custom closet design

How to Design Your Dream Closet: A Step-by-Step Guide

At Behind Closed Doors Custom Closets & Cabinetry, we believe your closet should be more than just storage space. It should reflect your lifestyle, support your daily routines, and bring order to your space in a way that feels effortless and beautifully designed. Whether you’re envisioning a luxurious walk-in or a space-saving reach-in system, our process is designed to deliver fully customized solutions that seamlessly blend function with style.

Here’s how we transform your vision into a well-organized reality:

1. Personalized Consultation

Every project starts with a conversation. During your free in-home consultation, our expert design team will:

Evaluate your space and take detailed measurements
Learn about your wardrobe, habits, and what’s not working with your current setup
Share ideas and inspiration that align with your lifestyle and design preferences

This collaborative approach ensures your closet works seamlessly with how you live every day.

2. Interactive 3D Closet Design

Once we understand your needs, we bring your vision to life using advanced 3D design software. This allows you to:

Visualize your space in detail before construction begins
Experiment with layouts, finishes, and features in real time
Feel confident about every design decision before moving forward

Your dream closet becomes something you can see, explore, and fine-tune with ease.

3. Exceptional Materials and Local Craftsmanship

Our materials are selected with care and built to last. Choose from a wide range of high-quality laminate options for sleek, modern looks, or elevate your space with real wood like white oak, walnut, cherry, or birch. These natural hardwoods bring character, durability, and warmth to any space.

All of our cabinetry is crafted locally by skilled artisans who take pride in precision and detail. Whether you prefer the contemporary appeal of clean finishes or the timeless charm of natural wood grain, we’ll build a closet system that suits your taste and endures daily use.

4. Seamless, Professional Installation

Once your design is finalized, our expert installers bring it to life with:

Clean, respectful work in your home
Timely and efficient installation
A thorough final walkthrough to ensure everything meets your expectations

We handle every detail so you can enjoy a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.

5. Ongoing Support and Flexibility

Our relationship doesn’t end after installation. As your lifestyle changes, your closet can evolve too. We offer:

Modifications or expansions for growing wardrobes
New accessories or reconfigurations as your needs shift
Ongoing service and support from a team that knows your space

We’re here to make sure your closet continues to serve you well for years to come.

Why Homeowners Choose Behind Closed Doors

✔ Fully custom designs built around your space and lifestyle
✔ Premium materials including real hardwoods and quality laminate
✔ Locally manufactured cabinetry crafted by skilled artisans
✔ Experienced team of designers, project managers, and installers
✔ Full-service process from concept to completion

Ready to Get Started?

Let’s create a closet that works beautifully and looks even better. Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward a more organized, personalized home.

Find Your Organization Style: A Quiz for Smart, Space-Saving Solutions

Family-Owned American Made Custom Cabinetry & Closets

November 12, 2025 No Comments

Behind Closed Doors designs and builds custom closets and cabinetry that are truly American made. Family owned and locally crafted, our spaces combine real wood, quality craftsmanship, and timeless design for every room in your home.

Unlocking Potential: Custom Solutions for Angled Ceilings and Walls

October 2, 2025 No Comments

Sloped ceilings and angled walls are opportunities in disguise. Discover how custom-built cabinetry designed to your specifications can transform challenging architecture into beautiful, functional storage.

The Return of the Rec Room: Why the Ultimate “Playroom for All Ages” Is Making a Comeback

October 2, 2025 No Comments

Today’s bonus rooms are being reimagined as flexible, multi-purpose spaces for every stage of life, from play and hobbies to work, relaxation, and welcoming guests.

library study with books and built in desk

Back to School, Back to Focus | Home Study and Office Design by Behind Closed Doors

August 22, 2025 No Comments

Back to School, Back to Focus: Transform Any Room into a Study, Office, or Quiet Retreat
A new school year is the perfect time to reset how your home works for you. From homework stations and college prep to work-from-home setups or empty nest makeovers, Behind Closed Doors Custom Closets and Cabinetry creates personalized designs for focus, organization, and inspiration. We specialize in study nooks, offices, mud rooms, garages, libraries, and creative spaces that evolve with every stage of life.

