Walk-in wardrobe ideas for all styles and budgets

Check out our top tips for creating your dream walk-in wardrobe, whatever your style, budget, or available space.

Looking for walk-in wardrobe ideas to inspire your dream storage and dressing area? You're in the right place.

In this post, we'll share the benefits of a walk-in wardrobe, the key considerations when designing one, and a selection of walk-in wardrobe ideas to suit all tastes and budgets.

The benefits of a walk-in wardrobe

A walk-in wardrobe provides generous storage space for clothes, shoes, and accessories, reducing clutter within the bedroom.

They're specifically designed with organisation in mind. There's a space for everything with hanging rails, shelves, drawers, shoe racks, and special compartments to keep all your items categorised and neatly packed away.

And unlike a traditional wardrobe, where you might need a good rummage to find what you're looking for, a walk-in wardrobe is much more accessible, making it much easier to select your outfits.

The ability to customise a walk-in wardrobe, means you can design a space that both meets your storage needs and suits your personal style.

Not forgetting, the addition of a walk-in wardrobe can add a touch of luxury to your home while also adding to its value.

8 considerations when planning your dream walk-in wardrobe

To make sure your walk-in wardrobe ticks all the boxes when it comes to functionality, organisation, and style, consider the following:

1. Space and layout

First, assess the available space. What dimensions do you have to work with? What's the ceiling height, and are there any architectural features that will impact your design ideas?

Start to draw up a rough plan for how you'd like to use the space:

• Think about the most efficient use of the space

• How you'll organise/categorise different garments and accessories

• How you'll move around the space to access different items

• Do you want a dedicated dressing area too?

2. Storage needs

Next, take a look at your garments and accessories to understand the best use of the walk-in wardrobe space. For example:

• Do you need more drawer space or hanging space?

• Do you want items on display?

• Do you want a dedicated space for accessories?

• How many shoes do you need to accommodate?

3. Organisation and accessibility

The key to a good walk-in wardrobe is efficient organisation, which stems from the planning and design stage.

Spend some time organising your clothes, shoes, and accessories to plan how you'll group and categorise them.

From here, you can plan which items are frequently used and therefore need to be more easily accessible within your walk-in wardrobe.

4. Lighting

Whether natural light or artificial, good lighting is non-negotiable for a walk-in wardrobe.

When planning your dream walk-in wardrobe space, utilise the presence of natural light through windows and skylights where possible.

If using artificial light, opt for LED lights for energy efficiency, and get the right ambience via a combination of:

• Recessed spotlights for overall illumination

• Task lighting for certain areas, for example, your dressing or make-up area

• Accent lighting to highlight specific features or accessories

5. Mirrors

It's no secret that mirrors can help to make a small space appear bigger, and what better place to incorporate some glazing than a walk-in wardrobe?

As well as being practical and adding a touch of lux, strategically-placed mirrors will help to bounce light around the room, creating an illusion of more space.

6. Ventilation

It's important to make sure your walk-in wardrobe ideas factor in ventilation. This will help to prevent musty odours and moisture from building up.

Adequate airflow is needed to keep the space fresh, which can be achieved with vents and/or windows.

If you plan to store valuable or delicate items in your walk-in wardrobe, you may want to consider climate control functionality such as air conditioning or dehumidifiers.

7. Future flexibility

To really get the most out of your walk-in wardrobe design, build in some flexibility for your future needs.

For example, consider adjustable shelves and modular storage systems that you can configure as your wardrobe evolves.

8. Personal style

Last, but by no means least, you must of course design your walk-in wardrobe to satisfy your personal taste.

• What colour scheme will you select?

• What materials will you use?

• What finishes do you prefer, for example, for door handles and decorative elements?

In the next section, we share five of the most popular walk-in wardrobe ideas - there's something for all tastes and styles.

5 popular walk-in wardrobe design ideas

Whatever your taste, a walk-in wardrobe is the perfect space to explore your design preferences and create something unique to your style. Here are five different schemes to help inspire you:

Classic elegance on a budget

For a timeless look that won't break the bank, go for this classic look.

