Creative Alternative Uses For An Empty Reach-In Closet

If you have a reach-in closet standing empty or mostly empty, you may not be realizing the full potential of your space. Given the relatively small footprint of these closets — their standard depth is 24 inches, and they can range from 3 to 8 feet wide — using a reach-in closet for anything other than storage space may seem like a stretch. You may be surprised, though, by how its limited proportions can cleverly maximize the space of a small home.

Not all homes come equipped with walk-in closets, but reach-in closets are ubiquitous features in most dwellings, often featured in bedrooms or hallways. With a little imagination, it's easier than one might think to convert one into a home office or dedicated laundry room. Shelves and a makeshift desk installed in a reach-in can create a workspace that offers the alcove-like atmosphere needed for Zoom meetings or focused work sessions, and while envisioning a laundry room may need professional preparation — we're talking plumbing, electricity, and HVAC — converting that unused reach-in closet into a laundry area is more than possible.

If you work from home, living in a smaller abode often means carving out a workspace in social areas like a living room or landing, which is not exactly ideal for concentration. Repurposing your closet into an office space can not only improve productivity but minimize clutter and keep work and personal spaces separate.

Start the project by stripping your closet to its bare minimum: Remove any rods or shelves, and fill any holes with wood filler. After sanding and cleaning the walls, your closet is now fully prepped for a new coat of paint for a pop of color — or a layer of wallpaper if you'd rather have a patterned wall. The next step is to purchase or DIY the necessary fittings like a small desk, drawers, and shelves. You can opt to keep the original door of your closet or replace it with a curtain for additional color and texture.

If you want to get in some steps while working, a reach-in closet conversion is ideal for installing an adjustable height work desk, like this FLEXISPOT Mobile Standing Desk, and an under-desk treadmill like the Sperax Walking Pad, both available on Amazon.

Your reach-in closet may have the right dimensions to accommodate your washer and dryer, but repurposing your closet into a laundry room is a great deal more involved. Water lines, drain pipes, venting, and electrical outlets must be properly installed to accommodate your appliances. If the closet you wish to convert happens to be situated next to or above a room with a water supply pipe, like a bathroom or an existing laundry room, this will greatly simplify the conversion. In any event, you'll almost certainly need to enlist the services of a plumber and an electrician. It may also be prudent to install new flooring; Tile and laminated vinyl are good options for a laundry area because of their high resistance to spills.

Once the space has been modified appropriately, it's time to tailor your laundry closet to your specific needs. Whether your machines are placed side by side or stacked on top of one another, it's important to maximize your reach-in closet's space by creating storage for stocking laundry products and accessories. Add custom shelving, or invest in a system with pull-out drawers like IKEA's JONAXEL Storage Combination or a shelf unit on wheels like the VESKEN Cart.