29 Inspiring Walk-In Closet Ideas

Once you walk in, you won’t want to walk out

A little girl plays dress-up in a walk-in closet
Photo: Ales-A / Getty Images
A little girl plays dress-up in a walk-in closet
Photo: Ales-A / Getty Images
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While walk-in closets often have a reputation for being extravagant additions to bedrooms, you certainly don’t need to lead a lavish lifestyle to have or build one. Walk-in closets come in all shapes and sizes, and if utilized to their full potential, can help your bedroom stay organized and clutter-free. If designing closet space isn’t your forte, check out these inspiration tips and ideas to make the most out of your walk-in closet.

Start with the Entryway

The entrance to your walk-in closet will be the first glimpse anyone gets of it. Set the tone you want by picking the doorway that matches your vibe. 

1.  Glass Doors

A white walk-in closet with French style glass doors
Photo: bennnn / Adobe Stock

If you’re planning to either DIY or hire a professional to design a walk-in closet for your bedroom, determine whether you’d prefer the entryway to be discreet or unmistakable. Glass doors can add an air of elegance to the room and make an otherwise nondescript closet feel like an upscale dressing room. 

2. Sliding Doors

A neatly organized walk-in closet with sliding doors
Photo: Mariakray / Adobe Stock

Sliding doors make for a less conspicuous entrance to a walk-in closet, and can easily be left open so that your bedroom looks bigger as it extends into the closet area. Depending on the material of the sliding door, they can also be quieter than standard wooden or glass doors if you need to get ready in the morning without disturbing anyone.  

Light Up the Room

One of the main appeals of a walk-in closet is having the space to see all of your clothes. Picking the right lighting can have a big impact on the overall setting and aesthetic of yours. 

3. Large Windows for Natural Light

A narrow walk-in closet with a large window lighting up the space
Photo: KOTO / Adobe Stock

If you’re building a new closet or are remodeling an existing one, consider allocating space for a window to be installed. Depending on which side of the house the room is on, a window can flood a large or small walk-in closet with natural light, perfect for modeling clothes in. 

4. Overhead Windows

A walk-in closet with gray shelving and a long horizontal window
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

Windows in a walk-in closet don’t need to be huge to illuminate the space. A long, horizontal window placed near the ceiling will let in plenty of light to brighten the room and potentially save you money on your energy bill. 

5. Illuminated Shelves

Closet shelves with built in lighting
Photo: Forenius / Adobe Stock

No overhead lighting? No problem. Add a glow to your closet by installing light strips onto the shelves. 

6. Backlit Shelves

A warmly lit closet with interior shelf lights
Photo: Pavel Losevsky / Adobe Stock

Shine a light on your clothes by backlighting each shelf, giving the room a dreamy, magical vibe. 

7. Chandelier Lighting

A long walk-in closet with a lit chandelier hanging from the ceiling
Photo: imaginima / Getty Images

If fancy is what you’re after, go all out with a chandelier for lighting. This luxury light fixture will have you feeling like you’re in a designer boutique every time you pick out an outfit.

Maximize the Wall Space

Make the absolute most of your walk-in closet by utilizing all the available space you have, while keeping an organized and uncluttered appearance.

8. Closet Organizer

A clean and organized walk-in closet with built-in organizer
Photo: Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock

What better way to care for and store your clothes and accessories than with a dedicated organization system? Closet systems, or a modular closet, can provide all of the storage solutions you need by offering preset shelves, drawers, and hanging space—all you’ll have to do is fill it. 

9. Drawers Galore

 A walk-in closet made solely of drawers
Photo: alexandre zveiger / Adobe Stock

You’ll be sure to stay organized with an abundance of drawers. If you’ve decided to dedicate your walk-in closet to folded clothes as opposed to formal wear best suited for hangers, add plenty of drawers for storage space and achieve a clean, uniform look throughout the closet. 

10. Low-Level Shoe Racks 

A side image of a walk-in closet with low level shelves holding shoes
Photo: Tim Kitchen / Getty Images

With enough shelves and space, you’ll never need to store away your winter or summer shoes. Put them all on display and accessible with low-level shoe racks. 

11. Glass Display Cabinets

A sleek walk-in closet with all glass display cabinets
Photo: dowell / Getty Images

If you’re proud of your closet organization skills, flaunt them! Install glass display cabinets to show off your formal dress wear in an unapologetic fashion.  

12. Metal Baskets

A white walk-in closet with metal baskets for storage
Photo: Jason / Adobe Stock

Metal storage baskets may not be the most visually appealing, but what they do offer is clear visibility into what’s being stored within them, making finding a matching pair of socks an easy feat. 

13. Cloth Baskets

A close up of closet shelves with multiple cloth baskets for storage
Photo: Olesia Kononenko / Getty Images

Don’t want to put all your clothes on display? Mix and match patterned cloth storage boxes to keep your favorite pieces organized, but out of sight. 

