That moment when you open your closet door and clothes practically tumble out at you is all too familiar. You know the one where you’re desperately searching for that perfect shirt while everything else seems to be conspiring against you. Trying to decide between a DIY closet project or hiring a professional for a full custom closet design and installation? Updating your closet can make getting ready each day more enjoyable. However, not all closet remodeling projects are created equal.
When it comes to upgrading your storage space, the choice really comes down to DIY vs Custom Walk-In Closets. You could roll up your sleeves for a weekend project, or you might be ready to call in a professional closet designer. Before you head to your nearest cabinet store or fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole, let’s explore custom closet design and installation options that’ll actually work for your lifestyle and budget.
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DIY Closet Remodel Pros and Cons
There’s something incredibly satisfying about stepping back and saying, “I built that!” DIY vs Custom Builds often comes down to that sense of personal accomplishment, and let’s face it, the potential cost savings are pretty attractive too. However, while DIY closets have benefits, they also come with limitations to consider.
DIY Closet Pros
You’re in complete control of your Walk-In Closet Design Ideas. Want that specific shelf height? Done. Need extra space for your sneaker collection? You got it. There’s no back and forth with contractors or designers, just you, your vision, and your weekend.
The budget friendly aspect is real. When you’re doing the labor yourself, you’re only paying for materials. That can mean substantial savings, especially if you’re handy with tools and have some construction experience under your belt.
DIY Closet Cons
- Learning Curve: Unless you have construction experience, expect a substantial learning curve figuring out how to properly install closet components like shelving and cabinetry from scratch. Mistakes can get costly.
- Time Commitment: Be prepared to spend many hours on your DIY closet project: planning, shopping, building, and installing organizational elements. Things always take longer for DIYers versus professionals.
- Quality Issues: Achieving a high-quality finish with proper reinforcement and functionality is extremely difficult for amateurs. Weak points in a DIY closet can cause problems over time.
- Resale Value: Upgrades done by professionals typically increase a home’s value more than DIY projects. DIY often looks amateur.
As you can see, DIY walk-in closets make sense for some people but have definite downsides to weigh as well. Calling in the experts for a custom closet brings other pros and cons.
Custom Walk In Closet Pros and Cons
Hiring professional closet designers, contractors, and installers to create your dream walk-in closet does come with higher up-front costs. However, custom closets add value and enjoyment to your daily life and home in many ways that DIY projects may not deliver.
Custom Closet Pros
- Expert Planning: Seasoned professionals help optimize your layout and storage for maximum functionality and convenience. They know effective ways DIYers overlook to make the most of the space.
- Higher Quality: Contractors have top tools, skills, and access to premium materials needed to construct sturdy custom components with seamless installed finishes.
- Faster Completion: Unlike the many hours required to tackle this project solo, experienced crews complete professional closet installs quickly and efficiently.
- Peace of Mind: Reputable companies stand behind their work if any issues pop up, offering warranties and continued support. I’m not wondering if your DIY skills were up to par.
Custom Closet Cons
Let’s talk numbers honestly. Custom closet design and installation isn’t cheap. Depending on your space and desired features, you’re looking at anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 or more. That’s a significant investment, and it’s totally normal to feel sticker shock initially.
You’re also working on someone else’s timeline. Popular designers and installers often book weeks or months in advance, so spontaneous closet makeovers aren’t really an option.
Key Differences: DIY vs Professional Walk-In Closets
Beyond the basic pros, cons, and costs described already, DIY and custom closets differ in several other important ways that impact your end results. Keep these key distinctions in mind while deciding which approach best suits your scenario:
Layout Design Differences
Amateur DIYers often struggle to envision their available space’s possibilities compared to the 3D design renderings and floor plans professional closet designers provide. Seasoned designers make the most of every inch, incorporating specialized storage solutions for:
- Hanging clothes: The right mix of closet rods and integrated wardrobe towers makes storing hanging garments easy. Experienced designers incorporate sufficient closet rod lengths, sometimes segmented for flexibility, to avoid cramming. They also wisely use height, specifying tall wardrobes for hanging longer dresses/coats. Custom reach-in cabinets built around chimneys or room oddities also maximize handling capacity.
- Folded garments: For folded sweaters, jeans, and other non-hanging apparel, pros design drawer towers and open shelving areas, optimizing height and depth for easy access. Specific dividers, custom-sized cubbies, and specialty pull-out trays keep folded items neatly organized.
