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Last updated: 8 November 2024
15 small wardrobe ideas: clever clothes storage for teeny spaces
Maximise every inch of bedroom space with our small wardrobe ideas. Time to ramp up style and storage with fabulous, fitted wardrobes for compact bedrooms. Small really can be mighty!
Lara Sargent
Lara loves writing about every aspect of the home – from the latest colour trends to emerging designs. She has a lot of experience writing about home trends and interior advice for leading titles such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Homes & Gardens.
If you don’t have masses of bedroom space to organise your clothes and shoes, small wardrobe ideas are crucial.
In fact, how many times have you grabbed something to wear and all your clothes have tumbled out on top of you? Yes, we’ve all been there!
Enter small built in wardrobe ideas. They can come to the rescue of every space-starved bedroom.
Fitted wardrobes cleverly utilise awkward corners and redundant nooks of the bedroom. Before you know it, you'll carve out bedroom storage you never knew you had - and your carpets will be clear.
Small built in wardrobe ideas
Whether you live in a city apartment or you've been relegated to the box room, it's time to seek out more storage. It might be that you need to overhaul and bump up storage in a small bedroom for two.
Either way, smart small wardrobe ideas are the best way to stay super organised. Get prepped with a home for every last jumper, skirt and party dress. Storage bliss!
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Small wardrobe ideas
Create efficient and organised clothes storage in the tightest of spaces with small built in wardrobe ideas.
Be inspired by 15 small bedroom ideas to get your clothes storage sorted.
1. Mix open and closed wardrobe ideas for small bedrooms
Try a mix of open and closed shelving and cupboards for small built in wardrobe ideas. This sort of look will elevate your space into a swish, hotel bedroom with cubbyholes and tall units tailormade to your own clothes stash.
With some items on display, it's a good idea to stock up on matching hangers and storage boxes to really give your bedroom the five-star treatment.
Remember, bespoke furniture makers can make the most of awkward sloping ceilings and unused spaces such as above the bed.
2. Use mirrored doors to reflect light
If your small bedroom is lacking in natural light, it's a good idea to use mirrored wardrobe doors.
Mirrored panels will bounce light around the space, creating a light and airy vibe in this neutral bedroom. And you won't need to hang up a separate mirror elsewhere in the room and take up valuable wall space.
Take your wardrobe up to the ceiling like these homeowners to optimise storage to the very max.
3. Consider slim, walk-in wardrobe ideas for small rooms
A Carrie Bradshaw-style walk-in wardrobe is the dream. Believe it or not, you don't necessarily need oodles of space to create your very own version.
Carve off a slim section of your bedroom and install space-saving sliding doors for neat and unobtrusive wardrobe goals.
Inside, it's time to call on the expertise of a joiner who can create a dedicated layout exactly to your needs. That includes lighting, mirrors, shoe racks, space for accessories plus the perfect mix of hanging rails and shelving.
Find out what budget you'll need for this sort of project with our walk-in wardrobe cost guide.
4. Add decorative wardrobe ideas for small spaces
Small bedrooms might not offer up as many decorating opportunities as you try to squeeze in all your furniture.
So, why not opt for smart, decorative wardrobe door fronts instead of plain? It's a cool way to pep up a neutral bedroom.
We love the geometric panelling in this Scandi-style bedroom. The blocky wood and white panels elevate functional wardrobe ideas for small spaces into a feature wall.
5. Plan a multi-tasking hub with built-in wardrobes
Opt for hardworking small wardrobe ideas that can double up as an office or study space. After all, multifunction rooms are what today's homes are all about.
Unlike freestanding furniture, fitted wardrobes offer so many different storage opportunities. You might want to fit in a desk or built-in vanity area for example.
Just call on the experts who can help transform small bedrooms into big design statements.
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6. Sneak in extra storage with fitted wardrobes under the eaves
Attic bedrooms can be notoriously difficult spaces to kit out.
That's where small built in wardrobe ideas really come into their own. Bespoke fitted wardrobes can effortlessly blend into the architecture of the room and bump up storage needs.
Classic panelled doors are smart, timeless and work with any decorating scheme should you fancy a bedroom decor upgrade in the future.
