A return wall closet is a closet that features specific wall sections at the front, directly on either side of the doorway.
In the context of closet design and measurement, the return/wing walls are the walls at the front of the closet on either side of the door. These are the portions of the wall you encounter as you step into the closet, flanking the entrance.
Understanding Return Walls
These walls are crucial for accurate closet system design and installation. Because they frame the entrance, their size impacts the placement of shelving, hanging rods, and other organizational components near the doorway.
Here's a breakdown:
- Location: Immediately next to the closet door opening, inside the closet.
- Purpose: They are part of the structural opening and are often measured separately for custom closet solutions.
- Measurement: As noted, you should "Step inside the closet and measure each return/wing wall individually. Each one may be a different size."
Importance in Closet Design
Knowing the dimensions of the return walls is vital for:
- System Fit: Ensuring shelves or drawers don't obstruct the doorway.
- Component Placement: Planning where to start or end sections of shelving or hanging areas.
- Door Clearance: Accounting for the space needed for the door swing or slide if applicable.
Consider the layout implications:
| Feature | Impact of Return Walls |
|---|---|
| Shelving | Cannot extend past the end of the return wall into the door opening. |
| Hanging Rods | May need to be shortened or offset to clear the return wall area. |
| Drawer Units | Placement must account for drawer pull clearance relative to the door frame/return wall. |
Effectively, a "return wall closet" simply highlights a standard architectural feature of many built-in closets – the presence of these short wall sections flanking the door opening. While the term "return wall closet" isn't a distinct type of closet like a walk-in or reach-in, it emphasizes the importance of these specific walls when planning the interior layout.
