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You may need a building permit to add a closet, depending on the size and kind of work required to install it. The most likely scenario requiring a permit involves changing the structure of the house and performing electrical work for closet lighting. A permit can cost between $100 and $450. If you’re installing a smaller reach-in closet, a permit may not be required, but always check with your local municipality and consult a closet designer or builder.

Walk-in closets are always the biggest and can easily be more than 100 square feet. Primary bedroom closets, even if not walk-ins, are the second largest category in most homes and sit between 30 and 80 square feet. Linen closets, utility closets, and built-in closets are smaller and, depending on their usage, tend to be between 10 and 50 square feet.

The main difference between a closet and a wardrobe is that a closet is a separate room for general storage with its own door, and a wardrobe can be either built-in or freestanding place to store clothing. A walk-in or reach-in closet connected to a bedroom often serves the same purpose as a wardrobe by primarily storing clothes and shoes. A built-in wardrobe often does not have doors and leaves clothes exposed to view, whereas a standalone wardrobe usually has doors.

Custom furniture can provide more efficient storage and maximize resources.