A closet design starts with the clothes you own and the space needed to reach them. Plan hanging, folded and small-item storage separately before choosing doors or finishes.
Layouts by closet type
- Small reach-in: put frequently worn clothes at comfortable reach, with occasional items above. Use a narrow shelf section only if it leaves adequate hanging width.
- Sliding-door closet: align drawers and pull-outs with the opening available when a door is slid aside. A central drawer can be blocked by overlapping doors.
- Walk-in: preserve a clear circulation route before adding storage to both walls. Corners need a deliberate access plan.
A measured example
For an illustrative 180 cm-wide opening, you might allocate 100 cm to hanging and 80 cm to shelves. This is a zoning sketch, not a cutting list: frame thickness, fixing clearances and door hardware reduce internal dimensions. Measure your longest garment and widest hanger before choosing depth and rail height.
Test the daily actions
Mark unit footprints with tape. Check reaching, opening drawers, turning with a laundry basket and getting to the back corners. Keep lighting and ventilation unobstructed. Put heavy objects where they can be lifted safely rather than on the highest shelf.
Leave a little unallocated capacity for changing seasons. A design that stores everything tightly on installation day may be difficult to maintain a month later.
