Pros and Cons of Converting a Tiny Bedroom into a Huge Closet | Rules of Renovation

The walk-in closet started as a modern luxury, but today it has become something that home buyers expect. If you’re a home flipper working with an older property, most likely the house has small closets — or maybe even none at all.

Before the 1950s, people didn’t collect clothes as we do now, and houses commonly had only one or two small closets in the whole house. This type of layout provides home renovators with a few challenges. While buyers may get excited at the character and charm of a restored older home, many are unwilling to give up a staple of modern living.

If your house doesn’t have closets, you have a few options. You could leave the rooms as they are and risk scaring away buyers. Or you could build a closet, which can get tricky as you’d likely be taking up space in the hallway or a bedroom. A third option is to convert an adjoining smaller bedroom into a giant closet. But should you go this route? Hilary Farr of the Rules of Renovation recommends considering these factors when determining if you should turn a tiny bedroom into a huge closet.

Pros of Converting a Bedroom

Here are some of the reasons why converting a bedroom into a closet can be a great idea.

• Great use for a smaller room. Sometimes older homes have rooms that are too small to be useful. Take a look at the small room you are considering and decide if a bed or other furniture will actually fit inside. If the room is too small to be a bedroom, it will likely make a great closet. Converting the small room into a useful space like a large closet will solve the problem for you as well as any potential buyers wondering what to do with such a small area.
• Extra space in the master bedroom. Converting another room into a closet conserves space in the master bedroom because you won’t have to build a closet that will take up the existing space or use a wardrobe.
• The renovation is simple. All you have to do is cut a hole in the adjoining wall and add a door, along with shelving and clothing rods.
• Expand usable space. A large, luxurious closet can be used for more than storing clothes — it is the perfect place to set up vanity and get ready for the day.

Cons of Converting a Bedroom

You may decide that turning a tiny bedroom into a big closet isn’t the right choice for your home. Keep these drawbacks in mind:

• Decreased home value: The number of bedrooms in a property is a huge factor when determining a home’s value and may influence buyers to come and check it out. A small bedroom may be needed to increase the number of rooms you can list.
• Need for a small room: Some families may want a small room, whether for a nursery or a craft room. If your target demographic is concerned about these things, you might want to leave the small room as is.

As with any renovation, you need to weigh all the pros and cons and decide if this project is worth it in your home. The Rules of Renovation can help you learn more about rehabs, house flipping, and real estate investing. For more design inspiration, visit the Rules of Renovation blog.