35 Fashionable Walk-In Closets Straight from Our Favorite Designers (2024)

Carrie Bradshaw would approve.

Hadley Mendelsohn and Kate McGregor
35 Fashionable Walk-In Closets Straight from Our Favorite Designers (1)

Feeling inspired to revamp your closet? Or maybe you just upgraded to the walk in wardrobe of your dreams and need a little design inspiration to bring it to its full potential? We're highlighting 35 impeccable walk in closet ideas from our favorite interior designers, so both you and your clothes are in the best of hands.

To make your walk in closet look good, we recommend treating it like any other room in your house and infusing it with personality. Whether that's a bold paint color, wallpaper, fresh flowers—you spend a lot of time in your closet, so shouldn't it be a nice place to hang out? While a custom walk in closet can cost $10,000 or more, there are a number of cost-effective swaps you can do to make the room feel (and look) more organized. Changing out all of your wire hangers for matching nonslip ones and storing scarves and hats in chic matching baskets are great projects to start with.

Some basic rules before you start: Lisa Adams, CEO of LA Closet Design, advises that you "keep everything organized by category and color, similar to the way you would find clothing items displayed in a boutique." Translation? Don’t go stuffing purses in a drawer—set them out on open shelves and surfaces. "If you see everything you have, you'll wear everything," Adams points out. Ergo, no more losing clothes in your own closet. Genius! Keep scrolling to see the walk in closet ideas designers use to create stylish and functional spaces, and jot down your favorite layouts, storage solutions, and color palettes.

1

Treat Yourself Like Royalty

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For an ultra-glamorous walk in closet, opt for a built-in vanity with plenty of storage for all of your essentials. In this one, a bold ruby red paint color keeps it dramatic.

2

Keep It Bottom Heavy

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As far as walk in closet ideas go, this one might flip your routine upside-down, but it's brilliant. Rather than hang your bottoms on the, well, bottom, give the appearance of a more organized closet by hanging what you have less of up top.

3

Think Outside the Kitchen

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Walk-in closets aren't just for clothes. In designer Bunny Williams's home, table linens and serving pieces get special treatment in a large storage space of their own.

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4

Create an Accent Wall

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Closets don't have to be boring. In this spacious room, a monochromatic paisley accent wall creates interest without distracting too much from the clothes.

5

Use Vertical Space

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If there you don't have an abundance of square footage to work with, look up. In this walk-in closet, a towering shoe shelf adds ample storage and encourages you to keep the floors clear, while the stars on the ceiling add a whimsical flair.

6

Repurpose Old Furniture

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This Marie Antoinette–esque walk-in closet is an inspiring place to get dressed. Designer Annie Brahler enlisted a carpenter to "stretch" an old armoire to accommodate her shoe collection. The Belle Epoque chandelier casts a flattering rosy glow over the space, complementing a chair and painted island, which was cobbled together from multiple cabinets.

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7

Save Space With a Custom Rotating System

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Alison Victoria created a 360-degree rotating closet system with Closet Works that features a hidden full-length mirror and ample storage for shoes. Sourced from the Corbel, French doors that date back to the 1800s close off the modern space.

8

Set up a Vanity

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If you have a small desk or vanity in your closet, use pretty jars or a tray to store your jewelry and makeup. The stool can tuck right under the desk to keep the pathway clear when outfit planning. Mirrored cabinet doors and a pretty paint color, as Gideon Mendelson did here, complete the statement.

9

Experiment With an Unexpected Paint Color

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"I threw a curveball with this retro revival pink paint, Nancy's Blushes from Farrow & Ball,” says designer Andrew Howard. "It's fresh, but it has a vintage quality, reminiscent of the bubblegum I loved as a kid," he adds. He decided to cover everything in the vibrant shade, from the trim to the shoe shelves. Plus, he notes that the shade is a flattering one for every complexion (a bonus for that mirror pep talk).

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10

Incorporate Location-Specific Motifs

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Glass enclosures with metal frames make for splashy storage while allowing the occupant's shoes to steal the show in this walk-in closet by Meredith McBrearty. The wall hooks—mounted antlers—speak to the Texas location and local style, while also providing room for an extensive hat collection.

11

Make It Modern

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Tamsin Johnson crafted a neutral yet unique color story in this modern walk-in closet for an especially fashionable client. The floating shelves and hardware-free drawers provide ample storage while also appearing clean and fresh, while eclectic lighting and marble countertops add personality.

12

Upholster the Walls in a Matching Fabric

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A floral fabric brightens up this walk-in closet designed by Gary McBournie, which he upholstered for a soft effect. The adjacent primary bedroom features curtains in the same fabric for a cohesive whole.

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13

Let It Flow Into the Bedroom

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Almost everything in Tammy Randall Wood's walk-in closet off the main bedroom is tucked behind closed storage for a calm, clutter-free atmosphere.

14

Install Task Lighting

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Recessed lights are best when you're trying not to take up any vertical space, but a small sconce or adjacent sconce can also help. In this closet by Les Ensembliers, the nook is equipped with recessed lights.

15

Warm Up the Room With Carpeting

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Jeannette Whitson opted for a soothing slate gray paint and contrasted the cooler tone with warm brass hardware. She also opted for a sand diamond motif carpet for the floors—a must in a walk-in closet, where hardwood floors or tiles might be a rude awakening on cold mornings.

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16

Stay Organized

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Thanks to those woven baskets on the top shelves in this closet designed by Gideon Mendelson, the focus stays on the beautiful finishes and materials and keep unseasonal items of rarely-used items out of sight.

