What You Need To Know Before Discovering A Bedroom Wardrobe

Perhaps you’ve got the space and are pondering commissioning a walk-in wardrobe. But considering that you’re reading this article, you’re likely confused about what wardrobe is suitable for your bedroom. Don’t worry if you’re confused. GetLocal is here to help. We’re going to take a deep dive into wardrobe discovering and give you some practical tips to make discovering that perfect wardrobe much more straightforward.

Wardrobe Fundamentals

Let’s get the easy stuff out of the way first. Before even considering which wardrobe to buy, you need to know your options. The bedroom furniture market is saturated with a massive range of wardrobes. We’ve already touched upon sliding wardrobes, but there are also fitted wardrobes, under-stair wardrobes, floor-to-ceiling, and wall-mounted wardrobes. Each of these varieties has its advantages and disadvantages. By design, different wardrobes are more suited to different bedroom types.

Pre-Made Wardrobes

The most common of all wardrobe types, the pre-made wardrobe is frequently the most cost-effective option. Stroll into any furniture shop, and you’ll find a vast collection of wardrobe varieties, styles and shapes. This variety makes it easy to select a piece that complements the interior design of your bedroom. Pre-made wardrobes are great for decorating spare rooms, living rooms or even hallways. However, as these are pre-made, it can be nearly impossible to find a shape that slots perfectly into a space without leaving overhead gaps or crevices between walls. Simply put, a pre-made wardrobe will not fully utilise the available space.

Pre-Made Wardrobe Pros

• Probably the most cost-effective wardrobe option on the market
• Available in a massive range of styles, colours and shapes

Pre-Made Wardrobe Cons

• Unlikely to fully utilise available space
• Not as customisable as other wardrobe options

Fitted Wardrobes

If you don’t have an inch of space to waste, a fitted wardrobe may be your best option. Fitted wardrobes are built to your room dimensions and offer an unlimited range of possibilities. Fitted wardrobes can blend into the aesthetic of your home, making them an almost invisible storage solution. Alternatively, mirrors can be fitted onto wardrobe doors to create a larger sense of space. For the more adventurous, wardrobes can be customised with bold, attention-grabbing colours and can become a statement piece in themselves. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that a fitted wardrobe will take up a significant amount of floor space. Also, you’ll need to hire a carpenter to build, design and fit the wardrobe.

Fitted Wardrobe Pros

• Customised to the exact dimensions of a bedroom 
• Near unlimited choice of materials and designs

Fitted Wardrobe Cons

• Requires a large about of floor space
• Expensive to build and install

Corner Wardrobes

Corner wardrobes are perfect for taking advantage of the often under-utilised corners within a bedroom. These large storage solutions can be fitted with mirrors, drawers and hanging bars, making them an all-in-one clothes storage system. The L-shape of these wardrobes makes them look modern and are particularly suited to homes decorated with contemporary sensibilities in mind. Corner wardrobes can be purchased pre-made or fitted by a carpenter. Due to the unusual shape of corner wardrobes, there is always the possibility of doors colliding. The limited scope for door openings can sometimes make parts of the wardrobe challenging to access.

Corner Wardrobe Pros

• Fully utilises a corner space in a bedroom
• Particularly suited to modern interior design

Corner Wardrobe Cons

• L shape can make door collisions inevitable 
• Interior accessibility can be undermined

Walk-in Wardrobes

Is there anything that screams decadence more than a walk-in wardrobe? This wardrobe variety is the last word in storage, offering nearly unlimited customisation options. Walk-in closets will have space for just about anything. Unfortunately, by their very nature, walk-in wardrobes need a lot of space. In fact, they require their very own room. They also need to be installed by a contractor, which will be a costly investment.

Walk-in Wardrobe Pros

• All the storage space you’ll ever need
• A huge array of customisation options

Walk-in Wardrobe Cons

• Require a considerable amount of free space
• Costly to build and install

Sliding Wardrobes

The doors of these wardrobes are fitted to a track system that slides back and forth. These wardrobes don’t require space for the door to open, so they are ideally suited to smaller bedrooms. They also don’t have handles, giving fitted wardrobes a streamlined and modern aesthetic. Mirrors are often a popular choice for sliding wardrobes. Due to the sliding door system, only half the closet will be accessible at a time. The sliding mechanism can be thrown out of alignment, making the doors stiff and challenging to open.

