Edmonton home buyers want walk-in closets as standard features

Once upon a time, a walk-in closet was the hallmark of a luxury home in Edmonton. As part of a master ensuite or its own space with a window, walk-in closets provide that much needed his-and-hers space.   They were the envy of many, an amenity for Hollywood stars.  But now, an organized closet with room for shoes is pretty much normal.

This popularity for walk-in closets has almost developed overnight thanks to Social Media and speciality cable channels. Think of Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe collection in Sex in the City or Mariah Carey’s ultra-decadent closet in the MTV show Cribs. Design-inspired apps and websites especially Pinterest have really pushed the practical aspects of huge closets.

It’s funny to think that the clothes hanger wasn’t even invented in 1870 and home builders didn’t even start including decent sized closets in houses until after World War II.

There was a study conducted in 2015 by Avid Ratings, a Canadian firm, in conjunction with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA).  The findings suggested that 68% of participants pinpointed the walk-in closet as essential to any home purchase.

Avenue Magazine talked to a California Closet location in Edmonton about this new trend and discovered that an organized closet translated into peace of mind – or organization in your head.  Having space for all of your important items and having it all organized. That could be clothing or it could be 500 pairs of shoes.

Space for the walk-in closet is one thing – it’s easy to incorporate an extra 100 square feet or so into a home design.  It’s the make-up of the closet – where the hanging rods are, where shelves for shoes are or the number, size and style of drawers are that are important.  The function of the closet is important which is good news for those who are living in an older home, with no additional space for a walk-in.  Companies in Edmonton like California Closets are able to provide functionality to smaller spaces.

So, when retrofitting an existing closet, which some designers are calling storage-space redesigns, many jobs are custom jobs because not everyone is about clothes and shoes for their closets.  Bev Krawchuk of Edmonton, a designer with Top Shelf Closets & Glass, told Avenue magazine that 9 out of every 10 customers need a closet solution that is unique and out of the ordinary.

One of the key request is that a redesign allows for flexibility, with shelves that can be moved, racks that be expanded or contracted as required.  Spaces that will accommodate or hide out of season clothing and footwear.  These types of requests have allowed closet designers to become very innovative.

• If you’re not planning on moving to a new home in Edmonton and you aren’t prepared to turn that third bedroom into a giant walk-in closet, there are other things you can do to rethink the space you have now, accommodate specialty items and double or triple your storage capacity.
• Think about your stuff:  Are you an accessories person?  Plan the right type of space that you might require.  Install drawers that aren’t terrible deep and are lined with velvet so you can lay out jewellery pieces rather than have them in a cramped jewellery box.  Add a belt rack or a rack for ties and scarves.
• Double hang your clothes:  Go vertical and get rid of that shelf above your rod. Hang shirts above slacks and skirts.  That way you might free up space for slanted shoe racks, drawers or shelves for sweaters – maybe space for a laundry basket.

If you’re shopping for a new home and big walk-in closets are on your must-have list, talk to your real estate professional to ensure the right homes are on your viewing list.