Fitted wardrobes are an ever-increasingly popular option for homeowners seeking practical, stylish storage solutions.
They offer a stylish and practical solution for maximising space and enhancing the aesthetics of your home. Unlike freestanding wardrobes, bespoke fitted wardrobes are designed to seamlessly integrate with your space, providing customised storage solutions that reflect your lifestyle and interior style.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
- What a fitted wardrobe is
- The Key Benefits of Fitted Wardrobes and why they outperform standard freestanding options
- Disadvantages of Fitted Wardrobes
- Whether Fitted Wardrobes are a good investment
- Should You Install Flooring Before or After Fitting Wardrobes?
- Should the Carpet Be Fitted Before or After?
- Do Fitted Wardrobes Add Value to a UK Property?
- Installation & Costs
- Moving Forward With Your New Fitted Wardrobe
Whether you’re looking for a sleek, contemporary wardrobe or a classic, timeless storage solution, this guide will provide everything you need to make an informed decision.
Let’s explore how bespoke fitted wardrobes can transform your home!
What is a Fitted Wardrobe?
A fitted wardrobe is a custom-built wardrobe designed to fit perfectly within a designated space. It’s an effective way to make full use of the free space in a bedroom, and as a result, fitted wardrobes often extend from floor to ceiling and wall to wall.
Unlike free-standing wardrobes with pre-set and fixed dimensions, fitted wardrobes are custom-built to fill any space, such as alcoves or rooms with sloping ceilings. This makes them versatile for spaces where standard wardrobes wouldn’t fit completely.
The Key Benefits of Fitted Wardrobes
For homeowners looking to optimise space and elevate the look of their interiors, here are a few main benefits to expect from a fitted wardrobe:
Maximise Storage & Reduce Clutter: Fitted wardrobes are designed to use every inch of available space, providing ample storage and making use of awkward areas. For many families, this extra storage can help prevent home clutter or prevent the need for additional floor storage, such as under-bed boxes.
Stay Organised with Ease: By providing a practical way to keep your belongings organised and accessible, you’ll instinctively come to know where every item is. These designated spaces, from hanging rails for clothing to drawers for accessories, face the frantic stress associated with trying to locate misplaced items no more. These intentional, designed spaces also help protect your belongings from unnecessary wear and tear.
Customisable to Your Needs and Wants: One of the first steps of any fitted wardrobe project for us is understanding your needs. You can choose the exact configuration and storage layout, whether extra hanging space, additional drawers, or specialised compartments for accessories.
The Beauty of Bespoke: With a bespoke design, you can create something entirely unique, tailored to your personal style and needs. Let your imagination run wild with elegant mirrored or fluted shaker-style doors with an LED-illuminated oak interior. These styling, material and layout choices become a focal point in the room and provide a level of customizability that off-the-shelf options simply can’t match.
Streamline Your Look: By eliminating gaps and wasted space, fitted wardrobes help create a seamless look that blends into your room’s design. This cohesive, polished aesthetic can provide a timeless appeal for your bedroom or other rooms.
Long-Lasting & Durable: We build our fitted wardrobes with the highest-quality materials and use the most tried-and-tested techniques that are proven to last a lifetime. This ensures that we can create storage solutions with your aesthetics in mind while ensuring they’re durable and built to last, offering long-term value and reducing replacement needs over time, which often come with cheap alternative free-standing furniture.
Disadvantages of Fitted Wardrobes
While they offer various benefits, it’s also worth accounting for some considerations; here are a few:
Higher Initial Cost: Custom-built options typically cost more upfront than a supermarket-ready-made alternative. The price reflects the craftsmanship and bespoke design but also accounts for the overall durability and material use, which usually means the fitted wardrobe is cheaper in the long run.
Permanent Installation: Fitted wardrobes are fixed to the room, so they can’t be easily moved or rearranged. Similarly, if you move home, you’ll likely be unable to take your fitted wardrobe without hiring a professional. Considering whether your fitted wardrobe aligns with any long-term goals is a great starting point.
