That’s where guides like this come in. If you have questions about closet products or manufacturers, are looking for inspiration, or maybe just need some trusted advice for how to remodel a closet simply and efficiently, keep reading. This beginner’s guide for creating your perfect closet will give you an in-depth look at the remodeling process and expert guidance for planning, designing, and installing your ideal closet.

Declutter and Organize Your Closet

Just like an artist needs a blank canvas to start a new painting, you’re going to need a clean closet before you can start remodeling. Decluttering requires removing everything you’ve been storing in your closet and sorting through it.

First, decide what you want to keep—ideally, items you enjoy and that you’ve worn or used within the last year (at the very least), and any sentimental items too precious to part with—and what you no longer need.

For items you’re keeping:

• Place hanging items in another closet or in a flat pile grouped on plastic canvas to protect your clothing.

• Organize folded shirts in smaller piles according to color or size, removing them for the time being, and taking into account how much shelving space you may need for them in the future. 

• Organize accessories and other odds and ends according to type in boxes or bins so you can easily find and access them later. 

• Size up everything that will be going back into the closet to determine how much room you will need to store it all after your remodel. If you have a particularly small space or reach-in closet, it helps to incorporate sliding shelves and slide-out racks to minimize clutter.

For items you no longer need:

• Before tossing everything you don’t want into the garbage can, see what you can donate. Organizations like Goodwill or your local thrift stores will take most lightly-used items—even that outdated neon yellow jacket you loved in the 90s but eventually relegated to the closet corner of shame, never to be seen again. 

• Similarly, friends or family might be interested in taking a few items off your hands. You can even make a party of it by hosting a clothing or jewelry shop, or simply inviting some people over to hang out and take home whatever catches their fancy.

• Even items that are no longer usable might still not need to go in the trash pile. Whether it’s a shirt with a hole in it or a pair of shoes without soles, it’s possible that you might be able to recycle it—check to see if there are any centers near you that will take those items before you toss them.

Clean and Paint Your Closet

Once you’re closet is clear of clutter, it’s time to clean and paint. This is one of those steps you’ve probably been dreading—but just remember, in the end, it will all be worth it. We promise.

First, clean your closet space. Clear out the dust bunnies with a dusting cloth or broom. If you think you’ll be keeping the same flooring you have now, clean it. For carpet, vacuum and steam clean; for tile, ceramic, or hardwood, mop. If the walls are dirty, wash them—you’ll need them freshened up for the next phase.

Now it’s time to paint your walls. According to interior designer Nicole Gibbons, timeless colors are your best bet for selecting a custom closet color that won’t fade over time. A bright white, pale pink, blue hue, or beautiful beige will never steer you wrong and will keep looking good for years to come.

Once your closet is fresh, clean, and clear of clutter, you’ll finally be ready to begin planning and creating your new closet space.

1. Design Your Dream Closet

Every good closet remodel begins with a good floor plan. You can try measuring your space and creating your own simple floor plan on your own, but especially for more involved projects, you may want to consider working with a professional custom closet designer who can draft up a detailed plan and even render a 3-D model to really help you nail down what you want before you start actually remodeling.

Checking out the latest trends and classic go-to’s can help you come up with great closet remodeling ideas for your own closet, and reading handy guides to everything from how to deep-clean your closet to increasing your home resale value will give you both the information and inspiration you’ll need to make the best decisions for you, your family, and your home.

When deciding how, exactly, to remodel your closet, think about the four major areas you’ll need to consider in your design.

You should also think about which features or closet accessories will make your closet both more inviting and more convenient. Some ideas to consider:

• Is your jewelry always getting tangled up beyond recognition? Consider installing jewelry drawers with dividers to keep necklaces, earrings, and bracelets separate and organized.
• Have a high closet ceiling? Make the most of that space with a wardrobe lift to easily reach seasonal or occasional wear stored higher up and out of the way of more frequently worn items.
• Always have to dig through a mountain of shoes to find a matching pair? Imagine life with shoe shelves. You can even light them up with miniature spotlights if you really love your collection and want to put it on proper display.
• Incorporating a dressing bench for getting dressed—putting on pants and shoes or just for deciding what you wish to wear for the day—can be a helpful addition to any walk-in closet.
• Built-in laundry hampers ensure your laundry is tucked away neatly, and incorporating more than one laundry hamper can help you sort your laundry whites and colors.

dd a personalized touch to your closet’s look by placing a favorite sculpture, a treasured family photo, or even a vase with flowers on a closet island or corner shelf.

Once you know what you want to put in your new closet and how to organize it all, it’s time to…