The Power of a Custom Closet: Design Your Way Into a Better Day

A Closet That Works for You

What’s one of the best gifts you can give yourself? A custom closet. This personal space isn’t just about storage; it’s about starting your day with clarity, confidence, and ease. From the moment you step out of the bathroom to the time you start your day, your closet sets the tone.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent on the move, or someone entering a new chapter, your closet reflects your lifestyle, aspirations, and personal style.

Why a Custom Closet Matters

As we collectively embrace a more intentional lifestyle and declutter our homes, closets are evolving into sanctuaries of simplicity and function. No longer just a place to hang clothes, the custom closet is a space for:

• Resetting and recharging
• Streamlining routines
• Showcasing meaningful pieces (think heirloom bags, vintage denim, or favorite loafers)

It’s about more than aesthetics; it’s about creating emotional connection and order. Stepping into an organized space where you can easily select everything you need to start your day eliminates the stress of that daily question, “What am I going to wear?” I believe that getting ready in a beautifully appointed closet, no matter the size, sets your intention for the day. 

A Custom Closet Design: Your Way Into a Better Day

Selecting pieces of your wardrobe to assemble how you will face your day is no different than creating a perfect meal. You have all of the ingredients for a great dish, but the preparation is usually the make-or-break factor. Digging through cabinets for ingredients and then searching for the necessary utensils to create that dish can turn a perfect plan into calling for takeout. The same can be said for dressing for your day. Deciding on how you will start your day will be much less stressful with a beautifully designed and organized closet. 

Closet Design is Personal—Intimately Personal

Image created with prompts by Sharon L Sherman

As a designer, I often learn more about my clients than they expect. Closet design invites us into one of the most intimate areas of the home. It’s not just about clothing; it’s about how someone moves through their life.

Understanding your needs means asking the right questions:

• Do you prefer short or long hanging?
• Are your shirts folded from the cleaner or hung?
• Do you need a dedicated space for heels, boots, and sneakers?
• Are your belts better curled in drawers or hung for display?
• Will you need drawers to function like a dresser?
• How much long hanging space for dresses and coats will you need?
• Is there any special storage needed for hats, athletic wear, or display cabinets? 

Custom closet with integrated lighting by Ornare, Paramus, NJ

Closets are the backstage of your lifestyle, and every inch matters. There is nothing worse than the dreaded “changing over of the seasonal closet”. If you have a well-thought-out design, your closet should accommodate everything you need right where you can see it. How you store items in your closet is just as important as what you store. Lighting is everything is making sure you can see the true colors of things, including socks. 

Custom Closet Design Checklist

Organized storage for shoes and handbags.

Before jumping into a build, take a moment to reflect…….

• How do you store clothes? Folded, hung, boxed?
• Do you want handbags displayed or tucked away?
• What’s your shoe game like? Need variable shelf heights?
• Scarves, belts, jewelry, where do they live?
• Do you travel often? A staging area for packing can be life-changing.
• Do you need a built-in ironing board or a folding counter?
• What about a styler?  A built-in steam closet that you can put your jackets and your delicate, beautiful cashmere sweaters into to have them refreshed without the inconvenience of running to a dry cleaner, without the added chemicals that are used in the dry cleaning process.
• Do you need a safe?
• Are there watches that need special storage?
• What about a full-length mirror?
• Is there room for a small bench to change into and out of shoes? 

Then call a closet design specialist. Just like hiring an interior designer to curate your home, personalized and tailored to you and the way you live, a closet designer will create the perfect design for all of your closet needs. 

Materials & Style Choices

Designing a closet is like designing any other room. You’ll choose:

• Finishes and materials
• Hardware in metals or matte
• Fabrics, textures, and lighting
• Adjustable shelving and drawer systems

This isn’t cookie-cutter cabinetry; this is personal design that functions at the highest level.

A Closet That Aligns With You

A well-designed custom closet clears your mind, simplifies your day, and brings a sense of control to your morning ritual. And in a world that’s increasingly chaotic, that gift of peace is priceless.

Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, CKD

About Sharon:

Sharon founded Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and has been practicing kitchen and bath design for over 20 years across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Eastern Seaboard. Sharon is the Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers, New Jersey chapter, a professional member of ASID, as well as a Certified Interior Designer in New Jersey, and a Certified Kitchen Designer, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Interior Design Community.

She is a current member of the editorial board of KBB Magazine,  the official magazine of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Sharon received the Kitchen Bath Design News 2022 Innovator of the Year Award and KBB Person of the Year 2025. Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Design Milk, Furniture Lighting and Decor, Designers Today, Bergen NJ magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, as well as several books. She has authored the Interior Designers’ Guide to Kitchen and Bath Business Success, available through the website. Sharon is a sought-after conference speaker and CEU provider. You can contact her through the website www.thymeandplacedesign.com.