Every house and, in some cases, every person has different storage needs. You cannot expect a closet design that you loved at your best friend’s house to meet your storage requirements (although it can be an inspiration). Many factors influence the closet that suits you best, and your best friend’s closet design is among the least important.
In contrast, the three most important things to consider before getting yourself a closet and dumping all your belongings inside it are:
- How much space do you have available to install the closet?
- How much storage space do you need inside the closet?
- How much are you willing to spend?
Answering these three simple questions can set you in the right direction to decide between reach-in and walk-in closets. We will worry about the decision a little later. For now, let us walk you through walk-in closets and reach into reach-ins to understand the differences between them.
The Walk-in Closet
The only thing that gives the Walk-in closets their name is, well, the fact that you can walk into them. They are usually very large, sometimes, the size of an entire room, with storage areas for all sorts of things, including clothing, footwear, jewelry, and in some cases, even an ironing board.
These closets can be designed to match your personal preferences and needs. Need a larger compartment for hanging clothes? Or extra wide shelves for your delicate footwear? You got them. These closets are built from scratch and can be designed in any style that suits you. You can even have them designed to be customizable on-demand.
These closets are like having a luxurious personal vanity room within the vicinity of your cozy bedroom.
The Reach-in Closet
These are the traditional closets that offer simplicity, utility, and functionality. They are not as sophisticated as walk-in closets but are best suited if you would rather have the closet in the room instead of the closet as the room. These closets are also highly customizable and can be designed to make maximum use of the space you have available. Say, for example, you have space under your staircase and you would like to use it for storage, with a reach-in closet, you can ensure maximum utilization for the little space. They can be designed to fit any size room, whether small or large. They ensure easy access and you can put away your belongings and retrieve them without having to walk around too much. They work well for those who live by the motto, “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” These closets allow you to fit multiple containers and compartments so you know exactly where everything is stored and can easily “reach in” and access it.
How Much Space Do You Have?
The walk-in closet can be as big as you like but require at least 25 square feet of vacant space. In addition to the space, you will need to pay attention to lighting and other electrical connections, especially if you are the person with a fancy ironing stand or a steamer inside.
On the other hand, the reach-in closets usually come with dimensions of six feet long, two feet deep, and eight feet high. You can customize the reach-ins with how much space you need for hanging clothes, drawers, shelves, and even safe cabinets.
If you have ample space, walk-in closets will give you extra storage space, but consider reach-in closets for the best utility if you are limited on space.
How Much Storage Space Do You Need?
Sometimes, you have a reasonably-sized room lying vacant, and you are tempted to turn it into a walk-in closet. However, before jumping to conclusions, you need to consider the amount of storage space you need for your belongings.
You might want to cut down on your budget and opt for a reach-in closet. But if you have a lot of things that you need to store, you will be wasting your hard-earned money on the closet without fulfilling the purpose.
Walk-in closets are more than just storage spaces. They can function as a dressing room for the family or even display your precious jewelry or watch collection. If you have a sophisticated collection of shoes or clothing and love to look at them every day, walk-in closets will be a great choice.
How Much Should You Spend?
As expected, walk-in closets require bigger budgets than traditional reach-ins. For some, shelling out extra for the walk-in closet is worth the price. At the same time, others are happier with the cost-effective reach-in closets and spend the remaining amounts in other areas of their homes.
In the end, your decision comes down to your preference for lavish luxuries and if your budget allows you to have them.
Reasons to Select Walk-in Closets
- They offer more than enough space to store your clothing, footwear, and valuables
- They can be designed to have a display for your valuable collections
- They are built from scratch, which allows for all sorts of customizations to suit your style and all your storage needs
- They can function as a personal vanity room or an ironing room for the family
- They give you complete control over how you organize items and how much space you like allocated for which items
Reasons to Select Reach-in Closets
- Take up much less space and can be designed to fit in noticeably small spaces like under the stairs or bedroom corners as well
- Less expensive than walk-in closets
- All things are confined to one place, making them easier to use
- With less space, maintenance is easy, and it does not take long to straighten up a messy reach-in closet
- Excellent space utilization with closet organizers
Last Few Words
If you are looking to have closets installed at your home in Steamboat Springs, Mountain Sky Closets & Garages is your one-stop solution to all your closet and garage storage needs. We have many years worth of valuable experience and will be more than happy to visit your home and give you excellent advice on options that suit your budget.
We understand that every home is different, and every homeowner has their preferences. Get in touch with us at 970.846.7588 or email us at todd@mtnskyclosets.com, and we will be glad to offer you storage solutions that work seamlessly for your home sweet home.