You don’t
need the shoe collection of Imelda Marcos to require a bespoke storage
solution. Here’s our comprehensive guide to creating your dream closet.

Why have
one? A walk-in wardrobe is a practical storage option. Think of Sarah Jessica
Parker’s closet in Sex and the City. Storing clothes, shoes and accessories in
this way allows you to stay organized, keep everything in optimum condition and
see belongings at a glance. What’s more, it can be a big selling point for
properties.

How do I
find the space? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a lot of room. The
minimum depth required is 120 centimeters: this provides enough capacity to
accommodate rails and shelves while allowing you to walk up and down inside.
Julia Dee of The Wardrobe Curator suggests moving your bed away from the wall
and building a stud wall behind it, with an entrance at one end. You could also
consider unused areas such as spare rooms, attics or stairwells.

How do I
plan it? First, count how many clothes you own to help work out the number of
storage devices you’ll need. Then think about the types of garments you have,
and identify which ones will need to be hung, folded or stacked. Don’t forget
to allow room for new purchases.

Is it
expensive? It depends on how you build the wardrobe. Some company creates bespoke solutions to suit medium to
high budgets. A cheaper alternative is to build your own using high-street
components: Ikea\’s \”Pax\” system can be converted into a walk-in
wardrobe by removing the doors. You could also try hanging garments on a
freestanding rail. Floating shelves are great for storing folded items. Retail
displays can offer inspiration: fixing shelving to the wall opens up your space
and keeps costs down. Go one step further and use salvaged shop materials.

What about
storing accessories? Shoes are generally best presented on static or slide-out
shelves. For jewelers or smaller items, putting clear compartments on a shelf
so that you can see everything at once. Drawer dividers also help to maintain
order.