A well-planned robe makes getting ready easier every single day. A poorly planned one means shirts squashed together, shoes on the floor and a top shelf nobody can reach. Here is how we approach built-in wardrobes and walk-in robes.
Start with what you own
Before thinking about finishes, take stock of what needs to go in. Count roughly how many long items you hang, such as dresses and coats, how many shirts and jackets, how many pairs of shoes, and what you prefer folded. Then think about who shares the robe and whether one person needs more of a particular type of storage.
The building blocks
- Long hanging for dresses, coats and long pants.
- Double hanging, with one rail above another, for shirts, skirts and folded trousers. It roughly doubles the hanging space in the same width.
- Drawers for underwear, activewear and anything small. Soft-close runners make a big difference.
- Shelves for jumpers, bags and folded items. Adjustable shelves adapt as your needs change.
- Shoe storage, either angled shelves or pull-out racks.
- High storage for suitcases and out-of-season clothes.
Useful sizes, as a guide
- Hanging space usually needs about 600mm of depth so clothes do not catch on the doors.
- Long hanging needs roughly 1,500mm or more of clear drop, depending on how long your clothes are.
- Double hanging works with the rails roughly a metre apart.
- In a walk-in robe, allow around a metre of clear walkway so you can open drawers and turn around comfortably.
Every home and every wardrobe is different, so we confirm the measurements on site and design around what you actually own.
Built-in or walk-in?
A built-in wardrobe runs along a wall, usually behind hinged or sliding doors, and makes the most of a standard bedroom. A walk-in robe needs a dedicated space but lets you see everything at once, and often feels like a small dressing room. Many homes have both: a walk-in for the main bedroom and built-ins in the other rooms.
Details that make a difference
- LED lighting along shelves and hanging rails, so you can see colours properly. Lights that switch on as you open a door are a favourite.
- A full-length mirror on the back of a door or at the end of a walk-in.
- An island or bench in a larger walk-in, with drawers for accessories.
- Pull-out accessories such as trouser racks, belt and tie organisers, and laundry baskets.
- Finishes that match or complement the rest of your home. Woodgrain interiors feel warm and look beautiful when lit.
Coastal humidity
On the Sunshine Coast, humidity is part of life. Leave a little breathing room around clothes, consider vented or partly open storage for shoes, and keep the robe well ventilated.
See it before it is made
We draw every robe in CAD and show you 3D views before anything is made, so you can check where everything will live. Take a look at the walk-in robes in our Birtinya full-home project and the walnut-look robes in our New Farm apartment, see our wardrobes and walk-in robes page, or book a free design consult.
