Are Walk-in Wardrobes Worth It?

If you’re looking to install some stylish new bedroom cabinetry, you’re sure to be asking the question: Are walk-in wardrobes worth it? And our resounding answer is: If you have the available space, yes they are.

An ideal modern home is the result of several different factors, one of which is a clean, clutter-free environment. Achieving this depends on both your organisational skills and your storage options. And if you want an optimal solution, a walk-in wardrobe is the simplest, trendiest answer to all your clothing and accessory needs.

Here’s our expert guide on why they’re a fantastic choice and what to look out for when choosing one.

1. What is a walk-in wardrobe?

A walk-in wardrobe is a huge closet designed to house your clothes and accessories and is built into a room or space that is big enough for you to enter through either a sliding or hinged door.

The space can serve as both a dressing room and wardrobe, giving you useful storage options like shelves, drawers, hanging space, mirrors, shoe and tie racks, accessory drawers and much, much more.

If big enough, it also offers you a seated space in which to do your makeup and can accommodate your vanity products, clearing up the clutter in your bathroom in the process.

Not only are they incredibly versatile but in the world of interior design, they have evolved into a highly regarded fashion statement.

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2. The benefits of having a walk-in wardrobe

Contrary to popular assumptions, walk-in wardrobes are becoming common in small residencies as well as in large mansions because of the usability and convenience they offer. So if you love keeping your possessions organised and well looked after and enjoy collecting designer apparel, they’re an ideal and often life-changing choice.

They do, however, require a little bit more room than a fitted wardrobe. Here are 5 of their primary benefits.

Practical: They bring a sense of order and organisation to your life and allow you to access all your favourite garments with ease, which significantly reduces the stress of your daily dressing routine.

Custom designed: You can design a walk-in wardrobe to accommodate your specific needs and include some opulent extras like a laundry and ironing station, dressing room, ambient lighting, full-length mirrors, a seating area and storage areas for hats, linen and anything else you can think of.

Protective: If your bedroom has an ensuite, the moisture from steam may seep into your built-in wardrobe causing a build-up of mildew or mould which can destroy your clothes or cause them to smell. This is particularly bad for leather, which needs to breathe properly in order to be sustained. A thoughtfully designed walk-in will allow for the proper air circulation needed to protect your clothes.

Optimise floor space: Walk-in wardrobes don’t necessarily need doors that open outward so are usually more space-efficient than their fitted counterparts. They are also not constrained by a specific shape and can be square, L-shaped or even slanted, using up atypical spaces that would otherwise be wasted. By picking the optimal layout, you will enhance the functionality of your entire bedroom, making it a stylish, intimate hideaway that suits your every need.

Add value: Because they are more opulent and utilitarian than many built-ins, walk-in wardrobes are becoming extremely popular and, when well designed, will increase the value of your home.

3. How to decide if a walk-in wardrobe is right for you

Walk-in wardrobes are definitely worthwhile investments if you have extra room. In fact, there is no other storage option that can compare to the level of luxury and convenience that they offer. Not only do they increase functionality, but they also give your home an ultra-chic, refined appeal.

However, it is crucial to pick a system that seamlessly fits into your way of life. Well-designed shelves, drawers and partitions will help you maximise your space, so before you start, have a look at your belongings and decide how you would like them to be stored and displayed.

Before you commit, think about the following:

• Have you got enough space? Unless you have a significant amount of space to dedicate to your walk-in wardrobe, it will have no advantage over standard, built-in cabinetry.
• Is your lighting adequate? A source of natural light is helpful when it comes to a dressing room’s functionality. So having a window or a skylight in the area is first prize. Alternatively, strong overhead lighting and interior closet illumination are key.
• What kind of storage do you want? The choice between closed and open shelving is a matter of personal preference and greatly depends on how tidy you are. We suggest a combination of the two which, again, boils down to the availability of space. Remember to include a good shoe rack, lots of drawers and a full-length mirror.

Carefully planning your customisation options is key to making sure that you get exactly what you’re looking for. And when it comes to clever and cutting-edge storage options, FCI London has almost 40 years of experience in walk-in wardrobe design and installation, so we can help you make the right decisions while bringing versatility, functionality and style to your unique design.

4. The cost of installing a walk-in wardrobe

You might be surprised to learn that installing a small walk-in wardrobe is frequently less expensive than installing a built-in wardrobe, depending on its design.

On the other hand, extending your bedroom to provide a space for a walk-in can involve extensive and costly structural work. Finding an underutilised location like a spare room or space under your stairs is a good solution.

The bottom line is that your overall cost will vary in accordance with the types of fittings and finishes you choose. While mirrors, hinges, handles and materials can be pricey, there are always more cost-effective alternatives.

Our dynamic design team are on hand to guide you through these options to ensure that you end up on budget and delighted with your new space.

5. How to make the most of your walk-in wardrobe

In a perfect world, we would all adore a walk-in wardrobe the size of a master bedroom that is solely dedicated to housing an enormous shoe collection, ballgowns and other luxury items. But the bottom line is most of us don’t have the room in our homes for this kind of extravagance, let alone the actual attire.

So instead, boost your storage space and make the most of a smaller walk-in wardrobe with the following pointers.

• Using shelving heights wisely: The cost of extensive custom-designed shelving could be prohibitive – so choose height-adjustable units instead and group similarly sized clothing, shoes and accessories together.
• Installing hooks: Accessories like bags, ties, belts, and scarves can be kept behind your cabinet doors using hooks.
• Segmenting your drawers: Accommodate stockings, socks and ties by having divisions built in your drawers – it will save on space and keep you organised.
• Choosing retractable elements: Adding retractable wardrobe mechanisms is a good way of increasing storage space, allowing you to pull down high rails and push them back once you’ve accessed what you’re looking for.
• Commissioning a shoe carousel: Corners in a walk-in wardrobe can be underutilised spaces, so go a bit glam and store your shoes on a revolving shelf.
• Adding a trouser rack: These are particularly useful as they enable you to use fewer hangers and make sure that your slacks are low to the ground and easily reachable.
• Utilising the full height of your room: Make sure you get every inch of usage out of your space by designing your storage units to span from floor to ceiling. And remember to keep a little footstool on hand so that you can reach items right at the top.

In Conclusion

Walk-in wardrobes are one of the most fabulous storage solutions available and are definitely worth it if you have the space.

At FCI London, we design, build and install custom cabinetry to suit any home, so let’s put our heads together and make you a masterpiece.

If you still need help, our expert wardrobe design team is available to offer you a free design consultation.