How to deal with a house with no closets?

Author: Rosalee Runte  |  Last update: Monday, October 20, 2025

What to Do When Your Home Has No Closets
  1. Go old school with traditional armoires.
  2. Use hooks everywhere.
  3. Build a closet.
  4. Repurpose a room.
  5. Turn a wall into a closet space.
  6. Find space in unexpected places.
  7. Store seasonal items outside the home.
  8. Get a portable closet.

Can you list a house with a bedroom with no closet?

User It is a common MYTH that a closet is required in some areas. The truth is that Realtors have taken it upon themselves to make this a requirement to list a room as a bedroom in some Multiple Listing Services (advertising). There is NO legal basis for this.

Why did old houses have no closets?

In the 19th and 20th centuries, contractors were charged a tax per each room/door in a house. To cut costs, the builders omitted closets.

Does a house have to have a closet?

It is a common misconception that a bedroom must have a closet. However, the legal requirements for a bedroom primarily concern health and safety rather than storage space. While some local markets may require a closet to consider a room a bedroom, most states do not mandate built-in closets.

Can you live without a wardrobe?

It's essential to balance the visibility of items: open storage like shelving for frequently used items and closed storage like baskets for those you prefer out of sight. Living without built-in closets requires creativity, but it's entirely possible.

10 Super Easy Closet Organization Hacks (Tricks That Actually Work!)

What is the 333 rule for wardrobe?

The 333 method is essentially a bite-sized version of a capsule wardrobe. You choose three tops, three bottoms, and three shoes, and challenge yourself to create as many outfit combinations as possible with your selections.

How do you deal with no closets?

How to Organize an Apartment with No Closet: 9 Smart Storage Solutions
  1. Invest in a small vacuum. Dyson. ...
  2. Store your shoes outside. Brinkler CPH. ...
  3. Use every piece of surface area. Apartment Guide. ...
  4. Buy storage bins now. Amazon. ...
  5. Go under the bed. The Container Store. ...
  6. Get hooked. ...
  7. Get a storage ottoman. ...
  8. Build a closet.

Is it illegal to not have a closet in a bedroom?

Have you asked yourself, “Does a bedroom have to have a closet?” Well, according to legal bedroom requirements, a bedroom does not need a closet (or a walk-in) to be considered official (forget the en suite bathroom).

Can you have a room without a closet?

While some local building codes may require a closet for a room to be considered a bedroom, this is not a universal rule. Practically speaking, you can also make a room without a closet work as a bedroom by getting creative with storage solutions.

Can you market a room as a bedroom without a closet?

While a potential buyer may be disappointed to realize one of the listed bedrooms in a home does not have a closet, the absence of a closet doesn't necessarily remove the bedroom from consideration as such.

When did they start putting closets in houses?

In 1880 ground was broken for the Dakota, a luxurious apartment building in New York that featured some of the nation's first reach-in closets specifically designed for clothes.

Why do old houses last longer?

Older homes were typically built solidly and meant to last the test of time, compared to modern homes that may be built with flimsier or less-expensive materials. Homes built before air-conditioning became common often have thicker walls and layouts conducive to cross-breezes and air circulation.

Why did people put drop ceilings in old houses?

The concept was simplicity itself. Using wires, brackets and removable panels, a finished ceiling could be hung, dropped, or suspended below the structural ceiling, concealing all the necessary mess but providing ready access to it when needed.

Should bedrooms have closets?

Officially, a closet is not necessary for the space to be considered a bedroom in for example a housing listing. However, most likely prospective buyers do expect one, especially in new houses.

What does FHA consider a bedroom?

A bedroom is defined as a room that is suitable for sleeping, with at least one window for natural light and ventilation, and a closet or adequate space for clothing storage. Room Count: The property should have enough rooms to meet the needs of the expected number of occupants.

What counts as a room in a house for tax purposes?

Generally, it is agreed that bedrooms, living rooms, dens, kitchens, and dining rooms are counted as rooms. However, if the dining “room” is a space in a larger living room with a table chandelier, it may not count as a separate room.

Can you list a house with a bedroom without a closet?

Some local markets may not consider a room a bedroom without a closet, however, so it's important to know the local code in your area. Technically by national standards, however, a room does not need a closet to be a bedroom.

Is it legal to turn a living room into a bedroom?

There are none, since in most places you cant legally turn a living room into a bedroom. Rental laws that may apply, if any, will be superseded by local zoning laws and building codes which usually prohibit this.

How can I use my bedroom as a closet?

How do I turn my spare bedroom into a functional walk in closet or dressing room?
  1. Clear out any furniture from the spare room.
  2. Add shelving or storage racks along the walls.
  3. Add a mirror to help make the space feel larger and more open.
  4. Keep the area well-lit (artificial light is better than natural light)

What constitutes a legal bedroom in a house?

Room codes and regulations may vary a little from state to state, but for the most part, bedrooms follow the guidelines found in the International Residential Code (IRC). For a room to count as a true bedroom, it must have at least 70 square feet of floor space with a minimum of 7 feet in one direction.

Can a landlord go through your closets?

Landlords are not entitled to go through your unit and belongings at will. They generally must have a valid reason to enter the unit and give you proper notice, unless you gave them permission in advance.

Is it illegal to say walk-in closet?

Obviously statements such as “no wheelchairs” are illegal. However, using phrases such as “great view,” “walk-in closets” or “walk to bus stop” is acceptable.

Why don t old houses have closets?

Understanding the Closet

This kind of closet was indeed rare 200+ years ago for two reasons: 1) People really did not have as many clothes as we do today. 2) People generally stored their clothing in pieces of furniture, such as chests or clothes presses.

Is it a room if it doesn't have a closet?

Instead, as the Commission concluded in its 2006 article, agents should use their common sense and exercise reasonable judgment when determining whether a room is, for listing purposes, a bedroom. The Commission's article specifically notes that the absence of a closet is not a determining factor.

How do I get rid of closet must?

White vinegar, diluted with warm water is a fail-safe method to rid that musty smell in your closet and eradicate lingering odours. Next leave the doors open and the wardrobe empty for a couple of days. This will allow air circulation and the inside to fully dry to prevent dampness or mould growing back.

Previous article
How long does it take a professional painter to paint a bathroom?
Next article
What is the battery life of a electric blower?