4 Ways to Make Your Wardrobe Feel Like a Luxe Dressing Room

Getting dressed in the morning can be a serious challenge, even for the most stylish, fashion-inclined people out there. Even the smallest of details can make the biggest differences in your daily routine and, ultimately, how you feel and look wherever you're going. As such, wardrobe organisation (or lack thereof) has a lot to do with how painless or frustrating the process is. A well-organised, functionally designed space that also leaves a little room for décor statements will allow you to get ready much faster so you won't have to tell everyone you're "on the way" when you're really still in a towel staring at a pile of clothes.

Since fashion and lifestyle blogger Kimberly Lapides of Eat/Sleep/Wear recently redesigned her closet with brilliant the team over at California Closets, we spoke with her to find out how every design decision can actually serve a functional purpose as well. In fact, her space went from what she describes as a "dark little annex" to "her little fashion sanctuary." Given her background, we knew Lapides's impeccable taste and busy career would result in a perfect wardrobe both in terms of utility and aesthetics. Indeed, from display ideas to perfect lighting and clever storage solutions, her wardrobe is the luxe but practical dressing room we've always wanted. So scroll through below for It-girl walk-in closet ideas to drool over as well as plenty of organisational tips to apply to a space of any size.

Light It Up

Before this gorgeous walk-in was a walk-in, it was a bedroom. Lapides tells MyDomaine that she "used to have a 'cloffice' (closet-office combo)," which worked pretty well since her professional life was intimately connected to her fashionable wardrobe. But she was ready to turn things up a notch for a customised space that was easy to navigate as well as pretty to look at. One of the most important parts of the process was choosing lighting that's stylish and flattering. "I think the lighting really amped up the sophistication of the closet by 100%," she says.

There are integrated LED lights installed right above the clothing because, as she jokes, "what's the point of having everything at your fingertips if you can't really see what you have?" Not only do these lights brighten up the entire space, but they also make it so much easier to get ready, which is a huge upgrade from the dark little box room that it used to be. And while LEDs offer a lot of functional value, you can also make a design statement by opting for a chic overhead light fixture. What Lapides chose is the perfect option: it's modern and clean, and since her closet stocks to a pretty tight colour scheme of neutrals, a metallic accent is a great way to mix things up. But don't forget to think about scale and ceiling height when choosing a pendant, since you don't want to overcrowd your space if it hangs too low.

Related: How to Organise Your Wardrobe, According to Experts

Don't Forget the Details

One of Lapides's favourite things about her wardrobe is the island in the centre. First of all, it's on wheels, which means she can roll it around while packing and prepping for upcoming shoots. It also offers a tonne of storage space for her accessories, from jewellery and sunglasses to mini purses and keepsakes. "I love having an easy place to scan my collection and grab and go. The sliding shelves make it so easy to see everything, and I love how organised it looks," she tells us.

These drawers are a way to protect her favourite sunglasses without their cases, which can really slow you down when you need to run out the door. And while she does have a full-length mirror "that stealthily tucks onto the side of the denim section of the closet," she also has this stylish tabletop mirror for those essential close-ups.

Create a Clean Canvas

Crisp white walls are the perfect canvas for a walk-in wardrobe, and a fresh, modern look has always been a part of Lapides's vision. "I find my personal style really also dictates the style in my home décor. I wanted a fresh and clean space where my clothes and accessories could really be the star," she says. When she was first brainstorming concepts before beginning the redesign, she actually considered going for a more boutique-style aesthetic that emphasised display. As gorgeous as it was, she decided that a functional, well-organised wardrobe that also maximised space was her priority, as long as it also had a few décor accents.

Also, if you look closely at her sweater and denim collections, you'll notice acrylic dividers that separate them. We think these clear divides were a smart choice, as colourful ones may have thrown off her colour palette and been somewhat distracting. "It forces me to really fold things properly and makes it easier to really see what I have instead of piling through drawers," she adds. So if you dread folding, this is a great way to stay organised.

Related: How to Make Your Cashmere Jumpers Feel Brand-New

Ditch the Doors

While this walk-in wardrobe is completely doorless for practical reasons, like being able to scan her entire wardrobe in the blink of an eye, there are also a tonne of cosmetic perks. Namely, she likes being able to see all of her gorgeous pieces instead of having them tucked away behind closed doors. "The most important thing about my closet was to have tiny moments of display opportunity," she says. Since Lapides's shoe collection is so incredible, it makes sense that she chose to give it the spotlight by opting for exposed shelves. (And we see you, Disney hat in the top corner.)

Edit Your Wardrobe

Lapides's "biggest piece of advice is to shop and curate your closet each season." If you regularly clean out and edit your wardrobe, then you'll be able to avoid a messy, difficult-to-navigate closet. This is why it's also important to be "picky and choosy about what I actually bring into my closet," she says. Her rule of thumb? If Lapides has something that she hasn't worn in a year, it's a sign that she needs to say goodbye to it. "As a blogger who constantly is shopping each season as well as has clothing samples coming in on a daily basis, I take editing my closet very seriously, or I would be sitting in a sea of clothes," she says. In essence, to make sure that things don't get overcrowded and cluttered, you can't be too sentimental about what you keep.