Master Closet: Organization and Layout

A 10x10 closet should provide enough space for two people's needs, plus enough elbow room to reach everything comfortably. Image: ClosetMaid

Remodeling a master bedroom, adding on a master suite, or building a new home all afford opportunities to create your ideal master closet — a gift to yourself that keeps on giving. Use these organization and storage ideas to develop your personalized plan of action for installing a great and practical closet.

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Expect to pay $1,500-$5,000 and up to equip an 8-by-10 foot, well-outfitted walk-in closet, assuming you hire a pro to build the room as part of a master suite addition. A DIY installation costs at least $800.

Layout and Space Requirements

A walk-in master closet should be a minimum of 7-by-10 feet, and preferably 10 sq. ft. for two users. That gives you space to line two or three walls with shelves, cubbies, and poles, and the elbow room to reach them easily.

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For added convenience, include about 3 sq. ft. of floor space for a chair where you can perch to put on socks and fold laundry. If possible, leave enough room in the middle for a folding luggage table or built-in storage island with countertop, so you can open your suitcase when you’re packing for a trip.

Options for Storage and Organization

You could include a dresser in your master closet, but that isn’t the best way to store clothes. You can only see what’s on top of each drawer, and trying to pull a shirt from the bottom of the pile always leads to a jumbled, wrinkled mess.

A better option is a closet-organizing system. These storage units have an array of compartments, each designed for specific pieces of your wardrobe, from individual shelves and bins for sweaters and tops to small drawers for lingerie and accessories to cubbies or racks for shoes, bags, and hats.

The components for master closet organizing systems cost $800-$5,000 or more, depending on whether you go with ready-made or custom-designed.