12" Deep Closet?
We have a small 2nd bedroom in which we’d like to build a closet. We have plenty of space width-wise (approx. 7 feet), plenty of height (about 9 feet), but if we put the closet where it will be the least obtrusive, we only have an available depth of 12 inches. Has anyone installed a…
We have a small 2nd bedroom in which we’d like to build a closet. We have plenty of space width-wise (approx. 7 feet), plenty of height (about 9 feet), but if we put the closet where it will be the least obtrusive, we only have an available depth of 12 inches.
Has anyone installed a closet this shallow? It’s for a guest bedroom, which minimizes the need to use it on a daily basis, but I want to have a fully functioning “real” closet in place for resale value.
Any creative ideas encouraged!
Have a armoire about 14 inches deep — it’s a pain to manage, need to be super-neat to make it work, but it’s better than nothing. Good for neatly-folded clothes, small boxes, etc. Agree that it sounds more like shelving. Maybe you could leave part of it open for books, etc. 12 inches deep is huge for books. If you want to do that, group/measure some of your books to get the heights right. Could also be good for shoes, if your guests have small feet!
I designed one as snowman described. If the IKEA pullout bar doesn’t fit within your 12″ depth, there are other manufacturers that make them in various sizes. Try Hafele and Sugatsune. Outwater may also have a good inexpensive version as well.
Yes, I have designed and constructed fully functioning custom closets just like that. Clothes hang free on hangers, not compressed. Ikea is a great idea and if can get what you need there, you will save money, but property values are another matter. If you need custom, contact me directly. Aaron, Green Mountain Construction and Design, aaron@gmcandd.com
We have a shallow closet and I use a combination of children’s hangers and trouser hangers to hang skirts and pants. Doesn’t work as well for shirts, but I keep those elsewhere — or fold them and place them on the shelves. I would think that would be good enough for a guest.
Snowman2 nailed it.
Normal closet depth is 25 inches, so you’ll need to be creative.
Make a recess and buy a nice armoire to your taste, will be much more functional.
And stop worrying about resale value unless you’re going to put it on the market next week. Sheesh.
12″ is only more like shelving, but the guest can just fold their cloths and store it on the shelves. A standard closet is 24″ deep but you could get away with 18″. Snowmans suggestion sounds like a good suggestion.
Jock deBoer, AIA
deBoer Architects
IKEA sells a 13″ pullout bar intended for their shallow wardrobe. The clothes would hang sideways in the closet and with 7′ you could fit 3 of them making the equivalent hanging space of a 3′ wide standard depth closet. They’re a few dollars each.
I did it in a shallow closet. It’s screwed into the bottom of a shelf so you would have to make sure you have a thick shelf that is attached well. It works.