Here we share our ultimate design guide to the types of closets including popular styles such as walk-in, reach-in, freestanding wardrobes and more.
Read on to discover the differences, benefits, and drawbacks of both types, along with a few alternatives to the traditional closet.
Table of Contents
Different Types of Closets
While closets are endlessly customizable and can be used to store almost anything and everything, there are only two types of closets: walk-in, and reach-in.
Walk-in Closet
At least two walls of the space are equipped with storage solutions like clothes racks, shoe racks, drawers, and shelves, but in larger closets, all four walls could be used for storage.
Walk-in closets are differentiated from reach-in closets because you have to physically enter (i.e. walk in) to the space to access the items stored there.
Large Walk-in Closet
Large walk-in closets can function as dressing rooms, complete with mirrors, seating areas, and a vanity for applying makeup and arranging your hair.
Some walk-in closets have windows to let in natural light, or even a chandelier for that extra pop of glitz and glam. It’s your space — express yourself! We’ve even seen walk-in closets fitted with electric outlets or built-in USB ports.
Walk-in Closet with Island
An island with cabinets or drawers transforms otherwise unusable space into additional storage, while the top of the island is the perfect place to lay out an outfit and check it for snags or stains.
Some pet owners swear by their walk-in closet island as a surface to lint roll their clothing, removing unsightly pet hair.
Small Walk-in Closet
A walk-in closet doesn’t have to be huge to make a big impact. A walk-in closet of any size provides both a physical and mental separation between living space and organizational space.
Unlike a reach-in closet, there is significant unused floor space, so items can be temporarily stowed in a walk-in closet to get them out of the way.
Walk-in Closet Size
The minimum size for a small walk-in closet is 4 feet x 4 feet. A ‘master’ walk-in closet could be much larger — up to to 7 feet x 10 feet.
That being said, if your closet is large enough for a bed, has its own window, and is accessible without traveling through any other room in your house (such as a bedroom), it would be wise to discuss your plans with an accountant and a realtor before moving forward with construction.
Benefits of a Walk-in Closet
A walk-in closet makes it possible to store all items of the same type in the same space, whether that’s craft supplies, pantry items, or clothing and accessories.
Rather than visiting multiple rooms and storage spaces, trying to remember where you put that pair of boots that you only wear a few times a year, they’re simply sitting in the walk-in closet with the rest of your footwear, ready for the occasion.
People with walk-in closets report that because they can easily see and access their possessions, they are more likely to use and enjoy them.
The final clear benefit of walk-in closets is organizational. Giving over a portion of your house specifically for storage might feel like you’re losing space.
However, when your collections are neatly tucked away yet easily accessible, you free up valuable living space, ultimately making your home feel larger and more spacious. See more walk-in closet ideas here.
Reach-in Closet
Standard Closet Size
A reach-in closet is generally 24 inches deep — just deep enough to hang a single rack of clothes. They are typically six feet in length.
Most ceilings are eight feet off the ground, and since most reach-in closets extend all the way to the ceiling, the average height of a reach-in closet is also eight feet.
Benefits of Reach-in Closet
Reach-in closets are a convenient way to organize your belongings, without eating up too much of your living space. As long as they aren’t too full, it should be easy to see and access everything you’ve stored inside it.
They are visually and physically integrated into the room, like a pocket in a pair of pants, and allow for items that aren’t currently in use to be completely stowed away.
Wardrobe
Wardrobes can be thought of as cabinets for your clothing. The design of wardrobes varies greatly, but you can generally expect a few features. Exterior doors give the wardrobe a clean and polished look.
The interior often has several drawers at the bottom, and may have a shelf near the top. Most of the space of the wardrobe is devoted to hanging clothes. In this way, they are very similar to a reach-in closet.
When considering a wardrobe, you have two options: built-in, or free standing.
Built-in Wardrobe
They are infinitely customizable and can be built to take advantage of awkward or otherwise useless spaces in your home.
