Closet Design 101: 8 Tips to Turn Your Closet Into a Happy Place
Great design doesn't stop at the closet door. Take these tips from interior designer Jenna Wallis to create the closet of your dreams! Hint: It's ALL about the details.
Hereβs a quick, one-question StyleBlueprint poll: When you hear the word βcloset,β whatβs the first word that comes to mind?
For most of us, it probably isnβt βbeautifulβ or βstylishβ or βrelaxing.β In fact, weβre guessing that for most women, the word closet conjures up a negative feeling. For me, that feeling is βclaustrophobia.β My closet is so packed with clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry and random bits of life that it literally feels like thereβs not enough air in there.
Thereβs a better way to live, ladies! Today weβre joined by Memphis designer Jenna Wallis of Jenna Wallis Interior Design, who treats closet design with the same TLC and editorβs eye she gives every other space in the house. And thatβs because she knows good, thoughtful design can make life easier, increase our well-being and generally make us happier people.
All that from a closet? Take one look at hers and youβll know the answer is yes.
βI think your closet should be a retreat,β says Jenna, who sometimes heads to hers just to take a quick, quiet breath away from the day-to-day frenzy of organizing a household, running a business and raising a family. βI made mine very feminine because I live in a house full of boys. This is my peaceful retreat.β
When approaching closet design, whether her own or a clientβs, Jenna holds two considerations above all others: One, in a small space, details are very important. Handle them wisely. And two, a closet is personal β maybe the most personal space in the house. For that reason, it should absolutely reflect the taste, loves and lifestyle of its owner. βDifferent people have different wants and needs,β Jenna says. βFor closet design, I try to tailor it to the personβs personality.β
In other words, itβs fine to pin pics and jβadore the super-glam closet of your favorite celeb, but if youβre more of a sundress-and-cowboy boots kind of girl, own it. Your closet should look like you and contain what YOU love, not what you think youβre supposed to like. And just a hint: If youβre crazy about a certain color, style or pattern but your closet doesnβt have an inch of space to spare, put a swatch of it on the ceiling or on one key wall! Not only does it bring a dose of daily happiness, but since itβs such a small area, it also wonβt break the bank.
As for those other details, pay attention to how you use the space. Whatβs currently not working? How do you want your closet to function on a daily basis? Know the answers to these questions before you change a thing. βI treat a closet to the Nth degree of detail, the same as I do for a kitchen,β Jenna says. βI think the details are so important.β Here are her eight great closet makeover tips:
Tip #1: Make sure it screams βYOU!β
βA closet should reflect the person youβre designing it for,β Jenna emphasizes. βAnd itβs a great place to take your personality and blow it up.β This means thinking about your needs and paying attention to your lifestyle. Are you formal? Casual? Always in a rush? Adds Jenna, βCloset design should be very well thought-out.β
Tip #2: Customize your storage.
This is a big one. Whether your resources for a closet makeover are vast or teeny, local home improvement stores offer storage solutions for all types of needs and budgets. Jenna recommends varying up your storage solutions based on what youβre storing. Again, think about YOUR needs. In her case, she opted for a mix of shelves, drawers and baskets β even a hat rack. βI think shoe display is really important,β Jenna adds. βI recommend adjustable shelves, and Iβm really into boot inserts to hold your boots up and help preserve them. We ordered them online.β
Here are a few storage elements she highly recommends:
- Short and full-length hanging space
- Open shelving up top for large items, like bags and hat boxes
- Built-in drawers
- Shelves for folded clothes
- Baskets for hiding clutter, such as gloves, baseball caps, etc.
- Small-storage area or compartments for jewelry, cuff links, etc.
- And, of course, built-in shoe storage thatβs customizable for the seasons
βItβs nice to change out your summer and winter shoes if your closetβs not big enough to hold all four seasons,β she says. βSummer sandals donβt take up as much room as boots, so I change things around a little bit.β
Tip #3: Treat your wardrobe well.
βYouβre spending money on your clothes, and they should last,β Jenna says. βYour clothes are an investment, and you should take care of that investment, especially if theyβre classics. Youβll have them forever.β Jenna folds items like jeans, tees and cashmere sweaters and stores them neatly on shelves β think high-end boutique. As for hanging items, sheβs a big advocate of wooden hangers.
Tip #4: Include a place to perch.
βIf you have room, I think itβs important to have either a chair or ottoman in the closet,β Jenna says. βA place to sit and relax and kind of escape, and let it be your retreat. I think itβs nice to have that kind of hideaway.β It also comes in handy as a shoe perch. And if your closet has the space, she recommends adding a sit-down vanity. βSome people use their closets for hair, makeup, the whole nine yards.β
Tip #5: Consider lighting.
Windows in closets are rare, but your closet shouldnβt resemble a cave. βLighting is just as important here as it is anywhere else in the house,β Jenna says. βI have can lights, and I also have a mirrored chandelier that has some personality. And I have picture lights above my shoes.β She recommends three different light sources: general, task and accent. βThis is one way to treat your closet as a special space.β
Tip #7: Surround yourself with things you love
This means more than paring down your wardrobe, though you might want to do that, too. Jenna sees closets as a great spot to showcase collections β especially items close to your heart. βI have my great auntβs hat collection,β she says. βTheyβre from the β20s, β30s, β40s and β50s. If you have a perfume collection, itβs nice to incorporate that in the design, or anything that you might collect. For instance, antique pins. You could frame them and display them in your closet.β
Tip #8: Distinguish βhisβ from βhers.β
Even if you donβt have the luxury of separate closets for you and your housemate, there are tips you can use to distinguish your shared space. In her homeβs separate his-and-hers closets, Jenna gives each space its own character using color. Her closet features pink-and-white wallpaper that fits her personality. In husband Edβs closet, blue accents give the space a more masculine feel. But the design details get plenty of attention in both. βAnd in talking about hangers, I did all white wood for my hangers and dark wood for his,β she says. βItβs kind of nice to have that separation.β
Tip #8: If you can, add some extras.
From glass or mirrored door fronts to keyless entry systems, the skyβs the limit in high-end closet design. βI love mine, but you can also take it to the next level,β Jenna says. She recommends wiring your space for sound, especially if you use your closet as a dressing room and vanity. βItβs nice to incorporate music when youβre getting ready,β she says.
Great design doesnβt have to stop at the closet door, and your closet doesnβt have to be a source of stress! Use these tips to turn your closet into more than a spot to hang clothes. It can literally be your happy place!
A special thanks to Julie Wage Ross for todayβs amazing photos! Want to see more beautiful spaces? Check out our StyleBlueprintβs Interior Design page.
