Carrie Bradshaw would approve.
Feeling inspired to revamp your closet? Or maybe you just upgraded to the walk in wardrobe of your dreams and need a little design inspiration to bring it to its full potential? We're highlighting 35 impeccable walk in closet ideas from our favorite interior designers, so both you and your clothes are in the best of hands.
To make your walk in closet look good, we recommend treating it like any other room in your house and infusing it with personality. Whether that's a bold paint color, wallpaper, fresh flowers—you spend a lot of time in your closet, so shouldn't it be a nice place to hang out? While a custom walk in closet can cost $10,000 or more, there are a number of cost-effective swaps you can do to make the room feel (and look) more organized. Changing out all of your wire hangers for matching nonslip ones and storing scarves and hats in chic matching baskets are great projects to start with.
Some basic rules before you start: Lisa Adams, CEO of LA Closet Design, advises that you "keep everything organized by category and color, similar to the way you would find clothing items displayed in a boutique." Translation? Don’t go stuffing purses in a drawer—set them out on open shelves and surfaces. "If you see everything you have, you'll wear everything," Adams points out. Ergo, no more losing clothes in your own closet. Genius! Keep scrolling to see the walk in closet ideas designers use to create stylish and functional spaces, and jot down your favorite layouts, storage solutions, and color palettes.
1
Treat Yourself Like Royalty
For an ultra-glamorous walk in closet, opt for a built-in vanity with plenty of storage for all of your essentials. In this one, a bold ruby red paint color keeps it dramatic.
2
Keep It Bottom Heavy
As far as walk in closet ideas go, this one might flip your routine upside-down, but it's brilliant. Rather than hang your bottoms on the, well, bottom, give the appearance of a more organized closet by hanging what you have less of up top.
3
Think Outside the Kitchen
Walk-in closets aren't just for clothes. In designer Bunny Williams's home, table linens and serving pieces get special treatment in a large storage space of their own.
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4
Create an Accent Wall
Closets don't have to be boring. In this spacious room, a monochromatic paisley accent wall creates interest without distracting too much from the clothes.
5
Use Vertical Space
If there you don't have an abundance of square footage to work with, look up. In this walk-in closet, a towering shoe shelf adds ample storage and encourages you to keep the floors clear, while the stars on the ceiling add a whimsical flair.
6
Repurpose Old Furniture
This Marie Antoinette–esque walk-in closet is an inspiring place to get dressed. Designer Annie Brahler enlisted a carpenter to "stretch" an old armoire to accommodate her shoe collection. The Belle Epoque chandelier casts a flattering rosy glow over the space, complementing a chair and painted island, which was cobbled together from multiple cabinets.
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7
Save Space With a Custom Rotating System
Alison Victoria created a 360-degree rotating closet system with Closet Works that features a hidden full-length mirror and ample storage for shoes. Sourced from the Corbel, French doors that date back to the 1800s close off the modern space.
8
Set up a Vanity
If you have a small desk or vanity in your closet, use pretty jars or a tray to store your jewelry and makeup. The stool can tuck right under the desk to keep the pathway clear when outfit planning. Mirrored cabinet doors and a pretty paint color, as Gideon Mendelson did here, complete the statement.
9
Experiment With an Unexpected Paint Color
"I threw a curveball with this retro revival pink paint, Nancy's Blushes from Farrow & Ball,” says designer Andrew Howard. "It's fresh, but it has a vintage quality, reminiscent of the bubblegum I loved as a kid," he adds. He decided to cover everything in the vibrant shade, from the trim to the shoe shelves. Plus, he notes that the shade is a flattering one for every complexion (a bonus for that mirror pep talk).
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10
Incorporate Location-Specific Motifs
Glass enclosures with metal frames make for splashy storage while allowing the occupant's shoes to steal the show in this walk-in closet by Meredith McBrearty. The wall hooks—mounted antlers—speak to the Texas location and local style, while also providing room for an extensive hat collection.
11
Make It Modern
Tamsin Johnson crafted a neutral yet unique color story in this modern walk-in closet for an especially fashionable client. The floating shelves and hardware-free drawers provide ample storage while also appearing clean and fresh, while eclectic lighting and marble countertops add personality.
12
Upholster the Walls in a Matching Fabric
A floral fabric brightens up this walk-in closet designed by Gary McBournie, which he upholstered for a soft effect. The adjacent primary bedroom features curtains in the same fabric for a cohesive whole.
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13
Let It Flow Into the Bedroom
Almost everything in Tammy Randall Wood's walk-in closet off the main bedroom is tucked behind closed storage for a calm, clutter-free atmosphere.
14
Install Task Lighting
Recessed lights are best when you're trying not to take up any vertical space, but a small sconce or adjacent sconce can also help. In this closet by Les Ensembliers, the nook is equipped with recessed lights.
15
Warm Up the Room With Carpeting
Jeannette Whitson opted for a soothing slate gray paint and contrasted the cooler tone with warm brass hardware. She also opted for a sand diamond motif carpet for the floors—a must in a walk-in closet, where hardwood floors or tiles might be a rude awakening on cold mornings.
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16
Stay Organized
Thanks to those woven baskets on the top shelves in this closet designed by Gideon Mendelson, the focus stays on the beautiful finishes and materials and keep unseasonal items of rarely-used items out of sight.
17
Opt for Display Cabinets
Designed by Castle Home's in House Beautiful's Whole Home concept house, this walk-in closet has all the bells and whistles and then some, but it's also just smart. To make the room feel less claustrophobic and, well, like a closet, Castle Home opted for display cabinets rather than solid doors. This allows the space to feel airier and even bigger—not to mention, the transparency forces you to stay organized.
18
Build a Three-Paneled Mirror
Three-paneled mirrors are popular in dressing rooms for a reason—you get to see your outfit from every angle. And as you can see in this walk-in closet designed by Heather Hilliard, they also make the room feel larger.
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19
Set the Mood
Getting ready each day is more enjoyable when your walk-in closet feels relaxing, stylish, and comfortable. This one features plenty of storage room thanks to those drawers, and the antique stool adds an effortlessly elegant vibe.
20
Add a Runner
If your walk-in closet is long, narrow, and windowless, introduce warmth with a runner that features a fun pattern. That built-in bench is also a good call—it provides seating without taking up extra floor space.
