Wardrobe Island Design Guide (With Lots of Inspo Ideas!)
Discover a closet filled with functionality and sophistication: enter the wardrobe island. More than just an elegant, visual centerpiece, a closet island provides usable countertop space and plenty of storage options underneath (and occasionally adds seating, too).
Who Can Benefit From a Closet Island:
While closet islands definitely serve a luxury look, they aren’t just for massive dressing rooms in the movies. In fact, many homeowners are discovering that with the right planning, a closet island vastly improves their layout.
Closet Islands are Ideal For:
Homeowners with disjointed, underutilized, or builder-grade walk-in closets
Busy moms who want streamlined, stress free morning routines
Professionals looking to elevate the luxury of their master closet
Fashion lovers who need to store accessories like jewelry, sunglasses, bags, fragrances, scarves, and belts
Step One: Consider Your Walk-In Space & Layout
Before planning out the details of the wood stain, slow closing drawers and marble tops, the first step is making sure the island is properly measured out in your closet. Get the big questions answered by our custom builders below.
Ideal Island Dimensions
The average closet island ranges from 36’’ to 72’’ long and 24’’ to 36’’ wide, but your available walk space is the most important factor. Let your walkway measurements be your guide so that your closet is to scale.
What is the minimum walkway space around an island?
A minimum of 36’’ of clearance is required on all sides of the island to allow for comfortable walkways. If you have multiple people using the walkways, you might consider aiming for 42’’. To accommodate clear walkways surrounding the island, your closet should at least be 10’x10’ to accommodate a standard wardrobe island.
Can Small Closets Fit an Island?
Short answer? Yes– with a custom approach. In order to maximize storage without disrupting flow, a small closet island layout might include a slim, single sided island placed along the wall, acting like an upgraded chest of drawers or an L-shaped island that can still be placed centrally or tucked into a corner to make the most of every inch.
Step Two: Choosing the Right Materials
Countertops: Wood, Quartz, Marble, or Laminate?
With measuring out of the way, now it’s time to plan for the fun stuff. But what finish should you choose for your island countertop?
Wood: Warm, timeless, masculine, and easy to match to the rest of the room. Many customers opt for this option when there’s a window letting in good light.
Marble: Elegant and classic. This is a great choice for customers who will use a display glass top.
Quartz: sleek, durable, and easy to clean. If your closet island will double as a vanity, quartz withstands marks from any hot tools left on the counter and won’t stain from spilled makeup.
Laminate: Your cost effective, easy to clean option. If you’re working with a budget and you need a durable material to take heavy hits with your fast pace life, this might be your winner.
Matching Your Existing Closet Finish
To maintain a flowing aesthetic, a closet should have consistent finishes throughout. That said, any remaining rods and built-ins should be considered before purchasing any pulls or knobs. One way to ensure harmony throughout? Stick with one custom storage company.
At More Space Place Asheville, our professional designers will design in step with what you already have or create a fully cohesive system from scratch. Either way you choose, your closet will feel like one seamless build.
Step Three: Selecting Design Features That Make a Difference
Your closet island is so much more than a beautiful focal point– it’s prime real estate for tailored storage and personalized features to optimize your morning routine.
Drawers, Shelves & Hidden Storage
Once you decide what you want to store, you’ll know the drawer depths you need. The possibilities are endless, but customers have loved:
Deep drawers for folded knit sweaters or out of season outerwear
Shallow drawers for undergarments
Pullout display cases for sunglasses and jewelry.
Hidden storage to conceal a safe
Don’t think you can only commit to one uniform drawer size– when going custom, you can have a variety of depths so your closet island can really do it all.
Pro Tip: Regardless of drawer size, opt for soft close dresser slides for a more peaceful, quiet morning.
Seating, Mirrors & Charging Stations
Adding a cushioned bench and vanity mirror to your closet island will ensure that you can fully get ready all in one place.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to add USB ports and outlets for charging stations and plugging in hot tools.
Lighting & Vanity Features
Lighting makes a significant difference in your desired level of luxury– especially for a closet that may not have windows. If you want a truly elevated experience, consider:
Under-counter LED bars
Accent lighting for display drawers
A statement light fixture centered to the closet island
Inspiring Wardrobe Island Ideas & Tips
Layout Styles
Centered Wardrobe Islands
A perfect option for wider, square-shaped closets. A centered island creates a natural focal point and highlights symmetrical shelving and works especially well if your closet has “his and hers” sides. Morning routines go much smoother when each person gets their own pullout drawers and counterspace.
Side-Aligned Walk-In Islands
If you’re working with a narrow space, a side-aligned island (placed off-center) will provide the counterspace and storage that your current set up is lacking, yet still allow for an uninterrupted walkway.
L-Shaped Closet Islands
If your closet has corners or unconventional dimensions, don’t count yourself out yet. L-shaped closets match the flow of the room without overcrowding the space.
Traditional, Modern & Custom Looks
The goal is to transform your closet into a continuation of a thoughtfully designed home– not a builder-grade afterthought. A well designed closet island will be the heavy-hitter to establish your personal style.
Traditional: Think white shaker cabinets or a natural wood tone, brass hardware, and soft close drawers
Modern: Stone countertop, clean lines, matte black accents, under-counter lighting. Sleek sophistication transcends from your wardrobe to the actual room itself.
Custom: Blend your dialed-in style with your exact needs. You can get your desired finishes, layouts, and features that reflect the rest of your home’s aesthetic.
Work with a Closet Designer or DIY?
It’s no secret that Pinterest has all the hacks and DIY builds out there. But for families looking for a long-term investment in their family’s day to day transitions and ROI, we recommend working with a professional designer.
At More Space Place Asheville, we specialize in:
Maximizing your closet layout
Choosing beautiful, durable materials
Creating systems that actually last
All in all? We make layouts that make every day run that much smoother.
Curious to see what’s possible? Click here for a free consult →
FAQs About Wardrobe Islands
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At least 36" of walking space on all sides, and a closet that’s 11'x11' or larger for a full-sized island.
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This is completely up to you! What our customers have opted for? Jewelry, folded clothes, lingerie, accessories, out-of-season items, or even small laundry baskets. We’ll help you plan for the best organization system.
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Quartz for durability, marble for a luxurious feel, and wood for timeless warmth. We’ll make sure the countertops match with your cabinetry for a high-end, cohesive finish.
Ready to Design Your Dream Closet?
Your wardrobe should work as hard as you do—while making your day that much more beautiful.
A custom wardrobe island isn’t just a luxury; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. If you’re dreaming of a boutique-style walk-in that reflects your style and serves your needs, our team is ready to make it real.