Value of walk-in closet

You really should never "bank" on home improvement projects.

Build the closet if it will benefit YOU. Do not build it for that mythical future owner.

Nope. De minimis effect.

Don't know if the increase in value will match the cost but your place may appeal to more people if you had a lot of closet space and it didn't impact your layout. If your apt is like far too many apartments in this city and the current closet space is inadequate, then creating a walk in closet would definitely be an asset. I can't tell you how many places we passed on because the closet space was practically non-existent.

do the closet, if the hallway is just wasted sq footage

It would be losing a second door and small hallway to bathroom, which in my view is a minor convenience.

Can you see what have same-line floorplans done? We debated back and forth about whether to add some additional closets to our bedroom. We decided to add them after seeing that the neighbors with the most similar floorplan also had.

Closet space can be a big deal in one bedrooms that are big enough for a couple. Most one bedrooms, in my opinion, have enough closet space for one person with not a lot of possessions. For two people, it can be downright painful.

In our one bed + den, we have a 7' x 6' walk-in-closet, a triple clothes closet, a double coat closet, a linen closet, and an a/v closet. I still feel like we're busting at the seams, and the reality is that our apartment has more closet space than almost any other apartment its size.

"Build the closet if it will benefit YOU. Do not build it for that mythical future owner."

Seconded. If *you* would enjoy having another closet more than you'd enjoy hallway space plus $8000, build the closet. It's not like you're putting in something that'll kill the value for future buyers.

ottawa, just put a wardrobe from CB2 in there and save yourself all the thinking.

http://www.cb2.com/veer-grey-wardrobe.-36wx22dx74h/s220780

I built a walk-in closet (WAY cheaper than $8K, though -- I have no need for all that ridiculous "fancy" closet system shit that just takes up more room ... parade around in your apartment in a mink coat if you want to impress yourself) and I'm sort of sorry I did.

I'd prefer to have reach-ins with doors on either side (the hallway side and the bedroom side). That would have been a bit more demo, of the hallway wall adjacent to the bedroom walk-in. Basically, the walk-in creates another waste-of-space hallway, for no good reason.

For your setup, you might consider a shallow (like me) closet that opens into the bathroom. Store 75 years' worth of toilet paper, etc. ... it's the American Way. And a reach-in from the bedroom side.

AH, it's not 75 years' worth, it's a trip to Costco worth.

more like 7.5 months' worth, or 7.5 weeks depending on your household. but still worth the trip, if that works for you, and now, oddly, it does for me.

i didn't do any fancy closet work, but i did add quite a few shelves. we had closets that had shelves with 3-4 feet of upper clearance. i actually measured how high certain boxes and paper towel rolls are, and had things installed accordingly. i am inordinately self-satisfied by my closet space.

so in answer to the OP, are there simple ways to enhance your storage? if so, you might want to sit tight and reconsider when you actually want to sell.

Thanks all!

Part of the issue is that it is a hallway with door so a lot of the other alternatives just don't really exist or else you would blcok the door (that would otherwise be removed). So no reach in or wardrobe ( that btw is so ugly, but thanks!)

I guess I am just reluctant because it is a pain in the ass. Have tried contacting contractors, but no luck. Closet people can't do the walls, just install...

Thanks!

I always agree that you should do what will benefit you, now.

That being said, wouldn't a walk-in closet benefit you, now? Whether you're in a $5 million 4-bedroom or a $250k studio, people always seem to need more space to put stuff. I'd also agree that a hallway is wasted space, unless perhaps your hallway is part of a $5 million 4-bed apartment.

And since you mentioned the 2nd door to a bathroom, in my world that 2nd door is evil in terms of privacy and usable space. You have the chance to kill two birds with one stone by eliminating the 2nd door *and* creating a walk-in closet. Do it.

But only if it benefits you, now.

One thing to keep in mind is that if the closet would block an egress point you may be required to keep that door accessible. Meaning the door itself is not completely walled up. People do this kind of thing all the time--it's just something to consider as you're working out your plans.

Install the closet if YOU need it. If you don't do it, you or your broker can point out to sellers how more closet space can be added during tours. The lack of closets will not deter serious buyers.

Thanks all - yes I would love to have some extra closet space - less keen on the hassle involved as I can't seem to find any contractor that does this.

Bram - good point on the egress. Think you need two no? So I would still ahve normal door and window.

Ottawa--you'd need to check with your co-op on that. It is possible that zoning laws would require the second egress to be accessible, even if it simply means the door remains usable behind the closet. I've seen some interesting setups in this regard--one place had wall-to-wall built-in book shelving in which the entire section in front of the door could swing open to access the egress point. It was quite cool--like a hidden passageway in some weird old gothic manor :-)

"ottawa, just put a wardrobe from CB2 in there and save yourself all the thinking.

http://www.cb2.com/veer-grey-wardrobe.-36wx22dx74h/s220780"

***

Seriously? A junky K-Mart-looking wardrobe? That's worse than wasted hallway space.

if it's larger than 7X7 it could be considered a media room.

I also like the idea of purchasing my paper products in bulk.
It makes me feel like I'm doing my part to deforest the earth and break Phanerozoic Carbon Cycle which keeps all of us alive. When you purchase in small quantities you just don't get the rush of global destruction that you get from a costco purchase. Also, the release of flurocarbons destroys the ozone layer and they can be purchased in bulk. When you freshen the air you also help mimimize the time it will be breathed.
When you see an endangered species you have to think...this might be my last chance to taste it.
U.S. energy policy was driven by disco dance music of the 70's.

Burn baby burn, disco inferno, burn baby burn....come on, you know the words! (I mean policy)

Um, you know trees grow back, right?

8000 sounds high to add a closet. what work is involved?

If it makes you happy do it. But go with Cedar.

Absolutely -- you'll be happy your entire bedroom smells like a hamster cage 24/7.

Can my sprint shares smell like hamster?

Richard Gere says your Sprint shares are gerbiling!

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NYCMatt

about 11 hours ago

NYCMatt
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Member since: May 2009
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Um, you know trees grow back, right?

How does that work? Exactly how do they grow back?

Thanks all. Cedar?? Is that what they make suanas out of? 3
$8000 is estimate. I figure aroun $2000 for closet bits on both sides (bathromm reach in and walk in and $5000 for the rest. But I am guessing.

I think given the serious concern for the environment I will save trees and also get a bidet installed.

Funny,Ottawanyc.

Tree-huggers don't worry. Those trees are going to grow back, up from the stump.

I think given the serious concern for the environment I will save trees and also get a bidet installed.

How exactly is that bidet going to save the environment?
Sounds like a job for Hazmat Underwear.
I'm just saying...

Can someone explain how the tree grows back?

"Can someone explain how the tree grows back?"

They are planted anew.

Sounds different from growing back.

It's effectively the same thing.

effectively, but not actually

The difference is irrelevant.

Its magic!

The trees that are replanted are inferior to what were cut down, and are only really good enough to make Audi reproductions of Stickley furniture. And really what kind of person would buy an inferior product like that?

have 2 WC, cannot imaging not having them by now. but some of the stuff on them could be thrown away. it enables you to procrastinate on deep cleanings.

Not knowing the exact layout, but knowing the value of closet space when apartments today are so stingy on that, definitely go for the walk-in. Very useful and will be of value in your marketing when you eventuall sell.

How much would it be to turn a straight closet (2x6? or whatever the normal measurements are) into a walk in closet? Also, any idea on how much space I should estimate losing in the bedrooms?

Thanks.

I did that with a friend, using the skinny steel framing instead of 2x4s. It was really cheap. But we didn't know how to frame in a door of any sort, so we just left it an opening straight up to the ceiling.

Interior fittings are the rubberized wire kind by Rubbermaid. But for only $40K more you can get California Closet Queen in to fit it out in a way that offers no flexibility for future changes in usage pattern.

Did NYCMatt's trees grow back?

how come SE doesn't shut you down?

Without seeing the floor plans, hard to say, but I think walk-ins are silly unless you have space to burn. With a regular closet, you still have the "walk-in" space as a part of the room, but with a walk-in closet, that space is useless unless you are actually in the closet.

Can we get an update on the closet situation from Ottawanyc?

palomalou is correct in his/her's opinion.
As I have suggested to cykang on his other discussion thread:
Buy an amoire. It will offer more closet/storage space, while not reducing the size of the bedroom.
Move it out for a resale.