"h" wrote in message
...
We're going to be putting a second story over our existing living, which
will become our master bedroom. The new space will be a perfect rectangle,
23'x18'. This space is for the bedroom and closet. We're going to put in a
walk-in closet, but are debating how big it needs to be. In our current
bedroom we have a walk-in that's 8'x10', and it's much more space than we
need. We keep suitcases and sports gear in there and it's nowhere near
full.We are both VERY low-maintenance, and DH actually has more hanging
clothing than I do.
I'm planning a closet with a center door, two hanging racks (one down each
side), with some shelving above the racks and floor-to-ceiling
shelves/storage on the far wall across from the door between the racks.
The architect is telling me that a walk-in "should" be "at least" 10'x12'
or we "won't be able to sell the house". Since we plan to be carried out
of here feet first, we couldn't care less about resale. Plus, I refuse to
design new construction solely for "perceived" resale value when I plan to
live here for at least 35 more years.
I don't care what the architect says, I neither want nor need a closet
that big especially since we will still have the current master closet for
storage when that room becomes the guest room, plus the tiny closets in
the other two bedrooms (office and exercise room).
So...those of you with walk-in closets - how big are they and do you wish
your closet was bigger or smaller?
I see a lot of closets in my installation business. Newer homes have larger
closets. Closets are also sized along with the selling price of the home,
bigger = bigger. The latest trend I am seeing on the upper end homes is
that most people store all their clothing in the closet. Many of the high
end ones have built in drawers and sweater shelves and so on. One could
spend almost as much in a master closet as they do on kitchen cabinets. -
A 300K plus home should have at least a 10x12 for the MBR. Most newer
200K homes have that as a minimum for the MBR.
Our MB is to the rear of our BR and one walks a short hall to enter it.
There is a walk-in closet to the left and right of that hall. Both were
built as 6x8 with a bypass door on the center of the 8' span. There is a
chase for the chimney out of one taking a 2x2 cut in the corner. I use that
one and the wife overflows the larger one. I, personally store nothing in
drawers except out of season items. I even hang my tee-shirts. Socks and
jockys are in a wire basket. Everything I use on a daily basis is in the
closet. I don't do it that way to emulate the bigger homes, I do it that
way because I like it that way. For my lifestyle I have more than enough
room, but keep in mind that clothes aren't my thing.
Men with lots of suits, suit jackets and shoes or boots would most likely
fill it. I see closets larger than both ours that are overflowing with
clothes. Depends on the lifestyle of the homeowner.
I realize you don't give a hoot about resale right now but only a fool would
completely disregard it. Think about the neighborhood, what type of buyer
would buy your remodeled home? Consider the price range. Make an informed
choice and do what you want. It is your home.
--
Colbyt
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