The Closet.
The beauty of bedroom is not only just due to its designing and architecture; wardrobes give an aesthetic beauty to the bedrooms. They give more area for storing huge & small items such as Clothes, Bed Sheets, Curtains, etc. in an organized manner.
Nowadays,
There is a lot of material available in the market from which you can choose the closets which are modern in look and have an elegant wardrobe design with ample amount of space. Wardrobes are actually an idea which you can modify in any way. They will make your simple cupboards look more special and elegant.
There are several types of wardrobes based on materials and number of doors which you can choose for your room.
Let us discuss all of them!!
The wardrobe material used to make your customized wardrobe is a good indicator of the returns it will give you over the years. In this blog we will try to answer some of the common questions which go through the mind of a buyer when deciding about getting a wardrobe for their home.
Questions like:
- How much a wardrobe will cost?
- What wardrobe materials to use?
- Why are some materials costly or cheap?
Usually, you build a wardrobe in your home for storage, but let’s face it, whether it’s in your bedroom, living room, kitchen or the hallway, ultimately you want it to look stylish. Choosing the right type of finish is vital to ensure that the wardrobe or cupboard matches the overall design theme of your room. Today, we present you, the materials that you can use to add style to the surfaces of your wardrobes.
Check out these helpful tips to designing the most functional wardrobe space.
WARDROBE MATERIAL GUIDE
There are quite a few wardrobe materials options available in market today. Sliding door wardrobes are nowadays made using particle boards which has helped to greatly reduce their cost. Other materials which are in great demand are the MDF boards and the trusty old plywood boards.
- Particle board (Cost effective with wide range of applications)
- MDF (Very economical & durable and much preferred these days)
- Plywood (An old favourite, applications are limited because of relatively high costs)
Plywood:
Plywood is the most expensive and preferred choice of material for custom wardrobes. It has the highest resistance to water exposure, even higher than solid wood. It is highly durable and can withstand temperatures with the added advantage of being Borer and Termite resistant.
There are many types of plywood available in the market, some of them are:
- Moisture Resistant (MR) Plywood (Also called Commercial Ply).
- BWR/BWP (Boiling Water Resistant/Proof) Plywood.
- Marine Plywood.
Marine Plywood is the most common type of plywood used in Wardrobe construction. BWP plywood is generally used in areas prone directly to water like kitchen, bathroom etc., and Although BWP/BWR plywood can be used for wardrobe construction, and it’s not an economical option. If your wardrobes are used roughly and exposed to moisture, plywood is the best option.
Particle Board:
Particle board is a man-made material which is made by joining chips of wood, wood shavings and sawdust together. Being low density wood it is rather bendy, so it can be used well when making long panels for wardrobe doors spanning nine-feet. This material is widely used for the crafting of furniture used in office spaces and commercials. Good low cost option for wardrobes and other furniture that is not going to be exposed to a lot of moisture or kept out in the open. Used correctly the overall furnishing cost can be greatly reduced as the prices are relatively cheaper compared to MDF and Plywood.
MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard):
MDF is an engineered wood pulp, made by breaking down real wood pieces into wood fibres. It has more strength than the particle board and is also cheaper than plywood. MDF is not easily affected by weather change. This is the best material for making wardrobe shutters. Being consistent, its edges remain smooth without any splinters or voids.
SELECTION OF WARDROBE FINISH
Laminates:
Laminates area the most commonly used material in wardrobe design, as they have great qualities such as high durability, water-resistance, cost-effectiveness and low-maintenance, besides being easy to clean. They are made by compressing layer of plastic resins and paper. There are various kinds of laminates available in the market such as Matt Finish, Glossy Finish and Digital Laminates. The main drawbacks of a laminate are that it is brittle, prone to chipping and cannot be repaired once damaged.
Veneers:
Veneers are widely used as an external finish because they have the ability to impart a look that’s both traditional and modern. They are made by slicing and peeling of tree trunk. Veneer is popular not only because it is one of the most economical options for coating your wardrobe, but also because of its ability to replicate the warmth of solid wood. Veneers are made from thin layers of natural wood and are available in numerous designs that add an element of warmth, elegance and richness to a space. Veneers require regular maintenance, as they are prone to show up scratches. To retain the shine of the surface it is important to re-polish the wardrobe periodically.
PU (polyurethane) Paint
Coating the surface of your cupboards with polyurethane paint is another option. These paints come is a large variety of colours and have a lovely gloss. They are extremely easy to maintain.
Acrylic:
Acrylic finish is another material which is used quite frequently these days. These are non- toxic and are similar to lacquer. These finishes are available in a wide range of colours with reflective high gloss finish, matt finish, ultra-gloss finish and wood grain finish.
Glass:
The straight lines and glossy finish of glass give a sleek and modern look. Glass on the wardrobe surface adds a sense of lightness to the composition of the room. It can come in clear, opaque, printed, frosted and stained varieties, among others. The disadvantage of glass, especially if you use the clear variety, is that you need to keep the interiors of the cupboard neat always. Otherwise, the mess will be on display. It is easy to clean, low on maintenance and can be easily installed.
Mirror
The mirror finish is an attractive way to visually increase the size of the room and add to the illusion of space. Mirrors are especially suitable for coating the surfaces of cabinets and wardrobes in small rooms as they reflect light and make the entire space appear larger than it is.
Tip: The wardrobe panels may become heavy with mirror cladding. Make sure you go for only good-quality hinges or track systems for the sliding shutters to ensure hassle-free maintenance and long-term durability of the wardrobe.
Solid Wood
Nothing beats the warmth of wood, and when it is solid wood, it adds a charming element that is versatile, as it can suit the theme of almost any room, whether it’s modern, rustic or country-style. While wood is more expensive than other materials, it is extremely durable, and all it needs is a coat of polish to look as good as new.
