You Can Do This: Turn a Spare Bedroom Into a Walk-In Closet

Having a luxe walk-in closet used to be a thing we thought was only for celebs who live in echoey L.A. mansions. Then we did a little research and realized you dont need to be an A-lister to have your very own dream dressing areayou dont even have to live in a massive Calabasas manse. In fact, all you really require to build a chic, organized closet is a spare bedroom and a little bit of creativity.

Truly, transforming an extra room into a stylish clothing storage area can be as simple as adding a few smart structural pieces and, of course, your fabulous wardrobe. Here, weve outlined all you need to get started on the fashion room youve only dreamed ofuntil now.

The Valet Rod

red dress hanging from a valet rod
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA ANTOLA

This telescopic tool is great for narrow rooms that dont have a ton of wall space for custom built-ins and shelves. Plus, it makes getting ready in the morning a total breeze: Take it from fashion designer Clare Vivier and display your next days outfit at the very front.

The Double Hangers

built in unit with lots of hanging rods
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA MCHUGH; DESIGN BY GREYSCALE INTERIORS

Standard closets typically feature a shelf with just one hanging pole below, which can make it tough to fit all your clothes on one rack. Designer Lexi Tallisman of Greyscale Interiors took full advantage of this rooms height by adding a second rod for pants up top and shirts below.

The Wall Mirror

tri fold mirror with a chair
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA MCHUGH; DESIGN BY GREYSCALE INTERIORS

Nothing makes a white box feel like a true dressing room quite like a trifold mirror. (Tallisman searched high and low for this unlacquered brass one, but you can find a similar version here.) When the sides are turned slightly in, it makes this nook feel separate from everything else.

The Shoe Bench

bench with pretty shoes
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNY GAGE AND TOM BETTERTON

Over-the-door hangers are great when youre working with a small space, but if youve got the room to spread out, you can get a little more creative with your display (like with this wood bench la Aurora James). One unforeseen benefit: Taller boots wont get smooshed if you sit them on top!

The Graphic Rug

tiger rug in a closet
Photography BY ROUXBY PHOTOGRAPHY

Make your walk-in closet a room you actually want to spend time in (and not just jot in and out when you need to grab a blazer) by laying down a rug. Bonus points if you add a chair or an ottoman to lounge on.

The Customizable Built-In

leather lounge chair in a closet
Photography BY ANNA WITH LOVE

Never underestimate the power of an IKEA Pax unit. While blogger Stephanie Sterkovski kept hers plain and doorless, these chests are totally hackable and can be tweaked to meet your storage (and palette!) needs.

The Jewelry Drawer

jewelry drawer trays
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GIEVES ANDERSON

Elaine Welteroths bespoke walk-in is a testament to details: Her necklaces and sunglasses live in velvet trays within drawers to make go-to pieces more easily accessiblebut just as easy to tuck away when shes not using them. Under-shelf lighting adds extra visibility.

The Denim Wall

pairs of jeans hanging from a wall
Photography by Seth Smoot

No matter where you stack them, bulky jeans always soak up more shelf space than youd expect. So instead of neatly folding them, hang them by their belt loops on a peg rack.

The Rolling Rack

roling clothing rack
photography by NANCY NEIL

Adding a garment stand with wheels will make it feel like youre shopping at your very own personal boutique every day. Its also the perfect place to put your color-coding skills to the test.

The Shoeboxes

shoe wall shelf
Photography by Nicole Franzen

Christene Barberichs tiny Brooklyn closet features a shoe wall that looks like a boutique wed definitely want to shop in. And by keeping some of her pairs in metallic bins, she was able to double her storage space.

The Hat Hook

small nook beneath stairs with clothes
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN WALKER FOR HUTCH

Actress Becca Tobins home didnt have an extra bedroom to transform into a walk-in, so she got extra creative with an under-the-staircase alcove. Her wide-brimmed hats and tote bags now hang along the slanted part of the wall. And thats how you dress up a nook to the nines.

Get more closet envy:
Step Inside Clare V.s Dream Closet
This Perfect Master Closet Is Inspiring Us to Rethink Our Own
6 Tricks for the Most Organized Closet