Closets were once places where things were concealed (monsters, skeletons, sexuality), now they are associated with spaces not merely to store, but to display vast amounts of clothes, bags, shoes and accessories.

Thirty years ago, the wardrobe of the day would be considered a tight squeeze by modern celebrity closet standards. On average two and a half feet deep and six feet wide, there would have been just one per bedroom – in the bedroom. And, believe it or not, it might have been shared his-and-hers style. Back then, the concept of a separate dressing room or walk-in wardrobe was not for the average Irish or European woman, or even, according to the New York Times, for an elite New Yorker. Apartment dwellers in Manhattan, including in the snazziest buildings like the Dakota, had modest armoires. This worked, apparently, because “People wore their clothes for one season, then they gave them away.”

Our perspective on the humble wardrobe was changed by the boom, with property developers giving us an early taste of big-closet living in blingy showhouses with walk-in closets bigger than most rooms. And of course we acquired more clothes, collections of designer bags and shoes, worthy of display. (our mindset about consumption is thankfully changing.) And our love affair with the walk-in closet has also been fuelled by carefully curated social media photographs. The Kardashian clan are a case in point; together with their interior designers they have created lavish walk-in wardrobes as fantastical as the closet through which CS Lewis’ children clamber into Narnia.

It’s clear to see choosing a bespoke solution over an off-the-shelf system enhances space no matter how big or small. These fashion mavens and designers reveal some interesting tricks for enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of their wardrobes, in turn making getting dressed a breeze.

Pippa Holt

Designer Pippa Holt uses the hallway of her Sydney home for extra storage. Rails of kaftans and tote bags from her eponymous collection add vibrancy to the space.

Kylie Jenner

Make-up mogul Kylie Jenner describes her handbag closet at her home in the LA suburb of Hidden Hills, as a “work in progress”, created with the help of interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard using white lacquer shelving. “I had such fun creating Kylie’s dressing room and closets to display her ever-evolving collection,” Bullard says. “From her purse closet to her archival closet, all is curated carefully for visual impact as well as future investment.”

 Suzie McAdam

The Irish interior designer says: “My little walk-in wardrobe features a tented fabric ceiling and drapes with La Maison Pierre Frey striped silk by Mary Wrynne and bespoke joinery by Newcastle Design.”

 Nanette Lepore

Fashion designer Nanette Lepore describes her gypsy-influenced designs as “feminine and youthful, full of bold colours and bright prints, with ruffles and lace that manage to look good-time-girly but not overly frilly.” The same could be said of her closet in her Hamptons home.

Carrie Underwood

Singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood’s massive closet is also practical: it features a washing machine and tumble dryer. Underwood explains: “I don’t like people touching my underwear. I also travel with a washer and dryer.”

Susie Lynch Barrett

The contents of jewellery designer Susie Lynch Barrett’s enviable wardrobe are literally used to decorate her Dublin home. One wall in her hallway features a collection of hats and bags suspended from hooks.

Charlotte Olympia

Purveyor of playful footwear, Charlotte Olympia’s North Kensington home in London couldn’t be more on brand. Her wardrobe features a stash of Isa Arfen separates, Yazbukey jewellery and Piers Atkinson hats, while her shoe closet features her sky-high heels, many archived and vacuum- packed to maintain their pristine condition.

Sarah Rickard

Inspired by designer Matilda Goad’s wardrobe, Irish stylist Sarah Rickard created her own with the help of Dovetail Joinery. She says, “It serves as an elegant backdrop for my #tryontuesday styling videos, as well as outfit planning for personal styling appointments.”

Behati Prinsloo

The closet of former Victoria’s Secret model Behati Prinsloo, in the Pacific Palisades property she shares with husband Adam Levine and daughters, Dusty and Gio, could definitely double as a bedroom. It houses mementos from her work in fashion and has a bespoke daybed.

 Flavia Stuttgen

The London- based influencer who set up spottedonceleb.com during her maternity leave, has a “library” of Chanel shoes, bags and clothes.