6 Stunning Closets Straight Out of Your Dreams
Glamour and practicality mix in Houzz readers’ favourite closet photos. Here are some takeaways for your home
Becky Harris
30 September 2017
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Dreamy giant closets are among my favourite things to browse on Houzz. And of course I love to look for practical storage solutions I can use myself. It seems I’m on the same page as a lot of people: The favourite closet photos this quarter on Houzz US were a combination of practical built-ins and closets that could be mistaken for upscale boutiques. Here are a handful of the most popular new closet photos added to Houzz from April through June, measured by how many people added them to their ideabooks. Since I know most of these are pure fantasy for the majority of us, I’ve included some takeaways that we can apply to our own modest-size closets.
1. Hidden storage
This pullout shoe cabinet keeps those beautiful high heels easily accessible and dust-free.
Take a look at these inspiring shoe rack designs
This pullout shoe cabinet keeps those beautiful high heels easily accessible and dust-free.
Take a look at these inspiring shoe rack designs
There’s nothing more convenient than having your ironing station handy in the closet or laundry room, but it’s not so convenient when you have to lug that big sucker out and unfold it. This clever cabinet includes room to easily stash the flip-down board, as well as space for the iron, an electrical outlet and even the starch.
2. Floor-to-ceiling use
A library ladder provides access to those high-up cabinets – great storage for out-of-season or rarely used items.
A library ladder provides access to those high-up cabinets – great storage for out-of-season or rarely used items.
If you don’t have room for a rolling ladder, using an ottoman or chair that can double as a step stool is an easy way to maintain access to items stored up high.
Tip: This idea can be applied to a small closet that’s not a walk-in: Have seating nearby that’s sturdy enough to be used for a boost.
Tip: This idea can be applied to a small closet that’s not a walk-in: Have seating nearby that’s sturdy enough to be used for a boost.
3. The dressing room
Dressing areas incorporated into large closets are also trending right now. This turns a closet into a real room where you can linger and enjoy the space, which might include natural light, beautiful millwork, mirrors and dining-room-worthy light fixtures. One note about a closet with a window: Make sure to protect clothing and accessories from damage from direct sunlight.
Tip: Even if you don’t have room in your closet, you can create a special dressing table area. Style a bedroom desk or table or a spot on the vanity that’s just for makeup and jewellery. Sometimes it’s as easy as adding a seat you love and a tabletop mirror.
Check out these 8 modern dressing tables for non-fussy women
Dressing areas incorporated into large closets are also trending right now. This turns a closet into a real room where you can linger and enjoy the space, which might include natural light, beautiful millwork, mirrors and dining-room-worthy light fixtures. One note about a closet with a window: Make sure to protect clothing and accessories from damage from direct sunlight.
Tip: Even if you don’t have room in your closet, you can create a special dressing table area. Style a bedroom desk or table or a spot on the vanity that’s just for makeup and jewellery. Sometimes it’s as easy as adding a seat you love and a tabletop mirror.
Check out these 8 modern dressing tables for non-fussy women
4. The hidden closet
This space is so smart: It’s a light-filled hallway between the bedroom and bathroom in a master suite. Clothing and accessories are hidden and protected behind beautiful doors. There’s a dressing table to the left and a large daybed for laying out outfits and sitting down to put on shoes. The rug and the light fixture finish off the sophisticated gallery-space feeling.
Tip: If you’re short on storage, look to see if there’s any potential for built-ins within the walls or in a wider hallway.
This space is so smart: It’s a light-filled hallway between the bedroom and bathroom in a master suite. Clothing and accessories are hidden and protected behind beautiful doors. There’s a dressing table to the left and a large daybed for laying out outfits and sitting down to put on shoes. The rug and the light fixture finish off the sophisticated gallery-space feeling.
Tip: If you’re short on storage, look to see if there’s any potential for built-ins within the walls or in a wider hallway.
The dead end of a hallway is also a space you can make good use of. This one has enough room for a large chest of drawers. Lighting, an accent wall and artwork transform it into a compelling vignette.
Find out how to add oomph to hallways
Find out how to add oomph to hallways
5. Upscale boutique style
The Roman shades, animal-print carpeting, fringe chandelier and accessories island that double as a dresser make this closet look straight out of Pretty Woman.
Tip: Consider backing the closet in something reflective like metal or mirrored glass, as was done here.
The Roman shades, animal-print carpeting, fringe chandelier and accessories island that double as a dresser make this closet look straight out of Pretty Woman.
Tip: Consider backing the closet in something reflective like metal or mirrored glass, as was done here.
The incredible backlighting in this closet transforms the utilitarian shelves into a boutique display to admire. If it weren’t for the dressing area in the foreground, I’d have guessed this was a Ferragamo store.
Tip: Do give even the tiniest of closets adequate lighting, whether it’s overhead or built into the racks. It will prevent you from walking out of the house wearing one navy shoe and one black one on a dark morning. (I’ve done this – have you? Please share your wardrobe malfunctions in the Comments.)
Tip: Do give even the tiniest of closets adequate lighting, whether it’s overhead or built into the racks. It will prevent you from walking out of the house wearing one navy shoe and one black one on a dark morning. (I’ve done this – have you? Please share your wardrobe malfunctions in the Comments.)
6. The closet takeover
If you have an oddly placed, little-used closet somewhere in the house, you can transform it by simply removing the door. Here, cabinets and shelves backed by wallpaper turned a small closet into an elegant bar. Depending on location, other uses could include a media cabinet complete with TV, a landing zone near an entry or a homework station.
Read more:
What to Learn From Dream Closets
Tell us:
What are your closet dreams? What are some of your favourite storage solutions? Tell us in the Comments below.
If you have an oddly placed, little-used closet somewhere in the house, you can transform it by simply removing the door. Here, cabinets and shelves backed by wallpaper turned a small closet into an elegant bar. Depending on location, other uses could include a media cabinet complete with TV, a landing zone near an entry or a homework station.
Read more:
What to Learn From Dream Closets
Tell us:
What are your closet dreams? What are some of your favourite storage solutions? Tell us in the Comments below.
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Ohhhhh! The closet in REGARDING HENRY! I Llove dark stained wood. The glass front drawers are something to consider, clever.
@Deborah Lynch, I loved that movie but don't remember the closets — it might be time for me to watch it again!