Is A Reach-In Or Walk-In Closet More Ideal For Your Home Layout?

When you think about your closet, you're probably thinking more about what's in it than the closet itself. After all, it's not easy to change the closet you have outside of adding a few organizers. But what if you're moving into a new home and you get to choose which type of closet to build your organizational system around? Or maybe you're completely gutting your bedroom and building a new closet from scratch. The demand for high-quality, custom closets is on the rise in the U.S., but what kind of custom closet you select is up to you — and a few other factors, including your budget, organization needs, and most of all, your home's layout.

Two of the main options you'll be choosing between are walk-in and reach-in closets. They're exactly what they sound like; while a walk-in closet is spacious enough to fit your belongings, you, and then some inside of it, a reach-in closet is shallower and keeps items organized within arm's reach. When it's time to decide which closet is best for your home and lifestyle, consider the benefits of each type.

Reach-in closets are the most common type of closet, partially because of how easy and inexpensive they are to install. Exact prices vary based on materials, size, and customization, but the average cost of constructing reach-in closets ranges from around $500 to $3,800, compared to the price range for walk-in closets of $1,000 to $8,000. 

This lower price tag is partly thanks to their smaller size, which also allows them to fit into a wider variation of home layouts. While you'll need a lot of space to comfortably fit a walk-in closet, reach-in closets are more compact. A standard single-sided walk-in closet is around 4 to 5 feet deep, while a standard reach-in closet is only 2 feet deep. Apartments and smaller homes make perfect places for reach-ins, which should generally take up half the width of the room but can be smaller if you're strapped for space.

Another benefit of reach-in closets is the ability to, as the name suggests, easily access what you need by reaching into them. You won't have to do as much digging when all of your belongings are right there for you to see, and getting the space organized will be a much smaller undertaking. Even better, it'll be easier to clean since there aren't as many shelves or nooks and crannies as a walk-in.

When people talk about what they want in their dream home, walk-in closets are often part of the conversation for a reason. Yes, the price tag may be higher, but you're also paying for a highly functional and customizable space. Want to add extra mirrors and lighting to make your closet feel like a luxurious dressing room? You can! Want to add a special display to show off your shoe collection? With walk-in closets, there is no theoretical limit on size or features, and the world is your oyster. The larger storage of walk-in closets is also excellent for couples and families, so consider whether your home is meant for more than one person.

On top of having room for more of your stuff, you'll also have room for more features for ultimate walk-in closet organization. Organizing the smaller space of a reach-in closet may be simpler, but the extra square footage of a walk-in gives you more flexible options for getting that organization done. Homes that lack closets and storage elsewhere will especially benefit from the bonus storage space of a walk-in. How much walking-in space your closet will have depends on where you place shelves — in a standard single-sided walk-in, shelves against the back wall will give you 3 feet of clearance, while side shelves give 5 feet. If you're considering investing in a walk-in closet, the spaciousness and versatility may be worth it if your finances and home layout can accommodate it.