Decorating
10 Ways Freestanding Wardrobes Can Work Brilliantly
Once a feature of every bedroom, freestanding wardrobes are still working hard, looking good and standing tall today
The children in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe could not have escaped to Narnia without a magical closet, but while that eponymous wardrobe was stuffed with fur coats, today’s designs are more suited to simple clothes storage. Their chief rival in the bedroom is the built-in wardrobe, often chosen for its sleek, discreet look and adept at making the most of awkward spaces. The freestanding wardrobe, on the other hand, is more of a standout piece, with thousands of styles available, from French armoire to contemporary wooden closet. In addition, a freestanding wardrobe is portable, so you can take it with you when you move and, as these beautiful examples reveal, it’s actually more clever, versatile and space saving than you might guess.
Reflect on it
A wardrobe with a mirrored door helps boost light levels and increase the sense of space in a bedroom. It’s also vital for dressing, hair drying and make-up applying. If your wardrobe does not already have a mirror attached, install one in the door: as this beautiful, ornate piece illustrates, the bigger the better!
A wardrobe with a mirrored door helps boost light levels and increase the sense of space in a bedroom. It’s also vital for dressing, hair drying and make-up applying. If your wardrobe does not already have a mirror attached, install one in the door: as this beautiful, ornate piece illustrates, the bigger the better!
Go bespoke
A wardrobe made to suit your bedroom does not necessarily need to be built into it. This lovely bespoke piece is freestanding, but has been made specifically for the owners and their bedroom.
A wardrobe made to suit your bedroom does not necessarily need to be built into it. This lovely bespoke piece is freestanding, but has been made specifically for the owners and their bedroom.
Team with colour
Make the most of your freestanding wardrobe and show off its strong lines by positioning it against a colourful wall. Here, a smart, contemporary design in warm wood sits in front of a bold green backdrop. There’s no attempt to make this large piece of furniture blend in – it stands out to be admired.
Make the most of your freestanding wardrobe and show off its strong lines by positioning it against a colourful wall. Here, a smart, contemporary design in warm wood sits in front of a bold green backdrop. There’s no attempt to make this large piece of furniture blend in – it stands out to be admired.
Include in a child’s room
Kids’ rooms have to evolve to suit their constantly growing inhabitants. A freestanding wardrobe is versatile enough to adapt, and can be moved to another room if your toddler inherits a bigger space.
When they are young and wearing tiny garments, use it to store their clothes, but also toys and kit, too. Once they are bigger, it can revert to simple clothes storage. You can even paint it whatever shade your son or daughter is mad about, then repaint it later when their tastes change.
Discover 12 ways to hack your wardrobe
Kids’ rooms have to evolve to suit their constantly growing inhabitants. A freestanding wardrobe is versatile enough to adapt, and can be moved to another room if your toddler inherits a bigger space.
When they are young and wearing tiny garments, use it to store their clothes, but also toys and kit, too. Once they are bigger, it can revert to simple clothes storage. You can even paint it whatever shade your son or daughter is mad about, then repaint it later when their tastes change.
Discover 12 ways to hack your wardrobe
Try exotic materials
Although wardrobes have been used for clothes storage for centuries, contemporary wardrobe designs are anything but old-fashioned. Exciting materials, such as richly toned wood, bold shapes and attractive finishes, update this stalwart of the bedroom. This stylish armoire is made from mango wood and steel.
Although wardrobes have been used for clothes storage for centuries, contemporary wardrobe designs are anything but old-fashioned. Exciting materials, such as richly toned wood, bold shapes and attractive finishes, update this stalwart of the bedroom. This stylish armoire is made from mango wood and steel.
Make it match
A wardrobe is a sizable piece, so to help it belong in the bedroom, rather than simply take up space, team it with furniture from the same or a very similar range. It creates a coordinated feel and looks harmonious and considered.
A wardrobe is a sizable piece, so to help it belong in the bedroom, rather than simply take up space, team it with furniture from the same or a very similar range. It creates a coordinated feel and looks harmonious and considered.
Angle it
A wardrobe is never small enough to be discreet, so it sometimes makes more sense to draw attention to it, rather than attempting to slot it away. Choose a large, handsome wardrobe, like this French-style design, and set it at an angle across a corner to make a beautiful feature of it.
A wardrobe is never small enough to be discreet, so it sometimes makes more sense to draw attention to it, rather than attempting to slot it away. Choose a large, handsome wardrobe, like this French-style design, and set it at an angle across a corner to make a beautiful feature of it.
Find a fabulous design
Who says wardrobes always look solid, chunky or imposing? There are thousands of designs available, including pieces with a quirky, oriental feel, like this one. Its white painted finish with black handles gives it a light, elegant feel.
Who says wardrobes always look solid, chunky or imposing? There are thousands of designs available, including pieces with a quirky, oriental feel, like this one. Its white painted finish with black handles gives it a light, elegant feel.
Double up
Standing two wardrobes side by side gives a sense of symmetry and creates a big bank of storage. Choose a simple design that nevertheless includes some detail, so that this double act does not look too heavy or blocky.
TELL US…
Do you favour freestanding wardrobes over built-in ones? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Standing two wardrobes side by side gives a sense of symmetry and creates a big bank of storage. Choose a simple design that nevertheless includes some detail, so that this double act does not look too heavy or blocky.
TELL US…
Do you favour freestanding wardrobes over built-in ones? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Built-in wardrobes can actually make a room feel smaller by obscuring the view of the floor and ceiling. Freestanding wardrobes, on the other hand, have a margin of space around them, even when fitted snugly into an alcove, as here. The area above the wardrobe can then be used for storage, by sliding baskets on top, without spoiling this effect.
Check out 10 steps to an organised wardrobe