Designing my own custom closet was a project I had been dreaming about for years, all the way back to my childhood in Norway where even a mere walk in closet was something only seen in movies.  My closet was nice, but there was no wow factor setting it apart from any other standard closet. My main goal was to be able to see everything. It had to be large enough so nothing was cramped, bright enough to easily pick out what I wanted, and understated so that the attention was on the contents. After years of picturing my ideal closet, I finally decided to take on the remodel. Not only would it satisfy my inner Carrie Bradshaw, but it was a good investment. A custom closet is a selling feature that always makes a difference when going to sell.

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Layout

My first challenge was determining the layout. I wanted to maximize space but didn’t want to cut into my bedroom to do it, so I went vertical. By removing my closet’s drop ceiling, I essentially doubled the size without eating up square footage. Next, I thought about functionality. Here I decided to get a little advice from a closet designer and with her guidance I opted to keep my clothes front and center, putting my shoes on the sides, so I could most easily plan an outfit. With all my clothes in one place, coordinating different pieces is simple and it also made the closet feel wider.  Then I moved my focus to the more cumbersome details of the closet.  This is where I realized I really needed to get involved and put my design hat on.  Most closet designers pick function over beauty and that was just not going to cut it this time around.  I needed to ensure that when I was replacing, what one could argue was a perfectly functional closet, it had to be special.  It had to not only look custom, it had to be a show stopper that would add value come time to sell the apartment. 

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Displaying and Storage

Next, I tackled storage… or should I say, I figured out how to store my shoes. I love shoes. They’re my splurge item, so I have quite a few pairs and I wanted to feature them.  To do this, I installed shoe shelves slanting downward, giving me a view of them from the top and ensuring that even the shoes in the reaches far above my head were visible from the ground. Some items, like sunglasses, jewelry, and my less display-worthy footwear (think gym sneakers and flip flops) required drawers. With these, I sacrificed space for beauty, opting for narrower drawers so I could have them inset in the closets’ frame.  

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Lighting

The lighting is by far the most important aspect of my closet. Above all the other elements, it is the lighting that really makes a closet feel high end. In the top of every module, I installed light strips that showcase the items sitting below. This makes it feel like the display of a luxury retailer. I also lined every module with an inch-wide lighter inset. This detail acts as a mat in a picture frame and makes for a more custom feel.

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Making Height Functional

Finally, the key to making my vertical vision work was the library ladder. This is not something offered by most closet designers, so it had to be custom made. The ladder stands roughly eight feet high and can be moved between three walls. It doesn’t cut too far into the floor space and was lightweight enough to be moved around. The ladder adds to the functionality while also making a statement.  

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Color

Now let’s talk about the look. Closets rarely get natural light — mine doesn’t — so I chose to go with a light grey wood to keep it bright. I used a ivory colored and textured backing on the smaller shelves, while keeping the back of the large closet spaces a darker wood to maintain a sense of drama. The bottom of the closet was also raised with a thick trim. The elevation from the ground is another important detail that lends to the feel of a true custom closet. 

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My apartment has a new selling feature. The time, effort, and money that went into this project is reflected in the value of my home. Should I sell it, the closet will be an element that will help translate into a faster sale for a higher price.

When we look good we feel good. When our closets look good, we feel even better.