Fabric
Make a bold statement with fabric like leather or faux leather or vinyl panels on the wardrobe doors. The introduction of a leather finish is a great way to add warmth and style by softening the sharp edges and corners of the wardrobe. Consider the same material for the headboard to weave together the design features of your boudoir. You can use any type of fabrics on shutters like Velvet, Jute etc.
MAKE A PLAN
When it comes time to design for a new closet organization system in the bedroom, there are some general rules of thumb to abide by.
After understanding the components of a wardrobe the next thing to be done is to ask yourself and as well as client, a few questions which would help you in getting an idea and list of space that you want to have in your wardrobe.
- How much hanging and drawer space do you need?
- How long should your hanging space be?
- Do u need more open shelving or drawers?
- Do you require space for hanging ties belts etc.?
- Do you need drawers for jewellery with custom dividers?
This type of questions will help you to design a wardrobe easily, Internal and External as well.
First Calculate The Space:
Take an inventory of your belongings in the closet. These calculations will help dictate how much space you’ll need for hanging, shelving and accessories. Once you’ve totalled up your clothes and belongings, you’ll be able to more effectively design and organize.
Prioritize Space for Hanging Clothes:
Design for a long hang section first and then place drawers and shelves after. Make all remaining space double hang in order to maximize vertical space. Long hang for the average woman should take up anywhere from 18-24″ of hanging space on average.
Fold Knits Space
Help in maintain the garment’s shape by stacking or folding sweaters, knits and t-shirts in drawers or on shelves. If you are folding them in drawers, follow a filing method, so you can see what shirt you’re pulling out.
Consider Seasonal Storage
If you are pressed for space, rotate your seasonal clothing (spring/summer and fall/winter) from the master closet into a secondary closet or storage space. Baskets and bins will work wonders when keeping seasonal items organized and out of the way. With freedom Rail, you can always adjust to fit seasonal changes such as tall boots or slim sandals.
Create A Noticeable Divide Space
This will prevent any future arguments about crowding each other space or mixing clothes. Women’s clothing tends to take up more space then men’s and require more long hang. Work this into your wardrobe designing if you are sharing a space.
Design With Extra Shoe Space:
The average woman has 10-20 pairs of shoes compared to the men’s average of 8 pairs. Design for ample shoe storage and allow room to grow. More shoes can fit on a flat shelf and they are best stored heel to toe for maximum space functionality.
Do You Really Need A Loft?
Adding on a loft will increase the cost of your wardrobe, and if you do not really need the extra space then you should consider having a wardrobe that’s just 8 feet high or up to the lintel level. This also visually enhances the size of your room, rather than having a floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobe which will make your room look smaller.
THE TYPES OF WARDROBES:
Free Stand Wardrobes:
This is the most basic and traditional type of wardrobe found in almost every house. It can be in the form of a wooden wardrobe or steel wardrobe. You can manage to keep all your clothes, books and other things in this simple wardrobe. The basic height of these type of wardrobes is 7’-7’.6”. It is a good option for people who keep migrating as they can carry this wardrobe along with them. These wardrobes are available in different materials such as plastic, metal and wood with different kinds of finishing material. It can be placed in any size of the bedroom. It is a portable wardrobe which you can also take in another room.
Full Height Elevated Cupboards:
These kind of wardrobes generally cover area from the floor to the top of the ceiling
Nowadays people prefer using full height wardrobe instead of the old traditional ones. It consumes less space and gives you more storage for various things such as books, bags and other necessary articles. They can be arranged above the level of bed and hence it becomes easy for you to use it anytime. Full height wardrobes are generally wall mounted therefore, these wardrobes also improves the aesthetics of the room by making it look elegant and super organised. These wardrobes come in 2 types-
- Full panel wardrobe.
- Wardrobe with loft.
Sliding Wardrobe:
When there is lack of space people prefer using sliding wardrobes as it acquires very less amount of space as compare to other wardrobes. It gives a very sleek and sophisticated look to your space. The sliding wardrobe is the one with two sliding doors on both sides. It has many shelves and drawers for putting hangers, clothes, and other accessories such as wallets and belts. It looks very stylish from outside and similarly from inside it has everything placed in an aesthetic manner. And in multi-panel wardrobes, it has silver frames and its doors run on tracks. You can use various types of colours on these doors to give a cool look to the bedroom. There are many other customization options you can choose for multi-panel sliding door wardrobes.
Vintage Wardrobes
Are you thinking to give a classy look to your room? If yes then vintage wardrobe is a perfect choice. They are extremely beautiful in look and give a perfect elegance to the bedroom. This wardrobe comes with a hanging rail and drawers inside. With beauty, it comes with a perfect space. You can enhance the look of your bedroom with this extra-large wardrobe. Vintage wardrobe comes with many drawers and shelves for keeping clothes, jewellery, files, and other accessories.
Retro Wardrobe
In case old or mid time history is the fashion you fantasize about then retro closet is perfect thing to be in your vintage themed bedroom.
Walk-In-Closet
Walk-in closets are a symbol of ultimate luxury because these wardrobes can be built only if you have a very huge amount of space. Generally a large room is converted into a walk in closet. This closet contains large amount of shelves, drawers and sometimes even a dressing table with a chair. Walk in wardrobes are of 3 types U- shape, G- shape and parallel.
Conclusion
All the above things sound easy going but actually it isn’t everything must be done with utmost care and attention because wardrobe is a one-time investment so be careful before you each and every step.
So, which finish would you prefer for your wardrobe design? Tell us why in the Comments section below.