Home Organizing Closets Deck Out Your Storage Space With These Closet Design Companies The Container Store is our top pick for its customizable storage solutions. By Natalia M. Pérez-Gonzalez Natalia M. Pérez-Gonzalez Natalia Perez-Gonzalez is a magazine journalist and freelance writer, and has specialized in stories on identity, women’s health, and wellness for the past 3 years. Her has written for outlets such as Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, Bustle, Elite Daily, and POPSUGAR among others. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 13, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Kostikova / Getty Images When mapping out a custom closet, the ideal designs result in maximum functionality—streamlining items, regulating cluttered spaces, and improving their overall appearance. The best closet design companies offer these features, providing you with a variety of storage plans that work for small reach-in closets to larger walk-ins. Additionally, most of these services will also provide complimentary consultations to help you visualize the closet of your dreams. Full-service closet design companies will handle the process from design to installation, with some offering access to virtual design tools to help see how everything will fit together. On the other hand, some closet design companies let customers select specific components such as drawers and rails, and allow them to install their new closet with easy-to-follow instructions. Whether you’re a DIY-er or prefer to have a professional install your new closet, there are a variety of closet design companies that work for various budget points, have multiple customization options, and offer nationwide consultations. To help narrow down your search, we researched the top closet design services that excel in categories such as sustainability, quality, price, and more. Prepare to take your storage space to the next level when you select one of these closet design companies. Our Top Picks Best Overall: The Container Store Best Splurge: California Closets Best for Sustainability: Closet Factory Best for DIY: EasyClosets Best for Customization: Closets By Design Best Layout Variety: Inspired Closets Best Overall: The Container Store The Container Store Learn More Key Specs Free Consultations? YesVirtual Sessions? Yes Room Limitations? No Pros & Cons Pros Four customizable closet systems to choose from Offers a DIY closet system option Offers in-store and virtual design consultations Customer service can be reached 24/7 by phone, online chat, or email Cons Full-service installation will cost extra if you aren’t near a store location Why We Chose It Whether you’re looking to organize your clothes, office supplies, or pantry items, The Container Store offers a variety of cohesive and cost-effective solutions that make it our top pick for best closet design company. The service allows you to select from four closet organization systems—Elfa Classic, Elfa Decor, Avera, and Preston—which each come with their own specialties. The Elfa collections are beloved among users for their affordability and DIY installations. This system is simple enough for a handy homeowner to install, and easy to move in the future. Avera and Preston offer more expensive built-in looks, along with premium finishes and features—though you’ll need professional measurements and installation. No matter which system you choose, you can customize your design to include features like wire and solid shelves, accessory trays, and more. Depending on the package and features chosen, prices can range from $900 to $12,500. The price range can be daunting, but during your free consultation your in-store designer will give you an accurate quote for the entire project. Bear in mind though that if you want professional installation services, and you live more than 25 miles away from a Container Store, you will have to pay a little extra for your new closet. Best Splurge: California Closets California Closets Learn More Key Specs Free Consultations? Yes Virtual Sessions? YesRoom Limitations? Yes (complete kitchens and bathrooms) Pros & Cons Pros Offers a variety of high quality finishes and materials Choose from custom or pre-layout closet systems Offers pricing guidelines custom-designed to fit your budget All closet designs are backed by a limited lifetime warranty Cons After designs are complete, installation takes about 4-6 weeks Why We Chose It While California Closets is the priciest closet design company on our list, the service is best known for creating custom closets with premium natural or painted finishes, and sustainably sourced wood. Purchasing from California Closets is an investment, with custom closets ranging from $175 to $1,800 per foot. However, every closet is backed by a limited lifetime warranty that lasts for as long as you reside in your home. For custom closet layouts, the process typically starts with a complimentary in-home design consultation. A design professional will measure your space, take inventory of your belongings, and make note of your needs and vision. Then, they’ll create a virtual 3D model of your custom closet, showing you the look and function of your space. During this process, you’ll be able to make changes until the design is exactly what you want, including adjusting your finishes, accents, accessories, and lighting. Once the closet system has been manufactured, California Closets will send a qualified installer to your home to turn your concept into a reality. The entire process, from initial consultation to installation, takes about four to six weeks. While this full-service installation does take a little time, the end result is certainly worth the wait. Best for Sustainability: Closet Factory Closet Factory Learn More Key Specs Free Consultations? YesVirtual Sessions? YesRoom Limitations? No Pros & Cons Pros Uses recycled and sustainably sourced materials for closet designs Manufacturing practices are compliant with California Air Resource Board standards Wide range of style options from contemporary to eclectic Quick delivery and installation times as soon as 10 days Cons Some services are limited to specific states Why We Chose It For the eco-conscious, Closet Factory is a sustainable closet design company that offers a wide range of elements, colors, and accessories to experiment with. Closet Factory sets itself apart with its high standards for environmental responsibility, using recycled wood and materials that are compliant with regulations from the California Air Resources Board. You won’t sacrifice quality either when using these sustainability sourced materials, as the service offers an exceptional range of colors, stains, and finishes for your final design. Once you schedule a free consultation, a Closet Factory designer provides you with key closet organization ideas to match your storage needs. You’ll chat about your top organizational goals—whether it’s needing more hanging space or shelves. After measuring your space and taking inventory of your closet items, you’ll work together to develop an organizational design, select colors, and add accessories. Closet Factory’s range of materials includes normal and textured melamine, along with painted, glazed, and stained woods. If you choose to go with wooden material, the service offers custom stains in a variety of species—from cherry to oak—in colors like white, natural, red or gray hues. In addition to these stylish finishes, you can also select a number of accessories that best fit your organizational needs such as belt racks, valet rods, jewelry drawers, and more. Sadly, nationwide availability for this company is