A linen closet is a small but essential element in a home, which provides a dedicated space for storing towels, bedding, and other household items. The dimension of a standard linen closet mostly ranges from 24 inches deep, 36 inches to 48 inches wide, and 60 inches to 80 inches high.
Understanding the dimensions helps increase the storage capacity without making the closet look overcrowded. Proper sizing also ensures that the closet fits anywhere, for example, in the hallways, bathrooms, or utility areas. So, this blog will help you understand the size of the closet and shelf dimensions so that you can create a storage space that fits your needs.
Standard Linen Closet Dimension
A standard linen closet is usually 24 inches deep, 36 inches to 48 inches wide, and 60 inches to 80 inches high. Most closets stand around 60 - 80 inches tall, which provides enough vertical space to install multiple shelves for storing towels, bed linens, and other household items. Here are other dimensions to consider -
Shelf Spacing
The spacing between each shelf helps in efficient storage. If you want to store items like folded towels, a height of 10 to 12 inches between shelves is usually enough. Larger items, like comforters or bedding sets, may need slightly more room, somewhere around 12 to 15 inches.
Accessibility
To make your linen closet user-friendly, position the shelf at a height with easy access. If the closet is over 72 inches tall, consider keeping a step stool nearby or using the higher shelves for storing items that are not used frequently.
Door Clearance
When planning your linen closet layout, be sure to factor in the space needed for the door to open comfortably. In smaller areas, bifold doors are a space-saving alternative to traditional hinged doors. This ensures easy access to things in the closet.
Organizational Accessories
Consider incorporating storage solutions like pull-out baskets or bins, as it can help to keep the smaller items neatly arranged and easy to find. However, before adding any storage, measure the dimensions inside the closet. This ensures that any accessories you choose fit well, which also helps make proper use of the available space.
Floor Space
Most people don’t even consider the bottom end of the closet. However, this is the space where most bulky items, such as blankets and pillows, can be accommodated. So, ensure to leave enough floor space to store these items without causing clutter.
What is the Size of an Average Hallway Linen Closet?
Although there are no fixed standards for linen closet dimensions, certain measurements can help you in designing a space that effectively stores all the items.
Door Size
The standard width of the door begins at 28 inches and increases by 2 inches up to 36 inches. The size of the door is important in determining the appropriate width of the linen closet. This is because the closet must be at least as wide as the door to ensure proper installation. You can get custom doors made, but they usually cost more than standard options.
Width
As said earlier, a standard linen closet is 36 to 48 inches wide, which allows side-by-side storage of bed sheets, towels, and other necessities. So, when planning the design, consider the width instead of the size of the shelving.
Height
The height of the closet usually matches the height of the ceiling. Closets are constructed to extend all the way up, with framed walls integrated into the available space. Lowering the height offers no real advantage and can actually make the construction process more challenging. Also, it is impossible to increase the ceiling height, as it would require modifying the joists of the ceiling. Moreover, shelving up high is limited by the door height, which is usually 80 inches.
Depth
Linen closets are usually not very deep. While some are 24 inches deep, others might only reach back 15 inches. The majority of the towels and sheets can fit in this depth. Though more depth means more space, you’ll have to reach farther into the closet to collect items you need. This will restrict the ease of use.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the dimensions of a linen closet. Dimension ensures you have a well-planned linen closet that allows you to store essentials without taking up much space. A linen closet should be deep enough to fit full-sized linens and wide enough to accommodate shelving for storage. However, it is important to ensure that the depth of the closet should not be too much, as it makes accessing things challenging.
