Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost. I appreciate your support! – Martina
This blog post is all about the best tips and accessories to help you turn your dream closet design into reality!
Do you spend hours staring at your messy closet hoping it suddenly sends you a good outfit or it sorts itself out? I promise you’re not alone! Organizing a life-long accumulation of clothes and accessories while, at the same time, trying to create a glamorous space is no small feat.
The good news is that the closet of your dreams may be just a few adjustments away. The right storage solutions and a creative but practical approach to design are all you need. Think of a stylish space where mess is forgotten and you can get ready every day without feeling overwhelmed.
In this post, we’ll look at 20 dream closets to help you get all the inspiration you need to realize your very own dream closet design. Whether you’re trying to create a new dressing room from scratch in a new house or simply need a few tips on a budget, get ready to transform your space!
Defining Your Dream Closet Design
Before we jump right into our closet ideas, I want to spend some time reviewing the very first step of the design process: planning. As boring as this may sound, I’m afraid this is a non-negotiable as any professional closet designer will tell you.
When it comes to your wardrobe or dressing area, you need to strike the right balance between aesthetic and functionality. After all, this is a space you’ll be using multiple times a day where a ton of different items need to be organized based on your lifestyle needs.
As you think about your new closet, spend some time identifying your key needs. For instance, do you need extensive shoe storage but can do without a vanity desk? Do you have plenty of hats but only a few handbags? Having clear answers will help you create a space that serves your shopping and daily habits, especially if you’re investing in a custom storage solution.
Now that you know what the key features of your dream closet need to be, let’s look at 20 beautiful closets that will inspire you!
20 Dream Closet Design Ideas for A Beautiful & Functional Space
1. Add A Mirror
Adding a mirror is not only a great way to check your outfit before you leave the house but it can also help add some brightness and dimension to your closet. By reflecting natural light, a mirror will immediately help you open up the space and make your closet feel bigger.
If you have the budget and space for a full-size piece, make it a priority feature. However, even a smaller mirror can elevate your dream closet design.
2. Stick To A Neutral Color Scheme for A Timeless Look
If you are trying to design a room that can stand the test of time and changing design trends, look no further than a neutral color scheme. Simple but elegant colors like white, cream, beige, taupe, or even sage green are all wonderful options for an understated space.
They are also ideal if you already have quite a colorful wardrobe and want to let your clothes be the star of the show.
3. Add Seating To Your Centerpiece
A small seating area can make your closet feel extra glamorous. It’s also a very convenient feature to try on shoes or get comfortable while you do your hair or makeup. A good option is to simply add an ottoman or small armchair.
Alternatively, if you’re working with a closet company for a custom design, consider extending your centerpiece into a small bench area. I think this solution looks extremely elegant and can help you save some space, making it more small-closet friendly.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Go Bold
If you’ve been reading the blog for some time, you know how much I LOVE a bold space. If you dream of a closet worthy of a fashionista, don’t be afraid to dare. Think of bright colors, sophisticated wallpaper patterns, vintage light fixtures, and unique finishes like textured cabinet knobs. The options are truly endless when it comes to fill your closet with personality. All you have to do is embrace your more eclectic side and have fun expressing your taste!
YOUR NEXT READ: If you love bold interiors, check out my latest post on Maximalist home decor!
5. Add A Vanity Area
If you’re lucky enough to have a large walk in closet available, make sure to include a vanity area in your dream closet design. Place a vanity table and some seating right in front of your closet window to benefit from all the natural light available. You’ll also want to invest in a large mirror and some organizers for your makeup and beauty products.
Personally, I love the look of a velvet ottoman paired with a more modern dressing table. This is your chance to introduce some glamorous textiles and set aside an area of your closet dedicated to making getting ready a special experience!
6. Splurge on Statement Lighting
A beautiful light fixture is a must-have to make your closet feel more elegant and complete. Even if you’re working with a very small space, make sure to choose a chandelier with an impactful design in a gorgeous metal like gold or bronze. Good lighting will also help you see clearly the colors of your clothes, making this element of design a very practical addition.
If you love a more diffused, intimate atmosphere, you can instead opt for a few, small light sources spread across the room.
7. Hang Your Accessories to Optimize Space
Closet walls are often left bare or used for some small decor. In reality, they can provide precious storage space for accessories like hats, scarves, or even necklaces. All you need is a free vertical section of your wall and a set of hooks. Bonus points if you choose hooks that double as decor pieces – gold or acrylic ones, for example, will look great!
8. Opt for Glass Shelves for a Luxury/Boutique Feel
Do you know the elegant and luxurious feel of a gorgeous boutique? Recreate that atmosphere by displaying your personal items on stunning glass shelves. The transparent and reflective surface will immediately elevate your design. The only pain point of this solution is the maintenance. Only go for glass shelves if you’re comfortable cleaning fingerprints on a regular basis.
9. Add A Small Center Island
A center island is a staple of walk-in closet design and for good reason. It’s chic, functional, and adds a sense of structure to the space layout. Even if you’re dealing with a very tiny dressing room, consider adding a small island as the centerpiece of your dream closet design.
