My son’s bedroom is fairly large but has no closet. I would like to add a nice walk-in closet for him but I am not sure what width is best. I suppose I’d like to be able to have hanging clothes on both sides with ample space for moving around… although I don’t want to over-do the width and consume too much floor space.
Any input on a proper width for the closet?
Thanks, Pete
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
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Replies
I would place the absolute minimum width at four feet. This would enable having clothing on one side and some narrow shelves on the other. I would not have clothing on both sides at less than five feet. It would be best to add a foot for either situation.
Hey, Pete!
When I lay out a closet for a customer with hanging on both sides I allow a minimum of 2' on each side for hanging and a minimum 2' between for access. I actually like to have 30" between, but you may not have the room. 2' will do it.
Most modest sized walk-ins (are there any of those any more??) generally measure about 5x6 or 6x6. These would be l-shaped, but you can use the sf as a guideline. I would keep the length of the hanging area at 48" minimum each side, but you can always cheat that even space is really tight.
Also consider doing double-hanging or at least a system that will allow that option when your son is ready. I converted my single rod to a double in the last 2 houses, and I gained a lot in my small closets. FYI, one thing I learned is to use a 16" deep standard for the lower rod or the clothes on the top rod shadow what's below.
A hanger is 16", at least the one I just measured is. I'd figure on another 3" total to give enough clearance for bulkier items to hang properly. One of my pet peeves is closets that force you to jam everything against the wall.
So figure 38" if you want to hang items on both sides, and another 30" to walk through. At that point you're 4" from 6'. I'd think that would give your son a comfortable amount of space.
seeyou will be along momentarily with the obligatory coming out of the closet joke.
IMHO. First you need to determine what you needs are. How much single handing and how much double hanging? Do you want to be able the change cloths in the closet etc.?
For minimum width I agree with many of the other posters, 6'-0" is the minimum. This works very well for hanging only. The Architectural Graphics Standards suggest a minimum of 7'-0" width.
As to depth. Absolute minimum is 3'-0" deep. With single handing on each side give you a total of 6'-0" handing. With single hanging on one side and double hanging on the other side gives you 9'-0" of hanging. With double hanging on both sides give you 12'-0". You can easily see what kind of additional space you get on each of these scenarios for each foot of debt you might add.
For closets 4'-0" and deeper, I often add a shoe/accessory cabinet (open shelves)at the back or the closet. It is even better if you can recess it into the wall.
I hope this has been some help.
I just went through this with our house plans designer within the last week for some plans he is drawing for us. He said a 5' depth to have cloths hanging one side and 7' to have hanging space on both sides. These #s are for "affordable housing" although even affordable housing these days has some amenities.... I think you could go to 4.5' and 6'5' if you really wanted to but it would feel tight.
BTW - Home buyers hate that kind of terminology "affordable housing"...
To them it's always the Tajima-hal (sp?)
20'x20'
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two ways to screw up concrete 1) concrete driver 2) concrete finisher
that's a live in closet...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
At least 6' wide for hanging on each side @ 5' deep, which others have said and I agree. My master closet is 5x5 and is too tight.
Don't build him a closet and he'll be forced to move out sooner.
Walk in closet my arse! Damn you libs and your touchy, feely, keep em at home amenities.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
My gut feeling was to build it 6' wide. While I will probably not line both sides with clothes rods I want the option if need be. I will hang a rod on one end and then the otherside will receive shelves for shoes and folded clothes.
The closet should accomodate both my boys and empty our a few of our first-floor closets for the wife and I.
Thanks so far for all the input.
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic