5 things to think about before buying fitted wardrobes
Investing in fitted wardrobes is a great opportunity to create storage that works specifically for you, your belongings and your bedroom.
Fitted wardrobes look super stylish too – designed for the space and in modern colours and door designs.
But before you start choosing door styles and colours, it pays to spend a little time thinking about what you actually need from your new wardrobes.
Unlike freestanding furniture, fitted wardrobes can be designed around the dimensions and layout of your room, while the internal storage can be tailored around everything from long dresses and shoes to folded clothes, accessories and luggage.
We recently teamed up with interior designer Lisa Hensby Design, who transformed her daughter Scarlett’s bedroom with My Fitted Bedroom furniture. As an expert in interiors, Lisa shared her 5 Top Tips on what to think about when you’re updating a room with fitted furniture.
Here’s interiors expert, Lisa Hensby’s advice.
So, where should you start? Here are five things worth thinking about before your design appointment.
- Take stock of what you need to store
Before deciding what you want your new wardrobes to look like, think about what needs to go inside them.
Take a look at your existing wardrobe and make a quick inventory. How much hanging space do you use? Do you own lots of long dresses or coats? Are shoes taking over the bottom of the wardrobe? Do you need somewhere for bags, accessories, bedding or suitcases?
It’s also worth thinking about the things that currently don’t have a proper home. One of the advantages of fitted furniture is that storage can be designed around the way you live rather than expecting your belongings to fit into a standard wardrobe.
- Don’t assume your current bedroom layout is the best one
It’s very easy to start planning new wardrobes for exactly the same spot as your existing ones, but this could mean missing an opportunity to make better use of your room.
Look at the bedroom as a whole. Where are the windows and doors? How does the natural light enter the room? Could wardrobes work better on another wall? Is there an awkward alcove or unused area that could become valuable storage?
A fitted bedroom designer can look at the room with fresh eyes and suggest layouts you might not have considered.
The aim isn’t simply to replace one wardrobe with another. It’s to find the arrangement that makes the whole bedroom work better.
- Plan the inside as carefully as the outside
Beautiful wardrobe doors might be what you notice first, but it’s what happens behind them that can make the biggest difference day to day.
Think about the balance of storage you need. That could include:
full-length hanging space for dresses and coats
double hanging rails for shirts, trousers and shorter items
shelving for folded clothes
dedicated shoe storage
drawers for smaller items
space for bags and accessories.
Try to be realistic about how you organise your clothes, too. If you rarely fold clothes neatly onto shelves, don’t devote half your wardrobe to shelving just because it looks good in a showroom.
The best wardrobe interior is the one that suits your habits.
- Make use of the full height of the room
One of the biggest advantages of fitted wardrobes is the ability to use space that might otherwise be wasted.
Taking cabinetry higher can provide valuable additional storage, particularly in smaller bedrooms where floor space is at a premium.
Higher cupboards and shelves are ideal for things you don’t need every day, such as suitcases, spare bedding, seasonal clothes or items you only use occasionally.
You may not be able to reach the highest storage without a step, but that’s fine – keep everyday items within easy reach and use those harder-to-access areas for less frequently used belongings.
It means you’re making much better use of the room’s available space without adding to its footprint.
- Think beyond the wardrobe doors
Finally, it’s time for the fun part: how you want your finished bedroom to look.
Your wardrobes are a significant feature in the room, so think about them as part of the overall interior rather than choosing the doors in isolation.
Consider the colours already in your bedroom, the amount of natural light and the atmosphere you want to create. A lighter finish can help create an airy, understated look, while deeper colours can make fitted furniture feel dramatic and luxurious. Hardware also makes a surprisingly big difference, with details such as brass, chrome and other finishes helping to change the overall character of the design.
And don’t be afraid to choose something with personality. Fitted wardrobes are designed to be lived with for years, so choose a combination that feels right for your home rather than simply following the latest trend.
Start with how you want your bedroom to work
Perhaps the most useful thing to remember when planning fitted wardrobes is that you don’t need to arrive at your design appointment knowing exactly what you want.
Instead, think about the problems you’d like your new bedroom storage to solve.
Bring an idea of what you need to store, what frustrates you about your current bedroom and any colours or styles you love. Your designer can then help turn that wish list into a fitted solution that makes the best possible use of your space.
At My Fitted Bedroom, our designers can help you explore different layouts, storage configurations, colours and finishes to create fitted bedroom furniture designed around your room – and the way you actually use it.