A Comprehensive Guide to Walk-In Wardrobe / Closet Dimensions and Layouts
A Comprehensive Guide to Walk-In Wardrobe / Closet Dimensions and Layouts
Updated: Mar 3
Many people feel like their closets are too small or that they're not laid out very well. If this is the case for you, don't worry, you're not alone. Many people have trouble with their closet layout, especially when it comes to maximizing the space they have. There are many factors to consider: dimensions, shelving, storage, and more.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the walk-in closet layout and dimensions. We'll provide tips for every kind of space, from small closets to large walk-in wardrobes and dressing rooms. So whether you're starting from scratch or just looking to improve your current layout, read on for expert advice!
Before you start making significant changes to your dressing room, you should ensure that it meets the most important criteria. If you don't have these things in place, your remodel won't matter. So keep this checklist handy while you're re-arranging your closet:
Budget: Set a budget for your project, so you don't head over to the stores and impulse buy.
Measurements: Make sure you have taken accurate measures of your space before shopping.
Lighting: Decide if you want to use lighting in your closet, how much light, etc. Also, check that there are electrical outlets nearby. If you plan on using full-length mirrors, that will also need to be accounted for.
Shelving: Figure out if you want to use shelved areas, hanging rods, etc. and how much space you dedicate to each element.
Folding Space: Determine if you plan on incorporating a folding system and how much storage you need.
Storage: Decide if you want to use storage bins, baskets, etc. and how much space you will dedicate to each element (i.e., different types of clothes).
Size: The size of your closet is also very important. You need to make sure that you have enough space from one end to the other and from the top of the closet to the floor. According to our guide, a standard walk-in wardrobe should be at least 61 cm (24 inches) deep and 183 cm (72 inches) long. With this much space, you'll have plenty of room to store all your clothes and other belongings.
First off, there are two types of walk-in closets: Standard and Custom. A Standard closet is just that: standard. It's the most common type of walk-in, and it meets the minimum size requirements. However, a Custom walk-in is any walk-in closet that doesn't fall into the standard measurements. It's a little more high-end and can be designed to fit your exact preferences.
However, there are different types of standard walk-in closets that are discussed below:
Depending on your needs, a walk-in closet can be customized in many ways with shelving, drawers, shoe racks and hanging space. Here are some of the most common variations:
Credit: Al Meera
This is the most basic walk-in closet style, and it is one wall filled with hanging rods, shelves, and drawers. This closet style is straightforward but does not allow for much versatility in design or customization.
These closets are usually 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft) deep and occupy about 61 cm (24 inches) of total depth, and this leaves 91 cm (36 inches) of space from the back wall to the edge of the door as a walkway.
Credit: Al Meera
This closet style has two walls filled with hanging rods, shelves, and drawers. This allows for far more storage and can be oriented so that one side is for short items, and the other is for long items. This layout also allows for more room to put shoe racks or baskets under shelves or on the closet floor. These closets have widths that can vary between 1.8-2 m (6-6.5 ft) for mixed storage or 2.4-2.6 m (8-8.5 ft) for all long storage.
Credit: Al Meera
A walk-in closet that wraps around two or more walls often has a U-shaped or L-shaped design, with the open end of the "U" or “L” being the entrance. These closets can be oriented to place short items on one side and long items on the other, like double-sided layouts.
L-shaped walk-in closets are usually 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, while U-shaped layouts are slightly larger at a minimum width of 2.1 m (7 ft), using 61 cm (24 inches) of standard hanger rod depths for sizing.
Credit: Al Meera
A peninsula layout is a small wardrobe with a wall jutting into the center to create a point. This point may have shelves or drawers, but they are mainly used as dividers. Peninsula can be placed against any wall, and it will create an illusion of spaciousness, thus making your bedroom seem roomier. These closets have a minimum width of 4 m (13 ft) and a minimum height of 2.3 m (7.5 ft) but widths and heights to 7.3 m (24 ft) are not uncommon in larger luxury homes.
Credit: Al Meera
An island layout is a wardrobe with two walls jutting out from the end of the walkway. This closet style is often found in large luxury homes because it provides maximum hanging rod space while still allowing room for a center island with storage or display space. These closets have two main sections, one shorter section and one long section. These sections allow for different types of storage along the wall length, such as shoe racks or bins under shelves or on the floor. These closets are usually 4.3-5.5 m (14-18 ft) wide and 3-4 m (10-13 ft) tall.
Credit: Al Meera
A split layout is a closet with more framed walls separating the closet into two or more sections. These dividers create "islands" within the walkway that can be used as display space, shoe racks, storage baskets, or clothing racks. This type of layout offers the most storage variety because each section has its own hanging rods, shelves, and drawers. These wardrobes are also known as "two-door" closets because two entryways can be used to separate the walkway into multiple sections.
Depending on the layout, these closets are anywhere from 3 m (10 ft) wide with an adjustable depth.
Credit: Al Meera
This type of walk-in closet is like the standard double sided design but with an additional “wing” extending off one side. These closets can also be oriented to place short items on one side and long items on the other, like double-sided layouts.
These closets are usually 1.8-2 m (6-6.5 ft) wide and can vary in design and depth based on your needs.
Double rods are common in walk-in closets to provide hanging space without sacrificing too much floor space. This is a great way to add extra shirt length storage for tall items. Double rods are typically placed 102-203 cm (40-80 inches) from the ground.
If you want to add a single rod, 183 cm (72 inches) is a good height for hanging clothes. This height can be adjusted depending on how high you want to store your long items—keeping the rod at least as wide as your shoulders is a good rule of thumb if you plan on using it for clothing storage.
Wall-to-wall shelves are often used in walk-in closets because they take up less floor space than other storage options. If you plan to use your closet for storing your off-season clothing, these shelves are perfect for lightweight items.
Have a separate rack dedicated to shoes only. This gives you easy access to your shoes without worrying about tracking dirt onto your clothes.
Large walk-in closets do not have to feel cluttered. A little bit of an intelligent organization can make a huge difference. Instead of stacking boxes or bins on top of each other, carefully place them side by side so that they look like shelves. Tidying up can do wonders for your walk-in closet.
The peninsula walk-in closet layout is a perfect way to accommodate an extra sitting or storage area within the main room, and it also saves on space without compromising too much on style. Drawers and shelves are perfect for creating this look, allowing you to feature different parts of your attire yet still have them within easy reach.
So, what are the dimensions of a walk-in wardrobe? How do you design one for your home? What layout should you use to make the most of the space available to you? We’ve answered all these questions and more in this comprehensive guide. If you’re looking to install or renovate a walk-in closet/ wardrobe in your home, be sure to read through our advice first. And if you need help with any part of the process – from choosing materials to getting installation quotes – our teams at our wardrobe showrooms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Doha are here to assist. Give us a call today!
