How to Be Aware of Wood or Laminate Custom Closet Design Challenges

When turning your standard pole and shelf closet into a custom closet of your dreams there are a lot more factors to consider than just measuring wall to wall and buying components to fit the space. If you measured the closet while there are articles of clothing or other stored items still in the closet you could be in for a surprise once everything is pulled out and the bare closet walls are exposed.

Measuring is Easy?

Even the act of measuring itself while full of items can be an adventure in flexibility not to mention the possibility of falling and being injured while reaching into that far corner for a good wall to wall measurement. If you are going for a real snug fit for your custom closet design then you need to go into more detail. Measure the backwall at three different heights. One at the height that your custom closet unit will be at the highest point usually around eighty four to eighty six inches off the floor.

Then measure again near the center and once more at the bottom of where the unit will end up. This will be at the floor level for floor mount units or so many inches off the floor for wall hanging units. It is also a very good idea to measure again at all three locations off the backwall at the depth of your shelving, as walls can change dramatically. For example, if your shelves are going to be fourteen inches in depth measure fourteen inches off the wall that the custom closet is going to be fastened to for an accurate measurement. Using the smallest measurement as your length to ensure the unit will fit between walls.

Be Aware of Baseboards

Things such as wall or floor moldings can come into conflict while designing a wood or laminate custom closet. Baseboards are a constant culprit if your units are floor standing. Be aware that you will either have to notch the units themselves or remove the baseboard which can be a real project on older homes. Plus all the extra work involved with repairing the walls.

Incorporating drawers that are the same depth as the custom closet at the bottom of floor standing units with baseboards means that a decision has to be made because if you only notch the panels the drawers will not close all the way and hit the baseboard. The best thing to do is to position a toe kick that will get you above the height of the baseboard to start your drawers even if it means losing a few inches off the floor. This will also get you above any carpet or rug that may come into play. Wall hung units will usually be a few inches off the floor so this will not be a factor.

Reach-in Closet Headers and Wall Return Possible Issues

If you have a reach-in closet do not custom design drawers, pull out shelving, or pull out baskets that will be behind a left or right wall return if the closet is not very deep or in the middle of the door opening if you have two bi-pass doors. Three or more bi-pass doors will enable you to slide the doors left or right to provide enough room for full extention of specialty items.

Even if you are able to construct your custom closet you will not be able to fully extend your items. Do your math first. If your closet is twenty four inches in depth and your custom unit is fourteen inches deep. This means if you have full extension drawers they will need a total of at least thirty inches to fully open or fourteen plus fourteen plus the drawer pull, which usually protrudes another two inches out. Anything less they will look nice but not be very functional. Nothing will frustrate you more than spending the money on a nice new designed custom closet and not being able to utilize all the components.

Reach-in closets can have a door header that if it is a standard height will be at eighty inches off the floor. Keep in mind that if your unit is eighty four or more inches off the floor and your closet depth is twenty four inches with a custom closet depth of fourteen inches anything that you want to store on the top of the unit could become a huge challenge to put into or take out of your custom closet. Check for any pipes or access panels in the ceiling. Builders love to put attic access doors in a reach-in closet.

Electrical Considerations are Important

Other things to check for are light switches or electrical outlets in the room. There are laws that prevent anyone from covering up an outlet without having access to the outlet. So do not design your custom closet with panels or a drawer system covering your outlets. If there is a conflict call an electrician and possibly move them. This goes for lighting in the ceiling as well. Lighting plays a very important part in the mood of the room so do it right the first time. It may cost you now but you will be much happier when the project is finished and it looks great.

Windows can be a Design Factor

Windows in the room might be an issue when designing a custom closet. Take careful measurements to ensure nothing blocks the window or hits the window molding especially the window sill as it protrudes out further than the window casing. Be aware that exposure to the sun can fade clothing as well if too close to the window and in direct sunlight.

Dangers Lurking Behind Your Walls

Hidden things in the walls themselves that you can not even see if you are mounting your custom closet to the wall can open a can of worms if not careful. If your closet is up against a plumbing wall you can very easily drill or screw into a copper water pipe. This will not make your day as water as streaming about two feet out of the wall giving you an instant in-room fountain. Don't laugh too hard it has happened to more than one person.

Electrical wiring can also provide hazards coming in contact with your drill bit or screw. You will be the first to know about for sure. So when working on a ladder make sure you are properly secure for any situation that may arise.

Conclusion

If you know some of the challenges to be aware of when designing a wood or laminate custom closet system the process will be more enjoyable and trouble free. It may look good on paper but when the installation starts there can be trouble lurking not only in the room itself but also behind the walls.

Take the time to empty out your closet and check all walls, floors, and ceilings. This will not only give you a good look at the bare walls but give you a great opportunity to toss out anything that is old or worn out. Organize your new custom closet to the full potential and be happy for years to come.