The complete wardrobe buying guide: how to choose the right wardrobe
Buying a wardrobe is one of those decisions that's easy to rush and easy to get wrong. Pick one that's too big and the room feels cramped; too small and you're back to clothes on the chair within a month. This guide walks you through the choices that actually matter — size and door count, materials and finishes, and the storage features that make day-to-day life easier — so you end up with a wardrobe that fits your space, your storage, and your style.
Wardrobe size is usually the first thing to settle, because it's driven by your room and how much you need to store. Here's how the common options compare.
A single or 2 door wardrobe suits small bedrooms, box rooms, and guest rooms where floor space is tight. A 2 door wardrobe is the sensible middle ground for most single sleepers — enough hanging space without dominating the room.
A double wardrobe is the workhorse for couples or anyone with a fuller clothing collection, balancing generous storage with a footprint that fits a standard bedroom.
A 3 door or 4 door wardrobe steps up the storage for growing families or larger rooms, giving you more hanging and shelf space without the bulk feeling overwhelming in a bigger space.
A large wardrobe — including 6 door designs — is the full storage solution for master bedrooms or shared rooms, where two people need their own space and clothes shouldn't have to compete.
Two practical tips before you commit. If your room is short on floor space but has height to spare, a tall wardrobe makes the most of vertical storage. And if you're squeezing into an alcove or a narrow gap, a narrow wardrobe gives you proper hanging space where a standard unit simply won't fit. Always measure the wall width, the depth, and the ceiling height before ordering, and check the dimensions listed on each product.
Materials and finishes: matching durability to your style
The material affects both how long your wardrobe lasts and how it looks in the room. The main choices break down like this.
Wooden-finish wardrobes are the classic, versatile option and cover most tastes. Oak wardrobes are durable and timeless, working with almost any scheme. Pine offers rustic warmth at a more affordable price. Walnut brings richer, darker tones for a more sophisticated look. And a solid wood wardrobe is the investment choice — heavier, sturdier, and built to last for years.
Painted wardrobes let you match the finish to your decor, with grey and white among the most popular colours for modern and neutral bedrooms.
Mirrored wardrobes are worth singling out: a mirrored front makes a room feel larger and brighter while giving you a full-length mirror without taking up extra floor space — a genuine two-jobs-in-one choice for smaller rooms.
If your style leans more contemporary or textured, glass-fronted and rattan-effect finishes add a distinct look, though they suit specific schemes rather than every bedroom.
Storage features that make the difference
A wardrobe is more than a box with a rail. The internal layout and door type are what make it work day to day.
Sliding door wardrobes are the space-saving choice. Because the doors slide rather than swing out, they're ideal for rooms where a hinged door would clash with the bed or block a walkway. Many sliding designs also come with mirror panels.
Wardrobes with drawers keep smaller items — socks, accessories, folded layers — organised in one unit, so you may not need a separate chest of drawers. Wardrobes with shelves add flexible storage for folded clothes, bags, and bedding alongside your hanging space, and many wardrobes combine drawers and shelves in a single design.
Corner wardrobes turn an awkward, often-wasted corner into proper storage — a smart move in irregular or smaller rooms. Freestanding wardrobes give you flexibility to place and later move the unit, unlike a fitted install.
For children's rooms, a dedicated kids' wardrobe is designed with child-friendly heights and features, making it easier for little ones to reach their own things.
How to choose: a quick decision checklist
Work through these in order and the right wardrobe usually becomes obvious:
FAQs
What size wardrobe do I need?
It depends on your room and how much you store. A single or 2 door wardrobe
suits small or guest rooms, a double wardrobe works for most bedrooms, and a 3
door, 4 door or large 6 door wardrobe suits bigger rooms or shared spaces. Measure
your wall width, depth and ceiling height before ordering.
Are sliding door wardrobes better than hinged?
Sliding door wardrobes save space because the doors don't swing outward, making
them ideal where a bed or walkway is close to the wardrobe. Hinged doors give you
full access to the interior at once and tend to cost less, so the right choice
depends on your room layout.
Do wardrobes with drawers replace a chest of drawers?
Often, yes. A wardrobe with drawers and shelves combines hanging space and
folded storage in one unit, which can remove the need for a separate chest of
drawers in smaller bedrooms.
What's the best wardrobe material?
Oak and solid wood are the most durable and long-lasting. Painted finishes in
grey or white suit modern rooms, while mirrored fronts make a space feel larger.
The best material balances how long you want it to last with the look you're after.
Do you deliver and assemble wardrobes?
Tesoro Direct offers free UK mainland delivery on wardrobes and bedroom
furniture, with delivery to the room of your choice with Professional assembly is
available as an optional paid add-on if you'd rather we built it for you.
Comments are closed.