"Bespoke fitted wardrobes aren't practical in small bedrooms"
We hear this one a lot, probably too often to count. It's easy to assume it must be true. But it's not. Not by a long shot. In fact, we love nothing more than proving this particular myth wrong.
After years of designing and building fitted wardrobes for bedrooms throughout York and beyond, we're pretty certain of one thing...... A thoughtfully-designed fitted wardrobe is the single best thing you can do to unlock the potential of a small bedroom. Functionally and aesthetically.
You might have a tall, skinny Victorian terrace bedroom, or maybe your sleep space is a bijou box-room in a modern new-build. Perhaps you converted your loft but are frustrated by awkward roof angles. There are solutions for every scenario. This handy guide rounds up our top tips for maximising space, making your small bedroom look bigger and helping it feel like a properly luxurious retreat.
How Can Fitted Wardrobes Help with a Small Bedroom?
Cut out the dead space. It sounds obvious, but freestanding wardrobes are always going to leave unsightly gaps above and (if you're lucky) between wardrobes. Fitted wardrobes are designed to work with the precise dimensions of your room.
But wait... there's more!
Whilst we're thinking about it, why not ditch those bulky bedside tables and free up some floor space too? We often design wardrobes with built-in bedside storage, a built-in dressing area and tonnes of hanging space all within the footprint of a standard DOUBLE wardrobe.
Need we say more? Your bedroom will look tidier, feel more serene and be dramatically less cluttered.
SEARCHING FOR A YORK FITTED WARDROBE SOLUTION? Here's another key advantage for house owners: custom joinery like fitted wardrobes really WILL add value to your home in a way that an Ikea job simply can't.
What is the Best Fitted Wardrobe Style for a Small Bedroom?
Say it with us... Floor-to-ceiling, every time. Off-the-shelf wardrobes almost always come in at about 200cm high. That's almost 6ft if you're old-school like us. So what happens to all that space between the top of your wardrobe and the ceiling? It goes to waste. Literally. Floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes utilise every inch of height. Those top shelves are great for out-of-season wardrobe fans, bulky duvet sets and everything else you don't need to access day-to-day.
Bonus tip: increasing your wardrobe height by just 30cm can improve your storage capacity by up to 40% WITHOUT eating into any of your room's floor space.
Sliding Doors vs Hinged Doors: Which is Best for a Small Bedroom?
If there's ever been a clear winner, sliding doors are it. They don't swing open like traditional wardrobe doors, so you can position beds right up against them without having to worry about catching the bedsheet in the door every time you get up.
Hung-door wardrobes can work in small bedrooms, but only if you have enough space to open the doors fully without obstruction. If your bedroom layout allows for it, they're great because you have unfettered access to the entire wardrobe at once. Get in touch and we'll help you figure out what's best for your room.
Mirrored Wardrobe Doors Make a Room Look Bigger.
If your bedroom is short on light (we're looking at you north-facing bedrooms) this can make a huge difference. But it doesn't stop there. A full-length mirror gives the illusion of doubling the depth of the room. Win. Win.
Oh and speaking of mirrors. Another subtle bonus of mirrored doors is you never need to clutter a small bedroom with an additional floor-standing dressing mirror.
Maximise Storage Inside your Small Bedroom Fitted Wardrobe
Hang on, there's more! We're not finished with the inside of your wardrobe yet. Maximising your storage options starts with building your dream fitted wardrobe but it doesn't stop there. Take a look at these options for interiors..
Dual hanging rails. Don't waste vertical space! Use a shorter rail at the top to double your hanging capacity for shirts, jackets and folded trousers.
Pull-out shoe racks. Enough said.
Internal drawers. Most wardrobes will accommodate full-height drawers instead of a standalone chest of draws. Say goodbye to that spare bedroom clutter...
Accessory dividers. Nobody likes a rummage through "the dodgy jumper drawer". Organise your belts, ties and jewellery so you never have to do that again.
Built-in bedside storage. Want drawers or shelves by your bed but hate the look of bulky bedside tables? Many of our wardrobes can incorporate recessed shelving or built-in drawers instead.
Tailored interiors might seem like a luxury but when you're fighting with a cramped wardrobe every morning, they aren't. They're the difference between a fitted wardrobe that slows you down and one that keeps your routine streamlined.
Best Colours and Finishes for Small Bedroom Wardrobes
Light. Lots of light. We usually start every project like this by recommending pale, soft colours that will open up a room. Creams, off-whites and light greys are perfect. Matte or gloss finishes work great in smaller rooms too, as they reflect more light than they absorb.
One rule of thumb we try to stick to: stay away from very dark colours on large wardrobe surfaces unless the room gets plenty of natural light. Gorgeous in the showroom. Nightmares in a small bedroom with poor lighting.
One of our top tips. Paint your wardrobe doors to match your wall colour. It really works. Done right, your wardrobe will visually disappear into the wall making your bedroom feel bigger and calmer.
Making Space in Your Small Bedroom
A small bedroom can feel every bit as luxurious as a larger one. Really. Once you learn how to work with the space you've got it becomes obvious. Build upwards where you can. Minimise bulky furniture where possible and choose designs and finishes that lighten a room rather than make it feel closed in.
Got a small bedroom that needs some love?
We're passionate about designing and crafting fitted wardrobes across York and the surrounding region.
Fancy giving us a try? Get in touch with our team today and we'll arrange a free in-home consultation.
We'll visit you at home, take accurate measurements and walk you through all the options that will work best in your bedroom.
