A walk-in wardrobe offers luxury and functionality, but poor planning can turn this luxury space into a daily frustration. In this article, we’ll explore the most common walk-in wardrobe mistakes, from awkward layouts and insufficient lighting to neglecting storage variety.
Installing a walk-in wardrobe is more than just creating extra space for clothes; it is a personal dressing area that should reflect both your style and practicality. Read on for a deeper dive into how to get the most out of your walk-in.
Walk-in Closet Mistakes — and How to Fix Them
There are numerous ways your made-to-measure wardrobe space can become problematic. Choosing the wrong materials, not allowing for adaptability or accessibility or just forgetting something can lead to issues down the line.
This section will go over the most common mistakes to avoid and highlights how choosing a trusted walk-in wardrobe supplier can make a significant difference.
Overlooking Lighting
Having the correct lighting planned into your new dressing area is crucial for multiple reasons.
First is that having the right lighting in the right places will eliminate any and all dark spots from the room; this will help with overall visibility across the shelf space. Positioning and toning of the lights can also help with cultivating outfits with clear, flattering light that shows off every colour.
Secondly, some light fittings that have open or partially open bulbs or incandescent bulbs can produce a lot of heat, and from a safety standpoint, shouldn’t be near clothing items.
Thirdly, just like sunlight, certain artificial lighting solutions can damage clothing fabrics, causing the dye to fade over time.
To stop lighting from causing any walk-in closet mistakes, consider incorporating multiple types. Ambient lighting for overall illumination, task-based lighting like strip lights on shelving and sensor lights when opening doors to improve efficiency.
Improper Planning
Not taking the appropriate time or measures to plan out a new wardrobe project can lead to all of the issues in this blog post section, but most crucially, can mean that your space isn’t optimised correctly.
Thinking of a walk-in wardrobe as simply ‘wall-to-wall wardrobes’ can be an inefficient usage of space. Would it be better to have taller, slimmer storage options? Open or enclosed storage? What layout to choose? All of these questions can be answered by consulting a design team that can come at your project from a different angle, offering unique design choices that fit your space precisely.
Ignoring Ventilation
Ventilation in any room is vital for helping with air flow on warm days and for reducing the levels of moisture in the area. This is even more vital for a dressing room as it will prevent stagnant odours from clinging to fabric and any moisture settling into clothes, which will cause the growth of mould.
This can not only cause health risks due to poorer air quality but can also cause countless pounds of damage to fittings and clothing items. Having passive ventilation options like discreet vents in doors and making sure there is space between the walls of the room, and the back of the fittings is crucial in preventing this potentially harmful and costly walk-in wardrobe mistake.
Not Including Drawer Space
Just because it is a walk-in wardrobe doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have drawer space. A very common walk-in closet mistake is not making room for drawer space. Not every item of clothing needs to be on a hanger, and forgetting to include drawers can lead to your outfits being spread into different areas of the home.
A more efficient plan is to have sections of drawer space alongside traditional wardrobe space. This can be even more refined with fittings specifically for accessories like watches and jewellery. When planned correctly, a walk-in wardrobe should have everything you could need to create an outfit, from jackets to accessories to shoes and everything else in between.
Opting for Poor Quality Materials
Using poor-quality materials can be a big walk-in wardrobe mistake that can lead to structural, functional and aesthetic issues. Cheaper materials like MDF may warp or sag under moisture or weight, while weak drawer slides and hinges often break or misalign. Finishes may peel, bubble or stain in humid conditions, and surfaces that are prone to scratches and scuffs will make the wardrobe look worn quickly.
Low-grade materials may also emit unpleasant odours after absorbing moisture, leading to mustiness and damp that may also attract moths or the growth of mould, which can harm fabrics. Investing in quality materials like solid wood, aluminium or even glass will ensure durability, heightened protection, and a wardrobe that lasts both functionally and visually.
Forgetting About Shoe Storage
More often than not, the first article of clothing removed while getting undressed will be your shoes. For some, they will have a separate shoe rack near the front door to not walk outside shoes through the home, but for others, they will need to have shoe storage built into their walk-in wardrobe plan. Without it, the room will become cluttered with shoes littering the floor and getting in the way.
To avoid this walk-in wardrobe mistake and to truly maximise your space, you can fit whole cupboards with shelving for shoes, have specific pull-out shoe racks, or install organisers that hang over the back of wardrobe doors to stop any internal space infringement. It is important to note the number of shoes on average that will be in there and their sizes and heights, so they don’t end up piled on top of each other.
Lacking Adjustable Shelving
A walk-in wardrobe isn’t something that will be changed and updated frequently. It is not merely a collection of furniture; it is a whole installed unit designed to be steadfast for years. So, making sure each section of it is adjustable is crucial for future adaptability.
Having shelving that can be adjusted is a great benefit when reorganising. Being able to move a whole shelf or rail down, even just a few inches, can increase adaptability and use. Even having a fitted wardrobe with the ability to have shelving or a rail can make all the difference in the future.
No Long-Term Thinking
Like mentioned in the previous point, a walk-in wardrobe is a long-term commitment, so as much as it needs to be perfect for your needs now, it also has to be perfect for your needs in the future.
A big walk-in wardrobe mistake is having a design that can’t be repaired easily. The more extravagant the material and design can lead to higher repair expenses. This is where compromises might need to be made between style and functionality.
You may want to consider if the space you have right now is going to be enough in the future. Having enough spare space will help maintain a neat and orderly dressing room even after a few more shopping trips.
Thinking ahead is crucial, will the design age well? Will the materials age well? Will there be enough space?
Missing Accessibility
Poor accessibility can be a walk-in wardrobe mistake by making items hard to reach, creating clutter and causing physical strain. Common mistakes include poor layout, such as narrow corridors or hanging clothes in corners, and inefficient use of vertical space. Inaccessible storage, like deep shelves, fixed drawer dividers or heavy pull-down rods will only add to the problem.
To improve accessibility, you can split the space into zones. The central area (around 90–180 cm) for frequently used items and store less-used ones higher or lower. Use adjustable shelving, pull-out drawers and accessory-specific storage for better organisation. Maximise vertical space with double-hanging rods and hooks all while ensuring there’s enough room to move around easily.
Walk-in Wardrobe Mistakes: Final Thoughts
When planned out well, a walk-in wardrobe can be a fantastic design choice, both for you living with it and in the future if you come to sell the property. It provides a selling point of functional elegance that can add another layer of luxury to the home.
Planning and creating a timeless design can ensure you have a fantastic space to enjoy for many years to come.
