Master Bedroom Closet Size

Room to Spare

• Home plans show master closets ranging from approximately 6-by-7-foot areas to 8-by-12-foot spaces. Back in 2005, a "Time" magazine article stated the average size of a master closet as 6 by 8 feet. Some master closets are much larger, especially those that are full walk-in closets. A walk-in master bedroom closet is often close to 10 by 12 feet, while some are twice this square footage. A larger closet usually has more door space than a standard closet, too. Having at least two standard doors, one of which may open into another room or hallway, will make the closet more user-friendly.

Walking Space

• Visualize the layout you can build. To create true “his and her” spaces inside the closet, plan for at least two long hanging rods on each side with a walkway between them. Room for shelving and several small chests of drawers is handy, too. Larger square footage will allow for a dressing table and full-length mirror space.

Detailed Planning

• Use graph paper to sketch your bedroom, its closet and adjacent rooms. Figure out a detailed plan for your closet by using one square of the graph paper to represent 4 inches of real space. Consider removing a non-load-bearing wall to gain just a few inches for the closet. You might, for instance, take out a wall between a bath closet and the bedroom closet to expand the bedroom closet by 12 inches. If the wall is 6 feet wide and 8 feet high, this is a significant amount of new space.

Electrical Considerations

• Closet space requires heating and cooling, plus electrical components. As you plan shelving, take ductwork and venting into consideration. You don't want air to blow directly onto a shelf of folded clothes, for example. Figure the need for electrical outlets and lighting. Even a simple master closet functions best with recessed lighting overhead. All of these issues will require fine tuning on graph paper as you complete your plan.

Placement Issues

• Avoid building a closet opening directly into a master bath. Steam from the bath may cause moisture problems inside the closet. A smaller closet will have less room for the moisture to dissipate, so take this into consideration if you have a jetted tub or walk-in shower close by. Use an overhead venting system in a small closet, if moisture does become a problem.