TYPES OF CLOSETS | An Architect Explains

There are different types of Closets: Men’s closet, Women’s closet, Children’s closet, coat closet etc. A Men’s closet will require space for storage of shirts, pants, suits, ties, shoes, night clothes, underwear, socks and drawers  for lots of small items. These  items can be stored in closets 2’0″ deep and 7’0″ high. The width of the closet depends on the space available within the bedroom. As an Architect practising in Bangalore, I have found that the following minimum sizes are necessary for closets to be efficient and of use.

A Men’s closet will require space for storage of shirts, pants, suits, ties, shoes, night clothes, underwear, socks and drawers for lots of small items

  • A minimum size is a 2’6″ wide closet. It can accommodate around 10 suits, ties, 6 pairs of shoes and 2 drawers for underwear and other things.
  • A comfortable sized closet is 4’0″ wide. It can accommodate around 10 suits, 7 pairs of shoes, 7 drawers and ties, night clothes on hooks on the inside of the doors.
  • A luxurious sized closet is around 8’0″ wide. This closet can accommodate around 20 suits, 15 pairs of shoes, 8 drawers for combs, underwear, socks etc and a mirror for dressing up.
  • A 5’0″ x 5’0″ walk-in closet can comfortably store 20 suits, 12 sets of underwear, 15 pairs of shoes night clothes, ties. This is the most convenient form of storage space.
  • In places where  2’0″ depth is not available, a shallow closet of minimum 1’8″ depth can be provided. In this, a pull-out rod takes care of the suits, as they will be hung front-facing.



MINIMUM SIZES OF CLOTHING CLOSETS FOR WOMEN:

A woman’s closet will require space for storing, women’s garments, like skirts, trousers, blouses, sarees, dresses, evening dresses, suits, coats, underwear, night clothes, shoes,  mirror, make-up things etc.

  • The minimum depth for a woman’s closet is 2’0″ and 7’0″ height.
  • A minimum width for a woman’s closet is 2’6″. This can accommodate 12 hanging garments (evening dresses, dresses, skirts, sarees etc), 10 folded garments, 10 pairs of shoes and night clothes on the inside of the door and 2 drawers.
  • A comfortable sized closet is 4’0″ wide. This can store 12 hanging garments, 10 folded garments, 10 pairs of shoes, night clothes on hooks on the inside of the door, 7 drawers and a hinged mirror in front of the shelves for dressing up. Or this space can be arranged so that it can store around 20 hanging garments, 10 folded garments, 10 pairs of shoes, 5 drawers.
  • A luxurious sized closet is around 8’0″ wide and can comfortably store around 20 hanging garments, 20 folded garments, 20 pairs of shoes, 7 drawers, mirror in front of shelves for make up stuff.
  • A very comfortable sized walk-in closet for women is 5’6″ x 6’0″. This can accommodate the above mentioned items comfortably. The width of the closet depends on the space available in the bedroom.



MINIMUM SIZES OF CLOSETS FOR CHILDREN:

Children’s clothing closets require space for shoes, clothes, underwear, and toys (if an exclusive toy closet is not possible).

  • A children’s closet should be a minimum of 2’0″ deep and 7’0″ high. It can be divided horizontally into 2 parts since only the lower half of about 4’0″ can be reached by the children. The upper part can be reached only by adults.
  • The minimum size of such a closet is 2’6″ wide. This can accomodate around 14 garments, 6 pairs of shoes, 2 drawers and 3 shelves for underwear, toys, diapers etc.
  • A larger sized closet is around 4’0″ wide. This can accommodate around 14 garments, 10 pairs of shoes, 3 drawers, 8 shelves and pull-out trays for toys and folded clothes.

You can get great tips and ideas from me, on Organising A Bedroom Closet to help you accommodate all your stuff in the available closet space.

