Doing your research about the latest custom closet costs? Building your very own custom closet sounds like the height of luxury and convenience. Wouldn’t it be nice to perfectly organize all of your clothes, shoes, and accessories walk-in closet, with custom shelving just the way you want? If your existing closet setup has you digging through piles on the floor or cramming items into overflowing spaces, it might be time for a custom closet upgrade.
The idea of a custom closet design tailored to your needs for maximum function and style is exciting. But what’s the actual cost? Like most home remodeling projects, a lot depends on the details. To help set realistic expectations, we’ll break down the expenses and other factors that factor into the average custom closet cost. Once we understand where the various closet costs will come from, making informed choices that fit both your dream closet and budget becomes possible.
Average Custom Closet Cost
According to Angi, the average cost to install custom closets is $2,135, but it can cost between $1,081 and $3,230, depending on the details of the custom closet costs, size, and your project. Since custom closet installation requires personalized design, it’s hard to quote exact pricing without a professional design concept and measurements.
The cost of a custom closet installation typically runs between $17 and $30 per square foot. More customized projects with more materials needed and lots of specialty features will fall at the higher end of that range of costs, while a simple DIY custom walk-in closet built into an existing space can cost less.
Types of Custom Closets
There are a few main types of custom closets, each with different labor costs and its own typical price range.
Custom Walk-In Closets
A large walk-in closet move-in closet provides space to store all of your clothes, shoes, and accessories in one organized area. Walk-in custom closets typically range from $750–$5,000 or more.
The cost depends on the square footage, remodeling an existing space, and the organizational systems and finishes you choose. Built-in shelving, drawers, shoe racks,, benches, and other storage solutions add cost but maximize usable space.
Reach-In Closets
The most budget-friendly custom closet organization option is usually a basic reach-in closet makeover. This includes installing new shelving and hanging racks in an existing closet. Simple DIY reach-in custom closet projects often cost $500–$1,500 in materials and supplies. Hiring a professional custom reach-in closet closet organizer generally doubles the cost but saves you labor.
Standalone Wardrobes
Another option is choosing or building a free-standing standalone wardrobe unit. Check furniture and antique stores for armoires you can incorporate into your new space. Expect to invest $1,000–$3,000 for a quality solid wood standalone wardrobe. Custom building allows more personalization but also increases the price.
Built-In Wardrobes
Homeowners wanting a custom storage unit similar to a reach-in closet may prefer a built-in wardrobe instead. Built-in wardrobes become part of the home. Costs often fall between $1,000–$5,000, comparable to nice, custom cabinets and cabinetry. Luxury customized walk-in wardrobes with high-end finishes can exceed $10,000.
Factors in Calculating Custom Closet Costs
Keep the following expenses in mind while budgeting for your dream custom closet:
Custom Closet Storage Size
The physical dimensions and layout of your new custom closet greatly influence the price. Walk-in closet spaces require more materials to save money and time to design and build than small reach-in makeovers.
While an existing room or dead closet space provides the shell-free, finishing these raw unused spaces adds thousands in labor and supplies. Wall-mounted storage systems typically run $140-240 per linear foot. Larger floor-to-ceiling built-in systems cost $200-330 and average costs $+ per linear foot thanks to increased materials, construction demands, and installation challenges.
Materials
Common materials for custom closet builds and makeovers span a wide range of price points. On the low end, wire rack shelving starts under $100 while solid wood built-ins with fine finishes can exceed $ a thousand dollars $5,000.
Custom shelves hanging rods typically utilize moisture-resistant MDF, plywood, or premium hardwoods like cedar. Certain luxe finishes and exotic imported woods run $100+ per linear foot but offer unmatched beauty. Rack bars and rods also come in basic metal, sturdy steel, to specialty extendable units.
Doors make a huge visual impact, too. Hollow core vinyl-wrapped MDF keeps budgets around $100 each. Mid-range bamboo or shaker panel doors run $250-500 apiece. Meanwhile, intricate multi-panel fine-wood doors or rich stained units cost $750+. Hardware, molding, and trim choices add up fast, as well.
