Closet Design
Standardized Measurements for Planning Your Closet Organizers

Your closet design efforts will improve your closet organization. You should have a good set of measurements for your reach in or walk in closet design and the closet organizers you plan to put in there.

Some closet organizers can adapt to various measurements and others come in predefined widths and heights so you need to understand your closet storage space and what will fit in there.

Make sure you start your closet organization project with some good measurements including the height, width, and depth of your closet.

A standard depth for a reach in closet is 24-25 inches (65cm). You will need that much depth in order to accomodate the clothes hangers.

A walk in closet design could be variable in depth and is more like a small room. You will still need the 3 measurements.

Even with a walk in closet you still need a minimum of 22 inches (55-60cm) for your "hanging depth". Except for corner units almost all closet organizers will be sized between 12 and 15 inches (30 - 42cm) deep but don't forget that the clothes hangers project out beyond this another 8 inches (20cm)or so.

Once you have your closet measurements you can begin your closet design on graph paper.

Here are some standard measurements that can help you determine what you can get into your space. Your design will come together much better if you also have the measurements of the closet organizers you plan to use.

Both the vertical and horizontal space requirements are approximate.

vertical or hanging space needed	# per half meter (horizontal)	clothing item	vertical or hanging space needed	# that will fit in 12 inches (horizontal or lineal foot)
69 - 115cm	18-20	blouses/shirts	27"-45"	12 -15
60 - 115cm	16	skirts	24 - 45"	11- 13
120 - 125cm	16	slacks	48"	11-13
105-155cm	15-18	dresses	42 - 60"	10
90-180cm	10 - 11	jackets	36 - 60"	6
135-155cm	10-11	suits	54 - 60"	6

In order to maintain the closet organization you work so hard to achieve, consider these space allowances to reduce wrinking and allow easy access to your clothing.

For hanging items the measurement indicates the approximate distance to allow between the hanger hooks on the closet bar.

hanging items	folded items	shoes
1" - 3" space between hanging blouses and shirts 2.5 - 7.5cm	12" - 15" you will need this width for folded sweaters 30 - 40cm	9" - 12" each pair of men's shoes 23 - 30 cm
2" - 4" space between hanging suits and dresses 5 - 10cm	9" - 12" width for folded shirts	6" - 9" width for each pair of women's shoes 15 - 23cm

Since you are measuring anyway don't forget to measure yourself!

Standardized measurements are based on a standard person. You are not a standard person if you are taller than 5' 8" (173cm) or shorter than 5' 2" (157cm).

For example a standard reach is about 70" (178cm) but if you are under 5' 2" you will not be able to reach that.

Your closet design will only work for you if you include yourself in the measuring process!