A walk-in closet is a very large closet that is big enough for a person to enter and is often as large as a small room. This kind of closet differs from normal closets which, while also used for storage, are not large enough to enter. In most cases, a walk-in closet adjoins the master bedroom in a house or apartment. In particularly lavish houses, apartments, and mansions, multiple bedrooms may be outfitted with a walk-in closet. However, even in these cases the walk-in closet in the master bedroom is usually the largest and the most lavish.
The size, dimensions, and layout of a walk-in closet can vary quite a bit. A rather simple example would be a closet that was designed like a short, dead- end hallway with a rack for hanging clothes on one side. This kind of walk-in closet may closely resemble the design of a kitchen pantry. Larger walk-in closets may be large enough for multiple racks and dressers. They may even have enough space for a vanity, couch, or chaise lounge.
In most cases, walk-in closets do not have windows. However, there are some cases of very large closets that are designed in a manner that allows natural light to enter the space. Whether the space is lit by natural light, artificial light, or both, lighting systems in closets are important. As they are naturally dark spaces, it is important for the lighting design for a walk-in closet to allow one to see well and locate items or store items as needed. In some large walk-in closets, there are floor-level lights as well as lights at the ceiling level in order to illuminate the clothing from top and bottom angles and improve visibility within the space.
One of the keys to a useful walk-in closet is organization. In addition to racks upon which garments can be hung, there should also be space for items that must be folded as well as shoes and accessories. There are a number of companies that specialize in systems for walk-in closets of all sizes. Such organizational systems usually include shoe racks or shelves that are designed to accommodate shoes, small drawers for items like socks and underwear, and larger drawers for items like sweaters and sportswear. It is also common for these walk-in closet organizational systems to include drawers specifically for jewelry, the size of which depends on the vastness of the owner's jewelry collection.