In my years of designing and installing custom closet systems, I’ve taken apart quite a few old systems that were no longer serving the needs of my clients. Based on these experiences, I can confidently discourage the use of several different materials that are often used in low-cost or DIY closets. My team uses wood and melamine to create each custom walk-in closet, so that’s what I recommend.
The materials that don’t stand up very well to frequent use that I wouldn’t recommend for a walk-in closet are:
- Wire Shelving
- Plastic Storage Solutions
- Particle Board Closet Components
Let’s learn a bit more about these materials and why they’re not reliable when building a custom walk-in closet.
Wire Shelving
Wire shelving in the closet is affordable and easy to install if it’s sized correctly. This makes it a popular choice for both DIY closet systems and builders’ grade shelving. Unfortunately, it comes with several drawbacks that can make using your closet less convenient.
One is a lack of stability. The open design can allow items to quite literally fall through the cracks! In a walk-in closet, this could lead to buttons or zippers snagging in the spaces and ruining your clothes.
Wire shelves also have a limited weight capacity. It would be fine to place folded t-shirts or a short pile of jeans on a wire shelf, but once you begin stacking your clothing, it could cause the shelves to warp, sag, or even collapse.
You’ll likely encounter difficulty in keeping your wire shelves clean, too. The wires will accumulate dust, and you’ll need to wipe each one in order to remove it.
Finally, wire shelving isn’t aesthetically pleasing. It looks like an inexpensive storage option because it is. If you want an upgraded appearance, wire probably wouldn’t be your first choice.
Plastic Storage Solutions
Another material some people rely on that I wouldn’t recommend is plastic. While it can be an effective short-term solution, there are several issues with using plastic storage bins over the long term.
First, they aren’t very durable. You could use plastic bins to hold lightweight items, but they wouldn’t be effective to hold anything heavy. In addition, plastic tends to become brittle over time and is prone to cracking or breaking.
A big issue in a walk-in closet is the possibility of moisture building up. Closets need to be kept dry in order to reduce the chances of unpleasant odors accumulating. Closed plastic bins tend to become humid, which can lead to condensation. This could cause mildew, mold, and odors. If you’re looking for tips on making your closet smell fresh, check out this article on Fresh Wave.
Finally, if you want a high-end look in your closet system, plastic will generally not be the way to go. It doesn’t have an elegant or sophisticated appearance, and it tends to look like a temporary or cheap storage option.
Particle Board Closet Components
While wood is an excellent option for a closet system, one type you would want to avoid is particle board. This is a lightweight, inexpensive wood-like material that’s made from compressed wood chips. You might be more familiar with the terms “chipboard” or “low-density fiberboard.” These all describe the same material.
The main problems with particle boards are their susceptibility to moisture and their limited weight capacity. If humidity builds up in your closet or if there’s a leak from a nearby bathroom or another water source, it could swell up, warp, or disintegrate.
Particle boards also won’t bear heavy loads; they will tend to sag over time. Not only is this unattractive but it’s also unstable and will result in your clothes and accessories falling and not staying neat and tidy.
Conclusion
When it comes to your walk-in closet, you’ll want to choose high-quality materials that balance affordability, appearance, stain- and scratch-resistance, and durability. At Custom Storage Solutions of NC, we use wood that’s been thermally-coated and checks off all of those boxes. They come in a variety of finishes to match your sense of style. Our shelves can bear loads of up to 100 lbs., and they’ll stand up to typical closet use. They even come with a lifetime warranty; that’s how sure we are that they’ll withstand the test of time. Give me or my team a call to learn more about our materials or to schedule a free in-home consultation.
