Closets: Time to steal an idea!
June 2026
The closet is getting to be just as important as a kitchen in terms of working for you. But I say the closet is just another “space” in your home, so use your Universal Design (UD) principles and age-friendly features. The difference is what works best for you. You should be very familiar with what constitutes a UD feature. Is there enough turning space, are items easy to obtain and see? Is it intuitive and easy to use? We have seen the use of pull outs, pull downs, drawers and great lighting in other spaces. These UD features work well in any space including a closet!
This closet has multiple options for you to store items, by hanging or placing on a shelf. Good UD!
Optimum UD for Closets:
Adjustable shelves, drawers, or hanging space.
Spot to sit.
Lighting
Variety of drawers and hanging spaces.
Adequate turning radius.
Work space or counter at 40” height.
Clothes hamper, capacity to roll and easy to use.
Use UD and age friendly features to make this space work for all ages. This closet system can be tailored to your needs and modified when your needs change. I find the ELFA product at the Container store has just about anything I might need and so versatile in color and function that it works well for most closets and individuals.
Adjustable ELFA closet pole with built in lighting. Great UD!
You can never have enough adjustable pull out drawers!
Love the different depths of the ELFA drawers. The mesh allows you to visually see items easily in the drawers.
Think about using kitchen solutions in a closet. Drawers are just one solution. Tight corners could have a lazy susan for shoes stored in a vertical fashion.
Spice racks and a lazy susan can hold medicines as well. Note: we should not store medicines in a bathroom due to moisture and heat. A closet might be a better solution!
Good design will function well in a variety of spaces.
Adjustible ELFA shelves with closet pole and built in lighting. Love the UD.
Pull out shoe holder. They snuck in a pull out clothes hamper below the shoes. Notice the work surface above the 4 drawer cabinet. Work surface, sounds like a kitchen idea! Everyone benefits from a small counter or work space in a closet to place “stuff” that you use regularly!
A Pull down closet pole for a hard to reach area in the closet.
This is good UD design. You could also use it in a laundry room!
I did dream about a closet with an automatic clothes moving conveyor belt as in a dry cleaners shop. At the touch of a button your clothes magically move to you!! Is that too much???
This closet is narrow but we still had space for the ottoman. Everyone needs a place to sit and put on clothes or shoes.
Making small changes to accommodate us as we age in particular can make a big difference in our safety, comfort and independence.
I have seen people use grab bars in closets. If a person wants a grab bar for safety and comfort, use it even in a closet!
Whether it drawers, a corner lazy susan, a work surface, an ottoman, a pull down closet pole, or a grab bar, go ahead and STEAL ideas that work for you in other areas of your home for the closet. If it works in the kitchen it will probably work in a bathroom, laundry and YOUR closet.
Yes, it’s OK to Steal!
What’s your favorite closet feature???