14. Purse Hooks

A narrow walk-in closet with wooden purse hooks
Photo: Tim Wood / Adobe Stock

If you own an abundance of purses for every occasion, why not hang them where they can be admired? Installing purse hooks eliminates the need to store your purses and handbags in cabinets, and allows you to easily scan and choose whichever one is right for your next event. 

15. Floating Shelves

A walk-in closet with modern floating shelves
Photo: ostap25 / Adobe Stock

If a modern style is up your alley, opt for sleek floating shelves for an unencumbered minimalist feel. 

16. Locker-Style Storage

Long vertical closet cabinets
Photo: Kostikova / Getty Images

You don’t have to be in high school to appreciate the storage space a locker-style cabinet can offer. Long and vertical in shape, these cabinets can have hooks for hanging scarves or purses on the door, and drawers for socks or other delicates. 

17. Bookshelf-Turned-Shoe Shelf

A bright walk-in closet with a white bookshelf holding shoes
Photo: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

Save yourself some time and energy by converting what you already have into something you want. Try turning an old bookshelf into a sturdy home with multiple levels for your shoes, instead of building or buying a standard shoe rack. 

18. Jewelry Wall

Closeup image of jewelry hanging on a wall next to a desk
Photo: Mint Images / Getty Images

Jewelry is notorious for getting tangled if left unorganized. Never lose another necklace to a knotted chain by adding a dedicated jewelry wall to your walk-in closet. 

19. Color Code 

An organized closet with color coded shirts
Photo: pisittar / Getty Images

Is there anything more organized than color coding your clothes? In a large walk-in closet, knowing where each article of clothing is based on its color will save you the hassle of digging through every drawer. 

20. Rotating Shoe Rack

A large walk-in closet with a rotating shoe rack in the corner
Photo: Serghei Starus / Getty Images

Operating as a Lazy Susan for shoes, a rotating shoe rack eliminates the need to keep shoe boxes stacked in your closet, as you can effortlessly see and choose from your collection of footwear at a moment's notice. 

21. Accent Wall

A closet organizer in front of a wallpapered accent wall
Photo: Laura Stolfi / Getty Images

Make your closet a room you want to spend time in by incorporating an accent wall with a color palette that exudes your personal flair. 

22. Dark Wood Shelving 

A small walk-in closet with dark wood shelves and drawers
Photo: steftach / Adobe Stock

Dark wood shelves, drawers, and cabinetry offer a luxurious look to a closet, no matter the size, especially when paired with soft, warm lighting. 

Fun and Functional Additions

Cultivate your ideal closet space by adding nonessential pieces that will make the room feel welcoming and complete.

23. Oversized Mirror

Walk-in closet with hardwood floors and a large mirror
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

Having a walk-in closet is great for additional storage space, but a walk-in can also double as a dressing room—and no dressing room is complete without an oversized full-length mirror to decide which outfit matches your mood and agenda for the day.

24. Area Rug

A brightly lit walk-in closet with a patterned rug on the floor
Photo: Mehmet Hilmi Barcin / Getty Images

If you prefer folding clothes while sitting, adding a rug to your closet can provide comfort and a sense of coziness. If the closet floor is hardwood, a rug can also protect from any scuff marks made while putting on heels.

25. Makeup Vanity

A small walk-in closet with a large vanity and mirror
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

Incorporating a makeup vanity in your walk-in closet will turn the space into an all-encompassing preparation station. You’ll be able to pick your full attire, from clothes to accessories and shoes, and do your makeup to match without ever leaving the room. 

26.  Island in the Middle

A walk-in closet with a large island centered in the middle
Photo: Rick Gomez / Getty Images

If you’ve maxed out all the wall space in your closet, add an island in the middle of the room for additional storage. You’ll be able to fold clothes on its surface, or lay out pieces of jewelry to pick as the finishing touch when visualizing the look you want. 

27. Add an Ottoman 

A walk-in closet with a large black leather ottoman in the middle
Photo: Image Supply Co / Adobe Stock

Folding, hanging, and organizing clothes can get tiresome, and you might find yourself wishing you had a place to sit as you go about these tasks. Adding an ottoman or small sofa to the closet can break up the space, offer a comfy seating solution, and give you a place to sit while you put on shoes. 

28. Stool Seating

A his and hers walk-in closet with a fabric covered stool
Photo: Daniela Duncan / Getty Images

If you don’t have enough space in your closet to add an ottoman or small couch, a simple and sufficient seating arrangement like a stool will go a long way.

29. Repurposed Furniture

A brightly lit closet with two portable half-size bookshelves
Photo: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

Give your old furniture a new home by adding them to your walk-in closet. Nightside tables and bookshelves with cubbies can be repurposed into storage areas for shoes or accessories, and save you the hassle of disposing of them.

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