When rebuilding or designing a closet, having a firm grasp of the standard closet measurements only makes the job easier. These dimensions will change based on your needs, room size and storage options available. Consider all these factors before you finalize your building plans, and your closet will serve you well. Does this Spark an idea?
Depth
The depth of the closet is actually the width, the measurement from the closet door to the back wall. This measurement is important because most closets have a hanging rod in which you hang clothing. Therefore, the width of the closet is standardized to at least 24 inches. This is enough room to hang up any piece of clothing in a horizontal fashion, perpendicular to the back wall. If you have larger clothing items, consider a depth of 27 inches.
Length or Width
The length of the closet is the distance from one side wall to another, in the standard bedroom closet. This measurement varies based on a host of factors like the size of the walls in the room, the amount of storage space needed and how many people share the closet. Consider these factors when establishing a length or width. Each person will need 4 or more feet of closet rod space. Closet rods may be double stacked to increase closet rod space. One garment takes up about an inch of closet rod space. Coats take up between 2 to 4 inches.
Shelving and Other Considerations
Shelving is usually 2 to 3 feet wide and spaced 12 to 15 inches apart. If your closet door is 72 inches high and your top closet shelf is 80 inches high, between 4 to 5 shelves fit in one section of the closet. If the depth of the closet is 24 inches, these shelves are typically 16 to 20 inches deep. Installing shelving above the 80 inch top rod in a double stacked closet rod configuration causes problems because the shelves are difficult to access through the doorway. In this case, the shelving is usually 12 inches deep, to allow access from the front. If you have double stacked rods that are 4 feet wide, and shelving that is 3 feet wide, your minimal width is at least 7 feet with the standard depth. Bare in mind you can't install shelves above or below double stacked rods. There is no space available here.
Walk-in Depth and Sizes
A walk-in closet provides more space than a front-only-access closet. This closet must be a minimum of 5 feet wide and deep, however. This allows room for the hanging closet rods and walking and standing space. If your room does not have the space for this type of closet, consider making your front access closets wider. Making a front access closet deeper, up to 32 inches or more, does not add much storage space. You can only install small shelves on the side walls, the rest of the space in the center of the closet is open space.
Tags: double stacked, feet wide, closet space, your closet, back wall, closet door