Photo by Kevin Brost.
The humble closet has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a key player in interior design. More than just storage, this space now serves as a curated display of personal style, where carefully considered details enhance the day-to-day. Think quiet luxury—concealed drawers, custom illumination highlighting prized possessions, and layouts thoughtfully designed around collections worthy of Carrie Bradshaw herself. Today, closets receive the same sophisticated design approach once reserved for kitchens, living rooms and primary suites.
Seeking to understand this evolution firsthand, we partnered with four of the Valley’s most sought-after interior design firms to delve into some of their most ICONIC closet projects. The results are a perfect blend of beauty and practicality, each project a unique reflection of how luxury and functionality can be artfully tailored to the nuances of individual lives.
Angelica Henry Design – Angelica Henry
Interior designer Angelica Henry, president and founder of Angelica Henry Design, is known for bringing sophistication and purpose into every space. With nearly two decades of experience and a long list of accolades, including HGTV’s “Designer of the Month” and Phoenix Home & Garden’s Young Gun designation, her work reflects a mastery of balance: beauty paired with intention, luxury grounded in functionality. Henry approaches every project with the same thoughtful eye and attention to detail. Her recent ICONIC closet designs exemplify this philosophy, transforming storage spaces into immersive, elevated experiences.
Photo by Mark Boisclair.
One of her striking closet designs evokes the feeling of a high-end members-only club. “We wanted to create the feeling of a luxury club environment in this space with comfortable seating, plush carpet, a rolling ladder and pinstripe tailored wallcovering,” Henry says. A glowing, blue-hued wall is a showpiece, highlighting the client’s collection of bags and shoes with artful illumination. “The lighted shoe wall showcases the client’s shoe collection, and lighted closet rods illuminate everything hanging in the closet for easy viewing.”
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Texture and detail also add to the overall experience. “The pinstripe wallcovering in the hanging areas evokes a masculine, tailored aesthetic,” she notes. Every inch is thoughtfully considered, from the plush carpet underfoot to the concealed compartments for watch winders and luggage storage.
At the center is a custom island topped with zinc that’s as functional as refined. “The zinc island top conceals a pop-up, swivel TV that allows for easy viewing from anywhere within the space,” Henry shares. It’s one of many integrations that transform a utilitarian room into a personalized retreat.
In another walk-in space that Henry designed, she focused on maximizing function without compromising elegance. “The client wanted to maximize the space in this closet remodel, so we reworked the floor plan. We relocated a water closet within the adjacent bathroom area, which gained a significant amount of space in the closet,” she recalls. That extra square footage allowed for more thoughtful storage and practicality, tailored to the homeowner’s daily needs.
Photo by Mark Boisclair.
“The client requested a combination of concealed and open storage—closed doors to hide seldom-used items, and open shelving for frequently accessed ones.” Pull-down rods ensure accessibility to higher shelves, while glass cabinet doors keep the full-height cabinetry feeling open and expansive.
Lighting also plays a crucial role in the overall experience of this closet. “Lighting inside the cabinetry creates more of an elevated luxury look and is crucial to keep the space from feeling too dark due to only having two tiny windows in this room,” Henry explains.
Through thoughtful planning, tailored materials and layered lighting, these closets reflect Angelica Henry’s signature: timeless luxury with a deeply personal touch.
Dettaglio Interior Design – Jeni Robison & Morganne Underwood
Photo by Michael Duerinckx with Inckx Photography.
This two-story closet, designed by Jeni Robison, owner and principal designer, and Morganne Underwood, owner and lead designer of Dettaglio Interior Design, is a striking blend of luxury and function. From the show-stopping chandelier to the intentional layout, this closet is a true design moment with every inch of the space speaking to the meticulous attention to detail that Dettaglio is known for.
“We knew our client had a lot of clothing, purses and shoes, meaning we needed a lot of space to ensure her items would fit,” Underwood shares. “The opportunity for a two-story closet presented itself, and there was no questioning it. How often do you get to design a multi-level closet?” The decision to take the design vertical was practical and indulgent, allowing for increased storage while elevating the closet to a grand statement space.
Drawing inspiration from the home’s traditional aesthetic, the designers ensured a cohesive flow between the spaces. This attention to detail extends to the color palette, with the client’s preference for a rich steely blue thoughtfully integrated into the carpeting, grounding the luxurious space with personal flair. That same blue hue is echoed through a textural wallpaper applied to the ceiling. “This carries that rich blue from the ground to the ceiling, allowing for a consistent color throughout,” Underwood points out.
Photo by Michael Duerinckx with Inckx Photography.
