Double Hanging or Long Hanging? How to Plan Closet Hanging Space
Hanging space is where most closets win or lose capacity. Here is how to split it between double and long hanging.
A single rod with a shelf above it is how most closets come. It wastes a surprising amount of space: shirts and folded trousers hang halfway down, and the lower half of the closet stays empty. The fix is simple, but it needs planning: decide how much of your hanging should be double and how much long.
Double hanging
Two rods, one above the other. Shirts, blouses, jackets, folded trousers and skirts fit comfortably on each level. For most wardrobes, double hanging nearly doubles the number of garments a section can hold.
Long hanging
One rod with full height below it, for dresses, long coats, trousers hung full length and garment bags. You need less of it than you think, but you do need some.
How to split it
- Count your long items. Lay out everything that needs full length: dresses, coats, long robes. Measure how much rod they take, and add some room to spare.
- Make everything else double. Shirts, jackets and folded trousers almost always go double.
- Give each person their own zone. In a shared closet, each side gets its own double and long sections.
On Dora St. in Sun Valley, the walk-in distributes storage across both sides of the room, with double hanging and long hanging sections between adjustable shelving and built-in drawers.
In reach-in closets, double hanging on both sides of a central shelf tower works very well, as on Magpie Ct. in Thousand Oaks.
Details that matter
- Rod height. We set the rods for the length of your clothes and the person using them, not to a standard number.
- Rod color. Black or brass rods can be a design detail against white cabinetry, as on Whitsett Ave. in North Hollywood.
- Depth. Hanging needs about two feet of depth. Folded clothes and shoes can sit on shallower shelves, which saves floor space on that wall.
- Adjustable. Rods on an adjustable system can be moved later, if your wardrobe changes.
For more planning ideas, see our closet organization tips or the walk-in closets page.
Frequently asked questions
How much long hanging do I need?
Measure the rod length your long items take today and add a little extra. For most people it is a small part of the total hanging.
Can I change double hanging to long hanging later?
Yes, if the system is adjustable. That is one reason we use adjustable rods and shelves.
Is double hanging possible in a small reach-in closet?
Usually, yes. Double hanging is often the single biggest improvement in a small closet.
