Designer Closets Are a Dream Come True

For those of you who were devotees to Sex in the City, when Big had the most magnificent closet ever installed in that fabulous penthouse in Manhattan, every woman I know gasped in straight up envy. Large, walk-in closets have become more and more popular in the past few years. In fact, many newer master bedrooms have closets that are almost as big as another bedroom. These closets frequently have space for all your clothes—hanging and folded—shoes and even jewelry. While closets used to be an afterthought, they have now started to become one of the most important rooms in a home.

With all this extra space, designers and homeowners have started to come up with some crazy decorating trends that center around the closet. 1. Wine fridge. In many upscale homes, the master bedroom's closet has become the female equivalent of a man cave. In the closet you can find a full vanity with a makeup area as well as plenty of storage for clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses and more. In addition to all this, some closets even include a wine fridge for a get-dressed cocktail!

2. Upscale hardware. Many newer closets include gold, silver or brass cabinet hardware and/or accessories.

3. Bright colors. With the expansion of the closet, there is more space to include design elements that were previously used only in a home's larger spaces. Accent walls have become increasingly popular recently, and that trend has spread to accent countertops, doors and drawers that can be found in the closet.

4. Contrasting textures. In addition to using contrasting colors to accent a space, designers have started to use contrasting textures as well. A textured cabinet or drawer will pose a stark contrast to a smooth, wood-paneled wall.

5. Laundry room. If you are getting dressed and undressed in your closet, it would make sense for you to have your laundry hamper in the closet too. But some designers have taken this one step further and relocated the entire laundry room to the closet. Some newly built homes have the washer and dryer hookups right in the master bedroom's closet. This way homeowners can wash, dry, fold and put away their clothes all in one room. Efficient? Yes.

6. Built-in shelves and drawers. Even in smaller closets, it is becoming more common to include a built-in shelving unit and/or a built-in set of drawers. These shelves and drawers may or may not match the closet door and trim. Many designers choose contrasting colors or plain wooden features in order to accent the closet's design. A combination of hanging sections and shelves can maximize your closet space.

7. Doorless closets. Gone are the days of hiding everything behind closed doors. Many modern closets are so well-organized that they can become a stylish part of your bedroom.