Which Type Of Wardrobe Is Right For My Bedroom?

Wardrobes are large, dominant, pieces of furniture that impact not only the functionality of your bedroom space but the aesthetics as well. This means selecting the right one for your bedroom is an important task. Unfortunately, it can get pretty confusing as well, as there are so many different factors to consider while making your choice. 

The good news is, that to find the perfect wardrobe for your bedroom, you need to look no further as we have collated all the detailed advice on both the practical and aesthetic factors you must consider, below.

The size of your bedroom

The first practical consideration you need to think of is the size of the room that the wardrobe will be placed in. After all, a wardrobe is a functional item and won’t be of much use to you if you can access it easily or fully open the doors. 

With this in mind, it can be helpful to note that the traditional dimensions of a wardrobe are between 45cm and 60cm deep, from 180cm to 220cm tall, and 90cm to 300cm wide. This can give you a good idea of how a typical freestanding wardrobe will fit into your bedroom. Although do always remember to check the measurements of the specific model you are looking at because they do differ. 

Remember, no matter what kind of wardrobe you choose there will always be a tension between how much space you have in your room, and the size of wardrobe you pick. However, as a general rule, try and err on the side of investing in a bigger wardrobe. The reason this is important is that when you have plenty of space in which to store your clothes and other items, you will be able to keep your bedroom clutter-free, which can have a significant positive effect on your mood and sleep.

If you have enough space you can look for 4 piece matching bedroom furniture sets that typically include a wardrobe, 2 bedisdes and a chest of drawers

How many people are sharing a wardrobe?

Another practical consideration when choosing a wardrobe is how many people will be using it. If it is just for one person, a 2 door wardrobe is usually considered to be enough space. Unless that person has a real passion for fashion that is! 

However, if it's a couple sharing then a 3 door wardrobe which typically goes up to 220cm in width or if you have a lot to store in one place then you can go even a wider up to 300cm with a large 4 door wardrobe to horde your clothes, shoes, and accessories. 

One way to be sure of how much space you will need before you pick a wardrobe is to do an audit beforehand. This means counting up all your clothes, shoes, and accessories so you know how much hanging space, drawers, and shelves you will comfortably need to store your items.

The practical uses of the wardrobe

To inform your choice of wardrobe, it is most helpful to ask the question ‘‘how will I use this space?” For instance, when it comes to the hanging space you will need, will half rails do, or will you have lots of full-length items like goats, or gowns that will require a full-height hanging space?

If you have lots of items that require shelving like shoes, and jumpers, choosing to install some custom built-in shelves can help you personalize your storage space, and use it most efficiently. Also, by storing these items inside your wardrobe you can reduce the need for additional pieces of furniture in the bedroom and so reclaim more of the floor space.

Mirrored or not?

You will also need to consider whether your ideal wardrobe will house a mirror so you can see yourself as you try on outfits and get ready in the morning, which can be very practical. 

Having glass or mirrored wardrobe can also help reflect light and add to a room making it seem larger and brighter. Although it is worth noting that they will need regular cleaning to keep them free of fingerprints!

Essentially, opting to purchase a wardrobe with a mirror is largely a personal choice. However, it's worth noting that if you don’t want one set into the doors, or outside of your wardrobe you can also get ones that can be fitted on the inside too.

Hinged or sliding doors?

One of the most significant considerations when choosing a wardrobe for your bedroom is whether you will opt for a sliding wardrobe or a hinged wardrobe.  

Wardrobes with hinged doors offer a more classic look but require plenty of clearance so the doors can be opened to their full capacity. 

Sliding door wardrobes, on the other hand, can work well in either a small or large space because you simply slide the door across when you need to access the storage.

Aesthetics 

Choosing the right wardrobe isn't only a matter of its functionality. You will also have to carefully consider the look of the piece, as it will have a major impact on the feel of your bedroom.

Colour themes

Wardrobes come in all sorts of painted colours, but the most popular hues tend to be white, black, and grey. 

Indeed, a white wardrobe can be very neutral in a bedroom which means you can be free to decorate the rest of the room as you please, and even a modern white wardrobe can work with boho decor if it's done right. 

Also choosing a white wardrobe can help make a smaller space look larger because it will reflect light. Whereas choosing a black wardrobe can be a good way of making a larger room look smaller and cozier. 

Currently, a major trend in interiors is the colour grey, and you can choose a grey wardrobe and additional pieces of bedroom furniture to follow this. Although, always feel free to mix and match colours to provide a more characterful eclectic look, if that is what you want. 

Gloss or matt finishes

Another aesthetic consideration is the type of finish to choose. As well as their natural (or varnished/treated) wood finishes, wardrobes also come in either matt (a soft, duller finish) or a high gloss wardrobe (a shiny finish) which looks great in white.

For a more rustic feel, you may wish to opt for a style that is predominantly natural wood, yet for a more modern look, a monochrome piece in gloss can work perfectly. 

Alternatively, if you are worried about your wardrobe taking up too much focus in the bedroom, you may wish to opt for a matt finish. This is because a softer finish will allow a piece to mesh better with its surroundings and help create a more calm and relaxing space. 

Style of the wardrobe 

In addition to the colour and finish of a wardrobe, you will also need to think carefully about the style you choose. There are many styles of wardrobe to choose from including more luxurious and high-end versions which are perfect for opulent spaces. Then you have the more industrial-looking pieces which are ideal for more modern and masculine-themed rooms. You may even prefer something very simple, and low profile, which will blend in with other stylistic aspects of the room, and help create a cohesive overall look. 

Even small wardrobe details like coving, fancy door pull, or slatting in the doors can make a big difference to the style of the room they are placed in, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you search through options. 

Type & shape

Last, of all, we come to type and shape. Now, this may seem like a predominately aesthetic issue, but it fits into both aesthetic and practical categories. This is because the shape and type of a wardrobe don't only relate to the way it looks but can help it fit into non-typical spaces while maximizing storage. 

Freestanding or fully fitted 

The major question to consider here is whether to opt for a fitted or a free standing wardrobe. Freestanding wardrobes are self-contained and can be placed anywhere in a room, space allowing. They tend to be the cheaper option than fitted wardrobes as they do not require any custom design or building. Indeed, you can order a freestanding wardrobe from an online or IRL store, have it delivered to your home and fit it yourself. 

Fitted wardrobes on the other hand require a higher level of DIY competence, and many people choose to have them installed by professionals. The major advantage of choosing fitted wardrobes is that they can be custom-built for non-typical spaces including rooms with sloping ceilings, strange angles, and unique alcoves, all while still maximising storage space. 

Walk-in wardrobes  

Finally, no wardrobe-type guide would be complete without mentioning the walk-in variety. You’ve probably seen walk-in wardrobe before, if not in real life, in reality, shows such as the Kardashians! 

Walk-ins tend to be large wardrobes that are built in a specific space in the home. They have custom storage, as well as areas to sit and dress. They tend to be bespoke, so incur a high cost, which combined with the need for an additional room makes them less than practical for many. 

Although, if you are something of a fashionista and you have the budget and the space and walk-in wardrobe can be a great option, as it keeps all your clothes, accessories, and shoes well organised and easy to access. 

No matter your wardrobe needs visit www.wardrobedirect.com today and browse our huge selection.