Three Simple Reasons You'll Want a Closet Island
the esd journal
Three Simple Reasons You'll Want a Closet Island
When clients come to me with unique personalities and preferences, and a love for the bold, I can’t help but indulge them. We’re living in a design age inspired by embracing the visionary. Which is why, in the name of exceeding expectations clients didn’t even know they had, I’m happy to say that the closet island is officially in vogue. And you’ll probably want one of your own for three very simple reasons.
ISLAND
First things first, what is a closet island? You might have seen one or two in some of my recent designs (because I love them) but, very simply, they are an island cabinet and countertop placed in the bedroom closet instead of the kitchen. Islands come in a huge variety of sizes with multiple cabinet options so adding them to a walk-in closet instantly upgrades entire morning, evening, and even laundry routines—taking the day-to-day and turning into a luxury experience every time you reach for your favorite dress or comfiest pair of jeans.
Architecture: BarlisWedlick Architects
Designer: Elaine Santos
PC: (Top) Joshua McHugh, and Richard Powers
PC: Richard Powers
THREE REASONS
ONE
ORGANIZATION. A CLOSET ISLAND CAN BE USED TO ORGANIZE CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES, MAKING IT EASIER TO FIND ITEMS QUICKLY. DEPENDING ON YOUR SPACE, YOU CAN MIX AND MATCH COMPARTMENTS, DRAWERS, CABINETS, AND SHELVES TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MIGHT USE THE TOP OF THE ISLAND TO FOLD SWEATERS OR DISPLAY JEWELRY, WHILE THE DRAWERS CAN BE USED TO ORGANIZE SOCKS OR UNDERWEAR. OR MAYBE YOU HAVE A SHELF SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO HOLD ALL OF YOUR JEWELRY BOXES, OR A SMALLER DRAWER FOR A SLOTTED RING TRAY.
TWO
COUNTER SPACE. THE FLAT SURFACE OF THE ISLAND CAN PROVIDE A SPACE TO SET ITEMS DOWN WHILE YOU ARE GETTING DRESSED, SUCH AS JEWELRY, ACCESSORIES, OR MAKEUP. YOU CAN LAY OUT YOUR OUTFITS, OR MAKE IT A DISPLAY AREA FOR UNIQUE ACCESSORY HOLDERS. STYLE IT WITH A VASE OF FLOWERS, KEEP A BLUETOOTH SPEAKER ON THERE, OR ADD A MIRROR. EITHER WAY, EXTRA SPACE ALWAYS COMES IN HANDY.
THREE
AESTHETIC APPEAL. AN ISLAND CAN ALSO BE A DESIGN FEATURE, ADDING VISUAL INTEREST AND ELEGANCE TO A CLOSET. ISLANDS CAN BE CUSTOMIZED WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS, COLORS, AND FINISHES TO COMPLEMENT THE REST OF THE CLOSET DESIGN.
PC (Right): studio-mcgee, (Center & Left) Handelsmann and Khaw