Having the right wardrobe is important and you’ll be surprised how much of a difference the right wardrobe might make to your life.
Let’s assume that you already have a wardrobe.
Before you think about buying a new one stop for a moment and think about how you use the wardrobe you currently have and what could be improved.
This is your chance to make improvements and solve those problems that you may have been struggling with, without realising it.
Is there any point in in spending your hard earned money if it doesn’t result in an improvement.
What should you be thinking about?
Do you need more longer or shorter hanging space or do you need more mixture between the two types?
Do you need shelf space inside your wardrobe? Do you need lower level storage for shoe racks?
Can you fit in a higher wardrobe than you have at the moment and, by default, increase the storage space available to you?
Are you lacking drawer space for underwear, sock, ties and so on, so need to include for those things inside your new wardrobe?
So, first things first.
Why don’t we have a quick run through the different types of wardrobes that you’ll find for sale and the different design types that go hand in hand with them?
Basic hinge wardrobe
Wardrobes that open on a hinge are the most common type of wardrobe today.
The style can be seen with both handles and handle-less design and are easy to lock if needed.
Due to the way the doors swing on their hinges, enough space is necessary between the wardrobe and any surrounding furniture to open comfortably.
Sliding wardrobe
The sliding door wardrobe is a modern design that’s come about from needing as much space as possible in our small bedrooms.
The usually come in models that have two, three or four doors and slide across on a track to present you with your fine selection of coats.
Because of the sliding mechanism, you don’t need to worry about having an area between the wardrobe and the rest of the room, perfect if you live in an apartment.
Walk-in wardrobe
Walk-in wardrobes are for the wealthiest among us and are considered the height of luxury.
Their size means a massive number of objects can be kept in them, many of which you’ll forget about for years as they gradually get pushed higher and further to the back of the room.
If you’re really posh, you’ll make sure there is a leather seat fixed to the middle of the room so that you put your shoes on without having to work on your balance.
If you don’t want the spare room to stay as a bedroom then you could think about converting it into a walk-in wardrobe. That would be a fun project.
If you get a walk-in wardrobe, the previous traditional wardrobe that was sat in your bedroom can be removed allowing your bedroom some more space.
What Is A Tallboy?
A tallboy is a Late 17th Century American (a favorite in Philadelphia) piece of furniture which is made up of a chest of drawers and a wardrobe together.
The chest of drawers can either be adjacent to the wardrobe or can sit below.
It’s usually created from mahogany and walnut, two premium species of wood. Attached to the wood are ornate brass handles to finish the look off.
Kas
The Kas was popular throughout the latter parts of the 17th century as well as the 18th century Netherlands.
They were very large and intended to house important valuables and heirlooms to pass to the next generation of lucky people.
The wood of choice for the Kas was Rosewood and Ebony
Armoires
Armoires are freestanding wardrobes that became most popular during the 20th century.
They are a basic cupboard with no partitioning but, if required, shelves can be added for clothes.
They are wooden and, traditionally, have elaborate paintings and carvings.
What’s an Armoire?
An armoire (latin for “armorium”) is a tall, freestanding wardrobe that is accessed through hinged doors.
It’s divided into compartments like a typical wardrobe, with shelves, drawers and areas for hanging clothes.
The origins of armoires date back to the 17th Century France.
They were next in the evolutionary lineage of chests once their owners started to settle down and live in one place.
At the time they were needed for clothes in the same way they are today but also linen, rugs, tapestries, weapons and armor.
Surely not weapons you animals.
These were originally large, bulky pieces of furniture and, although still large, they are somewhat more refined now.
They sit directly on the floor and don’t have any feet.
Less so now but traditionally armoires had elaborate designs on both the outside and the inside. This is a throwback to when the French owners wanted to impress their visitors with the most extravagant carvings.
Modern armoires are perfect for storing gadgets in like a TV, record player, or laptop if you want to. Shut them away when the neighbors come round for a snoop. For this very reason, armoires are great for adding to a home office if you have one.