Sliding Wardrobes Pros

• Great for rooms with limited space
• Modern, streamlined aesthetic 

Sliding Wardrobes Cons

• Limited accessibility to the wardrobe at any one time
• Sliding mechanism can malfunction

Opening Door Wardrobes

For those interested in keeping it traditional, opening door wardrobes remain as popular as ever. By opening in an arch, the entire cabinet can be accessible. There are also a variety of styles and design options available to make an open-door wardrobe suit the design of your home. However, these wardrobes need a large amount of space.

Opening Door Wardrobes Pros

• Available in a range of styles
• Allows the entire wardrobe to be accessible 

Opening Door Wardrobes Cons

• A large amount of space is required

Tips on selecting the right wardrobe for your bedroom

Now we’ve gone through some available options; it’s time to think about what wardrobe is suitable for your bedroom.

How to select the right wardrobe type

When considering wardrobe type, your decision should be based on two factors

1. The space available within your bedroom 

2. Your bedroom furnishing budget

While fully fitted corner wardrobes may be the dream, these kinds of installations can stretch your budget. On the other hand, you may be less concerned with budget and simply do not have space for a traditional opening-door wardrobe. Please review the table below to give you a rough point of reference based on cost and room size.

Proposed Budget	Room Size	Recommend Wardrobe Type
€150 — €850	175cm (W) x 335cm (L) — 245cm (W) x 335 (L)	Pre-Made Wardrobe
€1000 – €2500	245cm (W) x 335 (L) —295cm (W) x 335cm (L)	Fitted | Wardrobes | Sliding Door Wardrobe
€3000 – €5000	295cm (W) x 335cm (L) —310cm (W) x 345cm (L)	Sliding Door Wardrobe | Opening Door Wardrobes | Corner Wardrobes
€5000 – €8000	310cm (W) x 345cm (L) —325cm (W) X 360 cm (L)	Sliding Door Wardrobe| Opening Door Wardrobes | Corner Wardrobes | Fitted Wardrobes
€8000 — Upwards	325cm (W) X 360 cm (L) — Upwards	Sliding Door Wardrobe | Opening Door Wardrobes | Corner Wardrobes | Fitted Wardrobes | Walk-in Wardrobe

Keep in mind the above is only a guide. When considering a fitted wardrobe, please ask for recommendations from a qualified carpenter. Pre-made Wardrobes should be measured before being purchased to ensure they fit.

Selecting the right wardrobe style

Choosing the right wardrobe style is a matter of taste. Take a look at the rest of your house. Do you prefer sleek minimalism or do your tastes veer to the opulent and ornate? A carefully chosen wardrobe can express your sense of interior design. 

For the traditionalist, look for thick, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes made from dark wood like walnut, red oak or mahogany. For those looking to save money, look for closets with a faux-wood exterior. 

If you’re looking for something more modern, think of a sliding wardrobe with a sleek single-colour design. Open-door wardrobes with a reflective exterior can also give a room a streamlined design that can complement a home’s contemporary sensibilities.

Wardrobe Storage

While the wardrobe can express your design preferences, it must blend functionality with aesthetics. Therefore a wardrobe needs enough space to store everything from clothes to accessories to children’s toys. To make sure you make the right choice let your requirements lead your choice. If the wardrobe is going to be used for clothes, think racks, an integrated chest of drawers and an accessible shoe rack. If it will be used to store large or bulky items, think shelves.

Wardrobe Material

When selecting the perfect wardrobe, it’s essential to pay attention to the piece’s material and build. While flat-pack wardrobes are certainly a budget-friendly option, the manufactured wood of these products tends to degrade relatively quickly. Any additional savings will be wiped out when you need to upgrade. Solid wood wardrobes are more expensive, but they last for much longer, and the aesthetics of wood have a timeless quality. The material plays a big part in the overall aesthetics of the piece. So to ensure design cohesion in your property, we recommend matching your wardrobe material to the rest of your home furnishings.

Delivery Vs Pick-Up

Whether you pick flat-pack or solid or even order materials for a fitted wardrobe, delivery costs must be factored into your budget. This cost can be eliminated by choosing to pick up your wardrobe yourself or discovering from a local retailer. GetLocal makes it easy to find a local furniture retailer in your area. GetLocal is also the most convenient way to compare products and pricing. So whatever wardrobe you select, make sure you discover local with GetLocal.