Inside: Constructing Your Own Dream Walk-In Wardrobe. Collaborative post.
Many of us dream of our very own walk-in wardrobe, but if you’re ready to make those dreams a reality, here are our top tips for constructing a walk-in wardrobe on a budget; covering all the steps involved from measuring-up right through to those all-important finishing touches.
Planning the Layout
The first step is to identify the perfect space for your walk-in wardrobe. Consider factors such as:
- Eaves and alcoves
- Traffic flow around the room
- The available square footage for your wardrobe (measure carefully, taking into account things like skirting boards, radiators, coving and cornice)
- How open doors or drawers might impact walkways, windows or access
Utilising every inch of available space to ensure none of it goes to waste is key to getting the most of your walk-in, so consider including bespoke fitted wardrobes in your plans to maximise on space.
Making the Right Design Decisions
Next, you’ll want to identify and incorporate the ideal storage systems for your needs. For this, you need a good grasp of how you plan to use your wardrobe and what exactly you’ll be storing. Clothes may be the obvious answer!
But it’s important to think about the types of clothes you own, for example, do you mostly wear dresses or suits that need to be hung, or t-shirts and jeans that can be folded in drawers or on shelves? Do you also want to include rails for accessories, hooks for hats or racks for shoes?
This is also a good time to consider what materials you’re going to use and the kind of look you’re hoping to achieve. Do you want an open system so you can see everything at a glance, or do you want everything to be neatly hidden away?
Lighting, Doors, and Finishing Touches
Good lighting is a vital component of any walk-in wardrobe. Consider layering lighting options so that you have an ambient glow for when you’re getting undressed before bed, but brighter task lighting for when you’re putting together an outfit or searching for that certain accessory or pair of shoes.
Accent lighting can also be used to draw attention to any interesting architectural features you choose to include in your design, or to décor such as framed prints.
You’ll also need to choose an entry method – for example, traditional doors vs sliding doors, or maybe even a curtain rail for a softer, textured look. Finishes such as paint colours, mirrors, handles and trims will all affect the overall look and feel of your finished wardrobe and should pull together the design choices you’ve already made so that the end result is cohesive.
Budgeting and Safety
Whether you intend to do the work yourself or you’re hiring a contractor to build your walk-in wardrobe for you, there are a couple of things you need to be clear on from the start. The first is budget – set this early on and stick to it. When buying materials or hiring contractors, shop around and get a few quotes before committing to make sure you’re getting value for money.
And last, but not least, safety is key. You should ensure that any electrical work is completed by a qualified electrician, and that you’ve considered issues around ventilation and fire safety.
While planning permission is unlikely to apply to most walk-in wardrobes (unless your home is a listed building), your walk-in wardrobe will still need to comply with UK building regulations