Let’s face it: We all dream of waking up each morning, brushing our teeth, taking a shower, and then walking a few steps into a spacious, well-lit walk-in closet full of drawers and storage compartments for clothes, shoes, and accessories collected over the years. But dreams are one thing, and reality is another—especially since most of us live in modest-sized apartments. In reality, our collections tempt us, and only when the haul is in hand do we realize (yet again) how difficult it will be to find space for it all.
In today's world, storage, especially in our bedrooms, can make or break a real estate deal—yes, it’s that crucial. We crave as many closets as possible, and rightly so. The good news is that even in the trickiest spaces, it is possible to create something from nothing with a bit of creativity and imagination.
Walk-in closets, as we know them today, have undergone significant evolution over the centuries. They began as single, simple wardrobes for storing clothes, items, and linens, with wooden doors to protect the contents from dirt and dust. In the late 1970s, as consumer culture began to take off, these wardrobes expanded beyond the bedroom, becoming more spacious and airy. Almost 50 years have passed since then, and it seems we need to rethink things: clothes and items keep piling up, yet not everyone has the privilege of dedicating an entire room to clothes, linens, suitcases, and shoes.
According to Tamir Raz, CEO of Delkoub Closets, most new contractor-built apartments tend to leave a small corner niche in the master bedroom to serve as a walk-in closet: "Usually, this is a small area (about 2 meters by 1.5 meters) that, if not planned properly, will be difficult to manage and optimize for storage."
"However, despite appearing small, it isn't necessarily so. The trick is to utilize every millimeter, including the corners. In such cases, it’s advisable to create a niche with internal closets (formed at the corner junction) for hanging clothes, while the remaining parts on the right and left can be used to create shelves and drawers. It's also wise to use the full height of the space, even in very high areas, as this is the way to gain more storage: place frequently needed items at the lower parts of the closet and seasonal clothes at the top."
"The size of the space also affects the facades you can work with. The recommendation is to create opening doors. In some cases, people choose to make a closet without doors, leaving the interior completely exposed to the bedroom. Others opt to create a door at the entrance that mimics a closet facade, effectively creating a walk-in closet. It's also advisable to reinforce the small walk-in closet with a storage dresser placed in the bedroom, to store underwear, swimwear, pajamas, and jewelry."
"In particular, in small spaces, planning a walk-in closet should be based on the identity and very specific needs of the users. Indeed, there is a significant difference between a closet used for shoe storage and one solely for clothes. A closet for someone who prefers folding over hanging clothes will also be designed differently, according to the specific ergonomics and program of the users," adds Raz. "To design an effective and efficient closet, one must ask the right questions and examine every detail: what are our habits, the quantities of items we own, and whether we prefer to hang or fold our clothes. Many parameters are considered, as a closet, in any form, is a product that will serve us for decades, and planning reflects not just our current needs but also looks years ahead."
In conclusion, Raz says: "It's important to allocate one wall for a large closet that extends up to the ceiling to maximize storage space. The new closet can be placed in the bedroom itself or, alternatively, in the corridor leading to it. Consider painting the facades the same color as the wall to blend it into the space as much as possible. Integral handles will also do the job. Another option is to create mirror facades that give the illusion of a much larger space. If possible, choose a strategic location for the closet so that the facades don’t face the room's entrance, avoiding a feeling of congestion and suffocation."