Should You Install a Closet Island? Features & Benefits

Closet islands feature heavily in inspiration folders. They look great on Pinterest, can strengthen a design scheme, and provide extra storage. But how much does a closet island cost, and do you even have enough space?

Islands are worth it in many closet remodels, but there’s a chance you don’t need one. Keep reading to find out whether or not you should install a closet island.  

What is a closet island?

A closet island is a freestanding piece of furniture in the center of a walk-in closet. While most include drawers, this is anything but your average dresser. 

The top is a handy surface for folding clothes, staging outfits, or displaying accessories. With all four sides exposed, it can be customized to include various types of storage. One of the best benefits of a closet island is that it helps keep your closet organized. Storing delicates, socks, jewelry, belts, and other small items here keeps the main shelving and hanging space dedicated to your core wardrobe.

How much space do you need for a closet island?

A closet island should have roughly 36 inches of clearance on all sides. The good news is that there isn’t a standard size for them. You can tailor the island’s dimensions to your space. If your walk-in is as little as 7’x10’, you can fit a downsized island. 

Space is probably the biggest consideration in choosing to install a closet island. Here’s a glance at where they’re a great fit, and when you should think twice:

How much does a closet island cost?

Closet islands can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. It depends on the size, materials, and features you want to add. No matter the budget, a proportionate, functional closet island can add luxury and value to your property. 

Read more about the factors impacting the cost of a closet remodel. 

The 5 must-have features of a custom closet island

You have the space, so you want the island. Here are a few appealing features everyone should at least consider. 

1. A durable, luxurious countertop.

When we choose kitchen and bath countertops, we’re weighing our lifestyles against what the materials can tolerate. Since closets are “dry” areas with considerably lower damage risks, feel free to go all out.  

2. Pull-out hampers to save floor space.

One of the top custom closet features in demand right now is tilt-out and pull-out hampers. They keep dirty clothes away from your clean stock, conceal any mess, and don’t take up an additional square inch of flooring.

3. Organizing inserts for jewelry.

The biggest benefit of building the closet you deserve is providing protective, sensible storage for precious items. Shallow drawers with lined inserts help avoid misplaced and damaged items. Add a lock for additional safekeeping. 

4. Extra-deep drawers for your finest collections.

Folding stacks of jeans and sweaters to be stored on shelves is a wise idea–unless your collection is larger than average. Skip the potential for an in-closet avalanche by adding double-deep drawers to the island. They’ll be perfect for any backstock or overflow.

5. Custom hardware and finishing touches for unmatched style.

If you want to improve your daily mood and maybe add some resale value, style matters! Finishing touches like pulls and knobs have a real impact. Custom cabinetry details and countertop edging can level up the look, too. 

Design and install a closet island with us.

A professional closet designer will know right away if your space can accommodate an island. If your closet is too small, they’ll have a range of other solutions in mind to make every inch count. If you proceed to an island, they can bring your dream to life. 

The Designery is your premier source for top-quality countertops, custom-crafted cabinetry, organizing accessories, and much more. Save time and avoid sacrifices by working with us. 

“Trust the Designery for all your custom closet needs. They installed 5 custom closets when we moved into our new home. They helped us with design and did a great job on installation and quality materials. We were very pleased.”

Laura, The Designery client

Visit your local showroom to get inspired.