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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.

If you have a bathroom closet with movable shelves, you can place them at virtually any spacing that works for you. Useful measurements between shelves in the working, or middle, section can be 10 to 16 inches for towels or linens. Lower or higher shelving could be up to 24 inches between shelves to store lesser-used or bulky items or boxes. 

Different types of closets are defined mostly by size. A few different types of closets include:

• A reach-in closet is a smaller closet that you can stand in front of and reach everything inside it. Aside from the size, the doors and the level of drywall finish are typically the largest price factors.  

• A walk-in closet can be anything from a small 5-by-5 feet closet that has a narrow walkway with shelves on both sides to a 100 square foot bedroom-sized closet with shelving along the walls and plenty of room to move around in.

• A built-in wardrobe often does not have a door and leaves the clothes and other contents open to the room, whereas a closet usually has a door to separate it from the rest of the room.

On average, building a custom or built-in closet costs around $2,100. However, the total price can range from as little as $500 for a simple DIY project to $6,000 or more for a large, high-end custom closet. Most projects typically fall between $1,500 and $5,000.

The final cost depends on several factors, including the closet's size, type, materials, and features. Here is a general cost breakdown by closet type:

• Reach-in closet: $500 to $1,500

• Walk-in closet: $750 to $5,000

• Wardrobe: $2,000 to $6,000 or more

Choosing a prefabricated closet system is generally less expensive than a fully custom build. The scope of design and construction services will also significantly impact the price.