Bedroom closets are meant to store your clothes, accessories, and perhaps mementos your have accumulated over the years. The more of these that they can hold, therefore, the better they are. While there are different types of closets, the same principles apply to all of them when planning for a design that maximizes the use of available space. Of course, a good design is no guarantee for a well-organized closet (it also depends on the user) but it goes a long way help achieve that end.
One of the first things to remember in closet design is to think vertical –both ways. Use all space from the floor up to the ceiling. Install shelves at the upper end but don’t just pile up your things on them. Instead, purchase container bins, pack your items in them, and stow the bins on the shelves. Clear plastic or acrylic bins are preferred so you can immediately see what is inside even without opening them. You can put items you do not use too often in these bins, such as your off-season clothes. Alternatively, if your ceiling rises beyond nine feet, you can install two extra hanger rods. Your winter jackets can stay up, up, and away from spring till fall.
The floor can accommodate boxes of your accessories like your bags or belts, and perhaps even your shoes. Boxes with casters are available in the market to make pulling them out easier.
Install fluorescent lighting inside your closet so you can see what exactly you are pulling out. It should be positioned between you and your things so that your shadow is not cast over them. Windows providing natural light is not advisable as they would only use storage space.
Tailor the closet design to your dressing habits. If you do not like creases on your shirts or dresses that come from folding them, you may want to have more areas for hanger rods than shelves. And if you prefer leaving your outdoor shoes in a closet near your main door so as not to bring in dirt, you can minimize or even eliminate shoe storage racks in your bedroom closet.
A small exhaust fan will help keep the air inside the closet free from mold and mildew that can give your clothes a stale and musty odor. Choose one that can be set to run at regular intervals to dehumidify the air.
Finally, stay away from cedar closets. They can make your bedroom smell like a gerbil. They are best left in the attic or basement where you can store ancient memorabilia.