Children’s clothing closets require space for shoes, clothes, underwear, and toys



OTHER TYPES OF CLOSETS:
Storage closets are required for various purposes in different parts of the house. Some of the different types of Closets are:
  • KITCHEN CABINETS used for storing glassware, dinnerware, kitchen supplies, table linens, food etc. A closet for food storage is usually referred to as a Pantry or a Larder.
  • BATHROOM AND MEDICINE CLOSET – used for storing reserve and current supplies like bath towels, hand towels, toilet tissue rolls, soaps, shampoos and other toiletries. It can also be used for storing medicines. A closet 2’4″ wide and 2’0″ deep is sufficient to store toiletries and medicines.
  • BROOM CLOSET–  A narrow floor-to-ceiling space for the storage of lengthy items like brooms, vacuum cleaner, etc. It can be used for storing all the cleaning equipment etc on shelves and hooks. It can be about 3’6″ wide and 2’0″ deep.
  • COAT CLOSET – A coat closet is one where people store their hoods, jackets, umbrellas, scarves, shoes, boots and coats. A coat closet is typically located in the entryway, so that it is close to the front door. It is at least 2’6″ deep for the bulky overcoats and to allow for air circulation around the garments which are often damp when you just come in from outside.
  • LINEN CLOSET A tall, narrow closet, typically located in or near bathrooms and/or bedrooms. Such a closet contains shelves used to hold towels, washcloths, bedsheets, blankets, and toiletries. The minimum width of such a closet is 1’6″ and 1’3″ deep with shelves spaced at 1′ vertically.
  • WALL CLOSET –  A very shallow closet closed off from a room by a curtain or folding doors, with only enough depth to hang clothes or store them folded on shelves.
  • BOOK STORAGE This is usually provided for in the living room or study or library or family room. It is used for books and most books can fit comfortably on 8″ shelves, though some books need 10″ shelves.
  • TOY STORAGE This is provided for in the Children’s bedroom and wherever the toys are regularly used. Toys can be stored on shelves or in pull-out trays within a closet. Toy storage should be designed such that it can be used for some other type of storage in the future, when children grow out of toys.
  • SPORTS EQUIPMENT like golf bags, ski equipment, camping equipment, etc may require a separate closet and preferably near the front or outside entrance. It has to be minimum 2’4″ deep and 6’0″ wide. It can have shelves of different widths and heights, hooks and poles to accommodate boots, shoes, sneakers, golf clubs, tees, hockey sticks, skates, sports clothes, pistols, bats, fishing rods, knap-sacks. tennis, badminton rackets etc.
  • OUTDOOR CLOSET –  This should be accessible from outdoors and can be used to store lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, rakes, garden tools, shovels, ladders, hammocks, outdoor furniture, bicycles, tricycles etc. Tools and associated items can also be stored here.
  • GENERAL STORAGE This is for bulky, seldom used items like suitcases, extra furniture, etc. A good place for this kind of storage can be above 7’0″and can be reached by the use of a ladder.
  • BOOKS SHELVES For books, open shelves are acceptable though regular dusting may be needed.
Bookshelves can be kept open
GOOD PLACEMENT OF FURNITURE IN CLOSET:

The correct placement of furniture determines whether a closet looks spacious, aesthetic and un-cluttered. It also decides whether the room becomes an easy place to find stored things. To know more, read my post on the correct placement of furniture:

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153 thoughts on “TYPES OF CLOSETS | An Architect Explains

  • August 6, 2020 at 10:32 pm
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    Thank you so much, Ravi & Minu!
    I have spent practically the entire day on your site because it has such a wealth of useful information, shared freely and explained so well. Many many thanks and May God bless you for the work you do!
    Hi,
    Thank you for your appreciation. Glad that this is useful to you.
    Admin

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  • August 17, 2017 at 5:12 pm
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    Hi,
    Very useful information. Keep it up.
    With regards,
    Jejustinkumar
    Hi Jejustinkumar,
    Thank you for the appreciation.
    Admin

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  • November 22, 2010 at 7:51 am
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    the article is lovely, thanx for providing the info
    Hi Jagn,
    Thank you.
    Admin

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  • June 19, 2010 at 4:19 am
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    Hey,
    Thanks.. Read many articles since i am planing for a closet for my new home, urs definetly beat the rest in information. Pramila -Dubai
    Hi Pramila,
    Thank you for the appreciative comment.
    admin

    Reply
  • February 8, 2010 at 9:11 am
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    Wow, this article was just what I was looking for. Thanks for posting it.

    Reply

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