WALK RIGHT IN ...
A look at walk-in closets
If you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in closet, then you know what valuable space this is. You’ll want to completely optimize every square inch, and that means using racks and rods, shelving, and other lush accessories that are integrated seamlessly.
“When it comes to the storage, you want to have the right heights and depths for clothing and drawers, as well as hanging items,” said Cynthia Hyde, owner of Simplespace.
Organize clothing and footwear seasonally so that in-season items are easier to access. “You want to have hanging options for short and long clothes, and shelves for folded items or for purses.” Use pretty acrylic dividers for stacks of folded clothing to keep everything neat and from toppling over.
As for storing shoes in a walk-in closet, Lianne Levy, owner at California Closets, recommends taking measurements to ensure that you create enough space for shoes to fit comfortably in the space.
“Take the width from pinky toe to pinky toe,” she advised. “Put your shoes away so that the toes face you; that way, you can see what you have. It’s decadent things like this that make your closet feel special.
“Another thing that I love in a walk-in is a bench or somewhere to sit, so you can put on shoes and socks,” she added.
Hyde agreed. “We can build a little bench that is sometimes attached to an island, which can open up and offer storage in the bench,” she said. “I like putting furniture in closets, too — like a pouffe or a circular ottoman.”
Hyde also had some ideas for functional shoe storage, including pull-out shoe shelves, tilted shoe shelves, and straight adjustable shoe shelves with fences, depending on how much height is needed (for high heels versus flats).
Specialized lighting is another good idea for walk-in closets.
“We offer these fantastic lighted rods or tuck lights as well as indrawer lights,” Hyde said, adding that they are extremely functional as well as esthetically pleasing.
Lianne Levy recommends a garbage can or waste basket as a great addition to any luxurious walk-in closet.
“It’s great when you’ve come home from the drycleaner or you’re emptying your purse for the day,” she said. “A junk drawer is also handy — men love it for emptying out their pockets.”
Our closet experts agreed that a pull-out mirror is a useful item in this dressing space. “You can see yourself when you need to,” Levy said, “but you’re not staring into a mirror when you don’t need it.”
Finally, Levy suggested including something that is fun or sentimental in a walk-in closet.
“You want something that makes you feel good, such as small trinkets or a vase with a flower — maybe a drawing from your child. It’s a nice thing to have.”
The great thing about walk-in closets is that you can showcase everything in this private space.
“The only thing that should be put in drawers should be things you want to hide, dump, or (that) are intimate,” Levy said. “Everything else should be on open shelves.
“The beauty of a walk-in is that you should have everything you use all of the time within hand’s reach — and everything co-ordinated together in one visual space — so you can stand in your closet and see what’s what.
“That way, you use it more.”