The Best Closet Design Companies
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If clutter is consistently taking over your closet, a strategic redesign of the space may be in order. Something as simple as adding hooks or removing a rack in favor of a set of roomy drawers can make a big difference in terms of organization. But before you start emptying out your closet and drilling holes in the wall, consider consulting a closet design company first if you want expert advice for creating a unique storage system that caters to all your needs.
Though improved functionality is the main purpose of any closet design, factors like style and ease of installation are important to consider too. If your closet space and budget permit it, some companies also give you an option to add premium features like charging stations and rotating shoe racks. Alternatively, other companies offer preconfigured closets that can be installed and ready to use the day you decide to buy them.
Regardless of how simple or swanky you want your closet to be, a new closet setup can help you stay organized in many different ways. Of course we love our founder's Everyday Closets System and the California Closets company overall, but for those seeking a variety of options, we researched the best closet companies tailored to suit a variety of needs. Explore all the options offered by these top closet design companies, and get ready to have a closet that does more than just keep your clothes off the floor.
Best Closet Design Companies of 2022
Best Overall: The Container Store
Best Premium Closets: California Closets
Best for Custom Closets: Closets By Design
Best Prearranged Layouts: Inspired Closets
Best DIY Closets: EasyClosets
Most Eco-Friendly: Closet Factory
Best Overall: The Container Store
Key Specs
Free Consultations? Yes
Virtual Sessions? Yes
Room Limitations? No
Pros & Cons
Pros
Offers customization options to suit a variety of needs
Can choose between DIY or professional installation
Sustainable storage solutions available
Offers multiple consultation formats for convenience
Cons
Costs more if you don't live near a Container Store
Why We Chose It
The Container Store's flexible design and installation options make it our choice for best overall closet design company. There are four closet systems to choose from—Elfa Classic, Elfa Decor, Avera, and Preston—making the decision easy for customers who want to start with a prearranged layout. Though each closet has a distinct style, color palette, and organizational system, they can all be upgraded with premium features like LED lighting and soft-close drawers, ideal for those looking for a customized closet with a high-end feel.
If you want more sustainability and less luxury, The Container Store also has a collection of closet storage accessories that are made of eco-friendly material including bamboo, handwoven fiber, and natural cotton. Depending on the package and the customizations you make, a closet from The Container Store will range from $900 to $12,500 or more. To get a more accurate quote, you'll need to first set up a free consultation with a Custom Space Expert either in-store, in-home, over video chat.
When you finalize your design with the help of a Container Store expert, you can either opt for DIY installation—which can easily be done with the Elfa Classic and Elfa Decor track-and-rail systems—or schedule professional installation instead. If you go with the full-service option, just keep in mind that it will cost you more if you live more than 25 miles away from a Container Store.
Best Premium Closets: California Closets
Key Specs
Free Consultations? Yes
Virtual Sessions? Yes
Room Limitations? Yes (Complete kitchen and bathrooms)
Pros & Cons
Pros
Full-service design from start to finish
Closets are constructed with high grade materials
Allows you to integrate technology into closet design
Closets are covered by Limited Lifetime Warranty
Cons
Process can take four to six weeks to install, but quick self-install options are available, including from the Martha Stewart Everyday System
Why We Chose It
For premium closet design and installation California Closets is a solid option due to its full-service process and high-quality materials. After a complimentary consultation with a designer to establish your style and organizational preferences, California Closets will generate a working digital replica of your future closet to allow you to see exactly how it will look and function. Until you're confident this closet design will meet your needs, you can continue going back and forth with your designer to adjust finishes, accents, lighting, and accessories as necessary. Including the design and materials, expect to pay anywhere from $175 to $1,800 per foot.
No matter what customizations you decide to go with, California Closets manufactures all of its closets out of laminated wood that won't warp, scratch, or fade over time. In addition to the time-enduring craftsmanship, the company also lets you add state of the art closet features like glass-front drawers, charging stations, and built-in digital safes. Martha Stewart also has a specific layout that comes with features such as soft-close drawers, metal mesh containers, and multiple shelves for storage. Before a professional comes to install these features, California Closets will take inventory of all your belongings, and protect your walls and floors to ensure your closet is clean and ready to use by the time it's done.
Best for Custom Closets: Closets By Design
Key Specs
Free Consultations? Yes
Virtual Sessions? No
Room Limitations? No
Pros & Cons
Pros
Both the configuration and style can be customized
Full-service options are available for any size closet
A personal designer is assigned to each client
Optional design elements allow for a flexible price range
Cons
No online design tool to help you envision your closet transformation
Why We Chose It
With a team of designers all over the U.S. to help you create your dream storage space, custom closets are what Closets by Design does best. To get a sense of how you'd like to transform your closet, the process starts with a free consultation either in your home or at one of the company's showrooms. During this consultation (and any others that follow), your assigned designer will help you come up with the perfect organization system, whether you have a reach-in closet with limited functionality, or a roomy walk-in.
There are four different closet styles to choose from—Everyday, Classic, Regency, or Brio—each of which can be configured to your liking with shelving units, drawers, and cabinets. Once you decide on a style, you can upgrade it for an additional cost with aesthetic customizations and accessories such as half-overlay deco doors and crown molding. Because Closets By Design's closets are highly customized, the total cost will vary depending on the dimensions of your space and any upgrades you may or may not add.
