The cost for a closet remodel typically ranges from $2,300 to $6,700, with an average of $4,100. You’ll pay more if you choose high-end materials, have a large space, or do custom work.
Closets are one of the rooms in a house that can vary the most in both size and complexity. Some homes may have massive walk-in closets while others have only a simple coat rack. While the average closet remodel costs $10 to $25 per square foot or $4,100, this should be taken with a grain of salt as what you pay depends on factors like closet size, materials, and design.
On the lower end of the spectrum, a simple closet upgrade can run just $500 while a total revamp with structural changes can cost up to $22,000. Learn all the factors that influence the total cost of a closet remodel.
The bigger the closet the higher the cost of remodeling—but it's not a linear increase. This is because larger closets tend to have more luxurious furnishings like custom wooden molding or silent drawers. Smaller closets either don't have the space for extras or they just don't make sense because you can’t walk in the room. So while size does have an effect, what matters more is the style of remodel and what accessories or options you choose.
The average non-walk-in closet is around 8 square feet, while a walk-in closet can be anywhere from 20 square feet to over 150 square feet.
| Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $500–$1,900 |
| 20 | $900–$2,800 |
| 40 | $1,800–$4,500 |
| 80 | $3,400–$8,000 |
| 100 | $5,000–$12,000 |
| 150 | $8,000–$21,000 |
A general contractor will have the skills for a closet remodel, as well as access to the best subcontractors and local closet makers who specialize in this type of work. General contractors charge a per-project fee of 10% to 25% of the project cost. If you are paying hourly, expect to pay $120 to $500 or more per hour depending on how many people are on the job.
Any custom woodwork should be done by a professional carpenter as there is no substitute for years of hands-on experience and mastery with the medium. Carpenters are true artisans and their pay rates reflect that. Hourly rates for carpenters run between $40 and $150 per hour but depend on the complexity of work and the material required (some wood takes longer to shape than others).
If you’re remodeling a simple closet you likely won’t need an electrician, but walk-ins always have power wired to them. This isn’t just for overhead lighting but recessed lighting, light switches, and other elements should be handled by a pro. Hiring an electrician costs $60 to $100 per hour, on average.
An architect is often required for a larger project with structural elements. You may also want to hire a professional interior designer to personalize your closet.
Hiring an architect: Homeowners can expect to pay around $3,000 for an architect’s time and expertise. Project fees will vary but often hover around 15% of the total cost. Expect an architect’s hourly rate to be around $125 per hour.
Hiring an interior designer: Expect to spend $5 to $15 per square foot on the cost of an interior designer. This price comes at a premium as closets are smaller. The larger the project the lower the price per square foot. Overall, a small walk-in closet should cost between $300 and $600 while a larger walk-in closet can cost over $2,000 to design.
Where you perform your closet remodel impacts the total project cost. This is because labor and materials cost more in higher-cost-of-living areas such as New York and California. In terms of location in the house, ground floor remodels will always be less expensive than those on the second or third floors but this shouldn't be more than 10% of a price difference. Where you live, geographically, has a much larger effect.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $2,300–$6,700 |
| Colorado | $2,100–$6,300 |
| Florida | $2,000–$5,900 |
| Indiana | $1,900–$5,700 |
| Louisiana | $1,700–$5,400 |
| Michigan | $1,900–$5,600 |
| New York | $2,400–$6,800 |
| Oregon | $2,200–$6,300 |
| Texas | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Virginia | $2,200–$6,700 |
You have a few options when it comes to remodeling your closet, including its design and any special features. You should also factor in the cost of any demolition work and permits, if you plan to remove walls.
There are a great number of options to consider when remodeling a closet based on its size and your desired outcome—both aesthetically and functionally. Unlike a kitchen where certain items are required (stove, sink, etc.), a closet can be adorned as much or as little as you want. Consider some of the accessories or special features in the following table.
| Feature | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Electronic clothing rack | $450–$2,100 |
| Island with drawers | $900–$5,200 |
| Recessed lighting | $150–$600 |
| Skylight | $1,700–$2,500 |
| Safe | $400–$3,000 |
| Chandelier | $800–$9,100 |
| Surround sound system | $1,100–$4,000 |
While the cost to demolish any existing walls is certainly less than the cost of demolishing an entire house, the “work before the work” is something to consider. Expect to pay around 10% of a project’s cost for demo work. Prepping an area also carries costs but these costs are harder to guesstimate as a small closet may only need an hour of prep, and a larger project could require multiple days and both specialized equipment and labor.
Almost all home improvements require permits and a full closet remodel, assuming changes to the layout or any structural elements, will also require one. Homeowners can expect to pay between $300 and $900 for the cost of the permit. The penalties for building without a permit can be severe, including even a requirement to remove the remodel, so make sure you have these in place before pursuing any work.
There is a stark difference between a remodel and an aesthetic glow-up. The former requires professional workmanship—talk to a local closet pro—while adjustments to the appearance and adding a simple element or two is absolutely something you can, and should, try your hand at.
The argument comes down to how involved the job is. Anything requiring demolition work, adjustments to structural components, or simply anything too time-consuming should be handed off to a pro. There are plenty of great weekend DIY projects you can undertake that don’t pose the risk of damaging your home if done incorrectly.
When you're determining what to do with your closet you need to decide whether you're going to renovate the space or go through a full remodel. Most closet remodels make the space more functional and larger, while a renovation gives an aesthetic boost.
For most small closets that do not need to be expanded, a renovation makes more sense and saves a lot of money. A full remodel is best for larger projects or grander visions.
There are many ways to save some cash during the remodel, including:
Using LED lighting instead of recessed.
Using dollar store storage bins. Paint them to match the walls.
Using recycled materials like piping for hanging rods.
Utilizing the back of the door as shoe storage.
Installing mirrors to create the illusion of more space.
DIYing everything except structural alterations and electrical.
A closet remodel likely won’t raise the price of the home directly but if you're a seller, buyers appreciate this detail. This means that you may not be able to raise the price of your home to the exact amount of the remodel cost, but it should entice more people to make offers. The return on investment (ROI) of a closet remodel is usually between 50% and 60% of the total project cost.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Closet remodels can add a significant element of luxury to your home and depending on how you remodel, a lot of functionality that may have been missing. People underestimate how much they use their closet and one that lacks storage space or just becomes a room full of random items can benefit from a remodel in almost all cases. There's a vast range of pricing for closet remodels—they aren't all expensive.
You can modernize an old-looking closet by just painting it, but beyond that, consider electric elements like recessed or accent lighting. If this is a large and deep closet, you can consider adding an island to the middle or a nice ottoman on a rug. Luxury closets will have even more items, like felt-lined drawers for watches and jewelry, in-wall safes, electronic shoe storage, or a tablet catalog of their items.
There are certainly luxury upgrades you can make but you can seriously improve the look and functionality of a closet without spending much money. Color matching will make the closet seem bigger so any shelves painted the same as the wall is a good tip. While pre-made closet organizers may seem expensive they offer an aesthetic look that's hard to achieve with DIY methods. Lastly, removing clutter and unworn items will help the closet seem bigger and cleaner.
You can turn an adjacent room into a walking closet by just rearranging the room. This means removing the furniture and adding racks and an island in the center if you have that in your budget. Houses with two bedrooms connected to each other are great options for large walk-in closets that don't require any structural changes or much building whatsoever.
