08 September 2021

What To Look For When Buying A Wardrobe

Unless you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated dressing room or walk-in closet, a freestanding wardrobe is one of the most essential – and possibly expensive – pieces of furniture you’ll buy. It pays, therefore, to know what you’re getting – from the different storage options available to the smaller details worth thinking about, a quality wardrobe which works with your lifestyle is bound to stay with you for years. Here’s what the pros advise you look for, plus a roundup of some of our favourite pieces.

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Know What You Need

“Think about your storage needs,” says interior designer Anna Hewitson. “Do a quick audit of your clothes and think about what you really require. Do you have lots of trousers, skirts and dresses that need hanging rails or are you more of a jumper and jeans person who needs lots of shelves? Do you want to keep your shoes in the wardrobe and, therefore, would space for a shoe rack be useful at the bottom – or maybe you want a shelf at the top to store your bags? Once you have a clear idea of how the wardrobe needs to work, you can start to imagine how it should look.”

Think About Access

“Freestanding wardrobes are large,” continues Anna. “So you need to ensure you can actually get it in the front door, up the stairs, around narrow, winding landings and into the bedroom. Flat-packed styles can be useful if you have restricted access, as you can build them on site. It’s also worth checking whether the company you’re ordering from has two-man delivery and will deliver your item to the right room.”

Consider The Scheme

“Opt for a timeless wardrobe that complements the style of other pieces in your bedroom,” says Anne Trinder from The Dormy House. “We specialise in made-to-measure pieces with detailed finishing touches that make all the difference – from decorative handles to personal paint finish. Also, why not double-up and select a stylish twin design? Two free-standing wardrobes will offer subtle symmetry and, of course, provide plenty of storage.”

Make It A Feature

"One of the benefits of freestanding versus built-in wardrobes is you can have a little more fun with it – it's much easier to upgrade and change it when the mood strikes,” says Rosie Ward of Ward & Co. “Think about whether the wardrobe could become a feature in its own right – coloured or unusual antique pieces can add a little something extra and balance out the wider colour palette of the space. Freestanding antiques also add character to a bedroom; we recently used a beautiful red Chinese cupboard to liven up a neutral-toned bedroom.” Finally, Anne adds: “Remember to make use of the space around your free-standing wardrobe. We love using artisan handwoven baskets, which also offer some extra storage.”