A walk-in closet is a separate, small room that you can walk into and that is fully fitted out as storage space, for example for clothing. Unlike an ordinary wardrobe against the wall, a walk-in closet is a room in its own right, often adjoining the bedroom and sometimes called a dressing room.
Characteristics and layout
A walk-in closet uses the surrounding walls for storage systems:
- Hanging and shelf sections — a combination of rails for hanging clothes and shelves for folded items
- Drawers and shoe racks — for small items and accessories
- Lighting — good, preferably neutral light is important for judging colours
- Ventilation — some air exchange prevents stuffy air and moisture
Dimensions (rules of thumb)
- For a single-sided layout with a walkway, a width of about 1.5 metres is a practical minimum: roughly 60 cm cabinet depth plus 70 to 90 cm walking space
- For a double-sided layout (cabinets on both sides) a width of about 2 metres is desirable
- Allow about 1.5 to 1.8 metres of height per rail for long hanging clothes
Application
- New build and conversion — often created by partitioning off part of the bedroom
- Under sloping roofs — the lower areas under the roof slope lend themselves well to a walk-in closet
- Storage — also as general storage besides clothing
Points to note
- Provide sufficient walking space; a closet that is too narrow becomes awkward to use
- Think about enough (artificial) light, because a walk-in closet often has no window
- For a partitioned-off part of a habitable room, rules apply for ventilation and daylight of the remaining room
Related terms
- Built-in wardrobe
- Unnamed space
- Loft
- Attic
- Ventilation
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