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Closets are essential in a home. They affect the aesthetics, functionality, and even the value of a property. For example, deciding between a walk-in vs. reach-in closet is a big decision, especially if you’re remodeling or moving house.
Walk-in closets are practical and beautiful while also acting as an investment. On the other hand, reach-in closets are space-saving and budget-friendly, but they have their cons.
Wondering which solution is right for you? Please keep reading to discover the benefits of walk-in vs. reach-in closets from our team of experts.
As the name suggests, walk-in closets are large closets (essentially rooms) that you can walk into. Most walk-in closets are adjoining to your bedroom so that you can walk from your bed to your closet quickly and easily. They are entirely customizable to suit your storage needs. Depending on your preferences, a walk-in closet can contain a dressing table, seating area, clothes rail, shoe rack, belt area, jewelry case, handbag display, tie holders, and anything else you need.
Simply put, a reach-in closet is one you open and reach into to get your clothes. They are either built-in or freestanding against a wall in your bedroom. Typically, reach-in closets are smaller than walk-in closets and don’t offer as much storage. When choosing a built-in reach-in closet, you can customize some elements, like adding a shoe rack, but space is limited, so customizations are in short supply.
Choosing a walk-in vs. reach-in closet depends entirely on your personal preferences and needs. Essentially, walk-in closets are better if you need more storage, have the space, and want to showcase your clothes (and accessories) visually appealingly. But both options have pros and cons, which we’ll describe in more detail as you read.
You can get a lot in return for investing in a walk-in closet. These storage solutions have a “wow factor” and offer many benefits for homeowners, including:
Walk-in closets are more attractive to homebuyers, especially if you live in the Florida area. It counts as an extra amenity, making your home stand out on the market and sell faster for a higher price. They also indicate good maintenance, showing potential buyers you’ve invested in the property and looking after it.
Closets you can walk into have a distinct visual appeal. They allow you to display your belongings aesthetically pleasing, making your clothes look more attractive and making it easier to find what to wear. For example, if you own many clothes, suits, ties, handbags, shoes, or belts, walk-in closets can be a stunning focal point.
Because walk-in closets maximize all available space, you’ll have enough storage to meet every need. Bespoke closet designs ensure you can store all your clothes, accessories, bedding, shoes, and everything else you need in a neat, tidy way. Because you can fully customize your storage space, walk-in closets can help keep your home organized. They also provide versatility since they act as a closet, storage room, and dressing area.
There are a few cons to walk-in closets. Depending on your budget and available space, the following cons may or may not be a concern to you:
Because walk-in closets use a room in your house, naturally, they require more space than a reach-in closet. Therefore, you’ll need a spare room, preferably one that adjoins your bedroom, so you can easily walk from your bed or ensuite to your closet.
Compared with reach-in closets, walk-ins are an investment. They offer a completely customizable solution, so you’ll usually find they are more expensive to design and install. You may also need to pay for lights and outlets to be moved/installed, which can increase costs. However, a custom closet designer can ensure you invest in a solution that perfectly meets your needs and budget.
On the flip side, choosing a reach-in closet offers different benefits to homeowners. There aren’t as many pros compared with walk-in closets, but reach-ins can be the right solution if space and budget are essential to you.
Because reach-in closets go inside your bedroom (usually against a wall), they don’t need as much space as a walk-in (which requires an entire room). As they are smaller, they can also be easier to keep clean and tidy. But, naturally, you won’t get as much storage space if your closet is smaller.
A built-in closet or freestanding reach-in is cheaper than a walk-in. The design is not as complex, so it won’t cost as much to purchase or install the materials. However, despite being a cheaper solution, it’s also more straightforward, less visually appealing, and won’t increase your home value as much.
Despite their space-saving benefits, reach-in closets have their cons. There are more cons to these than walk-ins, but it depends on your needs and whether it’s an issue for you.
Because reach-in closets are smaller, they are harder to share. If you live with a partner, they aren’t always the best choice unless you have minimal storage needs for your clothes and accessories. But they can be suitable for one person, like in a teenager’s room.
As these closets are smaller, you’ll have less storage space. This usually means you’ll need separate storage facilities in your home for things like coats, handbags, shoes, suits, bedding, and more. However, this may work in your favor if you’re a minimalist person.
Generally, reach-in closets can’t be customized in the same way walk-in closets can. For example, you can’t customize pre-made freestanding wardrobes at all, and built-in reach-ins have limited personalization. So, for example, you can add a shoe rack to a built-in closet, but it will reduce storage space elsewhere. Unfortunately, they also don’t offer versatility, as you can only use them to store clothes and not as a storage room or dressing table.
Choosing between a walk-in vs. reach-in closet can be easy, provided you know what best suits your needs. Significant differences exist between the two, and the right option for you depends entirely on:
If you have a spare room that lacks purpose and your current closet isn’t meeting your desires, a walk-in closet could be the right choice for you. So the first step to getting started is to find out how much it costs.
Get a quote today from our professionals at American Built In Closets. We’ll provide an estimate at no cost, with no obligations. We love creating spaces for our clients and have 20 years of experience in the industry, so you can trust us to design a storage solution that works for you!
