Choosing an outfit for the week is a struggle, even for the most fashion-forward of us. So many outfits with so little time! And don’t get us started on finding a place to put them all. Luckily for you, Artiss has you covered with our comprehensive wardrobe buying guide. Looking for new ideas to upgrade your wardrobe? Read on!

How big should my wardrobe be?

The first place you should look before buying a new wardrobe: your current one! How do you store your clothes? Do you have clothes that need special care? Are your clothes overflowing, or are there huge gaps in your wardrobe? Are you happy with your current storage space? Do you need more shelves or more hanger space? Are you storing other things in your wardrobe, like accessories, handbags, or makeup? Do you prefer to hang or fold your clothes? All of these things will affect your wardrobe choice for the future.

Of course, it’s hard to think big when you’re living small. But that’s no reason you can’t have a great wardrobe; you just have to think vertically. Instead of imagining a wider or deeper wardrobe, think taller in terms of dimensions. Don’t forget to leave enough room so you can comfortably open the doors! You want your clothes to be more accessible, not less!

Types of wardrobes

Built-in wardrobes

Built-in wardrobes are often bespoke and are perfect for making the most out of your available space. They are fitted to whatever space they need to be. Under the stairs? Around a corner? In an awkwardly shaped walkway? Wherever you need it, a wardrobe can be fitted. Of course, if your wardrobe is built-in, it’s usually there for life. If you are living in your forever home and you know exactly what you want in terms of present and future closet space, this is a great option for you.

Walk-in wardrobes

As per their name, a walk-in wardrobe is so big that you can walk inside of it! Every clothes-obsessed home owner’s dream, a walk-in wardrobe is the largest on the list and can easily fit everything you need for your daily dress-up, from clothes to accessories. A walk in may be used as a corridor between two rooms, or it may be it’s own room with or without additional pieces such as an ottoman, vanity, or chair. Cupboards may be open or closed, but the real key to a good walk-in wardrobe is the organisation. While walk-in wardrobes are mostly associated with luxury and money, you can absolutely create a walk-in wardrobe of your very own while on a budget.

Corner wardrobes

Make use of awkward spaces with a corner wardrobe! These units are designed to fit in those awkward elbows of your home, so you can maximise your useable space and create the storage of your dreams! Not only are these wardrobes uniquely shaped to fit in your corners, they also make it easy to reach corners and open doors - features you won’t find by just squishing regular wardrobes into the space.

Modular wardrobes

The idea behind modular furniture is that a collection of separate pieces can be combined in many different ways to create a cohesive whole. They are designed to be easily customised, installed, reconfigured, and generally used for whatever you need. Modular wardrobes are no different - they are an affordable storage alternative to a built-in wardrobe and have mass appeal thanks to the variety of materials, styles and organisational options available.

Free standing wardrobes

Many wardrobes have to be fixed to the wall to prevent tipping and increase storage and weight capacity, but this can be a problem if you live in a rental or simply prefer a wardrobe you can easily move. Free standing wardrobes are an elegant solution to this. As the name suggests, they can stand on their own on the floor without mounting. They can be as elaborate and elegant as a traditional wooden armoire, or as simple as a fabric portable wardrobe. 

Open wardrobes

You may have seen this first on Instagram, but the trend of open wardrobes has been a staple of tiny houses for many years. Clothes racks are no longer just for theatre dressing rooms or temporary stores. They are also a viable and stylish option for people living in small spaces, needing more storage, or committing to minimalism. There are plenty of wardrobe options that feature open shelving, or you can drop the wardrobe altogether and replace it with a clothing rack.

Trunk wardrobes

Vintage is making a comeback, and nothing says vintage like a steamer trunk. Don’t have that many clothes? Don’t care about organising your outfits? Do away with the wardrobe together and invest in a traditional wardrobe trunk! There are many different styles of wardrobe trunk, from a straight-laced plain leather case with a single storage space, to vertical trunks with space for drawers, a small hanging section, and room for accessories. If your taste is more rustic, retro or boho, consider ditching traditional storage altogether and dive into the world of steam trunks!

Should I have open or closed shelving?

Of all the differences between wardrobes, having open or closed shelving is probably the most divisive. It’s not just a decorative decision - the way you store your clothes will have a high impact on their longevity. So, what are the benefits of using an open wardrobe or clothes rack over a traditional closed wardrobe?

