What are the doors and frames made of? How big a gap is there on either side of the bed?

For me the idea of building over the bed dates this type of installation.
Could you move the bed to another wall and then add more wardrobes or drawers in the bed space?

I agree with the above, its the building around the bed that is dated. I would remove all the top units if that was possible. And then paint what is left.

I agree that the over the bed cupboards are the biggest issue. I'd move the bed to another wall and make a vanity area in that alcove with a mirror and by running a wide shelf across to make the dressing table. You've already got lighting there so it would be perfect. A nice double ottoman stool and you've got a great area for make up/hair drying etc.

The wardrobes themselves are eailsy updated. We have just done our dressing room reusing all of the existing frames and just replacing doors and handles. Even cheaper would be to paint them (I'd go dark - perhaps navy with brass handles). In fact looking at your handles they've come back into style!

I think I can also see a glimpse of short curtains?? That's a very fast way to make your room look dated. Curtains need to be floor length.

I agree with the above comments (including the comment about the curtains) but if you are unable to move the bed to another wall the most simplest way to update your wardrobes would be to fully paint them (I would suggest in White) and you can get hold of self-adhesive mirror film which you could (carefully) stick inside the beading and of course change the handles to something far more modern as they are particularly out dated. You may even want to update the hinges to silver (if the handles are silver) as well as they look to be brass?

Funnily enough I’ve been battling with our last bedroom on wardrobes v size of room, my wife also has just dropped the line, id like a vanity area! It’s a smallish room so I’m going custom depth on the wardrobes (around 53cm inside) and a vanity area to the lhs

i did think of something contemporary above the bed and to the sides but in the end it still looked a but dated

gping along this route regards layout

And this style door

@Beano - uncanny..... I was just looking at these wardrobes that have a similar feel to yours.
No doubt yours are a premium brand and these are well priced but great minds clearly think alike

hi Jonathan 😀 that’s the actual door I’m Looking at as wellLol, I just hadn’t a great pic!

Ps have you any idea of the price structure for the ones you posted a pic off? as said, that or the other one I posted are exact doors I’m considering,I take it they are made to order size wise? Wonder if they can be custom strayed to whatever colour you want?

ohh, and they have some outlets here!

Re the price point, I don’t think they (the ones I’m getting) will be super expensive tbh, the guy who did my kitchen will be making them, the doors will be sprayed in acrylic satin, I’m guessing about 2.5k for a 3.8 m run with the end vanity unit included!

in Northern Ireland we don’t have any real choice on brand, bespoke brands as you do on the mainland, actually the above site you have linked via the pic is the first I’ve seen that actually have outlets here!

the doors will be my choice of colour, probably be going ahead around August time now! Patio partitions, glass wall and front fencing to do over the spring/summer.

yes, a agree, you have great taste :-)

Thanks everyone for your comments, much appreciated. I do not know what the wardrobes are made of, but they're certainly not wood. There is hardly any gap between the bed and the sides of the wardrobe. The bedroom is quite small, so I can't really move the bed to another part of the room. I think I shall try either painting the doors (maybe such a special paint exists?!) and putting on new handles, or having the actual doors and handles replaced. Yes, they do look very very dated, but I like the fact that lots of stuff can be stored inside (even in the top cupboards, which add to the old fashioned look of the wardrobes). Thanks again.

How big is the room?,Do you have a sketch plan showing windows/doors? How big is the bed... surely something can be done without losing too much storage and give you a bed side cabinet?

What about painting all the doors, changing the handles and using a vibrant wallpaper in the space between the headboard and overhead cupboards?

I suspect the wardrobes are made from melamine panels. Not the nicest stuff to paint.

I really like the shelf above the bed in one of Delyth's pictures.

You can paint melamine though. If you look at fusion mineral paint this will do the trick.

Will the beading come off to give a more contemporary look? I had something similar on some doors. It was easy to take off the beading, but took some time to sand level and remove all the glue from the panels.

If the doors are melamine it will be trickier to take off the beading ime.

What's the budget on this? If you are going to spend some money on it to make it look really nice then its probably worth getting new doors and just reusing your carcasses and hinges. We've done this on our dressing room and saved a fortune but obviously it will still be a few hundred pounds since you have a fair few doors there. If its a budget DIY makeover then I'd recommend the fusion paint.

Hi did you paint these in the end? Would love to see pics if so!

Hi. No I didn’t paint them in the end, but a local tradesman will be fitting new white more modern looking doors and then the area to which the doors are affixed (and which is visible) will be painted white to match. Husband still dodgy about having workmen in because of the pandemic and it seems as if we’ve stalled regarding home improvements as a consequence. I know these type of wardrobes are now old fashioned, but we have to keep them because of lack of space, otherwise I’d want the whole lot ripping out and replaced with a more modern arrangement!