17

Opt for Display Cabinets

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Designed by Castle Home's in House Beautiful's Whole Home concept house, this walk-in closet has all the bells and whistles and then some, but it's also just smart. To make the room feel less claustrophobic and, well, like a closet, Castle Home opted for display cabinets rather than solid doors. This allows the space to feel airier and even bigger—not to mention, the transparency forces you to stay organized.

18

Build a Three-Paneled Mirror

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Three-paneled mirrors are popular in dressing rooms for a reason—you get to see your outfit from every angle. And as you can see in this walk-in closet designed by Heather Hilliard, they also make the room feel larger.

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19

Set the Mood

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Getting ready each day is more enjoyable when your walk-in closet feels relaxing, stylish, and comfortable. This one features plenty of storage room thanks to those drawers, and the antique stool adds an effortlessly elegant vibe.

20

Add a Runner

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If your walk-in closet is long, narrow, and windowless, introduce warmth with a runner that features a fun pattern. That built-in bench is also a good call—it provides seating without taking up extra floor space.

35 Fashionable Walk-In Closets Straight from Our Favorite Designers (2024)

FAQs

What do you call a walk-in closet now? ›

A walk-in closet (North American) or walk-in wardrobe (UK) or dressing room is typically a large closet, wardrobe or room that is primarily intended for storing clothes, footwear etc., and being used as a changing room.

What is the difference between a walk-in closet and a walk-in wardrobe? ›

The most obvious difference between a classic wardrobe and a walk-in closet is that the latter is a real room in which you can move and walk. This room can in turn be set up by closets (usually without doors), as well as by shelves, drawers, mirrors, armchairs…

When did walk-in closets become popular? ›

In the 1950s, larger closets with sliding doors spread across suburbia. The love affair with the walk-in closet began in the 1980s, and by the 1990s, his-and-hers walk-ins were not uncommon.

What qualifies as a walk-in closet? ›

Walk-in closets are exactly as their name suggests; closets that are large enough to walk into. Essentially, walk-in closets are an entire room dedicated to housing your clothing, jewelry, accessories, or any other items that you see fit.

What are the disadvantages of a walk-in closet? ›

It's a lot of space. This makes it very easy to lose things if you aren't a very organized person. Without the right storage space and a system in place for what goes where, you might end up spending more time rummaging through your closet for that perfect piece each day.

Are walk-in closets a waste of space? ›

Built-in Closets

They do not take a lot of space and are overall more efficient. Walk-in closets can feel like a waste of space after a while, especially since their size makes them prone to cluttering and chaos. That's where the ease of maintaining a smaller closet comes out as the winner.

Is walk-in closet luxury? ›

Walk-in closets never fail to add a dose of luxury to a home. By introducing furniture—especially luxurious seating—and focusing on showcasing clothing rather than simply storing it, these walk-in closets by top designers prove that these are the new must-have spaces in the home.

Is it OK to say walk-in closet? ›

However, using phrases such as “great view,” “walk-in closets” or “walk to bus stop” is acceptable. There are certain “buzz” words you should still avoid. These are words or phrases that have been associated with discriminatory practices in the past.

What is a good walk-in closet? ›

Average. Just like the name implies, a walk-in closet needs to be large enough for you to walk inside it comfortably. The standard size of walk-in closets starts at about 6 x 10 feet or 7 x 10 feet for two people. In general, 100 total square feet is ideal for adequate storage and easy navigation.

Why don't European houses have closets? ›

In Europe the closet eventually disappeared, as houses grew larger and other rooms afforded opportunities for privacy. But the Puritans took the idea of a closet with them to the New World — although it had become by then simply a place to store things. Of course, closets are not nearly as prevalent in older houses.

Why don't old houses have closets? ›

Understanding the Closet

This kind of closet was indeed rare 200+ years ago for two reasons: 1) People really did not have as many clothes as we do today. 2) People generally stored their clothing in pieces of furniture, such as chests or clothes presses.

Why do old houses have no storage? ›

At the time historical homes were built, most individuals didn't own more than a few articles of clothing, greatly reducing the need for closet storage. The few items they did own were usually folded and placed in a trunk or a chest of drawers (also called a “clothes press”), or hung from a hook on the wall.

What can I say instead of walk-in closet? ›

Synonyms for walk-in closet in English
  • closet.
  • wardrobe.
  • locker.
  • dresser.
  • cupboard.
  • cabinet.
  • dressing room.
  • locker room.

What is a California closet? ›

California Closets is a manufacturer of custom closets and storage for homes. The company provides its products through its showrooms franchising business systems in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic.

Does a walk-in closet add value? ›

Moreover, the average closet remodel reports a healthy ROI (return on investment). Homeowners can expect to recoup around 56% of their investment, adding roughly $2,000 to their home value. The fantastic thing about closet remodels is that they can be as extensive or minimal as you want them to be.

Why can't we say "master bedroom" anymore? ›

Why the shift of name? The shift from “master” to “primary bedroom” has been made due to negative implications and perceptions involving the word “master.” Consumers and real estate professionals realize and understand the term “master” as something racist and offer a sexist implication.

What is a synonym for walk-in closet? ›

20 other terms for walk-in closet. built-in wardrobe. change room. changing room. dresser drawer.

What is the new term for master bedroom? ›

In an effort to be sensitive to the discomfort that the “master bedroom” evokes, realtors have begun to refer to the largest bedroom of the home as the “primary bedroom.” The term “primary bedroom” identifies the bedroom as the largest in the home, but it lacks the negative connotations that “master bedroom” carries.

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