Pros of Fitted Wardrobes
Sometimes we can’t help where we live and the room shapes we’re landed with but at least fitted wardrobes have the benefit of fitting into all of those awkward angles.
This means you’ll be able to use as much for your room as possible.
Additionally, fitted wardrobes give you the option to add some extra storage option to suit your needs.
Cons of fitted wardrobes
What’s made up for in bespoke manufacturing, you lose in the cost of the production. Fitted wardrobes are a lot more expensive than their freestanding cousins.
Part of the reason for the increased price is needing an expert to design it. If he’s working flat out in his work shed trying to make all of the calculations work in order to give you the fitted wardrobe of your dreams then the man needs to get paid.
Pros of Free-Standing Wardrobes
Freestanding wardrobes are the best balance between achieving the functionality of storing your clothes and being able to afford to do so.
You’re able to pick what you want from an online store and have the exact model delivered to you door, there’s no waiting around for extra measurements to be recorded.
Cons of Free-Standing Wardrobe
If you do have strange angles throughout your then buying a freestanding wardrobe can be frustrating.
You may have to settle for a smaller version than you’d normally go for, meaning you won’t be able to store as many items in it as you’d like.
You don’t want to make the effort of buying one if your clothes are going to end up on the floor regardless.
You’re advised to fix the wardrobe to the wall so that there’s no chance of it falling over and crushing you.
Industrial-Style Wardrobes
Industrial design style closets focus on their materials. It’s a gradient and at one end is wood, the other is metal.
At the wood end, the wardrobes can be made totally of the natural stuff. If it’s left unpainted, then you’ll want to find a dark species. I’ve seen some wooden industrial wardrobes painted a dark smokey blue color.
It doesn’t have to be blue though, you could choose slate gray or even black. The idea behind this is to show the effect of hard labor. Working in the factories where the air is more soot than oxygen and you make equipment that other factories use to spin wool.
These kind of closets work well with shiny brass handles.
The next stage in the gradient is a closet that’s frame is metal and walls, doors and floors are wooden. You’ll be able to see the metal chassis all the time, even when the doors are closed. Again, darker woods are better for this style.
These kind of wardrobes make it look as though you’ve found some tools and smashed this piece of art together.
Lastly, at the far end of the spectrum, are the purely metal beasts. A lot of the time they’re lockers or something in a similar vein.
Painted a dark color and rubbed down with wire wool to distress the look. Imagine you have dragged this locker from a dumpster without a care in the world. The more wrecked it looks, the more character it has. Win-win.
Scandinavian-Style Wardrobes
Scandinavian decor closets are minimalist.
At most they are made from natural wood but there are often cases where the closets are stripped back down to the top of just being a metal rail to hang the clothes.
Wooden Scandinavian closets are mid-tone to light species, don’t be afraid to buy white wardrobes either.
The pale colors help with making spaces appear as large as possible and remain cozy.
If the wardrobe helps to add to a monochrome black and white palette then you’re onto the right track.
You won’t find any patterns or intricacies embossed on Scandinavian wardrobes to keep in line with the minimalist, no fuss feel.
The handles are functional, they’re often circular and without any extruding flamboyant parts.
Again, keep in with the monochromatic vibe.
For instance, if you have a white wardrobe then black handles are the best option.
Some Scandinavian style closets don’t even have handles, you can buy them with doors that you gently push open with a subtle click.
Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes
Mid-Century modern wardrobes are plain and without any intricate patterns.
They’re exclusively made from dark woods, for example, mahogany.
There’s often an emphasis on creating a contrasting pattern from the natural grain.
As with all mid-century furniture, the wardrobe sit upon thin legs to make them look like they’re floating.
The wood can be sculpted into a geometric front or drawers dovetailed to follow the natural lines of the wardrobes.
These makes the furniture very aesthetically pleasing and are the hallmarks of mid-century pieces.
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