especially the size of the rooms, will differ from one house to the other. Since the area is subjective and will depend on how much space there is and how much you are willing to give, we will base the measurement based on the width of each clothing piece.
Let’s assume that a thick jacket will measure 4 inches or 10 centimeters, so the rule of thumb is allotting at least 48 inches or 122 centimeters space for each person using the hanging storage. This measurement will allow more room and offer convenience for the person.
If this space is not enough and you are willing to allot more space in your clothing, count each jacket and use the ratio of one piece for every four inches and decide as you go.
Small Jacket Closet Measurements
If you lack space inside, or own just a handful of coats that need room, a smart thing is building a small clothing storage area so they all have a space.
The minimum depth for small coat closets is 24 inches or 61 centimeters, with enough space so the clothing will not feel cramped.
The width can be 36 inches or 91 centimeters, enough space for 9 nine coats to hang. As per the height, it could simply be half of your wall height, especially if your coats are shorter. Around 40 inches or 102 centimeters to 45 inches or 114 centimeters will be enough for this height. Read more about standard closet sizes here.
Large Closet Sizes for Coats
A large walk-in dressing area is a dream for many fashion and clothes fanatics. Everything can be housed by a more oversized wardrobe, from luxurious faux fur coats to thicker jackets and shoulder-to-floor trench coats.
The standard coat closet width is 4 to 6 feet, but larger ones can be large enough for the user to go upward to 8 feet or 96 inches and above.
Heights can fully accommodate the length of your floor to the ceiling if possible, while the depth can go up to 35 inches or 89 centimeters if the owner would want to.
Hallway Reach-in Closet Measurements
If you are fond of hosting dinner parties and other events, a brilliant addition to your home is a hallway or entryway coat closet for all your guests’ coats and jackets. This space will also be helpful so that outerwear like coats and boots will not have to be taken into your home.
72 inches or 183 centimeters is the perfect width for a hallway reach-in closet. If this space is not enough, use the height, as the alcove can stretch from the ceiling down to the floor.
If this is not the issue for you, make the cabinet 86 inches or 218 centimeters high, which is more than adequate room to utilize the space. Read more about the best closet rod height here.
A cabinet depth of 24 inches or 61 centimeters is enough for entryway hanging closets. Any reduction to the depth size will make the interior space look cramped.
For a 2 feet depth entryway closet, simply add another foot to accommodate the width since coats and jackets are generally thicker when hung.
Minimum Coat Storage Closet Sizes
The problem when considering the minimum storage area depth possible is that coats are generally thicker and require more space, unlike shirts and pants.
The minimum depth for a coat closet is 28 inches or 71 centimeters, but you can go as low as 24 inches or 61 centimeters if space is minimal.
If you don’t mind a slight overhang when coats are hung, a minimum depth of 20 inches or 51 centimeters will work as well.
Shoe Storage Space Requirements
Another important consideration is how many shoes will fit in this storage space. Here is a breakdown of shoe space requirements to help you plan your layout.
| Shoe Storage Aspect | Spacing Needed |
|---|---|
| Shelf & Rack Width | 9″ wide per pair of adult shoes |
| Vertical Space for Standard Shoes | 6-8″ vertical distance between shelves |
| Vertical Space for High Heels | 10-12″ |
| Shelf Depth | 12″(can accommodate most shoe sizes) |
| Vertical Space for Boots | Requires a minimum of 15-18 inches for boots |
| Overall Closet Space | Varies depending on family size |
| Expansion Space | Consider 9″ per pair of space across to determine |
| Special Considerations | Additional space for shoe containers, drawers, or cabinets |
This chart provides a guideline for estimating the amount of space needed for shoe
How Big Should A Closet Be for Hanging Coats?
A coat closet will only be as big as the available space in your home; however, some standards or dimensions are most common for these spaces.
Hanging clothing storage is generally as tall as your ceilings are to utilize the space possible. Generally, that is 80 inches or 203 centimeters.
The width is 4 to 6 feet but can be adjusted to smaller or bigger, whether in your entryway or the area allotted for clothing storage.
Reach-in closets are generally 24 inches or 61 centimeters to 30 inches or 76 centimeters deep.
For more related content, visit our walk-in closet dimensions guide here.
