Creating a walk-in closet without renovating: how to do it

Your wardrobe is bursting, your favourite coat is draped over a chair and your shoes are everywhere except where they belong. A walk-in closet sounds like a dream, but you don't need to renovate to get one. With a few smart clothes rails, a wall-mounted rail, good hangers and a shoe rack, you can create an open walk-in closet in a corner of your bedroom, the guest room or the attic. In this guide you'll learn step by step how to do it, what you need and which sizes work well.

How much space do you need?

An open walk-in closet often fits in a smaller space than you think. Start by measuring: how wide is the wall you want to use, and how much walking space is left? Allow about 60 cm of depth for hanging clothes and keep at least 70 cm clear so you can move and choose comfortably. Sloping ceiling? Put the tall rails on the high side and shoes or baskets under the slope.

Space	Smart solution	Our tip
Corner of the bedroom	One wide clothes rail plus a shoe rack	Sativa XL garment rack, adjustable in width and height
A wall without a wardrobe	Wall-mounted clothes rail	Suze wall rail, 110 cm wide
Attic or guest room	A rolling rail you can push aside	Bas clothes rail on 4 wheels
Keeping clothes dust-free	Foldable canvas wardrobe	Klythara wardrobe, 150 cm wide

Step 1: choose your hanging space

The basis of every walk-in closet is hanging space. First look at how many clothes you want to hang and how long they are. Dresses and coats need more height than shirts and trousers.

• Adjustable and double: the Sativa XL double garment rack (€69.95) adjusts in width from 90 to 154 cm and in height from 95 to 172 cm, with 2 grid shelves for shoes or bags. So you can make it fit your alcove exactly.
• Lots of weight: the chrome-plated Bas clothes rail (€109.95) holds up to 110 kg and stands on 4 wheels. Ideal if you also want to store winter coats and suits.
• Industrial look: the black Gio clothes rail (€49.95) in steel with a shelf holds up to 90 kg and measures 100 × 49 × 163 cm.
• On the wall: the Suze wall-mounted rail (€55.00) holds up to 60 kg of clothing, 30 cm from the wall. The floor underneath stays free for shoes or baskets.

Not sure whether to choose a fixed or a rolling rail? Read the pros and cons in our guide to choosing a clothes rail on castors.

Step 2: matching hangers for a calm look

An open walk-in closet is always on show. What makes the difference between messy and calm? Matching hangers. Slim hangers also save a lot of space on your rail.

• Velvet, space-saving: the Kaelthros velvet hangers are only 0.6 cm thin, keep your clothes in place and hold up to 5 kg each. Set of 50 for €45.00.
• Wood, for coats and blazers: the Kyranos wooden hangers in maple have a 360° swivel hook and a non-slip bar. Set of 10 for €35.00.

Read more about velvet versus wood in choosing clothes hangers: velvet or wood?

Step 3: give your shoes their own spot

Shoes at the bottom of a rail quickly look untidy. A separate shoe rack keeps everything organised and shows you at a glance what you have.

• Many pairs on little floor space: the Yasmin shoe rack (€29.95) has 10 shelves on 45 × 30 cm and is 174 cm tall. You can also split it into smaller racks, and it assembles without tools.
• Low and stackable: the Ysera shoe rack (€39.95) has 3 tiers and 5 shelf heights, and the connectors let you stack several racks.

Step 4: finish with a mirror and jewellery storage

A walk-in closet only really feels like one when you can get dressed there too. A large mirror is essential. The OMNIEXA Calyndor standing LED mirror (€79.95) measures 160 × 40 cm, has LEDs on four sides and 3 light colours, and is steplessly dimmable. So you can see your outfit in good light in the evening too.

For necklaces, earrings and watches, choose the Anela jewellery cabinet (€59.95): a full-length mirror and jewellery cabinet in one, with hooks, compartments, a lock and a magnetic door. Prefer something small on a shelf? The Vicente jewellery box (€49.95) has a glass lid, 3 tiers and velvet lining.

What to look out for

• Load capacity: check how many kilos each rail holds. Winter coats and jeans are heavier than you think.
• Wheels with brakes: rolling is handy for vacuuming, but choose wheels you can lock.
• Dust and light: if your clothes hang near a window, sunlight can fade colours. A canvas wardrobe such as the Klythara foldable wardrobe (€69.95) keeps your clothes dust-free.
• Colour and material: stick to one style, for example black metal or silver, for a calm overall look.

Tips for a tidy walk-in closet

• Sort by type and colour: first all blouses, then trousers, then dresses. Within each group, from light to dark.
• Seasonal swap: store off-season clothes in the foldable wardrobe and keep your rail airy.
• Leave some space: a packed rail creases your clothes. Keep a few centimetres between hangers.
• Use the height: put bags and baskets with accessories on the top shelf or grid shelf.

With a few well-chosen pieces you'll have your own open walk-in closet in an afternoon, without drilling into floors or hiring a carpenter. View all clothes rails, wall rails and hangers. Your order ships free in the Netherlands and Belgium and you get 30 days of free returns.