Closet Organizers

Ask homebuyers what they’re willing to give up to fit their budget, and most will say they’ll readily live with a smaller dining room or home office. But downsizing the square footage of their closets is usually a nonstarter. According to the National Association of Home Builders’ ongoing survey of buyer preferences, storage space is one of the last things homebuyers will sacrifice, even when shrinking nearly everything else about a house.

If you want to improve your closets, there are two options: Buy pre-made, semi-custom components (shelves, racks) and install a new closet system yourself (or with a handyman). Or have a custom closet company create and execute one for you.

The first option is usually an easy DIY job, especially since most closet-component makers and retailers provide online tools: Enter your closet’s measurements and they’ll spit out suggestions (with drawings) that you can then modify—more drawers here, extra shoe shelves there.

If you hire a custom-closet business, you’ll get a more fitted-to-your-space job. They can help configure challenging projects—an attic closet under the eaves, an open-concept setup of rods and shelves in a loft, a spare bedroom reimagined as a dressing room.

Start by considering how you want to use the closet. If you have a million pairs of shoes, order footwear shelving or cubbies accordingly. If it’s a his-and-hers walk-in, calculate how much space will be devoted to pants, longer-hanging coats, or dresses.

Determine Quality

All closet systems involve a set of rods and shelves, and some include drawers. Fancier add-ons include everything from pull-out ironing boards to special sunglasses drawers. Such customized options are usually pricier, but you often net higher quality finishes and better space for your buck.

When choosing components, look for sturdy construction. The best way to judge quality is in person at a store or showroom. But big-box retailers may not make it easy to test out their offerings (Home Depot, for example, often showcases closet systems far above eye level), and trying before buying is not an option via online-only retailers.

You’ll keep down costs by going with the fewest bells and whistles. But particularly if you’re hiring a custom closet-design company, at least consider all the options before vetoing them. While some systems allow for changes and add-ons, if you put in a spendy custom closet and decide not to go for the pullout clothes hamper, handbag display cabinet, or whatever, it might be difficult to install one later.

Whichever system you choose, find out about warranties. Many closet installation companies offer lifetime warranties on their products and work; warranties for DIY options cover only the products and range from very limited (covering loss or breakage in shipping or delivery) to lifetime.

For custom work, arrange to pay as little as possible upfront so that you can withhold payment until all work is performed to your satisfaction. And pay by credit card: If something goes wrong (lousy install, a delivery with missing pieces), you can dispute the charges and get your money back.

Storage Strategies

You or your closet consultant should consider your belongings and how to best store them. Some tips:

1. Think vertically. Maximize every inch of space by installing shelves or rods up to the ceiling. Then use those areas for out-of-season clothes or for your copious collection of Christmas ornaments.
2. Add liners to wire shelves. Plastic liners can eliminate the marks left on your clothing by wire closet system shelves. Picky about wrinkles? Consider a wood system.
3. All clothing rods are not created equal. Hangers slide more easily on rods that are oval-shaped metal than on round wood ones. In fact, metal rods—if they’re heavy-gauge and correctly installed—always beat wooden ones. Wood can warp, break, and can make it more difficult for hangers to slide.
4. Slim-line hangers save space. Use flocked or stainless steel slim-line hangers, which take up less horizontal space than chunky wood or plastic models and slide more smoothly. If you purchase all your hangers at once, they’ll also look uniform and orderly.
5. If you need to see everything to stay organized, consider extra shelves. They can keep shoes aligned in neat rows like so many foot soldiers or corral stacks of sweaters or T-shirts. Plus, shelves are cheaper than drawers and can even be custom-built by a carpenter.
6. Get adjustable, movable shelves. They’ll be more versatile as needs change. Shelves are available both in the more expensive wood models (multiple little holes allow you to move shelf brackets up and down) and on wire systems supported by wall-mounted braces with lots of holes or slots into which you can add and move shelves, rods, and other components.
7. Evaluate the value of expensive add-ons. Some options—hidden safes, velvet-lined jewelry drawers—drive up costs. But these features might be worth it if you have a lot of jewelry or other needs.
8. Consider adding drawers if you’re habitually untidy. They’re much more expensive than shelves, but they’re genius for keeping messes in check.
    

