Creativity Unlocked: The Role of Color in Custom Closet Design

Scott Lannon • 15 November 2023

As a custom closet designer, I’ve had the pleasure of transforming cluttered, unattractive storage spaces into closets that literally make homeowners’ dreams come true. From spacious walk-in closets to compact reach-in closets, each system is unique and tailored to the person or people using it. One tool that people often forget about when designing a c ustom closet system is color.

Color has the ability to really elevate a space. Here are some of the ways you might consider using color to create the closet system you’ve been dreaming about:

Create visual interest
Make the closet look bigger or cozier
Personalize with your favorite shades
Easily find what you’re looking for

If you’re ready to learn about how to use color to your closet’s advantage, read on.

Create Visual Interest

Most closets are painted a neutral color, often ivory, beige, or taupe. If you want to repaint your closet, you can–do this before my team installs your new closet system, if you’re about to have that done. Adding contrast to the space will create visual interest. For example, I’ve seen great results when there’s an accent wall; choose something complementary or a color that really pops.

At Mad Garages & Closets, we also have a variety of different finishes to choose from. If you have white or ivory walls, you might want to pick something darker, like Coco or Chocolate Pear. Another option is to go with a fun color, like Spruce, Lagoon, or Glacier. These all add visual interest to the space.

Of course, the way you style and arrange your clothing can also make the space appealing. Consider hanging your items in ROYGBIV (rainbow) order if you have a lot of colorful clothes. If you wear a lot of neutrals, you could hang them in blocks by shade: Have one section of black clothes, one navy, another tan, and so on. Do what you can to make the space attractive using color.

Make the Closet Look Bigger–or Cozier

Just as you might paint a small room in your home a light shade to impart the feeling of airiness and make it look bigger, you can do the same in your closet. If you have a small reach-in closet, consider lightening up the walls if they’re currently dark. Benjamin Moore has some suggestions on the best colors to use to make a small room (or closet) look bigger and brighter. You might also want to go with finishes that are light in color or even white.

On the other hand, if you have a large walk-in closet or even a dressing room, you might want the space to feel more intimate and cozy. In this case, painting the walls with darker colors can help you achieve the look you’re going for. In addition, consider looking at some of our darker finishes for your custom closet cabinets, shelves, and drawers.

Personalize with Your Favorite Shades

Of course, all of this is moot if you simply don’t like the color of your closet. If you have a small closet but you prefer dark shades, that’s fine! You can use pops of color in your favorite colors on the walls, on the floor, in your lighting, or on your shelves.

For example, if you’re looking for a cozy rug or planning on installing a tile floor in your closet, look for something that features colors you love. A bright red, teal, or pink shag carpet might make you smile every morning when you open the closet door. You could also look for picture frames, wall art, stuffed animals, or other decorations in your favorite colors.

If your moods change, you might like LED strip lighting that changes colors with the push of a remote control button. Tack this up along the perimeter of your closet by the ceiling, and keep the remote handy. Each day, you can choose a different color to shine down on your wardrobe.

Easily Find What You’re Looking For

By arranging your clothing by color, you’ll be able to have the items you’re looking for at your fingertips in a matter of seconds. For example, try hanging clothes from light to dark. Whether you need a white blouse, a black pair of slacks, or a purple tunic, you’ll be able to find it immediately.

You could also use colorful separators to keep your blouses, t-shirts, henleys, and other types of tops organized. If you know your t-shirts are after the blue separator, having these colors in place will allow you to quickly locate the one you want. The same goes for your bottoms; use separators to keep your jeans, slacks, capris, skirts, and shorts arranged by type.

Conclusion

While you might not consider color as a primary criteria when deciding on your closet design, I’ve found it to be more important than you might think. Find ways to feature your favorite colors, use color to provide visual interest, and hang your clothing with color in mind to make it easier to stay organized.