Labor
Converting unfinished basement space, attics or spare rooms into closet storage involves extensive build-outs. Framing new walls and ceilings, running electricity for lighting, and installing drywall, flooring, and trim earn general contractors $60-100 per hour. Most homeowners lack the skills for structural modifications, making professional help essential.
On simpler reach-in closet makeovers, handy homeowners may install their own racks, shelves, and organizational components starting at $60 per hour. However precise measurements and level installations keep projects on track.
Alternatively, the average cost of hiring closet design firms includes professional installation services along with drawers, pullouts, and storage solutions tailored to your space. This bundled service model simplifies coordinating workflows for more cohesive end results that maximize every inch available.
Accessories and Decor
The little luxuries quickly elevate ordinary reach-in closets to dream walk-in dressing rooms. Allocating some budget for these upgrades beyond basic storage really pays off.
- Seating and furniture: $500–$1,500 for upholstered benches, stools or chairs
- Wall or ceiling paint: $2–$6 per square foot
- Wallpaper treatment: $4–$10 per square foot
- Custom lighting: $50–$2,000 depending on the fixtures
- Wall or standing mirror: $100–$300 based on the size and frame
Allocate some budget to accessorize smarter empty storage space with a style reflecting your personal tastes. This transforms sterile boxes into inspiring sanctuaries worth engaging in beyond just chasing misplaced belongings.
DIY Installation vs. Hiring a Professional Custom Closet Designer
If you’re a handy homeowner with basic DIY skills, you may be able to install a simple reach-in closet organizer or paint closet walls yourself. However, customizing storage layouts and building more complex custom walk-in closet all-in closets or wardrobes typically work best for the experts.
Hiring a general contractor, experienced handyperson, or professional closet design and installation team ensures the job gets done right. The pros will take all the necessary safety precautions during demolition and construction that DIYers often overlook. They also have greater knowledge of all the possible storage solutions and space-maximizing layout options to make recommendations.
The most practical solution is often pairing some DIY with professional help. For example, you could paint the closet walls and install some basic shelving yourself. Then bring in a custom closet company to design and add specialized wood drawers, hanging rods, and other functional elements that perfectly fit the space. This blended approach allows cost savings on the labor costs for simpler tasks while leveraging expert skills for challenging structural and finishing work.
The key is making an informed decision on what cost of a custom closet work is reasonable for a large space and your abilities. Identifying pieces best left to seasoned pros ensures you get quality results. Doing background research prepares you to ask contractors the right questions during consultations as well.
How to Save Money on Custom Closet Cost
Creating extra closet space can get expensive, especially for larger walk-in closet types and designs. But prioritizing budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on function or aesthetics. Follow these custom closet prices and ideas for keeping your built-in closet, custom, closet size reach-in closet, or other built-in closet project affordable:
- Focus on essentials first before adding deluxe shoe racks, belt racks
- Use inexpensive finishing like paint to elevate cheaper base materials
- Opt for simple, clean lines over ornate custom drawers and detailing
- Install DIY closet components for common storage needs
- Comparison shop rates for closet companies’ design services
- Choose pull-out options over custom built-ins to access awkward wall space
- Use budget-friendly wire shelving or natural wood over luxury brands
- Install bifold doors rather than pricey custom sliding units
- Get free estimates and free designs to negotiate better prices
- Reuse materials from closet demolition to offset some material costs
- Repurpose furniture like bookcases for freestanding storage units
Getting most homeowners the features their family needs from new closet systems or converting unused space into an organized storage haven doesn’t require breaking the bank. Evaluate your basic design priorities, usable space options, and overall storage needs realistically.
Our professional designers at Maryland Closets specialize in custom closet solutions for any space and budget. Schedule a no-obligation design consultation and FREE estimate today to start creating your dream closet!
