10 Questions to Ask Before Designing Your DOCA Wardrobe

Once you decide you are ready to design your custom DOCA closet, it can be easy to rush the process. Materials, finishes, and features are all exciting to look at. However, choosing from these options will quickly become overwhelming when you don’t have specific parameters in place. Having a guideline will help you navigate your closet upgrade and make informed decisions. Asking these nine questions before designing your DOCA wardrobe will provide much-needed clarity.

1. Who will be using the closet?

It is important to know who will use the closet and how they will use it. This will help you have direction when making decisions about how to design should look. If only one person will use the closet, then it can be a single design across the entire closet. If two people will use the closet, then it's common to split the closet into two separate zones. That way, two people can use the closet at the same time without getting into each other’s way. Depending on the individuals, one person may need more space than the other. Alternatively, the closet may be used by multiple people if it is in a guest room. The design for this type of custom closet

2. What type of storage do I need?

Once you know who will use the closet, the next step is to decide what will go in the closet. This is crucial for deciding what type of storage is necessary for your custom design. Some people have more folded items, while others have more hanging items. As a general rule, it is good to have a combination of both. For some, long hanging space is a must. For others, they can maximize the available space by having a double hanging rod setup for shorter items. Shelves are useful for folded items that shouldn’t be hung, shoes, and large accessories. Finally, having a few drawers can be the final custom touch for organizing small items. A shallow drawer with an organized tray is perfect for organizing sunglasses, watches, belts, jewelry, and other small items. Deeper drawers are also helpful for organizing folded clothes. Sweaters, underwear, and socks can all go in these drawers. While drawers are helpful, they do take up a lot of space. The design team at Divine Design Center can help balance the different types of storage for the greatest closet functionality.

3. How many shoes do I own?

It is time to take your shoes off the floor and organize them. A luxury custom closet from DOCA will have shoe shelves. This will bring your shoes up closer to eye level. Your closet floor will stay clean and clutter free. How many shoes you own will dictate how many shelves are necessary or if another storage solution will work. Then there are the types of shoes you own. For example, sneakers and dress shoes take up a certain amount of space, while high heels require more height for storage. Then there are boots that require even more height for proper storage. In addition, if two people are using the closet, there will need to be enough space for everyone’s shoes. This often requires two different shoe storage spaces.

4. Do I want luxury additions?

Your DOCA custom closet is a luxury design. Because it is completely custom, you are free to add as many or as few luxury additions and features as you want. These small touches are what elevate a standard closet into a luxury one. Perhaps you need valet rods that extend out. These are perfect for hanging clothes that you have pulled from the closet. You could hang an outfit that you intend to wear. Or perhaps you pick out several outfits that you plan to pack in your luggage for a trip. A small espresso maker creates a wonderful aromatic experience and gives you a small pick-me-up as you get ready in the morning. A vanity setup creates a custom space for getting ready with cosmetics. Speakers set the mood while getting ready. Custom lighting can also set the mood and create a unique visual effect.

5. What are your future home plans?

If you recently bought or built your home, you probably do not intend to sell or move anytime soon. In this situation, focusing on finishes and features that appeal to you the most is more beneficial. Your closet can address your unique needs, thereby increasing its functionality for your daily life. However, if you plan to sell your home soon, it would be more beneficial to consider what buyers are looking for. Upgraded luxury closets can have a positive impact on home value. However, that is only if the upgrade enhances the closet. The designers at Divine Design Center can help homeowners make strategic design choices to ensure their closet is both personal and real estate market friendly.

6. What is my style aesthetic?

Answering this question can be difficult for homeowners unfamiliar with each design style's features and elements. This is when the 8,000-square-foot lifestyle showroom becomes vital. Homeowners can visit the showroom and walk through finished design samples. They can point out features and finishes they love or hate as they do so. Their designer will make a note of these and determine what the homeowner’s style aesthetic is. DOCA closets are fully customized. So no matter what style the homeowner prefers, their DOCA closet will reflect it. Some popular design style aesthetics include traditional, transitional, contemporary, and modern.

7. How can I add more light?

One of the most common requests the design team receives at Divine Design Center is to increase the amount of light. Closets tend to lack windows, resulting in a lack of natural light. This means that artificial light is the sole source of light. If there is a lack of lighting, the closet is dark. A dark closet is hard to see in, making it hard to find what you are looking for or accurately see the items once you have found them. Poor lighting results in you wearing navy blue when you think you picked out black. Or not noticing the stain on the white shirt you put on.

Adding more light is simple when designing a custom DOCA closet. Our designers do more than just add light fixtures, though. DOCA closets address light and shadows for an attractive design. Overhead lighting in the ceiling creates plenty of ambient light. LED lighting mounted on the shelving creates more focused light for the items on the shelves.

8. How can DOCA resolve the dead space?

A common challenge that plagues closets is dead space. This is the awkward space in a corner that you can never figure out what to do with. Or it could be the space high up in the closet that you can’t quite reach. Because DOCA wardrobes are custom closet designs, you can finally utilize this dead space. The design team at Divine Design Center works with homeowners to identify the dead spaces. They then use the vast network of resources to create a custom design that addresses the dead space. DOCA designs are handmade closets, making it possible to build custom wardrobe pieces that can make use of the dead space, from corner units to extra tall cabinetry.

9. What materials are available for my wardrobe?

When designing your custom DOCA wardrobe, you have a variety of materials available to you. Using multiple materials is a classic feature of luxury and high-end closet designs. The design team at Divine Design Center works closely in partnership with DOCA to utilize a unique combination of materials. DOCA responsibly sources walnut, oak, ebony, chestnut, and beech wood. These luxury woods feature rich colors and a depth of grain that is stunning. In addition to wood, DOCA custom cabinets use steel, porcelain, glass, lacquers, and stone.

10. Can I see closet samples?

Yes! You can see several design examples when you visit the lifestyle showroom that Divine Design Center has on the Boston waterfront. This lets you walk through sample rooms to get a feel for different design styles, materials, and aesthetics. Open the cabinets, pull out the drawers, and stand in front of the sample closet. This is the best way to determine what you prefer and what you don’t. Get inspired by the possibilities. If you have never remodeled a closet, you may not know what is available to you. Walking through the showroom will introduce you to the innovations that DOCA can offer in your custom closet.

Design Your Custom DOCA Closet

Asking the right questions before designing your custom closet will make the process smoother. Custom DOCA closets have a vast array of materials, finishes, accessories, and designs available. The combinations and options are limitless. Our design team at Divine Design Center has a close partnership with DOCA to ensure we stay up to date on the latest innovations. Our first step in any closet design project is to listen to the client. This is crucial to understanding the answers to these and many other questions.

10 Questions to Ask Before Designing Your DOCA Wardrobe