- Shoes: Shoe collections warrant strategic storage planning. Designers include angled shelves to display heels attractively while avoiding wasting vertical space. Custom built-ins sized for boots add capacity. Drawers, lazy Susans, and slide-out racks manage overflow footwear out of sight.
- Accessories: Belts, scarves, purses, and jewelry get tailored attention. Examples include shallow drawers for jewelry and belt inserts, deeper drawers for folded scarves and bags, mounted displays paired with hooks/hangers for necklaces or caps, and enclosed cabinets with glass fronts or inserts for dust-free showcasing.
- Personal items: Custom closets incorporate nooks, cubbies, drawers, and even furniture islands for stashing daily essentials like phones, glasses, and watches, and folding laundry. Built-in hampers with custom cabinet fronts maintain your suite’s elegant aesthetic.
- Seasonal clothing storage: Professional design systems make wardrobe transitions easy, such as twin wardrobe towers allowing off-season clothes to be stashed overhead and pulled down twice yearly rather than occupying prime real estate. Additional overhead cabinets or pull-down racks can house little-used pieces conveniently.
- Multi-use furniture islands: Islands serve multiple needs as seating for dressing, temporary folding space, and concealed storage, thanks to cabinets. Custom island designs reflect your preferences for open shelving, hampers, drawers, or wrapped towers. Islands commonly feature glass tops for a lightweight, spacious aesthetic, too.
- Smart bulk storage areas concealed behind cabinet doors rather than cluttering the closet: Cabinetry facades hide those rarely-used suitcases, holiday decorations, and extra bedding bundles in style without clutter yet keep them easily accessible through labeled doors.
HomeAdvisor provides useful data on average costs for custom closet installations, breaking down pricing into good/better/best tiers ranging from $2,500 up to $15,000 depending on materials used and complexity.
Material and Build Quality Differences
DIY projects frequently lack proper structural reinforcement in framing and use cheaper wire shelving systems prone to sagging over time. Custom closet installers construct high-quality wood shelving and cabinetry paired with durable metal fittings designed to handle heavy use and weight loads without fail. Custom closet designers also specify premium finishes including:
- Wood species avoiding expansion/contraction issues
- Formaldehyde-free plywood
- Furniture-grade finishes
- Soft-close doors and extensions
- Glass/plexiglass for illuminating displays
The BHG article also provides examples of factors that influence overall budgets like closet size, layouts, materials, and organizational add-ons.
Functionality and Convenience Differences
Thoughtful custom designers incorporate specialized elements home DIYers would likely never think to add or know how to properly install, such as:
- Motion sensor LED lighting ensures every corner stays brightly and evenly illuminated, without dead corners
- Full-extension wooden drawer pulls provide complete access to contents
- Base shoe cabinet “garbage collectors” simplify cleaning
- Pneumatic lift storage raising stacked trays up within your reach at the touch of a button
- Custom built-ins sized for everything from luggage to odd-shaped hats and accessories
- Sliding, pivoting, and tilting mechanisms maximizing access and visibility into space-constrained areas
As you can see, expert custom closet designers packing decades of specialized knowledge can equip your walk-in closet with elite features delivering daily delight. Keep reading for guidance in choosing between DIY and custom.
Making Your Decision: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Before you decide between DIY vs Custom Walk-In Closets, think about these important factors that’ll point you in the right direction.
About Your Space
How much room are you working with? Larger spaces benefit more from professional design expertise. Are there any tricky architectural elements like sloped ceilings or odd angles? What’s the current condition of the space? Does it need electrical work or structural changes?
About Your Stuff
How extensive is your wardrobe? Large collections benefit from custom storage solutions. Do you have collections like shoes, handbags, or accessories that need specialized storage? Are you trying to fit two people’s belongings in one space?
About Your Situation
How long are you planning to stay in this home? Custom closets add more resale value. What’s your realistic budget for this project? How comfortable are you with construction projects? Be honest here! When do you need this completed? DIY projects have flexible timelines, but they often stretch longer than expected.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, breaking down key differences between DIY closet installation projects versus full-service custom closet designers and showrooms helps provide clarity. Once you consider your available space, organizational needs, skills, and budget, one option will likely emerged fitting your scenario best. Trust your instincts!
At the end of the day, walls and shelves hold your belongings either way. Make sure whichever route you take, DIY or custom, reflects what matters most FOR YOU. Define your dream system’s must-have features, then craft your ideal walk-in closet storage paradise! Both paths can lead to daily delights. Choose the one that resonates most. Cabinets City brings this same expertise from kitchen cabinet projects to create stunning, functional closet systems that stand the test of time. Ready to see what Cabinets City can create for your space?
