What Space Do I Need for A Walk-In Wardrobe?

The definition of luxury is light and space, and storage space is no exception. When it comes to bedroom storage, nothing beats the walk-in wardrobe: a whole room dedicated to storing your clothing.

However, there are a few things to consider before diving into your installation. At Online Bedrooms, we’ve been helping customers design made-to-measure fitted wardrobes for years. To help you get started, we’ve put together this complete guide, covering everything from walk-in wardrobe sizes and layouts to top tips and mistakes to avoid. Read on for everything you need to know. 

What to Consider Before Designing a Walk-In Wardrobe

 A walk-in wardrobe can completely transform the way you use your home, increasing storage and freeing up space in your bedroom. But to ensure you get the most out of your new wardrobe, you should weigh up a few things first. 

Storage Needs 

How much storage space do you need, and what kind of clothing and accessories do you want to store? These factors will impact the type of storage configurations you install. For example, if you own a lot of suits or dresses you might want to prioritise hanging rails. Alternatively, if you want to store multiple pairs of shoes, you could consider shoe racks or shelving. 

Budget 

Another key factor is your budget. Having a larger budget obviously gives you more flexibility in terms of design choices and storage configurations. However, even if you have a more limited amount to spend, there are still plenty of options available to you. In these cases, it may be best to opt for more minimalist designs, maximising functionality while reducing unnecessary expenditure. A good fitted wardrobe designer will be able to work with you to accommodate your goals while meeting any budget restrictions. 

Size Of Your Area

Walk-in wardrobe sizes can vary dramatically, but the space available to you will inevitably impact the design and layout of your wardrobe. Before making any plans, you should accurately measure the space for your walk-in wardrobe, accounting for everything from shelving to doors, cabinetry depth and standing room. 

Placement Of Your Walk-in Wardrobe 

As well as size, the layout of your space and its placement in your home can affect your planning choices. If your space is long and narrow, for example, a single-sided layout with storage down one wall might be best. Or, if your chosen room is square, you might be able to accommodate cabinetry along three sides, maximising storage. Regardless of the shape, size or placement of your fitted walk-in wardrobe, an experienced designer should be able to help you make the most of it. 

Minimum Walk-in Wardrobe Size

There are no set specifications for walk-in wardrobe sizes, but below a certain size, you will begin to feel the squeeze. As a minimum, we recommend:
Basic storage (1 person) – 1.5 m x 2 m (5 ft x 6.5 ft)
Comfortable storage (2 people) – 2 m x 3 m (6.5 ft x 10 ft)
It goes without saying that the more space you have, the more freedom you will enjoy with your design choices. Regardless of space, however, there are plenty of creative storage solutions that can help you make the most of what you have and create efficient storage in even the smallest of rooms. 

Benefits of a Walk-in Wardrobe 

Aside from being an installation that almost every homeowner aspires to, walk-in wardrobes offer a range of benefits that make them a very practical and rewarding home improvement.

• Increased storage – walk-in wardrobes usually allow for far more storage space than conventional fitted wardrobes and allow you to comfortably keep all your clothes and accessories neatly tucked away and protected.
• Improved property value – because walk-in wardrobes are so sought after, they can add a considerable amount of value to your property – as much as £10,000 according to some estimates.
• More bedroom space – by separating your clothes storage from your bedroom, walk-in wardrobes free up space that can be used for other features, such as a vanity table.
• Privacy – walk-in wardrobes create a separate space for you to change and dress in, giving you more privacy to get your outfit spot on without disturbing your partner.
• Easier access – by increasing the amount of storage, walk-in wardrobes make accessing each item far easier, allowing you to find clothing faster and saving you from losing things.
  

Check out our blog post for the top seven benefits of having a walk-in wardrobe. These benefits can be maximised when you’re able to completely customise your setup, such as with our huge range of colours and internal storage configurations.

Popular Walk-In Wardrobe Layouts

When it comes to walk-in wardrobes, sizes and layouts can be customised to suit, and the best design for you will vary depending on space, budget and preferences. 

Single-Sided

 A single-sided walk-in wardrobe, as the name suggests, is comprised of storage down one wall of the space, with the remaining area saved for access and dressing. This layout is straightforward and well suited to more narrow rooms, maximising storage while retaining easy access.

