Planning & Checklists
Walk-in Closet Planning Guide
Updated 2 min read
The short answer
A walk-in is a room you occupy, so circulation governs the design. Hanging on one side needs about 1500mm of width; two sides needs 2100mm; adding an island needs about 3000mm with 900mm of clear circulation on every side used. Below those numbers the closet works on paper and is unpleasant in practice.
Minimum and comfortable dimensions
| Configuration | Minimum width | Comfortable width |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging one side | 1500mm | 1700mm |
| Hanging two sides | 2100mm | 2400mm |
| Two sides plus island | 3000mm | 3600mm |
| Aisle beside an island | 900mm | 1050mm |
| Hanging depth | 600mm | 650mm |
| Shelving-only depth | 350mm | 400mm |
A closet meeting the minimum on paper can still feel tight if drawers and doors swing into the same space, which is why the layout is drawn in plan before anything is built.
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Layout decisions
- The focal wall
- A walk-in has a wall you see on opening the door. Put the best-looking configuration there rather than the linen shelves.
- Island or no island
- An island adds drawer storage and a folding surface, but only if circulation stays at 900mm or more on every side used. If it drops below that, spend the money on better perimeter cabinetry instead.
- Seating
- A bench or upholstered seat at the end of a run or built into an island. Genuinely useful rather than decorative.
- Mirror placement
- Full-length, positioned so light falls on you rather than behind you. A mirror opposite the door makes the room feel considerably larger.
- Ventilation
- An enclosed room full of textiles benefits from air movement. Worth confirming there is a supply or return, particularly in a basement suite.
- Door type
- A pocket or barn door frees the swing area, which in a tight walk-in can be the difference between an island fitting and not.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
- What is the minimum size for a walk-in closet?
- About 1500mm wide for hanging on one side, and 2100mm for hanging on two sides with a usable aisle between. Narrower than that and you cannot open drawers comfortably or stand to dress.
- How much space does a closet island need?
- Around 900mm of clear circulation on every side it is used from, which means the room needs to be roughly 3000mm wide before an island makes sense. Squeezing one into a narrower room makes the whole closet worse.
- How long does a walk-in closet take to build?
- Typically four to eight weeks from approved drawings, with two to four days of installation. Projects with new lighting circuits, a stone island top or specialty glazing sit at the longer end because of trade coordination.
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