Choosing a wardrobe

Space
Unless you have room for a walk-in wardrobe you will probably need to plan quite carefully to ensure you have enough space for your clothes without allowing a gigantic wardrobe to dominate the whole room. Get out the tape measure and see how much space you want to allow. When you see a wardrobe you like in a catalogue or shop, measure out the dimensions of the base on a piece of newspaper and place it in position on your bedroom floor so you can see how far it protrudes and how much space you have around it. You will also need to measure the doorway to the room and think about how you are going to get the wardrobe up any stairs. A flat-pack may be the best solution if you have limited room to manoeuvre. If you have an awkward area under an alcove, a bespoke fitted wardrobe will maximise the space and leave you with a flush surface that gives the room a streamlined appearance. The only disadvantage with built-in wardrobes is that you cannot take them with you if you move home.

Modular wardrobes are another good solution as you can add or remove units to suit your changing needs and you can even buy ones that fit into a corner. Sliding door wardrobes are better for cramped bedrooms as they don’t need space around them in order to open the doors.

Style
Avoid a furniture clash by keeping your wardrobe in the same style as your bed and other large items. Don’t mix different tones of wood and if you have an ornate, old-fashioned bedstead then choose a wardrobe of a similar ilk. In a traditional white or pastel room with floral soft furnishings, an antique-style armoire will be most fitting, painted white and perhaps give it a distressed finish if you want it to look more authentic. Likewise, if you have a low-lying futon-style bed then a modern sliding door wardrobe will be more in tune with this sleek and minimal look. Choose frosted glass, light wood or mirror fronted-doors for a pale room. A black lacquered finish can work well in a contemporary room with a robust colour scheme and dramatic wallpaper. If you are stuck with furniture you have acquired at different times consider painting it all in one colour to give the room a cohesive feel.

Storage
Before you decide on your wardrobe take a look through your clothes and decide whether you need more hanging space or drawer space and what length the majority of your clothes are. Some wardrobes have adjustable hanging rails, but not all, so make sure they are positioned high enough for long coats and dresses. Half height rails will only work for shirts and folded trousers. The wardrobe also needs to be deep enough for broad shouldered items like blazers. If you are sharing the wardrobe with a partner make sure there is adequate hanging space for both of you. If you are lucky enough to have a huge bedroom, but cannot quite fit in a walk-in wardrobe, then a fully integrated storage system is the next best thing. All the major home furnishing and DIY stores sell versions of these that have shoe racks, trouser rails, tie hangers, drawer dividers and shelf space built in. You can usually change the configuration of these to suit your needs.