Best Prearranged Layouts: Inspired Closets
Key Specs
Free Consultations? Yes
Virtual Sessions? Yes
Room Limitations? No
Pros & Cons
Pros
Closet layouts are already configured to minimize any surprises
Color, finish, and hardware can still be customized
Installation can be done as quickly as one day
Consultations can be done virtually or in-person
Cons
Consultation is required to view 3D rendering of closet
Why We Chose It
If you know you want your closet to be organized and aren't picky about any customization options, Inspired Closets may be the closet design company for you. The company's closet collection is full of different styles of walk-in, reach-in, and boutique closets, and each one has a prearranged layout. Because elements like islands and built-in hampers are already integrated into the designs, the only features you need to pick are the color, finish, and hardware, making the closet transformation process fast, but still personalized.
To set up an appointment with the company, enter your zip code and contact information online, and within 48 hours Inspired Closets will schedule you for a free virtual, in-home, or in-store consultation. During this consultation you'll be able to view samples, decide on select features, and see a 3D rendering of your future closet. Installation can take as little as one day, or as long as five at the most. Depending on the model, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $15,000 for your new closet.
Best DIY Closets: EasyClosets
Key Specs
Free Consultations? Yes
Virtual Sessions? No
Room Limitations? No
Pros & Cons
Pros
No consultation necessary for closet installation
Free online software allows you to customize every aspect of your closet
Gives you instant price quotes
Free shipping on orders over $400
Cons
Installation requires special tools and may be challenging for some
Why We Chose It
Most custom closets require professional installation, but EasyClosets makes it simple to do all on your own. While designers are available to assist you at any point, you can skip human interaction entirely and customize every aspect of your closet yourself by using EasyClosets's free online software. The user-friendly design tool allows you to create a 3D scaled replica of your closet, and experiment with different configurations until you land on a custom closet you're satisfied with.
While EasyClosets's design tool can be used without exact measurements, it's highly recommended that you input precise dimensions to avoid any potential headaches during installation. The software also calculates the cost as you go, so you can easily keep track of your budget when you add different design elements (orders over $400 ship free). When your order eventually arrives, you'll need a tape measure, level, drill, and screwdriver for installation. Assembly instructions are included in every shipment, but the support team is also available for assistance if you run into trouble.
Most Eco-Friendly: Closet Factory
Key Specs
Free Consultations? Yes
Virtual Sessions? Yes
Room Limitations? No
Pros & Cons
Pros
All materials are either recycled or sustainably sourced
Manufacturing process is compliant with California Air Resource Board standards
Offers three convenient consultation options
Large selection of closet accessories to choose from
Cons
Not available nationwide
Why We Chose It
Because a new closet requires a significant amount of wood-based material, Closet Factory takes extra steps to ensure its environmental impact is at a minimum. Every panel that is used to construct your closet is made out of 100% recycled wood. Any other wood parts are FSC certified, meaning they come from forests that are managed by sustainable practices.
Closet Factory gives you three different options for collaborating with a designer. You'll either consult with them entirely online, have them come to your home, or a combination of both. During this free consultation, you'll be able to decide on the layout as well as different options like shoe trays, ironing drawers, and tie cubbies before you get a price estimate. Once you approve the final design (which you'll be able to see a virtual model of), Closet Factory will schedule the installation which can take as little as one day.
Final Verdict
If you want to make the most out of the space you have in your closet, installing a closet system from The Container Store is the easiest way to go about it. Some closet design companies allow customers to choose from pre-configured closet layouts, while others let you design everything yourself from start to finish. The Container Store gives customers the option to do both since they can choose customization options to add onto one of four pre-arranged closet systems.
Pricing for The Container Store is not only transparent, but more accessible compared to other closets on our list. Closet design isn't cheap, but a starting price of $900 isn't too bad of a deal if you're looking to maximize your closet space with minimal hassle. Upgrading your closet with premium features with LED lights or sustainable storage options will cause this price to increase, but you can speak to a Custom Space Expert at any time to help ensure that you stay within budget while building the closet of your dreams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Design a Closet?
When it comes to bringing your closet design to life, the cost will depend on the size of your closet and the customizations you go with. The bigger the closet and the more complicated the setup, the higher the price will be. If you add premium features like extra shoe cabinets and ventilated drawers, expect to pay even more. With the exception of EasyClosets, whose online design tool calculates an instant quote, you'll need to consult with a designer for a price estimate.
Can You Redesign Small Closets?
The goal of redesigning a closet is to optimize space, so it doesn't matter if there's a little or a lot of room to work with. Whether you go with a prearranged layout or a fully customized design, every closet system is sized according to the dimensions of your closet. Closets by Design, for example, offers both a reach-in and walk-in version of every closet style, while California Closets has closet systems specifically for kitchen pantries.
Methodology
We researched several closet design companies to determine which services offered the best layouts, customization options, and prices. Services that didn't have any extra or hidden fees and multiple lines of communication were awarded extra points during our scoring phase. Companies that were also transparent about their pricing and offered free virtual consultations were rated higher than other services. Any companies that faltered in these aforementioned categories or had limited information about their services didn't make it past our initial round of research.
