Planning a Built-In Wardrobe: A Practical Guide

A built-in wardrobe uses the full height and width of a wall, so it usually holds far more than a freestanding one. Getting the layout right before it is built makes the biggest difference to how useful it is.

1. Start with what you need to store

List what will go in the wardrobe: long dresses or abayas, shirts, folded clothes, shoes, bags, suitcases and bedding. This tells you how much long hanging, short hanging, shelving and drawer space you need.

• Long hanging: about 150–170 cm of clear height
• Double hanging (two rails, one above the other) for shirts and trousers
• Drawers for smaller items and things you want out of sight
• High shelves for suitcases and items used less often

2. Measure the space carefully

Measure width, height and depth at several points, because walls and ceilings are rarely perfectly straight. Note sockets, switches, AC vents and skirting, as they affect where units can go. A standard wardrobe depth is around 60 cm so hangers fit comfortably.

3. Choose the door style

• Hinged doors open fully and show everything at once, but need clearance in front
• Sliding doors save space in narrower rooms
• Open fronts suit walk-in closets and dressing areas

4. Pick finishes that suit the room

Painted or lacquered fronts give a clean, modern look; wood veneers add warmth; mirrored doors make a room feel larger. Handles, internal lighting and soft-close hinges all affect how the wardrobe looks and feels to use.

5. Think about the walk-in option

If you have a spare room or an alcove, a walk-in closet gives you open shelving and hanging on more than one wall, often with a dressing area. It needs enough floor space to move around comfortably, so check the room width first.

Send us your room measurements and a few photos, and we can discuss a layout and provide a quote for a made-to-measure wardrobe.