source for design info on custom closets

[bill allemann]

I'm looking to design and build a unit along the wall of a walk-in closet, the usual clothes hanging bars with a few shelves, etc. I want to just draw this up first so I can think out what I want. I'm trying to find the dimensions that are commonly used for when you have tow clothes bars one over the other, and that sort of thing. I could just measure off some of my stuff, I suppose, but I thought like everything else that's built, there would be some commonly used design parameters. I would have thought that would be standard stuff on the DIY websites, but I've looked through dozens of them, and apparently that info is an intensely guarded secret.

Anyone know of a source?

[Pat]

Nope. I had this problem a few years ago. I solved it by putting my pants on a hanger and then measuring the distance from the floor to the hanger. Then I repeated for one of my shirts. I chose 48 inches for pants and 40 inches for shirts. My wife is shorter. I put her bars at 39 inches. I installed the bars so they could be adjusted easily. Haven't needed to in the last twenty years. I like strong bars made using inch and half electrical conduit with inch and a quarter pipe flanges driven onto the ends. Don't like the length to go much over 4 feet. Definitely wouldn't go

5 feet. I install them 11 to 12 inches from the back. Generally 2 bars fills the available space floor to ceiling. I like the left side of the closet to mirror the right side. I build the kitchen cupboards and vanity. I also build cupboards for the closet. When the bar length gets to be 4 foot or so I install a floor to ceiling cupboard to fasten the bar to. Width can be anything from 12 inches and up. Depth is usually 15 to 16 inches. Sometimes I leave them as shelves but mostly I add doors. Usually the bottom half is made into drawers. When I put in a single bar at 63 inches I put a cupboard over it and extend the cupboards ends down to within 3 feet of the floor so bars can be fastened to it. I put similar panels at the end walls so I have a strong surface to fasten bars to. I think of them as dressing rooms. I install mirrors and chairs. I like a center isle of 3 feet. I like to put bars for hanging on one side and cupboards on the other side. With a good closet the bedroom can be small with little in it other than the bed and night stands. I like the closet to have a width of 6.5 feet.

[bill]

Maybe you should put the info on a website :) But I guess all the closet installer outfits would hate you. I got my drawing made. Worked out pretty nice.

Thanks, Bill

[Rudy]

[aemeijers]

Pat wrote: (snip)

You do housecalls? :^)

Redoing the (fubar'd by idiot previous owner) closets has been on my 'to do' list since I bought this place four years ago, but since there is no SWMBO in the house, it never makes it into the top half of the list.... :^(

-- aem sends....

[Pat]

I was single for 20 years. Dating was expensive. I preferred bringing them home and putting them to work.

[aemeijers]

I barely remember dating, it's been so long.... :^( I do believe I am the only single guy in this subdivision. The couple across the street split up, and they BOTH left.

-- aem sends....