What Will Your New Closet Cost?

Like any remodel, a closet glow-up can range in price and complexity from simple and cheap (DIY wire shelves) to grand and expensive (hardwood cabinets with a pro design and installation). You’ll pay $100 for a few racks and poles you insert into an existing closet but could shell out thousands for a decked-out dressing room.

Because retailers sell widely different types of systems and brands, it’s impossible to make meaningful store-to-store comparisons. Below we report the types of systems available at large retailers, along with price ranges for their typical offerings for an illustrative typical closet: A traditional 72-inch-wide reach-in with 16- and 28-inch return walls (the sides of a closet to the left and right of the open doorway). We included a wire example and a laminate or hardwood example for each company, and then chose a brand and model to fit our sample space.

Note also that many independent custom-closet businesses operate in the area, and they’re worth considering, too.

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

Sells its own brands of laminate systems via showrooms, in-home appointments, or video-chat consultations.

Sample price for a 72-inch reach-in closet (does not offer wire systems): Prices start at $1,900 for a six-foot space, including installation. Its entry-level system includes wall-mounted, off-the-floor construction with laminated-wood boards that are ¾-inch thick; accessories (e.g., baskets, pull-out racks); and customized, adjustable shelving.

THE CONTAINER STORE

Exclusive U.S. distributor for Elfa/Elfa Décor+ (wall hanging with wire and wood options). Offers free in-store, in-home, and virtual design services (in some cases, you do the measuring). Sample prices for a 72-inch reach-in closet: $800 and up for a track-mounted wire Elfa Classic system, which includes wall-mounted epoxy-bonded steel structure; epoxy-bonded steel ventilated shelving; mesh hanging drawers; and chrome-plated closet rods; installation is extra. For an Elfa Décor+ system that includes wooden shelves and upgraded rods ; costs are $1,600 and up, plus installation.

EASYCLOSETS.COM

Online only. Use its planning tools to spec out your system, but it also offers free online design assistance. Sells its own wood laminate systems and provides extensive online installation instructions, with photos and videos.

Sample price for 72-inch reach-in closet: $766 for a wall-mounted laminate system. Does not offer wire systems.

HOME DEPOT

Sells multiple brands in-store and online, with a large stock of ClosetMaid wire systems (shelves and other components hang from brackets mounted onto closet walls). Offers installation services by third-party subcontractors; fees vary. We couldn’t get price quotes for installation without an in-home consultation.

Sample prices for 72-inch reach-in closet: $96 for a ClosetMaid SuperSlide White Wire Fixed Mount Double Hang Reach In Closet Kit; $330 for a wall-mounted laminate Closet Evolution Essential Deluxe 60-96 inch White Wood Closet System, including four rods and nine shelves. 

IKEA

Offers its own BOAXEL line of highly customizable wall-mounted storage systems (galvanized and powder-coated steel brackets, rails, shoe shelves; foil-coated particleboard shelves; some plastic hardware) that you can fit with drawers, mesh baskets, and other elements. Website offers a nifty closet-system or you can book a free online or in-store appointment with a planning pro. Offers assembly services via Taskrabbit; for our sample system, assembly cost was estimated at $101.

Sample prices for 72-inch reach-in closet: $322 for BOAXEL basic kit, which includes hanging rails, two shoe shelves, and two large baskets.

LOWE’S

Lowe’s sells several brands and outsources installation through Closet Factory.

Sample price for 72-inch reach-in closet: $185 for a ClosetMaid ShelfTrack White Wire Closet Kit with bracket installation and up to eight feet of horizontal hanging space; $329 for an Allen + Roth Hartford wood and metal kit, which includes three expandable closet rods and five slatted shelves.