How Do I... Organise a Built-In Wardrobe in a Small Bedroom?
Is your tiny built-in robe bursting at the seams? A serious storage overhaul can help – an expert reveals how
Georgia Madden
3 March 2018
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, stylist, fashion blogger and author Wendy Mak shares her top tips for taming a tiny built-in robe in a small bedroom.
The biggest challenge with a small built-in robe is that it’s hard to see everything you own at once. When you can’t see an item, it’s easy to forget about it and never wear it.
But the good news is, with a bit of re-working, it is possible to make a small built-in robe function well. The key is to think about what you need to store, and then make every centimetre of wardrobe space count. Don’t waste space on lots of shelving, for instance, if you have mostly hanging items. You should also think outside the box – the back of a wardrobe door, for example, is a great place to hang necklaces and belts on hooks if you haven’t got the internal wardrobe space.
But the good news is, with a bit of re-working, it is possible to make a small built-in robe function well. The key is to think about what you need to store, and then make every centimetre of wardrobe space count. Don’t waste space on lots of shelving, for instance, if you have mostly hanging items. You should also think outside the box – the back of a wardrobe door, for example, is a great place to hang necklaces and belts on hooks if you haven’t got the internal wardrobe space.
Where should I start?
The first step is to do a stocktake of exactly what you need to store. Begin by culling everything you no longer wear or need. Of the items that are left, remove anything bulky such as ski jackets and winter coats. These items can be stored in a space-saving vacuum-seal bag outside of your wardrobe, perhaps under the bed.
Next, prioritise pieces that you wear often, such as socks, underwear and workwear items that you reach for daily. These items all need to be within the easiest reach in your wardrobe.
The first step is to do a stocktake of exactly what you need to store. Begin by culling everything you no longer wear or need. Of the items that are left, remove anything bulky such as ski jackets and winter coats. These items can be stored in a space-saving vacuum-seal bag outside of your wardrobe, perhaps under the bed.
Next, prioritise pieces that you wear often, such as socks, underwear and workwear items that you reach for daily. These items all need to be within the easiest reach in your wardrobe.
What elements should I include?
Some hanging space, shelving and either drawers or storage baskets are essential. If you have wardrobe doors and need extra space for hanging clothing items or shoes, add hooks or vertical shoe racks on the inside of each door.
Tip: If you’re using storage baskets, make sure they are all identical. You’ll find that your wardrobe looks neater and you can fit far more in when receptacles are all the same shape and size.
Some hanging space, shelving and either drawers or storage baskets are essential. If you have wardrobe doors and need extra space for hanging clothing items or shoes, add hooks or vertical shoe racks on the inside of each door.
Tip: If you’re using storage baskets, make sure they are all identical. You’ll find that your wardrobe looks neater and you can fit far more in when receptacles are all the same shape and size.
How can I maximise space?
A layout I recommend for small wardrobes is to install a hanging rail in the top half to hang dresses, jackets, shirts and suits; and low- to mid-height drawers across the entire base of the wardrobe where you can store folded items such as T-shirts and gym gear. The top surface of the drawers can be used to place shelving trays for accessories and socks.
A layout I recommend for small wardrobes is to install a hanging rail in the top half to hang dresses, jackets, shirts and suits; and low- to mid-height drawers across the entire base of the wardrobe where you can store folded items such as T-shirts and gym gear. The top surface of the drawers can be used to place shelving trays for accessories and socks.
What do I store where?
Hang anything formal or items that need special care or ironing – such as dresses, blazers, suits, trousers and skirts – on rails. Store folded T-shirts, shorts, gym gear, socks and underwear in drawers or shelves. Hang accessories such as scarves and jewellery on hooks, or store in jewellery boxes so that they don’t tangle.
Out-of-season clothing should be stored well outside of your wardrobe, so it doesn’t take up precious space – under the bed is ideal. Vacuum-seal bags are perfect for this; they’ll protect clothes and take up minimal space.
Hang anything formal or items that need special care or ironing – such as dresses, blazers, suits, trousers and skirts – on rails. Store folded T-shirts, shorts, gym gear, socks and underwear in drawers or shelves. Hang accessories such as scarves and jewellery on hooks, or store in jewellery boxes so that they don’t tangle.
Out-of-season clothing should be stored well outside of your wardrobe, so it doesn’t take up precious space – under the bed is ideal. Vacuum-seal bags are perfect for this; they’ll protect clothes and take up minimal space.
Help! I’ve run out of hanging space
Having two levels of rails is a great idea in a small robe, as it basically doubles your storage space. Use the upper rail for items you don’t wear often, such as special-occasion pieces. Position the lower rail at an accessible height, and hang your everyday clothing there.
Having two levels of rails is a great idea in a small robe, as it basically doubles your storage space. Use the upper rail for items you don’t wear often, such as special-occasion pieces. Position the lower rail at an accessible height, and hang your everyday clothing there.
Which hangers are best?
Slimline felted hangers are best in a small wardrobe, as they take up very little space and the felted covering prevents clothes from slipping off.
Tip: Using the same type of hanger in your wardrobe maximises space and will stop hangers from getting caught on each other.
Slimline felted hangers are best in a small wardrobe, as they take up very little space and the felted covering prevents clothes from slipping off.
Tip: Using the same type of hanger in your wardrobe maximises space and will stop hangers from getting caught on each other.
What else do I need to consider?
- Good wardrobe lighting is essential, as it allows you to see exactly what you own (and spot those items you no longer wear and need to get rid of).
- Don’t forget to include a full-length mirror. My favourite spot to install one in a small space is either inside the wardrobe door or, if you don’t have a door, on the side of the wardrobe.
Could you share a few more space-saving tips?
- Adding dividers to drawers makes it easy to separate socks and underwear and keep things organised.
- No room in your wardrobe to store shoes? An easy hack is to store each pair in a fabric shoe bag and then pop it in a laundry hamper. Pairs are stored together and protected, and you can fit a surprising amount in a laundry hamper.
- To squeeze in some extra hanging space for shorter items such as shirts, install a pair of rails on the door or side of the wardrobe.
Image: Ikea
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Allow us to share a couple of options for New Zealand based HOUZZers who are looking for wardrobe organisation options.
Our Tanova ventilated drawers are available in two widths, for 450mm and 600mm cabinets, with models specifically designed to fit most wardrobe spaces (390mm runners to fit 400mm deep wardrobes). Available in classic white 'off the shelf' but also in custom colour of your choosing from the Dulux range. Check them out on our website here or via our HOUZZ project here.
Also amongst our extensive range of smart home storage solutions, are the AMBOS wardrobe range including lifts and pull out hangers and rack systems for clothing and accessories. You can view the AMBOS options for wardrobe organisation on our website here or via our HOUZZ project here.
i recommend sliding doors on builtin robes which results in traffic areas not being swung into.With sliding doors choose shelves with individual seperate storage baskets so they can be removed for rearranging or cleaning. Own less, need less storage, make less waste, to be gentle on the earth.
I have heaps of clothes ... like a lot!! :P and I just love all of them...so throwing out a lot of stuff has never been an option for me ... I redid my wardrobe at Christmas with shelves for my shoes and two shelves at the top that are hidden where I keep all my storage and out-of-season clothes ...
5months later I am still very happy with it as I feel having everything on show creates a kind of personal obligation to keep it tidy and make it look good, kinda like a piece of art ... definitely recommend finding a way that you can display your clothes/shoes, rather than pack them away, even if it just to encourage yourself to keep it tidier.