Do you need all the storage space? If they need to stay then painting or wallpapering them is a great budget option. You could change the handles too. If you don't need all the storage space you could look at removing some of them to make the room look bigger. You could start with the chest of drawers and the unit alongside. To replace them would be costly as they are substantial. Another possibility is replacing the doors with some material that you like and is less imposing. Maybe even removing the doors and having a linen curtain in front to soften the effect. There are so many options...

The wardrobes look well made and neat but do they provide the storage you need? If they do, consider painting the same colour as the walls. You could extend same colour to the woodwork and ceilings to make the room feel larger. Maybe not cream as you have now, as it may be a bit too much but something with a bit more colour.

Replacing existing storage is very expensive and so it is worth exploring how to improve what you have. If the wardrobes do not provide you with the storage you need, consider augmenting with additional storage solutions such as drawers and shoe shelves. I wonder if the narrow chest of drawers section is providing you with decent storage. I think it’s the entryway into the room so may be an unnecessary pinch point without providing good storage? If it is, would you consider removing some or all of that section?

Completely agree with these comments. It all depends on whether you need the storage space or not. Painting is a great idea and you can change the handles too for an updated look, however, if you decide that you don't need all this storage make sure you're certain before removing as it'll be a very costly endeavour.

Here's an example of a client we helped with their bedroom which had a massive amount of storage space:

I don’t think they’re awful, but there is too much of it. Do you need that wardrobe behind the door? That will make the chest of drawers area less cluttered. Painting them is an option in a colour to blend with the walls making them less obvious.

Thank you for all your comments. The space within the wardrobes isn’t ideal which we think is down to there being a chimney breast which reduces the depth. I feel like I could work with them though but the doors and handles are really outdated. I’m also happy to remove the drawers and additional wardrobe as you come in the room. If I did this, would you recommend having the door open into this new space as it currently opens against the bed.
Absolutely love those blue and the cream wardrobes. Is this achievable with paint or would they need to be sprayed?

Is it possible to move the bed position? If it was facing the window, would access 'flow' better?

If the wardrobe is over a fireplace, removing will provide a lovely feature for the room. tab Darcy asks a good question. Do you have a floor plan?

This is the floor plan so not much to work with in terms of bed placement etc

Try to take glossy lamanates on the elevation which will make them look good in Interiors. Plan out for latest colors for Interior which will make you feel positive. If the shelves r good try to put drawers,storage organisers, sensor lightslights when you open the doors of wardrobes. Mirrors if you prefer, try for new designs in handles which are in you budgets.

Hi Sarah,

I think you can easily paint them and even add a trim detail on the doors and new handles.

I would consider modifying the central wardrobe and having some custom drawers done, as you do need some drawers. And I think the central/ middle wardrobe would be ideal for that, from a visual and practical perspective.

Dine a quick visual for you.

Hi Sarah, to update your fitted wardrobes without fully replacing them, consider refinishing the doors with a fresh coat of paint in a modern colour or adding new hardware for a contemporary look. You might also explore the possibility of replacing just the doors with a more visually appealing design or material. To address the issue with the mirror placement, consider mounting a new mirror on a different wall or incorporating a slim, vertical mirror on the side of the wardrobe, which would be more accessible and avoid blocking the doorway. Hope this helps or gives you some ideas!

Sarah if you want to have a shaker-style door, here is a few DIY videos that I found that you might want to check out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dBZYjwnbCg, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xW7W-1IKJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl-WoWPy0U0

There are many more just have a search yourself.. Youtube is an amazing resource for almost any DIY project

These are all such useful comments and resources. Thank you. The doors have a slight curve and moulding on the edges. The curve might make it difficult to update. They’re such good quality though it seems a shame to update with new doors rather than update what’s there. I love the drawers and thank you for the mock up!

You can still give them a frame, but maybe go thinner one and not from the edge.

You will just have to be more careful to make sure they are all the same distance from the edge and level/ parallel, it's always easier if you can push them to the edge, but its not a must.

You can also look into purchasing mouldings from wickes or B&Q and use that to create frames., which would make the project easier.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Painting+Decorating/Mouldings/Decorative-Mouldings/c/1000592

or wall panel kits

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Painting+Decorating/Mouldings/Wall-Panels/Wall-Panel-Kits/c/1002022

Good luck,

Hope we get to see pictures of the finished project.

and don't forget about updating the hardware. ( handles)

I’ve started this project and have a few samples on my wardrobes and the walls. The paint looks so much lighter on the wardrobes even after a few coats. Just wondering if this is to be expected and I should go off the colour it is on the wardrobe. Planning to use the F&B dead flat and using their tester pots at the moment. The picture shows elephants breath on the wardrobes and on the wall. I was originally going for skimming stone on the walls and elephants breath on the doors but they look the same now the darker looks lighter on the wardrobes.

They are only a shade apart on the F&B's sample paint card. That's why they look so similar. If you want them to blend then choose which are the most similar given the light. I would paint the wardrobes first. Eggshell is more expensive than emulsion. I have just used Stirabout in my bedroom and after two coats it is much lighter than I thought it was going to be, I love it. As the colours are so close the choice is entirely your personal preference. There is also nothing wrong with having them slightly different if thats what you choose. It would be helpful if we could see a pic from futher back in the room as up close is difficult to see properly.

I think it’s lovely. So much nice and gentler than the wood effect. My wardrobes are taupe and they go with just about anything! Make sure you use eggshell on the wardrobes as emulsion is difficult to clean and is not so hardwearing. Emulsion is for walls really, not woodwork or furniture. Dulux Egyptian Cotton may go as a wall colour. Very similar to Skimming Stone, but you don’t have to do an exact match. I’ve got Dulux Polished Pebble on my bedroom walls and I think it looks fine with taupe.

Thank you. I’ve just put F&B green smoke on the wardrobes and love it. It’s lighter than it would be on the walls but is a nice calming colour. Will pair with something neutral on the walls. Looking forward to getting it done now

Here my wardrobes ”before” (the bit above was dark brown too, bit i only took a photo once i have put a primer on)

And here there are ”after”. it is inchyra blue from F&B on a Zinser Bulls Eye primer, but i have to say F&B paint is very fast drying so need to roll fast! also use fine sandpaper between the coats, its a hassle but worth it

They look amazing @granulka. What a difference. Which of the F&B paint finishes did you go for? They have just brought out “dead flat” which sounds like a hard wearing finish and you don’t need to prime so I was going to go for that

If your drawers are free standing inwould dismantle the wardrobe next to them and move draweres left

The drawers are built in but I was going to replace them with a set in the position you have suggested as we will struggle to add drawers to the existing wardrobes. There is a chimney breast behind (really want to reveal that but too costly) and the wardrobes are built around it

I have used Modern Eggshell. I never ised dead flat so cannot comment on durability but Modern Eggshell is very good, no chips or scratches, - the key though is to let it cure before you use the furniture. Curing is different from drying, so for example it may be touch dry and ready for second coat after 2h, but curing takes two weeks, which is when the paint properly hardens. its worth the wait.

also i trully recommend that Zinser priming paint, it is strange to use (a bit like waterly glue) but sticks to everything and binds the paint brilliantly

The primer looks sort of slapped on and uneven but it needs only very thin layer so i have sanded this after it toed (and it drievs very fast). my wardrobe doors are mdf / foil wrapped and smooth, so regular primer or regular paint wouldnt stick to it too well

We also added some panelling

Doesn’t that look good? Well done and I love the pannelling behind the bed 👍😊

Lovely room!