Walk-in closets are more of a luxury feature to have in a home. Since the shape of walk-in closet is such that it covers most part of the walls around. Light fixtures are commonly used to get lighting in walk-in closet. But light fixtures are not the only way to get light in walk-in closet.
Yes, having a window in walk-in closet not only helps to regulate the moisture levels but also floods the closet with natural daylight white light which gives accurate perception of the colors of clothes.
Also if the size of walk in closet is big (>60 sqft) then it will require proper ventilation as well. Having a window in such walk in closets can provide free ventilation without the requirement of an air conditioner.
How many windows are required for walk-in wardrobe ?
For most walk-in closet, only a single window with two openings on one of the walls is sufficient to get lighting. In a walk in closet with two closets arranged either in an L shaped arrangement or in a parallel arrangement a total of 2 windows one on each wall opposite to closet can be used.
A single window can have either 2, 3 or 4 openings. The wider the window is the more should be te number of openings in a particular window.
For a window 2′ and 3’wide two openings are sufficient. Whereas large windows which are 4′ wide a total of 3 openings provides symmetrical look and for windows with width 5′ and above 4 openings can look better.
Where to put window in walk in closet ?
In a linear walk-in closet, the window should always be installed on the wall opposite to wardrobe.
Whereas if there are only two closets facing each other then the best place for a window is on the wall that is perpendicular to both the closets.
There are walk-in wardrobes with double closets in which the closets are placed perpendicular to each other. In such a setting, the window should be placed on the wall that is close to the longer side of closet. i.e
Whereas if there are 3 closets in a walk in closet then the best placement for a window would be on the wall that is blank.
Avoid installing window within the closet as the entry and spread of light over the clothes is minimized due to all the closeting surrounding the window.
How high from the floor should window be placed in walk-in-closet ?
The windows in walk in closet should be placed at a height of 3.5 feet from the floor.
Placing the window at this height will ensure that light from window falls both on the clothes hanging on rod at a height of 66″ from floor as well as on the bottom parts of the closet where shoes are kept.
Placing the window higher sure will cast more light on the upper parts of the closet but as a result the bottom parts may remain left dark.
What size window for walk in closet ?
| walk in closet size | window size for single closet | window size for double closet |
|---|---|---|
| 4′ x 4′ | 1.8′ width x 3′ height | 1.5′ width x 3′ height |
| 4′ x 6′ | 2′ width x 3.3′ height | 2′ width x 3′ height |
| 5′ x 7′ | 2.3′ width x 3′ height | 1.6′ width x 3′ height |
| 7′ x 7′ | 2.5′ width x 3′ height | 2.5′ width x 3′ height |
| 7′ x 10 ‘ | 4′ width x 3′ height | 2.5′ width x 3′ height |
| 10′ x 10′ | 4.’ width x 3.5′ height | 4.5′ width x 3.5′ height |
| 5′ x 12′ | 5.5′ width x 3.5′ height | 2′ width x 3′ height |
How much light enters in walk in closet directly depends upon the size of window. Generally to get a decent amount of light window of length 4ft and width 4 ft is enough.
However, in small walk-in closets with a sqft area 50 or less, there may not be much space on the walls. In that case the width of window should be half the vertical length of wall and the height of window should be 3 ft.
Blinds or curtains for window in walk in closet?
In a walk-in closet the window size is compact compared to any other room. For such windows, blinds should be used instead of curtains.
Installing a curtain over a small window does not look appealing. Curtains look great only when they cover the entire wall. Thus when the vertical length of the wall on which window is placed is less than 5 feet, curtains should be used over the window.
For walk in closet with vertical length of window wall >6ft, curtains should be preferred over blinds.
Both blinds as well as curtains provides good privacy as well as ambient noise absorption.
Should window knob/handle and closet doors match?
The knob/handle of the window firstly should match with the color of window. For matching, the color of knob and of window need not to be exactly similar rather a mix of complementary color scheme can be used.
For the window and walk in closet to coordinate, the coloring of window and that of closet doors should be harmonious. If the closet and window are in harmonious colors then it becomes much more easier to match the window knob or handle with the closet doors.
Certain colors look good when they are placed next to each other. They are called complementary colors. Interior designers make use of complementary colors to create a striking ambiance.
In places like a walk-in wardrobe where the ambiance is rather relaxing, color combinations that follows a similar shade with a slight variation should be preferred.
Should window in walk-in closet open in or out?
In compact walk-in closets for a better space management it is a good practice to open windows outwards. Whereas for average size walk-in closets the windows should always open inwards towards the closet.
Also there are certain codes which decides whether the window should open inside or outside. For example, in some areas of UK, there are window codes which states that all the windows upstairs mus open inside for easy cleaning whereas all the windows downstairs can be opened outwards.
Hence, always check for the exact codes made by a particular state on windows before its placement.
Are light fixtures also required along with window during day?
During daytime, the light coming in from the window is bright enough to illuminate the walk in closet provided the window is placed on the correct wall based on the closet positioning.
The light from the window acts as wave and spreads to all directions within the walk in closet.
However, light sources are required during night time. Also if the neighborhood is not appropriate for a window, having light sources in a walk in closet is a good practice.