Benefits of open wardrobes

You can always see your clothes

Never forget which outfits you own ever again. You have immediate access to everything, and you can immediately see when something is missing, clashing, or perfect for a night out. Quickly and easily being able to access your wardrobe helps you to pre-plan any outfit you may need for the week. Depending on the layout of your rack and size, you can also organise your clothes and pair them with shoes, accessories, or undergarments for easy access. It’s also easier to see when you need to do laundry.

Make better choices

Out of sight is out of mind, and out of mind means you’re more likely to either double up on clothes you already have or hold onto clothes you’ve long outgrown. Since clothing racks are often smaller than a wardrobe, they also encourage you to really think about what clothes you can fit and embrace a minimalist lifestyle.

Circulation is good for clothes

Clothing racks generally rely on the hanging area for the bulk of your clothes. There are so many reasons these are good for your clothes. Open wardrobes expose your clothes to air, and the circulation will prevent your clothes from growing mould, developing that ‘old wood mothball’ smell, or getting damaged from insects.  Hanging will also prevent static cling and wrinkles, so less ironing for you! You may have to wipe down the racks more often due to the accumulated dust, but if you use each of the outfits regularly, it will be much less of an issue than you think.

Space saving

When you have no doors, you don’t need to leave space to open doors. Not only will you have more room to walk between furniture, but you’ll have more flexibility when rearranging your room or placing other pieces, like beds and bedside tables.

Benefits of closed wardrobes

You will never see your clothes

Clutter is stressful - sometimes you don’t want to see everything out in the open. An open wardrobe puts everything on display and leads to a lot of visual clutter. If you have a lot of clothes or a lot of different styles, it can be very jarring to have it all in the one spot, especially if something clashes with your decor. If you prefer a neat and tidy home, a closed wardrobe is a great way to keep the clutter at bay. 

Less surfaces to clean

Of course, that little bit of dusting may be a massive turn off for you. A closed wardrobe means less exposure to dust, UV rays that might fade the fabric, pet hair and dander. However, the lack of ventilation may lead to mould and mildew, which will attract pests. Ideally, you may want to occasionally leave the doors open to air out your clothes.

Multifunctional doors

Your wardrobe is working hard, but don’t leave your doors hanging! With the vertical surface area, you can attach a mirror, over the door shelving, a whiteboard, whatever you can think of. You can even repaint your doors or cover them in wallpaper for a new look. 

What is the best material for my wardrobe?

These days, you can make a wardrobe out of practically anything! Of course, to choose the right one for your home, there are a variety of things to consider before buying.

Solid wood wardrobes

Arguably the most common material used in furniture, wood is an all-round winner. It is durable, comes in a wide variety of natural tones, and goes well with almost every kind of interior design style. The price, quality and sustainability varies wildly depending on the type of wood used, with popular choices being bamboo, beech, cedar, mahogany and oak. 

Pros

• Readily available

• Wide range of prices

• Durable and long-lasting

• Easy to restore and refurbish

• Easy to match with existing decor

Cons

• Can be expensive depending on wood type

• Absorbs odours and stains

• Can fade in direct sunlight

• Can be high maintenance

  

Plywood wardrobes

Plywood is made from thin layers of wood glued together to create a stable, split-resistant panel. It is one of the strongest forms of wood available, making it great for wardrobes. The wood sheets are placed in alternating directions before gluing, giving you a consistent surface and increased stability as it won’t shrink or expand over time like solid wood. It is cheaper than solid wood but still more expensive than some other materials.

Pros

• Strong and durable

• Cheaper than solid wood

• Resistant to temperature changes

• Lightweight

Cons

• Doesn’t look as good as other materials, especially along the edge

• Can be expensive

  

MDF

Another popular furniture material, MDF stands for medium-density fibreboard, a wood product made by breaking down wood residuals into wood fibres, mixing them with resins, and forming them into panels.

Pros

• Affordable

• Veneers make it look good

• Smooth finish

• More environmentally friendly

Cons

• Very dense

• Not moisture resistant

• MDF does not hold screws well

Particleboard

Particleboard or chipboard is made from wood chips that are mixed with resins and then pressed into a sheet. It is usually then covered with a veneer to give it an attractive finish. It is the most affordable option out of the other wood materials, but it is also the weakest.

Pros

• Affordable

• Veneers make it look good

• Smooth finish

• More environmentally friendly

Cons

• Weakest of the engineered wood composites

• Can be heavy

• Not moisture resistant

  

Plastic

A great affordable and practical storage solution for any age, plastic wardrobes are more common than you might think! Perfect for modular storage, you can find an easy-to-install plastic wardrobe in many places, whether they are clear cubes, stackable boxes/bins, or plastic frames with fabric coverings.