7. Go for glossy fitted wardrobe ideas for small bedrooms
Glossy wardrobe ideas for small spaces are so good in so many ways.
The modern, shiny fronts will help reflect light around your bedroom, and shiny door fronts are super-easy to keep clean with a quick wipe, tick.
Consider going handle-free too for the ultimate streamlined small wardrobe idea - a foolproof design trick that really works.
This is perfect for box bedrooms and compact apartment living where every inch of storage counts.
8. Boost extra hanging space in a utility cupboard
Sometimes, you might need to think outside the box when it comes to small built in wardrobe ideas.
If you simply can't fit any more clothes storage into your bedroom, then look elsewhere in the home.
A utility cupboard or laundry room might be a great place to store shirts. You could hang straight from the washing machine and let them dry naturally if it's warm enough.
9. Divide interior space wisely in small space wardrobe ideas
Tailor the inside of small built in wardrobe ideas to suit your growing collection of clothes.
Work out how many half-height rails you need for shirts, blouses, cardigans and jackets. Then there's full length storage for longer dresses, trousers, coats and suits plus cubbyholes for folded jumpers and jeans.
Don't forget dedicated space for shoes, bags, hats, ties and other accessories.
Before you plan a new small wardrobe, why not do a clothes and shoes audit? Scaling back on the contents of your wardrobe is key for compact bedrooms.
After a good declutter, you'll have more room to fit in the clothes and shoes you wear and adore.
10. Colour block wardrobe ideas for small bedrooms
Awkward shaped loft bedrooms require careful consideration - for both storage and style.
Luckily, we have so many storage tricks up our sleeve to help out. Head to our blog for more ways to maximise space around the home.
These pale timber, built-in wardrobes provide masses of storage in the eaves of this small bedroom. Then, by blocking out the surrounding surfaces in a sunny yellow colour, the units merge effortlessly into the decor.
The result - a feature wall you'll adore.
Offset with a bold striped wallpaper to ramp up the warm and spirited mood.
11. Make the most of an unused alcove
If you're looking for ways to utilise an unused bedroom recess, then small built in wardrobe ideas should be top of the list!
You might fancy having a go yourself at fitting out the alcove with shelving and rails. Take a look at our blog on how to build a wardrobe for some top tips.
Otherwise, we recommend hiring the expertise of a fitted wardrobe specialist or a joinery company for a top notch finish.
12. Stretch small built in wardrobe ideas to the ceiling
In teeny bedrooms, you need small wardrobe ideas to work hard. That means stretching fitted cupboards to the ceiling if possible.
This way, you'll create loads more storage and do away with dust traps in between the wardrobe and the ceiling. Win/win.
In this neat wardrobe, utilise the top boxes for out of season clothes and accessories you don't wear on a regular basis.
13. Think 'invisible' small wardrobe ideas
Blend small wardrobe ideas into the overall design of your space.
The result: barely there storage that opens up to reveal all your clothes, bags and accessories.
In wrap-around neutral paint tones, this is the perfect solution for keeping small bedrooms calm, collected, and clutter free.
Just what's needed for a good night's sleep...
14. Block out one wall with small space wardrobe ideas for kids
Kids have a lot of stuff. Think clothes, shoes, outdoor gear, fancy dress costumes, school uniform,s and sports kits for starters.
The best way to max out space in a compact children's bedroom is to create a storage wall.
Call in a wardrobe maker who can tailor every inch of space, even across the doorway. Build an open shelving system to store books and toys to break up the blocky appearance.
15. Utilise the space above your bed
Maximise shared bedrooms by doubling up on small wardrobe ideas with cupboards on either side of a bed. Go overhead too with a bridging unit to stash bedding and blankets.
Fitted wardrobes might be costlier than freestanding but they are an investment purchase that can add value to your home.
You can't take them with you but they will certainly appeal to prospective buyers who crave efficient storage.
Get in touch with an expert who can make your dream small wardrobe ideas become a reality.
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Key takeaways for small wardrobe ideas
Built-in wardrobes provide masses of storage space that doesn’t eat into valuable floor space
They are built to last and can be customised to meet your needs
Small wardrobe ideas are a sought after design feature too and can add value to your property
Do you want your fitted wardrobes to make a bold statement or blend seamlessly into the background? The choice is yours!
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