Setting Your Budget

Determining a budget for a custom closet or storage project is challenging because there are many variables that determine cost. One project can have a significantly different cost than another based on these variables. Your designer should be able to give you a range of costs for whatever project you are considering. The following provides an overview of all the factors you can consider in designing a project that fits your needs and your budget.

Size

There are multiple considerations regarding size.

Room Size:  The size of the room or space plays a role in the cost. In general, larger spaces provide more potential storage and will have greater cost.

Available Space:  The available space refers to how much of the total room size can be used for the storage system. Room features like windows, doors, vents, outlets, and light switches limit the potential space that can utilized for the system.

System Size:  All dimensions, including height, width and depth, determine the potential storage capacity and larger dimensions increase cost. A custom closet, for example, can be built all the way to the ceiling, which will cost more than one which extends only half way up the wall.  Depth is another size variable to understand. While 14” is the industry standard for shelving and hanging spaces in a closet, some companies only use 12” deep shelving which reduces the cost and capacity. On the other hand, some spaces, like a pantry, may allow much deeper shelving, even up to 24”, to provide greater capacity and storage for bulk items.

Structure

How the system is built influences the cost. Well-built systems with great strength cost more than poorly-built ones that compromise on strength. Durable, high quality hardware also makes a difference in how well the design stands up over time, and that added quality can cost more.

There are two ways to build a system.  One is to have a floor standing system in which the side support materials go to the floor. The other is a wall mounted system in which the materials hang from a rail or cleat on the wall. Both approaches have advantages, so one isn’t better than the other. But a floor mount system will cost a bit more because there is more material used in building one.

Features

Once the structure is determined, the design will have many features that you choose. Just like the features and options on a car, these add cost to the “base model.” The most common choices include:

• Accessories like tie racks, pant racks, hooks, dividers
• Doors and Drawers
• Countertops
• Islands
• Baskets and hampers
• Soft close doors and drawers

Adding more features provides more function in your custom storage project, but it also adds cost.

Aesthetic/Style

The visual design choices can make the biggest difference between the cost of one project and another. The selections which make the system visually distinctive can add significant cost and value to your design. The primary aesthetic choices include:

• Material (melamine or wood veneer)
• Color/Finishes/Textures
• Trim
• Decorative styles on doors and drawers (e.g. shaker, raised panel, glass)
• Decorative hardware like handles, knobs, wardrobe rods

Given all the design options and inputs, it’s easy to see how different designs for a room can have widely varying costs. In working with your designer, they will be able to help you make the right choices to ensure you get the capacity, function, and aesthetics you want in a way that works with your budget.