Pros

• Good moisture resistance

• Affordable price

• Many designs

• Easy to clean

• Not easily damaged

Cons

• Not as decorative as other options

• Plastic boxes don’t allow for air circulation

• Some plastics are not environmentally friendly

  

Metal wardrobes

While full metal wardrobes may not be a traditional material for bedrooms, it is a common material for garment racks, especially chrome. The metal allows racks to be constructed from solid tubes, keeping the rack lightweight but still strong enough to hold a variety of clothes. However, plenty of designers are embracing metal wardrobes, whether in the form of lockers, racks or customised stainless steel wardrobes. Like glass, you can often find pieces that mix metal with other materials, either to reinforce the frame or contrast with other materials.

Pros

• Strong

• Stylish and modern

• Easy to clean

Cons

• Heavy

• Expensive

• Can seem cold

  

Fabric wardrobes

Popular for their low price point and portability, a fabric or canvas wardrobe is great if you need a cheap, temporary and portable wardrobe. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and usually contain a wood, metal or plastic frame under a fabric cover. Many options have a zippable door, clear viewing windows, or a curtain to keep your clothes under wraps.

Pros

• Very practical

• Great price

• Wide variety of shapes, sizes and colours

• Perfect for any room

• Easy to assemble

• Easy to clean

• Safe for kids

Cons

• Not very aesthetically pleasing

• Can be susceptible to mould and mildew

Glass wardrobes

While not a traditional material for clothing storage, glass wardrobes fit well into modern and contemporary-styled homes. It is sleek, chic and perfect for creating a sense of space if your room is on the smaller side. Most of the time, glass is incorporated into the wardrobe with other materials, but you can also find completely glass wardrobes. We recommend you invest in tempered glass - it is stronger, safer, and has a higher weight capacity than regular glass.

Pros

• Strong

• Easy to clean

• Very aesthetically pleasing

Cons

• Heavy

• Expensive

• Smudges easily

Some space-saving wardrobe hacks

Choosing the right wardrobe is just the beginning - having the right storage means nothing if you don’t know how to use it! We at Artiss have compiled our favourite wardrobe hacks into a handy list so you can make the most of your brand-new wardrobe.

Make the most of your vertical space

Do you have a very tall or narrow wardrobe? Then you’ll love this hack. You can purchase special hangers that allow you to hang your clothes vertically rather than horizontally across the clothing rack. It will save you space, help you coordinate your outfits, and make it easier to hang all your favourite accessories. You can find vertical hangers on eBay or Amazon, or you can make your own with this fun hack from Brit+Co.

Use dividers and risers

Shelf dividers can help keep your folded items from becoming a mess. You can find fabric, plastic or metal dividers cheaply and easily, or you can make your own. You don’t have to use specialised shelf dividers either - get creative by using magazine holders, book ends, or breaking up the shelf with other storage boxes.

Risers can also help to separate your belongings, but they take advantage of vertical space and raise your pieces to the top instead. You can get shelf inserts that simply add extra surface space, inserts with multiple tiers, or straight-up display stands to show off your key items.

Use the door

If you’re using a closed wardrobe, you should absolutely make the most of the free surface area. Mount a mirror on the inside, outside, or both! Use over-the-door hanging storage for your daily accessories. Attach a whiteboard to keep track of your schedule. Install an extra rail for more hanging space. The possibilities are endless!

Declutter before organising

After just an hour on Pinterest, it can be tempting to run out and buy an entire range of storage solutions for your bedroom, but hold on! If you don't know how much stuff you have, you're just going to limit your wardrobe space with more clutter. Before exploring new storage boxes, baskets and bins, go through your cupboards and take stock of your outfits and accessories. When you're finished, you should know exactly what you own and what belongs in a storage box or divider. For more organisation tips, check out our blog 4 Home Organisation Styles to Live By!

If you’re reconsidering your wardrobe choices, consider purchasing an Artiss wardrobe or garment rack. We have clothes storage solutions to suit every need and décor, with a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials to suit your storage needs. Their versatility makes them perfect for any room, whether it’s your bedroom, living room, hallways, kitchen, or office. Shop online today at your favourite retailers for fast, hassle-free shipping across Australia. Let your wardrobe dreams become a reality with Artiss!