little girl looking at her clothing in a closet with open shelving and lower hanging for easy reach

Designing for Accessibility and Adaptability: Creating Homes That Evolve With You

July 15, 2025 No Comments

accessibility and adaptability in home design

master closet with island and under window cabinets

Upgrade to A Boutique Closet

June 30, 2025 No Comments

Transform unused space into a luxurious walk-in closet with custom design, real wood cabinetry, and boutique-style features. See why Delaware homeowners are upgrading with Behind Closed Doors.

Concealed Spaces: Creative Ideas with Murphy Beds & Hideaway Doors

There’s something undeniably captivating about hidden doors seamlessly integrated within cabinetry. Whether it’s a custom-built bookshelf that swings open to reveal storage or a sleek panel that blends into the surrounding design, these concealed doors add intrigue, functionality, and a touch of mystery to any home. At Behind Closed Doors Custom Closets & Cabinetry, we love finding innovative ways to incorporate these discreet features into our clients’ spaces. Let’s explore how hidden doors within cabinetry can transform your space with both style and function.

Cabinetry That Doubles as an Entryway

Hidden doors built into cabinetry provide a seamless and sophisticated way to conceal rooms, storage spaces, or even secret nooks. Whether it’s a custom bookshelf that acts as a doorway or a paneled cabinet that blends perfectly into the wall, these features create a sleek, uninterrupted look while maintaining full functionality.

The Hidden Bar: A Speakeasy Disguised as Cabinetry

Imagine entertaining guests with a hidden bar seamlessly concealed behind custom cabinetry. At first glance, it looks like a beautiful built-in, but with a subtle push or pull, the door reveals a fully stocked speakeasy. This trend has been growing in popularity—just like the bar hidden behind a bar featured in HGTV’s Inside Jasmine Roth’s Beachy & Casual California Home. It’s a stunning example of how cabinetry can double as a stylish entryway into a secret entertainment space.

Custom Cabinetry with Hidden Passages

Hidden doors within built-ins aren’t just for entertainment spaces. We’ve seen cabinetry used to conceal pantries, offices, and even private reading nooks. Homeowners love incorporating hidden entries that seamlessly blend into kitchen or hallway cabinetry, making them functional yet completely discreet. The concept of hidden doors has even made its way into pop culture, like in Peacock’s The Traitors, where a concealed door creates intrigue and mystery.

Powder Rooms Disguised Behind Pantry Shelving

A growing trend in modern home design is the hidden powder room concealed behind cabinetry. This works particularly well in kitchens, where a seamless panel or shelving unit serves as a discreet entry to a nearby restroom. This design allows for a streamlined, uncluttered aesthetic while keeping practical spaces easily accessible.

Closets & Storage Disguised as Built-Ins

For those who love a clean, minimalist look, hidden storage solutions are the ultimate game-changer. Built-in cabinets that double as concealed closets allow homeowners to keep essentials organized while maintaining a sleek design. These can be perfect for seasonal storage, linens, or even a walk-in closet hidden within a bedroom wall.

Why Hidden Doors Work So Well

Hidden doors aren’t just about aesthetics—they provide practical benefits as well:

Seamless Design: Maintain a clean, modern aesthetic without visible doors interrupting the flow of the room.
Space Optimization: Utilize every inch of your cabinetry for both storage and access to hidden areas.
Enhanced Privacy: Conceal spaces like home offices, bars, or storage without drawing attention.
Increased Property Value: Unique and customized features like hidden doors add an exclusive touch to any home.

Let’s Create Your Seamless Hidden Door

Whether you’re dreaming of a built-in bar with a concealed entry, a hidden powder room behind custom shelving, or a storage space seamlessly disguised within cabinetry, Behind Closed Doors Custom Closets & Cabinetry can bring your vision to life. Our expert designers specialize in creating hidden doors that blend perfectly with your custom cabinetry, providing both style and function.