Beyond the jaw-dropping chandelier and unique ceiling treatment, this ICONIC closet has features that make everyday routines seamless. “Under the second level tucked off into the corner, you will find a full-size washer and dryer, making laundry a breeze. This closet is fully equipped with jewelry drawers, plenty of long and double hang, valet hooks, display cabinets and lots of shoe storage,” Underwood notes.
When balancing practicality with beauty, the Robison and Underwood team approached the challenge creatively. “Closets can be so fun to design. It’s almost like playing Tetris, trying to get all the pieces to fit together,” Underwood says. “Turning those practical elements into an overall luxurious experience comes from knowing how to dress up a simplistic design.” That included glass-front display cabinets, full-height doors with unique detailing, and carefully chosen hardware that adds charm and elegance.
Hidden within the cabinetry are clever organizational elements such as integrated hampers, valet rods, and watch-winding drawers. There’s even a “His and Hers” section, each with an island, emphasizing how expansive the space truly is.
“It’s not often you get to design a two-story closet,” Underwood says. “We jumped at the opportunity and had a lot of fun working with the client to create a space that was perfect for her and her husband.”
Ownby Design – Claire Ownby
Claire Ownby, design principal of Ownby Design, demonstrates a nuanced understanding of personalized luxury in these two primary closet designs. Each was tailored to a masculine aesthetic, prioritizing functionality and a refined ambiance. In these two distinct yet equally ICONIC closets, senior project designer Rachel Chester explains how thoughtful design and lighting choices come together to create spaces as functional as they are beautiful.
Photo by Dino Tonn.
“Lighting is integral to the design of every closet—it influences both function and the overall aesthetics within the space,” Chester says. In these two primary closets, lighting plays a starring role. “We like to have a balance of both lighting types when it comes to a primary closet. Both of these closet designs incorporate a well-considered blend of general (function) and accent (aesthetics) lighting. Effectively illuminating not only the room itself, but also the shelves and hanging areas provides a seamless blend of functional ambient lighting for the space and is always a priority in our closet designs.”
The core of Ownby Design’s approach lies in a client-centric philosophy. Chester states, “The most effective closet designs are rooted in a thorough understanding of our clients’ needs, preferences and daily routines.”
Photo by Dino Tonn.
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While distinct, each design adheres to the requested “masculine approach” through darker palettes. The first achieves this through sleek black cabinetry and focused lighting, while the second utilizes the interplay of dark elements with warmer wood tones and softer textures. Security is also seamlessly integrated. Chester confirms, “We always like to keep in mind security within the primary closet as almost every one of our clients needs some form of protection for their valuables,” noting that both closets feature hidden safes and lockable drawers.
Mirrors, both functional and stylish, round out the design. “In almost every primary closet design, a full-length mirror is a must,” Chester says. The lounge closet cleverly integrates mirrored cabinet fronts into a storage wall, demonstrating a space-saving solution that simultaneously enriches the space. “Any mirrored element not only enhances the overall ambiance, but also reflects light, making a brighter, more open feel in the closet.”
Holly Wright Design – Holly Wright
For Holly Wright, founder of Holly Wright Design, creating this closet was about giving her client a fresh, bright space that celebrated the woman’s vibrant wardrobe. “Her last home was darker and very much lacking in space to accommodate her wardrobe collection,” says Wright. “So for her new home, we added a window for natural light and kept the finishes light to make this space brighter.” The resulting design is open, welcoming and perfectly tailored to its stylish owner.
Photo by Kevin Brost.
A major priority from the start was ensuring there would be enough shelving to display her impressive collections properly. Rows of open shelves now showcase an enviable array of shoes and handbags, each thoughtfully positioned to be accessible and visually stunning. The effect is a space that feels both meticulously organized and effortlessly glamorous.
Choosing the right finishes also played a significant role in balancing functionality with a sophisticated, elevated aesthetic. Wright explains, “The client wanted a classic look that was not distracting, as her wardrobe is full of color. White was the obvious choice, and the hardware helped tie into the chandelier repurposed from her last home.” Crisp white cabinetry provides a clean backdrop, allowing vibrant garments and accessories to take center stage. At the same time, gold hardware offers just the right amount of polish and ties into the ornate chandelier that serves as a dazzling focal point.
Speaking of the chandelier, it carries a story of its own. “While this home is much more modern, we chose to keep this chandelier from her last place as a keepsake, but it also helped heighten the ambiance of her new closet.” Its intricate, sparkling design brings a sense of history and personal significance into the space, bridging the client’s past and present while enhancing the overall atmosphere with a luxurious glow.
Although the closet is undeniably glamorous, thoughtful design ensures it remains practical for everyday use. “Keeping the finishes for the closet quiet was key so that her clothes, handbags and shoes would really shine!” Wright says. With bold pieces full of color and sparkle, the wardrobe becomes the main event, allowing the closet’s simpler palette to serve as an elegant backdrop rather than a competing element.
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