Are you thinking about buying a home, but are feeling hesitant about the reach-in closets it comes with? Or do you currently have reach-in closets in your home and are feeling unsure about what to do with them? You might be surprised to know there are actually tons of benefits to these types of closets. Especially when careful consideration is taken in terms of reach-in closet design.
There are so many things you can do with your reach-in closet. It’s all about seeing the benefits of having this type of closet and then utilizing some helpful design tips for making your closet work for you. Luckily, we’re going to cover both of these topics in today’s post.
What is a Reach-In Closet?
If you’re not quite sure what a reach-in closet is, we’re here to explain it to you! A reach-in closet is essentially a type of closet you can reach into but are not able to walk into. It’s a very common type of closet that usually comes with a hanging rod and a shelf above for additional storage.
Reach-in closets also often come with a sliding door or swinging doors. They’re usually designed to be a grab and go type of design where you can see everything that’s laid out.
Main Benefits of a Custom Reach-In Closet
To help you feel a little bit more confident in your reach-in closet, let’s talk about some of the benefits of these types of closets.
- Easy access
One thing we love about custom reach-in closets is how they don’t overcomplicate things. All of your things are easy to grab—you won’t be left digging through your clothing to find specific items as everything is nicely displayed right in front of you.
While you might have a little bit less space than a walk-in closet, you’re a lot less likely to feel like your closet is chaotic and disorganized.
- Customizable storage
Reach-in closets are amazing for providing you with tons of options when it comes to customizable storage. It’s possible to make use of every inch of space you have in your closet. Regardless of the reach-in closet design.
Whether it’s accessory trays, adjustable shelves, bins, or baskets, there are so many options out there for storage you can utilize for your reach-in closet. It all comes down to a bit of creativity.
- Helps you stay organized
If you organize your reach-in closet properly, it’s likely to stay that way for a long time to come. Ensure each and every item has a place. That way you’ll be forced to stay organized as time goes on.
Everything should go back in the exact same spot each time you put it away. Make an effort to keep it clean and you’ll feel a lot more organized long term.
- Allows you to get ready quicker
Believe it or not, it’s very likely you’ll get ready quicker if you have a reach-in closet. Everything will be in one convenient place for you to grab from. There also won’t be any going back and forth between sections of your closet. Or having to worry about where certain items are.
Everything all in one place means your outfit planning is made easy.
- Adds value
If your reach-in closet design is optimized for storage it can add value to your home. You’ll get more attention on the market when potential buyers can see themselves filling up the closet with their own items.
- Streamlines your wardrobe
Your wardrobe will never be quite as streamlined as it is with a reach-in closet. You can see everything you have all at once. This will motivate you to get rid of the things you don’t wear or use.
It’ll be easier to cut down any doubles or to simply see the things you’re not reaching for day to day. Your wardrobe is a lot more likely to only consist of the things you really need.
- Function over style
The reduced real estate in your closet also means you won’t have as much room to store your things. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing—less room makes for a neater space and better functionality of your wardrobe as a result.
You’re sure to be better able to manage your closet than you would be with a lot more space.
- Allows for more space throughout your home
If your home comes equipped with reach-in closets it’s likely because the builders wanted to ensure more space throughout the rest of your home. You’ll have just enough storage space to put away your things, but will enjoy having more spacious bedrooms, hallways, and main areas of your home. Think of it that way next time you’re feeling unsure about your reach-in closets.
- Versatile for everyone
There are so many different types of people who can benefit from reach-in closets. You might be a minimalist, someone who lives in a warmer climate, or may not have kids and not need the storage. Reach-in closets are actually the perfect match for some people and are a lot more versatile than you might think at first.
Tips for Designing a Great Reach-In Closet
Your reach-in closet can be a major asset to you and your storage needs if it’s designed properly. Here are some of our best tips for designing a fantastic reach-in closet with tons of different ideas for creating the best storage solutions.
Add shelf dividers
The shelves often included in reach-in closets above the hanging rod are a great place to store folded clothing. However, it can be frustrating if those folded piles start to get too high and topple over.
Shelf dividers are a fantastic way to keep your piles neat, organized, and straight. You can separate all types of clothing with your dividers.
Include your laundry basket
We love the idea of putting your laundry basket right inside your reach-in closet. That way you can throw your dirty laundry into it and not have to worry about storing the basket elsewhere in your room.
We suggest going for a laundry basket that’s tall and narrow so it will fit nicely into your closet. You don’t want it to take up too much of your valuable storage space. Be sure to measure yours before purchasing!
Have a step stool nearby
One thing you might notice about your reach-in closet design is it uses up storage space vertically. While it’s nice to use up every bit of space available, it can sometimes make it harder to reach the things stored up high. Have a step stool nearby so you can use it to get the things you need with ease.
An alternative idea is to store your seasonable items up high so you don’t have to reach for them too often.
Use pant and skirt hangers
Of course, you’ll need hangers for your reach-in closet, but hangers specifically for pants and skirts can be extra helpful. Regular hangers may leave creases in these items which means you’ll probably be pulling out the iron more often than you would like. Bigger hangers can also take up valuable space.
Take this into consideration when choosing your hangers!
Save space with garment bags
If you’re looking to save space, garment bags are always a good idea. You can group different types of clothing together inside the bags which will help save a bit of room.
Garment bags are also handy for storing clothing you don’t wear as often and that you want to keep free from dust and wrinkles. You could also try putting your more seasonal items into garment bags if you’re not using them or don’t need to see what’s in them for an extended period of time.
Shoe storage
One of the hardest things to store in your reach-in closet is probably going to be shoes. They’re big and bulky and can end up taking up a lot of space if you’re not careful.
We suggest using a mounted shoe rack to help with your shoe storage. This will allow you to maximize the space available to you. You’ll have a spot for each and every pair and won’t need to worry about a pile of shoes getting messy.
Add a mirror
Last but not least, why not add a mirror to your reach-in closet design? You can install a mirror on either side of your closet doors so it’s easy to put on an outfit and see what it looks like. Choose a mirror that’s full length so you can really get the full picture!
Create a Custom Reach-In Closet of Your Own
Are the creative juices flowing when it comes to your custom reach-in closet design? We sure hope so! And while you might have tons of excellent ideas you want to execute, sometimes making your ideas come to life is a little bit easier said than done. That’s why you need a custom closet expert like JB Closets on your side.