limited to a select number of states, so be sure to check the company’s website to see if you have a location near you. Best for DIY: EasyClosets Easy Closets Learn More Key Specs Free Consultations? YesVirtual Sessions? NoRoom Limitations? No Pros & Cons Pros Offers free online software to help visualize your closet concept Can tap in a designer if you need help with your concept Closets are covered by a limited lifetime warranty Free shipping for orders over $400 Cons Installation requires tools and proficiency with home improvement projects Why We Chose It If you’re looking to lead a closet design project on your own, EasyClosets provides many tools for you to do so, including a single closet system and online design tool. The DIY-friendly closet design company equips you with the components to fit your closet dimensions, and then ships it to you cut-to-size and pre-drilled for efficient self-installation. While the final steps for this service are mostly DIY, you do have the option to design your closet yourself, or work with a professional on a free design plan. To start, the online design tool prompts you to write in your closet dimensions, choose door styles and finishes, and arrange any additional components as you wish. The price calculator updates as you make your selections, so you can keep track of the cost of your custom closet as you make your design choices. While EasyClosets provides buyers with detailed instructions for how to assemble their new closet, it may prove challenging for those not proficient in home improvement projects. The service recommends that buyers have a tape measure, level, drill, screwdriver, and hacksaw on hand to make installation a breeze. However, even those who aren’t the most design-savvy can still reach out to the company’s customer service line via phone if they need extra help. Best for Customization: Closets By Design Closets By Design Learn More Key Specs Free Consultations? YesVirtual Sessions? NoRoom Limitations? No Pros & Cons Pros Four customizable design collections to match your style and budget Can customize your closet to have security drawers, belt racks, and more Full-service options available for any size closet Offers free in-home consultations Cons Pricing details for services are vague Lacks online design tool to help visualize your closet Why We Chose It From a reach-in closet with adjustable shelving, to a walk-in boutique closet with crown molding, Closets by Design’s team of designers can help you fully customize and install your dream storage space. The company offers four collections—Everyday, Classic, Regency, and Bri—each with its own standard finishes, components, and options to upgrade. Once you have a vision for your space, Closets by Design offers a list of features you can add for an extra cost, such as half-overlay deco doors and velvet jewelry drawers. Though Closet by Design doesn’t offer an online design tool to help you visualize your customizations, it does allow you to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation. During this consultation, your assigned designer will help you come up with the perfect organization system no matter your closet size. Do note though that your total cost will vary depending on whether or not you add tilt-out hampers, extravagant islands, and other major features to your closet. Best Layout Variety: Inspired Closets Inspired Closets Learn More Key Specs Free Consultations? YesVirtual Sessions? YesRoom Limitations? No Pros & Cons Pros Offers several closet design options for different budgets Installation can be completed within one day Provides recommendations for layout, color, and finishes Offers 3D renderings of closet design Cons Customer service is limited to an online form Why We Chose It For those who don’t want to customize a closet, Inspired Closets has a sizable lookbook of prearranged layouts to choose from, ranging from kids' reach-ins to boutique walk-ins. Components such as drawers and shelves are already taken into account—all you need to think about are color schemes and finishes. Each layout boasts different features, but the three consistent elements you’ll have in whichever closet you choose include a shoe shrine, a place to store your jewelry, and shaker drawer fronts. To get started, you can schedule a free in-home or virtual design consultation. Alternatively, you could meet a designer in person at one of the company’s showrooms that are available in a number of states. When you meet with your designer, they’ll show you samples of hardware and finishes, and provide you with an idea lookbook. During these sessions, you can make customization choices on layout and added features, and receive a 3D rendering of your design. Reach-in closet configurations start at about $1,000, while extravagant walk-in closets—complete with integrated lighting, wardrobe mirrors, an island, and more—can cost $10,000 or more. Although this range is vast, your designer will give you an accurate estimate during your consultation so there aren’t any surprises. Though we should note that if you have any questions or are in need of customer service, the only way to contact a representative is through an online form on the company’s website. Final Verdict If you’re looking for the most effective way to optimize your closet, work space, garage, or pantry, The Container Store offers a variety of storage solutions that make it our top pick for best closet design company. Many closet companies either allow buyers to choose from pre-arranged layouts or completely customize their designs. But, The Container Store allows buyers to do both thanks to its four customizable closet organization layouts. With a $900 starting price for smaller reach-ins (depending on the package and features chosen), you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to build a closet that suits your lifestyle needs on a budget. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the Average Cost of Designing a Closet? When it comes to bringing your dream closet to life, the total cost of your design will fluctuate depending on how large your closet is, and how many features you plan on incorporating. However, the cost of a custom closet can range anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. While some companies like EasyClosets have online tools that track your total cost as you build your design, you’ll likely need to discuss a price estimate with a designer during a consultation if you want an exact number. Will Redesigning My Closet Give Me More Storage Space? Whether you’re enhancing a small reach-in or a huge walk-in, redesigning your closet will net you more storage space if that’s your priority. It can be challenging to come up with effective ideas on our own, which is why companies like The Container Store have pre-arranged layouts that can be customized to suit your closet size. If you feel you don’t want to be restricted by a layout, there are companies like Closets by Design that will help you come up with a fully customized closet. Methodology We researched multiple closet design companies to ascertain which brands offered multiple layouts, comprehensive package deals, accessible prices, and customization options. Any services that had transparent pricing without any hidden or extra fees, and multiple methods of contacting customer service received extra points during our scoring phase. Any companies that also offered free consultations and virtual sessions superseded other competing services. Closet design brands that excelled in specific categories were given their respective superlatives on this list. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit