Wardrobes Buying Guide
What do you want your wardrobe to do?
When you are buying a wardrobe, you will first need to establish what you will be using it for. If you intend to hang ball gowns or dresses in it, for example, then a long hanging space makes sense, whereas suits are likely to require a shorter hanging space. It's also worth checking whether or not the shelving above a given wardrobe's hanging rail is adjustable or removable. Some wardrobes offer additional storage options.
Choosing the Right Wardrobe
Before you purchase a wardrobe, you'll need to measure up potential locations within your bedroom, taking care to ensure that you measure the maximum available space. One mistake that is frequently made is a failure to take the skirting board into consideration, whilst the height of the wardrobe is also an obvious consideration - particularly for those that have sloping ceilings.
You should also take the time to ensure that the wardrobe's advertised dimensions are its absolute maximum dimensions, not least as they are often bigger at the base or top, such as when they have ornate feet. It's also vital to measure the access to your bedroom to avoid problems with tight stairwells and corners.
Also ensure that there is sufficient space in your room to open your wardrobe's doors.
Freestanding or Fitted?
If you have an average alcove, a freestanding wardrobe is likely to be just what you need - although there's also the possibility of choosing a fitted wardrobe, which combines maximum space efficiency with a more formal appearance.
Freestanding wardrobes do take up slightly more space than their fitted counterparts, given that they don't tend to make the most of the available space. On the flip side, however, they do give you the flexibility to frequently alter your room's layout.
Another bonus of a freestanding wardrobe is that you can bring it with you whenever you move house, as it is easy to assemble and disassemble.
By choosing a fitted wardrobe, however, you can benefit from a tailored storage solution that doesn't waste an inch of available space.
Freestanding Wardrobe choices
Open hanging
Open hanging wardrobes lack sides and sometimes even tops, which makes them cheaper to buy - although they do also expose your clothing to dust within the room.
Flat Packed or self-assembly
This wardrobe type is another one that helps to save money, both on delivery and on the basis of the customer constructing the wardrobe themselves.
Pre-assembled
Pre-assembled wardrobes come with their components pre-fitted, which is an obvious convenience - although one downside is that it becomes very important to measure up the various access points to your home so that you'll be able to get the wardrobe into your bedroom.
Knock Down
Another form of pre-assembled wardrobe, this wardrobe's bolts and non-permanent fixings make it possible for it to be taken apart and reassembled by the customer.
