Custom Closet Design Ideas for a Functional, Organized Home

There are two types of people. There are people who love organizing their closets, people who love a clean pantry and can’t concentrate until their desks are empty, and people who have yet to experience the satisfaction of a truly organized space. Because once you know what it feels like to have a place for everything, there’s no going back.

I’ll be honest, I’m biased. There’s a reason we named our weekly newsletter breathing space. I crave an environment that feels open and organized. And I learned that clarity at home often leads to clarity of mind. When we started planning our beach house renovation, thoughtful organization wasn’t an afterthought, it was fundamental.

We knew this project would come with unique challenges, from maximizing square footage to creating flow in high-traffic areas. That’s why I wanted it from the beginning california closet By my side. We have partnered with them on several spaces in Austin’s home, from the pantry to the children’s closets, and I trust their team to translate my vision into a space that is not only beautiful but highly functional. We teamed up with designer Catherine from California Closets Los Angeles to approach each space not just as storage, but as an opportunity to design how your home will function and feel.

Today I’m going to share exactly how I planned out four key areas:

• laundry room
• mudroom + garage
• Main closet + vanity
• phoebe’s closet

Let’s dive in.

Designing how we actually live

Before talking about finishes and furniture layouts, Catherine and I discussed routines and rhythms. Because at the end of the day, these spaces need to support the daily changes that are a big part of our lives. We also discussed seemingly trivial points such as:

• Where does the beach bag land?
• Where are the golf clubs stacked?
• How do you want to feel while getting ready in the morning?

Beach life comes with an unavoidable reality: sand. When I first stayed in my original home, I found myself vacuuming the entire house every day because I literally felt a crunchy sensation under my bare feet. Towels and beach bags fell inside and within hours sand had moved throughout the house. So, as an opportunity to start fresh, we designed for it.

This friction led us to locate the mudroom in the garage. This provides a buffer zone with hooks for beach bags, a washer/dryer for towels, and an outdoor shower to wash off sandy feet before heading inside.

Everything will run more smoothly if you design for your real life instead of your “ideal life.”

Another factor to consider: The whole family plays golf now. I love it, but I also need golf equipment. Anywhere. So he created intentional storage spaces in his garage and mudroom for clubs, shoes, gloves, and hats so he wouldn’t have to rush out the door at the last minute.

Even small daily rituals shaped our plans. I love picking out jewelry as part of getting ready, so my jewelry drawer is built right next to my vanity. Taking it off at night becomes a ritual that goes hand in hand with skin care.

One of my favorite hidden details?In the laundry room, we built a hidden cabinet for Clem’s bathroom. It has a small opening for Clem to climb through and a push latch for easy access when cleaning.

From inspiration to intention

While function drives design, inspiration drives materials and visual details. What I created is Pinterest board We have divided each space into its own section.

My visual inspiration centered around natural wood tones, matte finishes, warm integrated lighting, minimal hardware, and plenty of space.

I ended up at California Closet. Quiet glove finish—natural wood grain with texture and character—combined with soft matte white accents. pigeon. The overall palette is consistent with the beach house’s broader Japandi aesthetic, with soft Roman clay walls and natural wood floors.

In the main closet, Moroccan clay zellige tiles lead directly from the bathroom to the closet, creating a warm, rustic, and cohesive feel. One thing I intentionally tried to avoid was too many open shelves. In homes with small footprints, sealed cabinets can be a lifesaver. I wanted these rooms to hold and confine real life, rather than display it.

Translate our vision into 3D renderings

Watching everything come to life with California Closets’ proprietary CAD tools was the most exciting part of the process.

Rendering allowed me to adjust details that would be frustrating later. Shelf heights have changed and drawer configurations have changed. We adjusted the height of the hanging rods while discussing exactly what we were going to put where.

One of the problems with our Austin closet is that the drawers are so shallow that they barely fit anything. This time I was very intentional about depth and proportions. Catherine taught us configurations that maximize storage without sacrificing space.

She also suggested truck storage for bikes, skateboards, and tools in the garage. This was something I hadn’t thought of, but it made the space exponentially more functional.

What I appreciate is how Catherine thinks about the flow of a room, the proportions, and the way a room should be. feelwhich resulted in a solution that went far beyond shelving and I never would have thought of on my own.

Laundry room: Design with flow in mind

Our previous beach house didn’t even have a real laundry room. There was a washer and dryer when you entered the front door. It’s right there. There was no storage or folding space, so it always looked cluttered.

I usually fold everything in the laundry room, so I needed plenty of countertop and hanging space to work efficiently. The stacked washer and dryer are recessed so that they are flush with the countertop (I actually pushed the wall back a bit to achieve this). It’s a small detail, but visually it’s very impactful.

The upper cabinet extends to the ceiling and can store platters and entertaining items. There is a tall closet for storing brooms and cleaning supplies. A space to hang delicate works of art. One hidden basket for arranging flowers and branches and a sink. It is compact but highly efficient.

Mudrooms and Garages: Creating a Functional Drop Zone

This space is designed to collect clutter before it reaches your home. There are closed cabinets, drawers, hooks, a bench seat for taking off shoes and wetsuits, a tall cabinet for golf clubs, and even space to hang out-of-season coats and dresses that don’t fit in the small main closet.

Because the closet’s main footprint is small, strategically using this mudroom gives you flexibility elsewhere. The goal here was not perfection. The idea was to have a visually pleasing space that could accommodate the essential elements of life (but the things you don’t want to see every day).

Main closet + vanity: the space that sets the mood

Our main closet has a small footprint, so I was surprised at how much hanging and drawer space I could fit here. I was also surprised by the dressing table where I get ready every morning. Katherine helped me arrange the cabinets around all sides of the walk-in closet. In the center is an integrated vanity built into one wall below an LED mirror.

There’s a mix of double hangings, long hangings, drawers and hidden storage, all purposefully placed. Integrated warm lighting illuminates the hanging section, and LED mirrors provide bright, clear light for your makeup.

The closet is accessed through an open arch in the first bath, so it has to be as beautiful as it is functional. We wanted you to spend your morning slowly, leisurely, and purposefully, so we created a design that makes your clothes look neat and makes you enjoy the process of choosing clothes. A well-designed closet can really set the tone for the day.

Phoebe’s Closet: Designed to Grow with Her

True story: This space almost turned into a DIY project, but I’m so glad it didn’t. To save money, I started piecing together components from major retailers. However, this room was extremely awkward due to the washer/dryer being recessed and the mechanical unit being on the other side, making the room an unusual shape.

By the time I estimated everything, I realized I would be spending about the same amount on a disjointed, piecemeal solution.

So I called California Closets and added this space to their plans at the last minute. Featuring Quiet Grove drawer fronts with gold hardware, mixed hangings, drawers, and a selection of open shelving. Phoebe went over the plan with me and chose what to show and what to hide. It was special designing together and she was so excited about her new closet.

My takeaway is that trying to save money can lead to stress, compromise, and end up costing you more money in the long run.

Make space for what’s important

California Closets also understands that high-traffic, high-touch spaces shape how a home functions. I have learned from experience that quality really matters. Precise construction, thoughtful proportions and durable materials are key, as is a designer who considers flow rather than just square footage.

If the system is properly structured, there will be less friction in daily life. There’s less visual noise and less hecticity. That’s all. It’s about creating a home that supports our rhythms.

After all, I like things to be organized, but I also want room solutions that strive for beauty and order. Because when your space is clutter-free, your life feels brighter, freer, and you have more space for what’s really important.

Look out for more to come as these spaces are reborn.