Question: I want to wrap a built-in closet and bookcase around two sides of the bedroom, but my hubby worries that the space will feel much smaller. What are our options?

Answer: It’s unavoidable that your floor space will shrink dramatically since closets take up a standard depth of 60cm to 65cm. But you can minimise the claustrophobic feeling by carefully planning the organisation of your wardrobe and bookcase.

Study your layout and work out your needed walk space. Design the biggest wardrobe units to go along the wall with the most floor space. The bookcase is shallow (15cm to 30cm deep), so they can go where there is less walk space.

Break up the run of closet doors by inserting a bookshelf or two between closets. Asymmetrical designs also soften bulky furniture. Passageways, such as to a bathroom, will feel less narrow and hemmed in if you break up the straight lines.

In this bedroom by Spacedge Designs (above), interlocking jigsaw-like shelving (far left) turns the massive floor-to-ceiling storage unit into a unique and airy-looking feature wall.

Design Spacedge Designs