Difference Between Freestanding and Floor-To-Ceiling Wardrobes

If you're considering purchasing a new storage solution for your home, there are few options as luxurious and functional as a custom-built floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. But what is the difference between freestanding and floor-to-ceiling wardrobes?

In a nutshell, a freestanding wardrobe is also known as a stand-alone wardrobe and it can be moved around within a room as it isn’t attached to the walls. These units are either delivered assembled or must be assembled on arrival.

A floor-to-ceiling wardrobe is the complete opposite of a freestanding wardrobe. These wardrobes are custom designed to fit a space within your room and are professionally installed by attaching them to the wall.

Benefits of freestanding wardrobes

• They can be moved: One of the most useful advantages of a freestanding wardrobe is that it can be moved around. If you want to rearrange your bedroom, you can shift the freestanding wardrobe to another corner or to another room in the house. You can also take it with you if you decide to move in the future.
• Resale value: If you decide that your standalone wardrobe no longer meets your requirements or your taste has changed, you can sell it.
• Faster delivery: As freestanding wardrobes aren’t made to order, you can usually get same-day delivery or within a day or two or purchase.

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Cons of freestanding wardrobes

• Wasted space: Since freestanding wardrobes don’t extend from floor to ceiling, the space between the top of the wardrobe and the ceiling is wasted space.
• Standard sizes: Chances are you won’t find freestanding closets in the exact size that want, especially if you have awkward corners or sloping walls that get in the way. You'll have to force it to fit into your room rather than taking the room aspects into account when choosing your closet. 

Benefits of floor-to-ceiling wardrobes

• Customisable options: A bespoke floor-to-ceiling wardrobe is fully customisable according to your storage needs. You decide how much hanging space, shelves and shoe racks to add and how big each one should be.
• Make use of awkward corners: If your room has odd spaces, such as graded ceilings and awkward corners, fitting a freestanding wardrobe can be difficult. Custom-made floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, on the other hand, are designed to fit into any space, no matter the size or shape.
• Maximise your space: In most cases, freestanding closets don’t extend from floor to ceiling. The space between the top of the wardrobe and the ceiling is generally considered wasted space. Built-in wardrobes that go from floor to ceiling utilise this dead space, plus they are also designed to make the best use of the available space in the room where they are installed.

Cons of floor-to-ceiling wardrobes

• They can’t be moved: Once the wardrobe is installed, it cannot be moved. A fitted wardrobe can therefore also not come with you when you move home.
• Installation can be time-consuming: Installing a custom-built wardrobe takes time, so you will have to set aside a couple of days and be prepared to have installers in your space while the work is done.

Comparing the cost

A bespoke floor-to-ceiling wardrobe is significantly more expensive than a freestanding wardrobe. Not only is there an inbuilt cost for the design and installation, but these luxury wardrobes are also made with premium materials that are more expensive than the cheaper plywood often used in freestanding cabinets. For a more accurate idea of what a fitted wardrobe will cost, use our handy online wardrobe cost calculator for an instant quote.

Reasons why a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe might be the right choice for you

• You’ve got a decent budget.
• You intend to remain in your house for a long time.
• You want a custom-created storage solution designed around your space and your clothing and accessory needs.
• You would like to add value to your home. •

Conclusion

The differences between freestanding and floor-to-ceiling wardrobes are many, and ultimately, what you end up choosing will depend largely on your requirements, budget, style and preferred design. Custom-built wardrobes allow you the freedom to personalise your design as you see fit and they are better for optimising your space.

At FCI, we have been designing and fitting floor-to-ceiling wardrobes for almost 40 years. Get in touch and chat with us about your wardrobe requirements. You can take a look at the bespoke floor-to-ceiling wardrobes we’ve built for our interior design projects or browse our luxury wardrobe options.