For a more budget-friendly solution, consider upgrading a dresser you already own. All you need is a set of beautiful knobs and a slate of paint to give it a new life!
10. Use Wallpaper To Create a Focal Point
Few things make me as happy as the recent come back of wallpaper on the design scene. If you’re looking for a stylish and colorful closet, you can cover all walls in a pattern of your choice – personally, I love botanical and floral vintage prints.
However, this idea can also be used to create an impactful focal point in your design. You can use wallpaper to create an accent wall, giving dimension to your space and highlighting a specific feature like a display case or your desk/vanity area.
11. Use Curtains to Hide The Mess
I am a firm believer that the perfect closet is, ultimately, a functional closet. While perfectly styled interiors are beautiful, we need to be realistic and recognize that sometimes the chaos of daily life takes over. If you already know you’re someone who struggles to keep storage space neat and tidy at all times, consider adding curtains to your closet doors.
Unlike fully closed doors, curtain inserts can double as an element of decor, introducing some texture and variety in your closet design. Their main benefit? You won’t have to see the mess hiding behind them until you’re ready to face it!
12. Use Labelled Baskets To Stay Organized
Closet organization is both an art and a science. The best way to succeed at it is by developing a sustainable closet organization system, i.e. making sure each item has an assigned place. By doing so, you’ll make the process automatic, almost entirely removing the brain effort needed to decide each day where to store your pieces.
Adding labels to your different closet areas and containers is a great way of achieving this with minimal spend in terms of time and money.
13. Get Creative With Your Layout
As you look at different custom closet designs, don’t forget to adapt these ideas to your own space. When it comes to creating the perfect closet system, you’ll want to optimize your usable space. This may mean adopting more unique solutions so you can have a perfect fit to the room you’re working with.
For instance, I love how clever this design is in using every inch of the closet corner for additional storage. Especially when it comes to less-used items, don’t be afraid to place them a bit out of reach. Extend your shelving into corners, take full advantage of the vertical space, and get creative with your layout.
14. Use Baskets For Maximum Visibility
If you like to have your clothes and accessories visible at first glance, wire baskets may be exactly what you need. They are affordable and their design makes it super easy to see what you’re storing in them. I also like this solution as these baskets are not visually heavy, making them a great fit for a more minimalist or modern closet.
15. Combine Glass and Open Shelving For An Upscale Design
Adding a variety of designs to your closet area will make the space feel more sophisticated. A great way of achieving this is to mix open and closed shelving. This will not only give you the ability to introduce new materials like glass and textured panels, but it will also help store your more delicate items in an appropriate way. Additionally, floor-to-ceiling closet doors will give the impression of taller walls, expanding your closet vertically.
16. Invest in Accessory Drawers & Organizers
Nothing screams luxury closet like accessory drawers with velvet lining. Recreate the feel of a high-end boutique by neatly organizing your jewelry, sunglasses, and belts in dedicated drawers. This will ensure you don’t loose your smaller pieces, making it easier for you to reach for them. I promise over time you’ll find yourself wearing them much more often!
17. Leave Space For Boxes
If you’re anything like me, you love keeping boxes around. They are great to store shoes and bags you don’t need for the season and prevent your items from getting ruined or dusty over time. As you design your dream closet, make sure to include some upper shelves to keep all your boxes organized. You can even add some cabinet doors to keep them hidden if you don’t love the look of them.
18. Upgrade Your Corner Into An Office Space
While a vanity area is somewhat popular when it comes to walk-in closets, in recent times the cloffice solution has been gaining popularity. This word indicated the combination of a closet and office space into a single room. A great way to achieve this, for instance, is by upgrading a dead corner of your closet into a small office area. All you need is a desk, some lighting, a comfortable chair, and a power socket.
As someone who lives in a small city apartment, I have to say I love multi-purpose rooms like these!
19. Choose Open Shelving To Turn Any Space into A Closet
If you dream of a walk-in closet but can’t seem to find the perfect space in your home, it’s time to get creative! Even something as basic as a utility room can be turned into a standard closet.
Features like adjustable shelving and adjustable rods can easily be set up with limited effort and budget, turning the whole place into an understated but functional closet. This works especially well in long, narrow rooms that can’t fit closet doors, for example.
20. Add Hangs To Store Your Outfits Properly
Have you ever had to hang your clothes on the door to try and steam them or to see the outfit you’re trying to put together? No more of this in your dream closet design! Make sure to add a couple of hooks to your wall or to your shelves to have a convenient display for your outfits as you’re getting ready.
To Conclude
This post was all about the best ideas for your dream closet design!
We have seen that you don’t need a huge budget or a team of custom closet design specialists to create a beautiful and functional space. Start your closet design process by reflecting on your shopping habits and key needs. As long as you keep your “non-negotiables” as a well-defined framework for your decor and design choices, you’ll end up with a space you absolutely love!
Happy decorating and don’t forget to share your best closet design and decor tips in the comments! 😊
Are you looking for more inspiration?
Check out these posts!
Leave a Reply