1 Shelves for folded clothes should be placed around 12 inches apart. 2  84 inches is considered the minimum height to hold double hanging rods. 3  Blouses and shirts will take up about 1 inch of rod space, pants and skirts around 1 1/4 inches and dresses, jackets and suits about 2 to 3 inches. Shelves for women's shoes should be spaced about 6 to 7 inches apart. 2  Shelves for folded clothes should be placed around 12 inches apart. 3  84 inches is considered the minimum height to hold double hanging rods.