Does a Bedroom Have to Have a Closet? What Makes a Bedroom a Bedroom?

Does a Bedroom Have to Have a Closet? What Makes a Bedroom a Bedroom?

So, does a bedroom have to have a closet? Below will tell you what makes a bedroom a bedroom.

Many individuals believe that a closet is necessary for a room to be considered a bedroom. While this is a universally accepted standard, good luck finding any type of authority that will back this up.

Surprise! The answer to “does a bedroom have to have a closet” is not that simple. In order to share our research with you here, we conducted a little investigation. Keep reading.

Is It a Bedroom Without a Closet?

Before we answer “does a bedroom have to have a closet”, let’s talk about “is it a bedroom without a closet”. Unfortunately for the seller, many places do not consider a room to be a bedroom if it does not have a closet. There are some exceptions to the closet rule, but it’s crucial to understand your city, county, and state’s zoning laws and how they relate to bedroom requirements.

Don’t go outside of your area of expertise if a client asks if a room can be considered a bedroom. The number of bedrooms the house has been assessed for will be listed in county records, which may or may not be related to closet space.

A room frequently needs to satisfy other criteria before it can be called a bedroom, regardless of whether you need a closet. These include:

  • Minimum size requirements (often at least 70–80 square feet or at least 7 feet per horizontal direction)
  • Having more than one way out, such as a door to the exterior or a window (window size and height matters, too)
  • Heating and/or cooling options
  • Minimum height requirements (often 7 feet or higher for most of the room)
  • The number of bedrooms in a house with a septic system must not be greater than the septic system’s capacity.

Specific areas of the house are impacted by some of these regulations. For instance, converted storage space may not have windows or a second exit, attic rooms may have issues with sloping ceilings, basement rooms may not have windows that are the right size or placement, and three-season porches may not have heat.

In other words, you shouldn’t advertise a room as a bedroom just because the seller used it as one. So, does a bedroom have to have a closet?

Does a Bedroom Have to Have a Closet? What Makes a Bedroom a Bedroom?
Does a Bedroom Have to Have a Closet? What Makes a Bedroom a Bedroom?

What Makes a Bedroom a Bedroom?

Does a bedroom have to have a closet? What makes a bedroom a bedroom? A bedroom must have:

  • There were two ways out of the room.
  • The home’s exterior must be reached directly from one of the rooms’ exits. A window or a door may be present.
  • A bedroom must be at least 70 square feet in size.
  • No floor dimension may be less than 7 feet.
  • For lighting and ventilation, a bedroom needs at least one window.
  • The area of the room determines how big the window(s) will be.
  • If a window is the only exterior exit, it must meet certain height and opening specifications.
  • There is a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet for at least half of the area of the ceiling
  • 7 feet must be the minimum ceiling height for at least 50% of the space.
  • A permanent heating source must always be able to heat a bedroom to 68 degrees.
  • A bedroom must have a minimum of two electrical outlets, or one outlet and an overhead light.
  • A bedroom must have privacy and cannot serve as a doorway to another room.

So, does a bedroom have to have a closet? Do you understand what is a bedroom?

It’s simple to forget about the ceiling when remodeling your bedroom. However, if you consider that area as a blank canvas, you have a variety of options to choose from to give your room enduring style. Here are the best Bedroom ceiling idea.

The Basement Bedroom- Is It Unsafe?

After talking about does a bedroom have to have a closet, let’s talk the basement bedroom. It is common for sellers to add extra bedrooms to basements. The room needs a second egress that leads directly to the outside of the house, whether or not it has a closet. As well as it needs a minimally sized window for it to be a legal bedroom.

Th point of the IRC code is to make sure a bedroom’s occupant can exit the home quickly during an emergency as well as emergency personnel being able to enter the home.

Warm, soft color temperatures are ideal for a light bulb in your bedroom. By doing so, you can relax and fall asleep without being bothered by the sun’s glare. The light should have a kelvin rating between 2200 and 3000. Your circadian rhythm will be thrown off by white or cool lighting. White or blue light will keep you up at night. Another item you’ll need is a low-energy bulb. So, what the best light bulbs for bedroom?

Does a Bedroom Have to Have a Closet? What Makes a Bedroom a Bedroom?
Does a Bedroom Have to Have a Closet? What Makes a Bedroom a Bedroom?

FAQs

What Do You Call a Room Without a Closet?

A room without a closet is called a bonus room, den or office.

What is the Minimum Closet Space That is Required in a Bedroom?

A walk-in closet should be at least 36- to 48-inches deep. Ideal closet width is at least half as wide as the room. Ideally, a closet should be 6 feet wide by 48 inches deep for a typical 12-by-12 bedroom.

Does a Room Have to Have a Closet to Be Considered a Bedroom in PA?

A bedroom does not have to have a closet to be considered a bedroom. This is a widespread fallacy.

What Makes a Bedroom a Legal Bedroom?

In the world of real estate, a room qualifies as a bedroom if it has a door that can be closed, a window, and a closet. The closet requirement is a bedroom feature more concerned with comfort and livability than safety, and is not addressed in the IRC.

Summary: Does a Bedroom Have to Have a Closet?

Does a bedroom have to have a closet? A closet is not necessary for a room to be referred to as a bedroom or even a master bedroom.

The seller will be eager to claim any extra room as a bedroom because having more bedrooms typically means more money for them. If it does not satisfy the safety requirements for a bedroom, be wary of what a seller refers to as a bedroom.

So, does a bedroom have to have a closet? In practice, you have the choice even though the legal answer is no. I believe that a closet should be a requirement for a bedroom in a contemporary house. However, if you are considering older or smaller homes, you might have to settle for one or two bedrooms without closets.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best furniture information. Thank you for reading.

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