Get matched with top closet pros in Pembina, ND

You can budget a little less money for how to build a closet with wire shelves than with wood shelves. Some people don’t like the aesthetics that wire shelves provide, though, meaning they’ll gladly spend a little more to add wood shelves to the build. If you decide to buy pre-made wire shelves instead of building custom-sized wood shelves, you’ll be restricted in the closet shelving dimensions you can use.

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 differences between a built-in closet and a walk-in aren’t that different from a built-in wardrobe and a walk-in closet. It’s fairly simple—a walk-in closet is a closet you can physically enter, stand in, and walk around in. A built-in (whether wardrobe or closet) is more akin to covered shelves installed into a recess in the wall. Another big difference is walk-in closets almost always have traditional full-size doors, while built-ins either have no doors or use sliding doors.

Plywood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), and solid wood are all popular options for closet shelving. Plywood and solid wood are sturdy and ideal for extended shelves or heavy items. MDF is a budget-friendly choice for light to moderate storage, but it can sag under heavy weight if not adequately supported. Wire shelving is another alternative that allows airflow, making it especially useful in humid spaces such as laundry rooms or basements.