Remodeling a closet can be a great way to get organized while getting rid of clutter. But creating an inviting, functional space involves more than just buying a few new sweater boxes.
When planning a closet model, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind, including what you intend on storing there, how much space you have, and your budget. Ready to roll up your sleeves? Use this guide to help you get started.
Key Points
• A closet remodel can make it easier and more enjoyable to get dressed, store your clothes, and stay organized.
• Clear the closet completely for accurate measurements and organization planning.
• Measure the space thoroughly, including corners and obstacles.
• Consider a budget ranging from $1,500 to $6,700, though it’s possible to do a small, simple closet renovation for under $1,000.
• Add features like lighting, seating, and ventilation, and use every inch possible, avoiding dead, wasted, and shallow spaces.
Clear Out the Closet
If you can, start a remodeling project with a blank slate. In this case, that means clearing out whatever is in your closet now. You’ll appreciate the extra breathing room when it comes time to measure the space (more on that in a minute). Plus, you’ll have a chance to see exactly what will be stored in the closet after the remodel, which will help you determine what clothing rods, drawers, storage bins, and containers might be needed.
Recommended: How Much Does It Cost to Remodel or Renovate a House?
Size Up Your Space
Accurately measure the size of the closet and, if desired, see what potential extra space exists. The following tools can help you get the job done:
• Measuring tool: This can be a 25-foot flat tape measure or, if preferred and needed, an electronic measuring tool. The latter can measure longer walls.
• Acrylic square finders (two): With these, verify whether closet corners are actually square.
• Angle finders for closets with slanted ceilings: This allows the angle of the roofline to be properly measured.
• Paper: Record all numbers; graph paper can be especially helpful when sketching out measurements and closet remodel ideas.
New to measuring? Here are some tips to help you get the right figures the first time.
• When doing a hard measurement, round down by the nearest quarter of an inch.
• When doing soft measurements, round down to the nearest whole number.
• Measure walls in three places and use the smallest of these measurements: near the top, in the middle, near the bottom.
• Measure from top to bottom.
• Check inside corners.
• Check the angle of pitch for any sloped ceilings.
• Note and measure any obstacles, which can include light fixtures and switches, trim, and vents.
Consider Closet Features You’d Like
Not sure what to include in your closet remodel? Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Bright Lighting
From LED lights that shine on specific areas of the closet (like the furthest corners) to illuminated rods and shelves to lights that focus on cabinets, lights are popular closet features.
A Dressing Room
Because not every house has bedrooms with enough square footage for dressing room space, some homeowners are choosing to transform an extra bedroom — or even an underused dining or living room — into a walk-in closet/dressing room.
These rooms typically have some kind of seating and mirrors, and even pieces of art. They can range from reasonably simple rooms containing a makeup table and comfy seat to luxurious spaces.
Walls That Wow
People who have a more straightforward paint color or wallpaper pattern in their rooms are sometimes willing to experiment with bolder hues or eye-catching patterns on the walls in their closets.
Stylish Extras
If your budget and lifestyle allow, here are some features that are in demand today and may be worth considering. Some are DIY, while others may require the help of a contractor.
• Ventilation systems to remove smells and dehumidifiers to remove moisture
• Entire walls devoted to shoes or handbags
• Crown molding
• A sliding ladder
• Built-in drawers, called cellarets, to keep socks, ties, and more well organized
• Laundry cabinet storage with a removable liner to carry the load to the washer
• Jewelry organizer with multiple compartments, some with locks
Closet Remodel No-Nos
The best remodel is one that allows you to make the most of your closet. As you’re making your plans, be mindful to avoid the following:
Dead Space
People often waste space above the top shelf in their closets. It’s true that you can fold and store clothes on that shelf or use the space for storing boxes. But keep in mind that the higher an item is, the more difficult it is to access. It may be best used for out-of-season items vs. clothes you want to wear regularly.
Wasted Space Behind Swing-in Doors
If possible, try to avoid closet doors that swing in, because shelves can’t be built there and clothes hung there will continually be banged into. But if this is your setup, fear not. The space can still be salvaged by the addition of a hook board where scarves, ties, and other thin objects can be placed.
Shallow Shelving
When shelves are too shallow, clothes hang over top of them and the closet can look sloppy or fall from their designated spot. Lots of closet systems have 12-inch shelves; make sure this is deep enough for your needs or choose other shelving with more depth.
What Will a Closet Remodel Cost?
On average, a closet renovation costs around $2,300 to $6,700, with an average of $4,100, according to the home improvement website Angi. Other sources, like Thumbtack, put the price closer to an average of $771, so there’s obviously a range of costs possible.
A good rule of thumb is that the cost per linear foot is $125. Add-ons will affect the cost. Here are some amounts that someone might expect to spend:
• Professional organization services: $40 to $60 an hour
• New lights and outlets: $55 to $65 an hour
• New door: $180
• Paint job: $200
Designing a custom closet costs between $1,500 and $2,500 on average, according to HomeAdvisor.com. The materials used, organization elements included, permits, and whether a wardrobe is added affect the pricing. Of course, if you’re looking to sell a home, a custom closet design may be of more value to a buyer than an off-the-shelf closet organizing product.
Another factor is whether the closet is a reach-in or walk-in type. Reach-in closets are typically smaller, but when organized well can be functional. Remodeling these closets, which are often found in smaller bedrooms and hallways, may cost less than redoing a walk-in closet.
How to Afford a Closet Remodel
When it comes to paying for a closet remodel, homeowners have several options. Examples include using your personal savings, using a credit card and then paying the balance in full to avoid high interest charges, or taking out an unsecured personal loan.
When used for home renovation projects, these are typically called home improvement loans. They provide a lump sum of cash, which is then paid back (typically over a couple or several years) with interest in installments. The rates are usually considerably lower than those of credit cards.
Recommended: A Guide to Unsecured Personal Loans
The Takeaway
A closet remodel can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on how extensive it is, how luxurious the materials you choose are, and how much customized work is done. Plan exactly what you want — first deciding whether to expand the space or enhance what you have — and then carve out a budget for that vision. A home improvement loan, a kind of personal loan, can help you finance this type of project.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
How much does a closet remodel cost?
A closet remodel typically costs a few thousand dollars, but for smaller spaces or less extensive renovations (primarily cosmetic), you may be able to get the job done for less than $1,000.
What is the rule of 3 for cleaning closets?
The rule of three says that if you can’t imagine wearing an item three different ways or to three different occasions, you should probably find it a new home, either giving it to a friend or relative, donating it, or selling it.
Is it worth it to remodel a closet?
Whether a closet remodel is worth it is a personal decision. Some people feel it’s definitely an improvement, making it easier and more enjoyable to get dressed and store their clothes. Others think it isn’t worthwhile to spend money on a small space, especially if it’s working fairly well as-is.
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