Space Economy - Design & Construction Techniques
By Tracie
April 7, 2009
For decades designers and installers of closet and storage organizing systems have complained, "If only the builder had...we could have designed in so much more storage space."
Our industry bears part of that responsibility for not educating our partners in construction, namely architects, interior designers and builders. To our clients and friends looking forward to remodeling or building projects, we offer the following design advise as a guide for creating more potential storage at no additional cost to builders.
Requirements for Reach-in Closets
Dimensions:
Ideal depth rang (front to rear) is 24" to 27" for hanging. Greater than 27" is wasted space.
Side returns (door casing to side walls) should be 12" or less for easy access, e.g. a 96" wide rear wall closet should have a centered 72" wide door opening.
Ceiling heights greater than 96" (when using 80" high door) is inaccessible space.
When ceilings are higher than 96" using a high door allows better access to upper shelving.
Walk-in Closets (24" minimum clear passage aisle)
Dimensions:
Depths (front to rear) 60" or greater allows for an inswing boor plus hanging on rear wall.
Widths (side to side) 60" allows shelving along wall and hanging on the opposite wall (with proper placement of door).
72" allows hanging along both side walls
132" (11' x 11') is minimum for reasonable center island
Rod Heights:
- 42" is minimum for short hang
- 66" is minimum for long hang
- 84" is minimum for double hang
- 126" for some triple hang options
