Get matched with top closet pros in Mayville, NY

If you’re on a tight budget, the least expensive material you can buy for DIY closet shelves is chipboard, a.k.a. particle board. This inexpensive material is made from a pulp of sawdust, resin, and glue that’s pressed together under high temperature and pressure. As you can imagine, it’s not very sturdy and might buckle under your blue jean collection, so you should only use it if you’re storing very light items. 

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.

Closet design services include help designing and laying out your closet for maximum utility, visual appeal, and return on investment. Many closet designers can also include the carpentry required to construct your custom closet. You should speak with your designer beforehand to determine what services are included in the estimate, and prepare to lay out additional funds for materials or labor as needed.

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.