Freestanding Wardrobe
If you rent your home or plan to move within the next few years, it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of time and money building out a custom closet or built-in wardrobe that you’ll simply have to leave behind.
You may not have permission or the capability to pursue these solutions. Or, you may just prefer to avoid the hassle of construction dust and dealing with contractors.
If you’re looking for a storage solution that can move houses with you, a freestanding wardrobe is the right choice. Note that it will take up a sizable chunk of both floor and wall-space. Freestanding wardrobes don’t usually reach all the way up to the ceiling, but they can be quite tall.
The taller and heavier the wardrobe, the more important it is to anchor it to the wall. This will eliminate any danger of the wardrobe becoming unbalanced and falling over.
It is especially important in homes with young children who like to climb and pull on things as they could endanger themselves by unintentionally unbalancing this large piece of furniture.
Wardrobes were the traditional choice for clothes storage before closets became a standard feature of new-build homes. This means that there are many beautiful antique wardrobes on the market that can provide a vintage flavor to your bedroom.
A wardrobe that comes with a clothes rod preinstalled is the best choice. You might be tempted by a wardrobe without a clothes rod, reasoning that you can easily install one.
However, because some antique wardrobes predate clothes hangers, they might not be large enough for clothes to hang freely from the rod. Like reach-in closets, wardrobes must be at least 24 inches deep to accommodate hanging clothes.
Wardrobes are sometimes also referred to as ‘armoires’, although technically, an armoire would not have drawers. In the American South, you may also find similar furniture advertised as ‘chifforobes’.
A chifforobe is traditionally divided in half along the vertical axis. Behind one door is a set of drawers, and behind the other door is a space to hang clothes. Both chifforobes and armoires are types of wardrobes.
Another alternative is a fitted wardrobe that is tailor made to the specifications of your bedroom’s layout. This can be a great option for those who don’t want to do heavy remodeling, but want the advantages of a wardrobe that utilizes every inch of space.
Benefits of a Wardrobe
The biggest benefit of a wardrobe is their contribution to your decor. Whether built-in or free-standing, a wardrobe makes a visual statement. These types of closets are beautiful, functional, and endlessly customizable.
Antique, contemporary, classic or refurbished, you’re sure to find a wardrobe that you’re happy to look at and which keeps your belongings tidy.
Pantry Closet
With appropriate storage space, you can buy items in bulk or stock up when you come across a sale. Moving pantry items out of the kitchen cabinets frees them up for kitchen appliances, leaving you with more counter space for food preparation.
In a pantry closet, consider using wire drawers that slide out for easy access — they are usually inexpensive and you can tell at a glance what supplies you have for dinner. Wire baskets on shelves are also a great solution to group similar items together and keep things organized.
One pantry organization tip is to put a spice rack on the back of the door. You’d be amazed what a difference it makes when all your herbs and spices can be displayed at eye level, in a single layer.
Linen Closet
They tend to be taller, thinner, or shallower than other closets. You can also use a wardrobe, either free-standing or built-in, to store linens.
Utility Closet
If your home has a hot water heater, generator, or another device that you’d prefer not to incorporate into your living quarters, a utility closet could be the answer.
Some utility closets double as laundry rooms, while others might contain shelves for tools and cleaning products.
Families may choose to install a lock on a utility closet door, making it the go-to place in the home to store anything dangerous or particularly fragile, away from children.
Different Types of Closet Doors
Bypass doors are well-suited to small spaces like hallways, because the doors slide from side to side rather than opening outward, which would interfere with foot traffic.
Bifold doors, on the other hand, are very common in bedrooms.
An accordion door might be just the thing for your pantry or cleaning closet, while French doors are better suited for making a grand entrance from your walk-in closet.
Read this great article for more ideas about how and where to use different types of closet doors, and to find out about the newest trend — pivot doors.
If you want to remodel your home, there are many closet design software apps that can help. With one of these programs you can input your room’s square footage and customize your design using different types of closets to see which one is best for you.