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Good closet design starts with an inventory, not a catalogue. Group what you own into long garments, short garments, folded clothes, shoes, accessories and seasonal items, then give each group a zone at the height where it will be used. The designer also notes what the room imposes: out-of-plumb walls, baseboards, windows, a sloped ceiling, an attic hatch or a heating grille that must stay clear.

A dark closet is a closet that doesn't get used well, especially a deep walk-in or a corner unit. Options include a ceiling fixture, lights built into shelves or hanging rods, and switches triggered by motion or by opening the door. Battery-powered and plug-in lights need no wiring, but any new fixture, switch, outlet or circuit must be installed by a licensed electrician, who will choose a fixture type and position suited to a space where clothing and boxes sit close to the light.

In Quebec, electrical work done for others is reserved for electrical contractors holding a licence issued through the Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec. Elsewhere, the rules vary by province, and the electrician looks after any permit or inspection the work requires. The closet installer should plan the lighting with the electrician before the panels go up, so wires can be run and boxes placed where the design needs them.

A loaded closet system is heavy: panels, full shelves, winter coats and a stack of drawers add up quickly. Wall-hung systems rely on a rail or cleat screwed into the studs, and floor-standing units still need to be tied to the wall. For furniture in general, Health Canada advises using anti-tip devices such as angle braces or safety straps, securing them to a wall stud or with heavy-duty drywall anchors made for that type of furniture, and placing heavier items in lower drawers so the unit doesn't become top-heavy.

In winter, the entry closet deals with snowy boots, wet mitts, road salt and several layers of outerwear per person. A standard closet with one rod and a shelf isn't built for that, and damp gear shut in a closed, unventilated space dries slowly, can smell and can encourage mould.

Well-planned storage is something buyers notice, especially a walk-in in the main bedroom and a practical entry closet. A layout built tightly around one person's collection, though, can look like work to undo.