• Choose modular storage, adjustable shelving, hanging rails, and drawer units to maximise your storage

• Opt for neutral tones that won't date, enhanced with elegant handles and ornate mirrors against soft lighting

• A plush rug and a stylish vanity corner will complete the look

Industrial chic

Industrial chic is growing in popularity with those after a contemporary yet edgy look.

• Choose open shelves with exposed piping and rustic wood or metal finishes instead of traditional wardrobes

• Go for a colour palette of cool tones, such as grey, black, and dark brown

• Pendant lights with metal shades or Edison bulbs will help to complete the look, alongside a distressed leather armchair or a vintage trunk

Modern minimalism

For a sleek and minimalist design, aim for clean lines and zero clutter.

• Use all available space with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and ensure a space for everything with pull-out racks for shoes and accessories

• Choose a monochrome colour scheme such as grey, greige, black, or white

• Recessed lighting or track lights will achieve a minimalistic ambience

Scandinavian chic

Scandinavian design is synonymous with simplicity and functionality, incorporating natural elements.

• Add natural textures and materials by using woven storage baskets, open shelving to display accessories, and plants

• Opt for light tones and white or light wood finishes for your wardrobe units

• A cosy seating area, a flourish of greenery, and soft lighting will help to achieve a sense of hygge

Luxurious glamour

For an opulent and luxurious design, why not go for full glamour?

• Go for custom-built cabinetry with mirrored or gloss finishes

• Choose lux fabrics such as a velvet-covered ottoman, plush carpet, and a high-quality rug

• Install a statement chandelier as a centrepiece, metallic accents for door handles, and a full-length ornate mirror to complete the look

Walk-in wardrobe ideas for all size spaces

It's possible to enjoy the benefits of a walk-in wardrobe regardless of how much space you have available.

We share our top tips for DIY walk-in wardrobe ideas for small, medium, and large spaces.

Small walk-in wardrobe ideas

An unused corner of your room or an alcove can be turned into a walk-in wardrobe with a little imagination. For compact walk-in wardrobe ideas, consider:

• A clothing rail on one side with open shelving above for folded items

• Floor-to-ceiling storage (incorporating drawers) on the opposite wall

• Hooks or a pegboard for accessories

• A mirror to add depth

• A stool or ottoman for seating

Medium-sized walk-in wardrobe ideas

If you have more room to play with, a U-shaped design can be a good use of space.

• Install floor-to-ceiling storage with built-in cabinetry, shelves, and hanging rails on the two adjacent walls

• Create a dressing area on the back wall with a vanity unit, mirror, and stool

• If space allows, add an island or dresser in the centre of the room for additional storage and a surface for folding clothes

• Pendant lights or recessed lights will enhance the space

Ideas for a large walk-in wardrobe

If you're not limited by space, you have a few more options to play with.

Create a boutique-style walk-in wardrobe with a central island with drawers and jewellery storage. Install cabinetry around all walls to include hanging rails, shelves, and drawers. Add a seating area with a chaise lounge for all-out glamour, a full-length mirror, and beautiful lighting.

For couples, another walk-in wardrobe idea is to divide the space into two separate sections, creating individual zones but with a cohesive design. Install floor-to-ceiling wardrobes on either side, with customised storage solutions based on your needs. The central area could be shared, with a dressing space, mirror, seating, and a central island for additional storage.

Finally, in a generous-sized space, why not create a walk-in wardrobe with a separate dressing room? With no limit on space, you can create one room with ample storage and another with seating, vanity, mirror, and decorative lighting for a luxurious feel.

Summary

Whatever space and budget you have available, the secret to the best walk-in wardrobe is to create a space that maximises storage in an organised, functional, and stylish way. We hope the walk-in wardrobe ideas in this post have helped to inspire your dream space.

Looking for a professional to bring your walk-in wardrobe ideas to life?

Simply add your postcode to the search box to see who comes highly recommended.