Type of Wardrobe
There are a few different types of wardrobes with their pros and cons. Broadly speaking, the three main types of wardrobes are:
Built-in Wardrobes. Built-in wardrobes are wardrobes that are built into the walls of the room. This allows them to make the most out of the space and can provide a lot of storage space. On top of this, they don't take up floor space as free-standing wardrobes do. The downside of this is that, of course, you need space to extend the room into a wardrobe. For those that do have the available space, built-in wardrobes are great at maximising storage space.
Free-standing wardrobes. Free-standing wardrobes are wardrobes that are not built into a room. This means that they can be added, removed, or moved without making any changes to the room. It also means there is more design potential in the wardrobe's form. Although they do take up floor space, making them unsuitable for small rooms, they don't need space in the walls. Free-standing wardrobes are ideal for people who don't want to make changes to their bedrooms.
Walk-in wardrobes. Walk-in wardrobes combine the storage space of a built-in wardrobe and the design potential of a free-standing wardrobe. Like built-in wardrobes, they are built into the home. Walk-in wardrobes, however, are much bigger, having enough room to walk in. Due to this size, they are also less space efficient. While built-in wardrobes can utilise the entire space, walk-in wardrobes need to leave space to walk. Despite all this, walk-in wardrobes are very popular. If you have space to spare, they are a great option for people that have a lot to store. They also allow for a lot of flexibility with how you store and display your clothes
There is no best option. Whichever one is right for you will depend on your bedroom and your needs.
Wardrobe Doors
Most wardrobe doors fall under two main categories, hinged wardrobe doors, and sliding wardrobe doors. Hinged wardrobe doors open and close on a hinge. Sliding wardrobe doors, on the other hand, open and close by sliding along a track.
Because hinged wardrobe doors are fairly simple, they are easy to install or replace with minimal skill. They are not, however, without their limitations. For one, they require clearance in front of them to open. This can be a problem in rooms with limited space and can also cause issues for people with disabilities. Additionally, they aren't suitable for wider wardrobes as the large doors would be cumbersome to open and take up too much space.
Sliding wardrobe doors also have their own strengths and weaknesses. Compared to hinged wardrobes, they don't need clearance and work well in wider wardrobes. The biggest weakness of sliding wardrobe doors is that they need space to slide. Though they can slide into a wall, this isn't always an option. This also means that they can't be used in free-standing wardrobes. Lastly, sliding wardrobe doors are harder to repair by yourself. If the track the door slides on is damaged, it's a lot more work than simply unscrewing or replacing a hinge.
Both types of wardrobe doors can be excellent options in the right context. Much of the decision between the two comes down to the limitations of the space.
Features
The features of a wardrobe play a big part in its functionality. A wardrobe is more than just an empty space to store things. It also includes things such as drawers, hanging rails, shelves, and more. The features of your wardrobe should reflect your storage needs. Depending on the size and shape of an object, the best way to store them will change. Socks, for example, are best stored in drawers. If you instead stored them on a hanging rail, you'd have no place left for anything else. Think about what you want to store and work out how you want to store them. From there, it's easy to decide what features you want your wardrobe to have.
Style choices
The last thing to consider is how you want your wardrobe to look. The best way to do this is to try to match it to the rest of your bedroom. Unless you're planning to design your room around your wardrobe, this is the best way to make your bedroom interior design feel cohesive. You want to think about the colours and materials used in your room as well as the style of the furniture. If your bedroom is filled with vintage furniture, a modern-style wardrobe will look out of place and create a sense of dissonance. The various theories behind interior design are beyond the scope of this guide, but it's important to consider them when designing your wardrobe.
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