Are fitted wardrobes worth it? 7 myths our designers want to bust
From ‘making small spaces feel even smaller’ to ‘costing too much’ and ‘only being right for bedrooms’, our expert designers are here to set the record straight on some of the biggest misconceptions people have about fitted furniture.
Think fitted wardrobes only work in large bedrooms? That bespoke furniture means blowing your budget? Or that you can’t have fitted furniture in an awkward or unusual shaped room?
Think again.
Our designers hear all sorts of assumptions about fitted furniture when they visit customers’ homes. And while some are understandable, a lot of them are based on outdated ideas about what fitted furniture looks like, how it works and what’s actually possible.
So, are fitted wardrobes really worth it?
In short – yes. Particularly if you’re struggling with storage, have an awkwardly shaped room or want to make better use of the space you’ve got available.
Fitted wardrobes are designed specifically for your home so, unlike freestanding furniture, they can make the absolute most of areas that might otherwise go to waste. And because it usually means dispensing with the need for multiple pieces of furniture, you can create a much more streamlined and less cluttered space.
They won’t always be the right solution for everyone – and they are an investment. But if you’re looking for storage that’s tailored to your home and lifestyle, fitted furniture can offer benefits that go well beyond simply having somewhere to hang your clothes.
We asked seven designers at My Fitted Bedroom to tackle the myths they’d most like to bust.
MYTH 1: Fitted wardrobes make small bedrooms feel even smaller
Megan Baker, Head of Design at My Fitted Bedroom, says:
“This is probably one of the biggest myths about fitted furniture. I think people worry that a whole wall of wardrobes will completely dominate a small bedroom. But more often than not, it’s the opposite that’s true. Fitted wardrobes are brilliant for making the most of the space available. And they really do make a space feel less cluttered than when there’s several separate pieces of furniture squeezed in.
“The trick is to put every inch of space to the best possible use. It could be using the full height of the room by going right up to the ceiling, incorporating drawers and bedside tables into the design or taking the storage around the bed. It’s all about creating more usable space – not just filling the room with extra cupboards for the sake of it.”
Read more about maximising storage space in small bedrooms here.
MYTH 2: Fitted furniture is always more expensive than freestanding
Bob Grimsley, Designer at My Fitted Bedroom, says:
“A lot of people hear the word bespoke and automatically assume that it means incredibly expensive. I always encourage customers to look at what they’re getting for their money. A well thought out design could actually replace two freestanding wardrobes, a chest of drawers and additional storage chests. What you’re essentially getting with fitted furniture is a solution that’s designed for your exact space and requirements.
“Of course there’s some investment involved. But there’s also a wide variety of styles, finishes, configurations – and price points! Our Cassia Collection offers great value for money, so you might find you’re pleasantly surprised by what’s achievable within your budget.”
MYTH 3: Fitted wardrobes only work in square rooms
Hayley Charlesworth, Designer at My Fitted Bedroom, says:
“I hear this one a lot! And I really think that fitted furniture actually makes the biggest difference when we’re dealing with awkward rooms and unusual layouts.
“Putting standard freestanding furniture into rooms with chimney breasts, alcoves, and sloping ceilings can be incredibly frustrating because it just doesn’t fit well. But I really love designing around these types of features – I don’t see them as obstacles at all. I’ve designed wardrobes to fit beneath attic eaves, created storage either side of an asymmetrical chimney breast and turned awkward recesses into genuinely useful storage space.”
MYTH 4: Fitted furniture looks old-fashioned
Mia Poulton, Designer at My Fitted Bedroom, says:
“I think some people still picture the fitted bedrooms that their parents had in the 80s – heavy wall-to-wall modular units in simulated wood grains and huge overbed storage systems with built-in shelving and headboards. But fitted furniture has come a long way since then.
“Today’s designs are much more contemporary and there’s so much more choice. You can have something really understated that almost blends into the walls or make the furniture a real statement feature with minimalist handleless wardrobes, classic Shaker doors and stylish fluted finishes. And there’s a huge choice of colour options too.”
MYTH 5: Once fitted furniture is installed, you can’t change anything
Julie Wigfield, Designer at My Fitted Bedroom, says:
“It’s true that fitted furniture is harder to move around than freestanding, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the storage has to stay exactly the same forever.
“I make a point of asking my customers how their needs might change in a few years. They might need lots of hanging space now, but more shelving later on. Or they’re thinking about storage for a child’s bedroom that needs to grow with them. For me, it’s about thinking ahead – internal layouts with adjustable shelving, for example, are just one of the ways to make a design much more adaptable.”
MYTH 6: Fitted furniture is just for bedrooms
Keeshak Downie, Designer at My Fitted Bedroom, says:
“This is one myth I’d definitely like to challenge! People do sometimes associate fitted furniture purely with bedrooms, but there are so many other places in the home where it can make a real difference. Boot rooms, home offices, understairs cupboards, dressing rooms, utility spaces – basically anywhere you need to make better use of the space available.
“I’ve found that some of my most satisfying and successful designs were in awkward areas that customers had struggled with for years. A clever storage solution can completely change how a room works on a day-to-day basis.”
MYTH 7: A media wall is just an expensive way to hang your TV
Bobby Patel, Designer at My Fitted Bedroom, says:
“I think people sometimes see media walls on social media and assume they’re purely decorative. But, for me, a media wall should be just as practical as it is good-looking. You want it to work really hard behind the scenes too. It’s a great opportunity to create proper storage for everything that comes with your TV – consoles, cables, remotes, games and all the other bits and pieces that tend to clutter up your living room.
“You can combine concealed cupboards with open shelving, display areas and integrated lighting. And because everything is designed together, the finished result feels much more seamless and streamlined.”
The biggest myth of all? That fitted furniture is only about adding more storage
“Fitted furniture isn’t just about squeezing as many cupboards as possible into a room,” concludes Megan Baker. “It’s about understanding how someone uses their home and designing something that makes their everyday life easier.
“It could be more storage, creating a dedicated workspace, making a small room feel less cluttered or finally putting that awkward corner to good use.
Feeling inspired? Our designers can help you explore what’s possible at a free home design visit.