Designing Dressing Rooms and Luxury Walk-In Closets

January 25, 2025

The transformation of dressing rooms over the centuries is a great example of how architecture adapts to lifestyle changes over time. Once relegated to separate quarters reminiscent of grand estates like those seen in Downton Abbey, dressing rooms have evolved into expansive, integrated spaces paired with large walk-in closets that blend functionality with comfort.

Today, home renovation design embraces the concept of dressing rooms as fully equipped sanctuaries, offering plenty of storage and closet space but also an immersive, tailored experience for starting up or winding down the day.

As architects in Boston, the Slocum design team has conceptualized and designed many luxury dressing rooms; some projects to spotlight in this regard would be the Residence on Bellevue and the Residence on Longfellow, two homes masterfully reimagined examples of how historic properties can be modernized while honoring their original character.

The Historic Shift: From Detached to Integrated Dressing Spaces

The dressing room was once a separate space, a private retreat off the primary bedroom, often disconnected from the primary sleeping chamber. In stately homes of the 19th and early 20th centuries, closets were secondary, considered mere storage compartments tucked away from passing eyes, while dressing took place in a designated chamber.

By the 1920s, the notion of a dressing room and closet as a single entity gained popularity. With their built-in wardrobes and mirrored vanities, walk-in closets began replacing standalone dressing rooms; this was a cultural/design shift toward efficiency all without sacrificing luxury/elegance.

Fast-forward to the modern design era, and the dressing room/luxury walk-in closet has become a luxurious, attached feature—a multifunctional giant closet designed for organization and to match the aesthetic choices of the rest of the home. These spaces now feature custom cabinetry, curated lighting, and bespoke storage solutions, typically merging with the primary suite.

Bellevue: A Neo-Classical Revival That Honors Tradition While Embracing Modernity

The Residence on Bellevue in Newton, MA, is an award-winning project that showcases the evolution of the dressing room from a utility space to a beautiful, fully integrated retreat.

As part of a much larger home renovation, the design team transformed the home’s interior layout to enhance its function while maintaining its Neo-Classical Revival grandeur. Integrating a well-appointed dressing room into the primary suite was a request of the homeowners and reflects the approach where elegance meets everyday convenience.

Longfellow: A Victorian Masterpiece Reimagined

Similarly, the Residence on Longfellow in Wellesley, MA, is a historic home renovation project designed to revitalize the spaces and accommodate contemporary living. Homeowner Kristen DiBella of Kristen DiBella Interiors led the transformation, ensuring that the integrity of the Victorian architecture was upheld while creating an open, modern layout.

The former bedroom was reconfigured into a sprawling dressing and powder room, expanding the primary suite. Above the newly added office, a primary closet and bathroom were designed to offer a refined, spacious retreat.

The Modern Luxury Walk-In Closet: A Sanctuary of Style

Luxury dressing rooms designed for today’s homeowners are much more than storage spaces; they are carefully curated environments, often featuring:

Custom millwork and built-in wardrobes
Smart, integrated lighting sets the desired ambiance, depending on the time of day.
Statement mirrors and seating areas
Sophisticated material palettes, including marble-topped islands, glass-front cabinetry, and plush textiles.

Today’s dressing rooms offer a bespoke, boutique-like experience within the home.

Luxury Walk-In Closets

As seen in the Bellevue and Longfellow residences, the modern dressing room is no longer a detached, overlooked space but an integral part of the primary suite design.

As one of the premier architectural firms in Boston, Slocum Hall Design Group will continue to craft bespoke, functional, and visually striking spaces.