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jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
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odd shape closet
we have a very odd closet as you enter the house (our thinking is a coat closet but i have no idea how to make the most of the space). it is long and narrow (36" wide x 96" long) any ideas on how to utilize this best? the walls and floors are getting finished, and we can of course just put a coat rod across it but then there is so much wasted space. Image Attachment(s):
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Posted 2/14/14 10:13 AM |
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ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name: K
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odd shape closet
Could you put the doors on the long wall instead of the short wall and have more access to the closet? Or perhaps put a second door on the long wall near the back so that you can access the back of the closet?
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Posted 2/14/14 10:21 AM |
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jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
Posted by ISpoilHim
Could you put the doors on the long wall instead of the short wall and have more access to the closet? Or perhaps put a second door on the long wall near the back so that you can access the back of the closet?
i wish! one side of the closet is the outside of the house, and the other side of the closet is kitchen cabinets & refrigerator
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Posted 2/14/14 10:26 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name: Katherine
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odd shape closet
I might put shelves along the back to store things that you don't need access to all year, but might want within reach. Such as winter boots, snow pants, a basket of hats/gloves/scarves, seasonal decorations for the front door, canvas totes, etc.
Then I'd put a regular bar in the front to hang the coats.
Message edited 2/14/2014 10:30:22 AM.
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Posted 2/14/14 10:29 AM |
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ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name: K
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Re: odd shape closet
Posted by jams92
Posted by ISpoilHim
Could you put the doors on the long wall instead of the short wall and have more access to the closet? Or perhaps put a second door on the long wall near the back so that you can access the back of the closet?
i wish! one side of the closet is the outside of the house, and the other side of the closet is kitchen cabinets & refrigerator
Honestly I would not put a closet rod. I would line the closet with shelves on 1 side. Since you say it backs up to your kitchen, you could use it as a pantry and just putting shelves on 1 side you would still be able to walk in (although tight) to get to the back. Hanging a closet rod would interfere with the ability to get to the back. Do you really need to use it as a coat closet?
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Posted 2/14/14 10:42 AM |
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jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
Posted by ISpoilHim
Honestly I would not put a closet rod. I would line the closet with shelves on 1 side. Since you say it backs up to your kitchen, you could use it as a pantry and just putting shelves on 1 side you would still be able to walk in (although tight) to get to the back. Hanging a closet rod would interfere with the ability to get to the back. Do you really need to use it as a coat closet?
thats not a bad idea - i never thought of using it as a pantry if we did that we would have no coat closet in the house. our thought since it was right next to the entrance of the house was to make it a coat closet and store our vacuum and other things in it (air conditioners when not in season, etc.)
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Posted 2/14/14 10:59 AM |
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ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name: K
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Re: odd shape closet
Posted by jams92
Posted by ISpoilHim
Honestly I would not put a closet rod. I would line the closet with shelves on 1 side. Since you say it backs up to your kitchen, you could use it as a pantry and just putting shelves on 1 side you would still be able to walk in (although tight) to get to the back. Hanging a closet rod would interfere with the ability to get to the back. Do you really need to use it as a coat closet?
thats not a bad idea - i never thought of using it as a pantry if we did that we would have no coat closet in the house. our thought since it was right next to the entrance of the house was to make it a coat closet and store our vacuum and other things in it (air conditioners when not in season, etc.)
Since the closet is so deep, you could technically put "u" shaped shelves at the back of the closet for pantry, running about 48-56" long. Then towards the front you could have open space for the vacuum. A/C could be stored in the back under the last "u" shelf just make sure they are high enough. If you really need the coat closet, then rather than hanging the rod across the opening, hang it going into the closet. This would be where you could store the vacuum. But, with this configuration, you would have a cluttered entrance and some coats would be hard to access.
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Posted 2/14/14 11:44 AM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
I would put the closet rod against the long 96" wall . You don't have to do one all the way back. Then I would do shelves in the back and the remaining space. Closets only need to be 24-36 inches deep (in this case wide). It might be tight but it will give you the space to hang coats and store some items.
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Posted 2/14/14 12:09 PM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!

Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
Since I've seen this closet in person I'll throw my opinion in...
I'd def put a rod across the top for a coat closest. You'll want a coat closet and the location of the closet in the house makes sense for this usage. Behind that, you can use the space for storage of things you don't need everyday. It's great to stack boxes, old baby toys/clothes etc.
My parents have a similar odd closet in their basement. There is a rod across where they hang clothes. Behind is where they store boxes and other random things they don't need often. It was also where they used to hide our Chanukah gifts when we were children...until my sister and I caught onto them!
ETA: I'm not sure the closet is wide enough to put the rod along the side (long) wall. I think you'd actually lose space that way. It seems like space better utilized the other way, IMO.
Message edited 2/14/2014 12:48:33 PM.
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Posted 2/14/14 12:47 PM |
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HisNoMore
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/10 415 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
How about hanging coat hooks instead of rod (which will give you more space to walk through), and put shelves on the other side?
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Posted 2/14/14 4:31 PM |
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Nik09
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1982 total posts
Name: Nikole
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odd shape closet
What about shelves across one side (for shoes/hats/gloves, sodas etc), row of coat hooks on the opposite wall (instead of the coat rod) and then leave the back for stacking rubbermaid bins/taller items?
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Posted 2/14/14 4:36 PM |
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Nik09
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1982 total posts
Name: Nikole
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odd shape closet
You could even do two rows of coat hooks. One lower for the kids to reach and put away their coats and one above for your coats. (leave a few off the bottom row for longer coats so they don't overlap).
Message edited 2/14/2014 4:42:54 PM.
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Posted 2/14/14 4:41 PM |
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CSK
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 892 total posts
Name:
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odd shape closet
What is on the other side of the back wall? could you split into 2 closets that way?
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Posted 2/14/14 5:52 PM |
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Sweetlax22
LIF Adult

Member since 5/10 1904 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
I had a closet like this growing up, I would do a bar across the front like normal and then store stuff you only need to get to once in a while in the back. Mine was in a bedroom so we stored off season clothes and had a second bar for things like gowns that we did not wear often and sentimental things like communion dresses (I think mine is still in the same spot at my parent's house). I used to call iit the secret closet lol.
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Posted 2/14/14 6:51 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination

Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name: Karen
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Re: odd shape closet
Posted by Nik09
You could even do two rows of coat hooks. One lower for the kids to reach and put away their coats and one above for your coats. (leave a few off the bottom row for longer coats so they don't overlap).
I think this would work great!
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Posted 2/14/14 7:48 PM |
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jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
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odd shape closet
Thanks all - I like the idea of hooks along the wall which would give us space to walk through to the back where we can store other things (ac, vacuum, storage bins). Our other thought was a rolling coat rack so we can move it around easily to get to the back....but I think the good are a better idea
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Posted 2/14/14 7:59 PM |
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2BadSoSad
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6791 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
Posted by HisNoMore
How about hanging coat hooks instead of rod (which will give you more space to walk through), and put shelves on the other side?
this is what I was just going to say, use hooks instead of a rod.
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Posted 2/15/14 12:55 AM |
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EMC11709
LIF Toddler

Member since 3/10 484 total posts
Name: Erica
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Re: odd shape closet
Posted by KarenK122
Posted by Nik09
You could even do two rows of coat hooks. One lower for the kids to reach and put away their coats and one above for your coats. (leave a few off the bottom row for longer coats so they don't overlap).
I think this would work great!
I agree, I think this is a great idea. If the hooks aren't enough for the coats you can always add more hooks to behind the door too.
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Posted 2/17/14 1:32 PM |
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Re: odd shape closet
We have a similar shaped closet except this is where the staircase use to be. I have a bar for coats and on top of the bar, a large shelf board for storage. I also keep my vacuum and such in there.
Actually though, DH is thinking of demo-ing it in our upcoming renovations.
Most of the time I'm not wearing what's stored in there and I can find a new spot for my vacuum.
I'd rather have the extra space since our house is already so tiny.
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Posted 2/17/14 3:34 PM |
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caps612
In love with my little guys!!

Member since 8/10 5108 total posts
Name:
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Re: odd shape closet
If you want to use it as a coat closet, I would put a rod along the small back wall with a shelf over it. Then put a self up high along the long wall and you can put coat hooks on that wall under the shelf also so that you make use of the space but can still walk to the back to get stuff.
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Posted 2/19/14 12:01 PM |
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