Latest Interiors: Dressed to impress
Latest Interiors on dressing rooms and wardrobe space that every aspiring Carrie Bradshaw needs
You can’t have too much wardrobe space. However organised you are, and however regularly you prune your collection of clothes and shoes, having the space to put things away properly makes our living space feel bigger and brighter.
It also helps to keep clothes and accessories in better condition. If your cupboards are full to bursting, you’re just in time: This week, Latest Interiors considers the best clothes storage – off-the-peg, and couture, of course…
Free-standing & fitted
The type of wardrobe you need depends on what you want to keep in it, how much space you have, and your budget. Free-standing wardrobes can be perfect for small or difficult spaces: easy to move around and relatively inexpensive, free-standing units fit in the smallest of bedrooms.
You can make a statement with free-standing units too: a lovely period piece, or something striking and modern, becomes a feature in itself. However, as storage capacity is likely to be limited, free-standing wardrobes are best suited to children’s or spare rooms.
If you want something sleek and stylish, or simply need to optimise space, fitted wardrobe units are probably the best solution. Whether you go bespoke or buy off-the-peg modular units, a fitted system should integrate itself (or ‘disappear’) into the room, providing as much storage space (preferably floor-to-ceiling) as possible.
Fitted systems are more flexible than smaller, free-standing units: you can opt for different storage modules to suit your needs, combining full- and half-length hanging space, shelves, and shoe storage. If space is limited, consider sliding – rather than hinged – doors.
Dressing rooms to impress
As any Sex And The City fan will tell you, a proper dressing room (or walk-in wardrobe) is what every fashionista aspires to. If space and budget are no object, then a well-kitted-out dressing room can be a real asset. Box rooms or single bedrooms are easily – and usefully – converted into wonderful, floor-to-ceiling walk-in storage. If there’s no spare room, then you might consider squeezing a dressing area into the end of a larger bedroom or attic space
Think about the size and shape of the space you mean to fill: as well as hanging space (half- and full-height rails are useful), ensure you have enough shelf and drawer space for underwear and accessories.
A dressing room or walk-in wardrobe also needs a good light source (boost any natural light with recessed cabinet lights and motion-sensitive central lighting) and – of course – a full-length mirror. Now all you need to do is fill it with clothes…