Schedule a 15-minute virtual consultation to explore how hidden doors can elevate your space. Let’s make your cabinetry work smarter, not harder!

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Five Common Mistakes to Avoid when Designing your Custom Closet

As the premier custom closet company in Coastal Delaware and Maryland, we’ve designed and installed hundreds of closets for our customers. Over that time, we’ve seen a lot of closets that quite simply don’t make sense. Hence the need for our clients to redesign them! Fortunately for our clients, we have a team of expert designers to leads them through the design process from start to finish to make sure their closet functions for them. If you’re ready to get started on a custom closet project with us, check out these five common mistakes to avoid! And then give us a call to guarantee they don’t happen with you project!

Not Making The System Adjustable

Your mix of clothing will change over time, so you’ll need a system that can evolve with your wardrobe. Installing an adjustable system eliminates the headache of not having the right makeup of space as you add in new clothing. If you’re going to invest in a custom closet, you want it to function for you over the long haul!

Not Making the Shelves Deep Enough

Shallow shelves can leave to a sloppy look, with clothing and shoes hanging out over the edge. Avoid this common mistake by ensuring that your shelves are deep enough to fit a range of clothing and shoes.

Not Tailoring Your Closet to Your Needs

There is no one-size-fits-all closet! Which is why you need to do some inventory before designing your custom closet to make sure you’re incorporating the best components for your wardrobe! Maybe your work attire takes up the most space. Maybe you have more shirts than dresses. Maybe you’d prefer hanging your clothes instead of stacking them up. Our closet designer will run through all of this during the design process to make sure your closet functions for you!

Not Adding Adequate Lighting

Lighting can often be overlooked in closet design, but it’s essential to create a space that functions as good as it looks! It’s hard to get dressed in the morning if you have to search for things in the dark. Try installing a focal chandelier in the center of the closet to make a statement or go more subtle with recessed puck lighting to show off purses and accessories, LED lighting to illuminate your wardrobe behind glass doors, or ribbon lighting above closet rods to provide more functional light.

Not Having the Right Type of Shoe Storage

Not all shoes storage is the same! Cubbies can hold informal footwear such as sandals, flip-flops, slippers, and sneakers. Angled shelves with shoe fences can prop up your pumps and dress shoes. Flat shelves at ground level are best for everyday shoes to make the transition easy. Feeling overwhelmed? That’s why we’re here to help!

Small Budget, Big Results: How to Design a Stunning Closet Without Breaking the Bank

Many of our clients who are designing closets for their second homes want to increase the functionality of their closets but on a tighter budget. They’ve designed their closets in their main residence with us and love the results! So they’re looking to get a similar feel at their beach house or second residence but spend less. Enter our top tips for designing a stunning custom closet on a budget!

Create a Feature Wall

If you can’t afford upgrades like textured woods or laminate designs on the entire closet, try working them into a feature wall instead. It’s a great way to incorporate an upscale look while staying on budget. Another option is to use a floor-based unit on the feature wall and a wall hung closet on the other walls to make the custom closet more budget friendly.

Identify the Most Important Elements

List out the closet elements that are most important for your wardrobe—be it shoe storage, drawers, shelves, hanging space, etc. Don’t feel the need to bring in some popular custom closet features if they aren’t essential to your wardrobe and your life. For example, some people opt for an island in their closet to store jewelry, accessories, and pull-outs like hampers and ironing boards. But if you’re not a big accessory person, that may not be for you!

Add Décor

Accent décor like a bench, upholstered chair, or ottoman can instantly make your closet feel more luxurious. It’s a budget friendly way to make your closet look more upscale—and it’s extremely functional for getting dressed. Adding lighting is another fairly inexpensive way to make your closet look more high-end!

Do you have a second home that’s in need of a better closet system? Contact us today!