Double-Sided 

A double-sided layout offers twice the amount of storage as a single-sided wardrobe, with cabinetry down two walls of the room and a walkway and dressing area through the middle. Double-sided wardrobes work well in rooms that are a little wider, but perhaps not that deep. 

With An Island 

Perhaps one of the most desirable styles of walk-in wardrobe is an island layout. This is where the room has cabinetry fitted to the walls as normal, in your chosen configuration, but also has a separate island in the middle. This island can be used for a range of purposes, including as a dressing table, accessory storage or simply more clothing space.

U Shaped 

As opposed to having storage down just one or two walls, a U-shaped walk-in wardrobe takes advantage of all three of the available walls in your space. This option might not be suited to narrower rooms, but works perfectly in more square or rectangular spaces, making access easy and giving maximum storage. 

Open Door 

Open door walk-in wardrobes are a modern, utilitarian take on traditional designs. They use doorless cabinetry and shelving to display your clothing and accessories. The open layout requires a little more care to keep the space looking tidy, but can make accessing your wardrobe easier. 

Making the Most of a Small Walk-In Wardrobe

While creating a walk-in wardrobe in a smaller space can be more of a challenge, it’s by no means impossible. There are a few steps you can take to make the most of whatever walk-in wardrobe size you have:

• Evaluate your needs – identify exactly what you want to store, and if space is tight, prioritise the most important items and tailor your storage around these.
• Space-efficient storage – there are storage solutions specifically designed to maximise storage in small spaces, such as sliding rails, corner cabinets and wide-opening door hinges.
• Lighting – a classic way to make a small space feel larger is with cleverly crafted lighting. Lamps, light strips and mirrors can all make your walk-in wardrobe feel roomier than it is, while creating a bright, airy space for you to dress in peace.
• Vertical storage – one of the best ways to maximise storage in any wardrobe is to make the most of vertical space. Adding floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to your wardrobe can make a huge difference, even if it means using a step stool.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Just as there are plenty of ways to improve your walk-in wardrobe design, there are also some key mistakes you should avoid:

• Wasted space – leaving space unused is one of the biggest avoidable errors. Even if you don’t think you need it now, utilising all the space available to you is key and helps you avoid running out in the future.
• Ignoring lighting – even if you’ve nailed the cabinetry and furniture, poor lighting can spoil any walk-in wardrobe, leaving it feeling small and dingy.
• Incompatible storage – even if your storage looks amazing and is perfectly fitted, if it doesn’t cater to your needs, it’s no good to you. Not taking the time to consider your storage requirements can really hamper the finished product.
• Fixed designs – your needs will change over time, and having rigid or fixed storage layouts can leave you stuck with a wardrobe that no longer meets your requirements.
• Cramming – while it’s good to make the most of the space you have, be wary of overcrowding your walk-in wardrobe. Remember, the space needs to be usable, meaning you need to be able to move around inside and dress in comfort. 

Extra Tips

Regardless of walk-in wardrobe size, there are a few extra tips to help you get the best out of your new installation:

• Ventilation – without proper ventilation, your walk-in wardrobe could attract damp which could affect your clothing, leading to smells or even mould. Make sure your wardrobe is adequately ventilated and that the air doesn’t stagnate.
• Security – if you’re planning to store valuables in your walk-in wardrobe, make sure they’re secured against theft in the case of a break in. Solutions like integrated safes and locked drawers can be subtle ways to keep things safe.
• Details – finally, don’t forget the details. Make sure to carefully consider every element of your walk-in wardrobe, both aesthetically and functionally, to ensure the finished product meets your needs. 

Why Choose Online Bedrooms for Your Walk-In Wardrobes

At Online Bedrooms, we specialise in creating stunning made-to-measure fitted wardrobes and can cater to any walk-in wardrobe size or layout. We offer a consultative design process and construct every wardrobe using premium materials right here in the UK. We can help you find the perfect storage layout and make sure the storage is tailored specifically to your needs, making the most of your available space.

To get a free quote, just reach out to our friendly team by calling 0115 647 7062 or by filling out our simple form.