Reduced Flexibility: Making changes to a fitted wardrobe once installed is not impossible but can be complex. A core stage of our consultation process is to ask questions about needed functionality now and in the future. This ensures that any potential style changes or future requirements are accounted for during the build. Then, once installed, your fitted wardrobe can remain functional and relevant for years to come.
For most Essex homeowners, the benefits of installing a fitted wardrobe often outweigh any downsides, particularly when considering the added functionality, convenience, and value they bring to their homes.
Are Fitted Wardrobes A Good Investment?
As we’ve touched upon, fitted wardrobes are an investment that pays off in the long run due to their durability, versatility, and custom design. If you’re a homeowner who is looking to or is already settling down, then a fitted option makes them a more cost-effective option over time.
High-quality materials and finishes ensure they withstand daily wear and tear. Their durability also means they won’t need to be replaced or updated as frequently as stand-alone options, which are more prone to falling apart.
Additionally, having a custom built-in option can be soothing from an aesthetic standpoint. It leverages all available space, matches your current room aesthetics and provides all the functionality you need, often creating a zen experience as you can use it without friction.
Fitted wardrobes often improve house value for those thinking about the future, and we’ll discuss this further in this post.
Should You Install Flooring Before or After Fitting Wardrobes?
The floor is an important factor that should not be ignored when considering a fitted wardrobe. Rest assured, we have extensive experience in all scenarios. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. While the best approach would be more nuanced depending on the project, here are a few guidelines when considering.
The best practice for this question is always to install Fitted Wardrobes onto a solid floor. This ensures a robust and secure installation and eliminates the risk of the wardrobe sinking—which may be possible if it were to be installed on existing carpet—leaving an undesired gap at the ceiling.
We’re often asked: “Should we fit our carpet (or any type of flooring) before or after the wardrobe installation?”
The truth is, it doesn’t really matter – and sometimes, a project’s timescale doesn’t allow for choice. However, we have outlined the pros and cons for each option below.
Installing Flooring First
If you are installing a hard floor, such as solid wood or LVT, the best practice is to install the flooring first. Whilst this will work out marginally more costly, as you’ll be paying for slightly more flooring (that will eventually go unseen under the fitted wardrobe), it provides a more seamless installation and finish that outweighs the downside of a small increased cost of flooring.
Installing Flooring Afterwards
An alternative option is to install the floor after the wardrobe. In this scenario, the wardrobe would be built on the subfloor, with the flooring installed up to the perimeter of the wardrobe. While saving money on flooring, this can sometimes cause an unsightly gap between the elements, especially if the wardrobe is ever removed or replaced. The main decisions to make here concern long-term goals and the overall budget.
Flooring would be preferable first if a seamless, high-end finish is desirable.
Should the Carpet Be Fitted Before or After?
In an ideal scenario, the carpet will be fitted after the wardrobe has been installed. The reason for this is, as stated above, that the wardrobe must always be fitted onto a solid base.
We understand that this is not always possible. If your carpet has already been installed, don’t stress. We will peel back your carpet, allowing space for the wardrobe installation. After installation, the carpet will be re-fitted to the perimeters of the wardrobe, leaving a professional and seamless finish.
Do Fitted Wardrobes Have to Be Wall to Wall?
The benefit of having furniture custom-designed is that there are no strict requirements. While a wall-to-wall fitted wardrobe may be standard, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other options. We can customise them to fit spaces like alcoves, corners, or sections of a room without necessarily extending from one wall to the other.
For example, a fitted wardrobe can be designed to fit an alcove in a bedroom while leaving the rest of the wall open. Similarly, it can be adapted to serve as a smaller wardrobe with all the functionality and style you’d expect from a fitted option. This allows you to then choose the layout and positioning best suited for your needs.
Do Fitted Wardrobes Add Value to a UK Property?
One of the top questions we receive from Essex homeowners is whether a fitted wardrobe will add value to their property.
The answer is yes.
Potential buyers often consider storage spaces a premium feature, as having well-designed storage space can significantly enhance the property’s appeal. Fitted wardrobes signal buyers that the home is designed with functionality. For many potential buyers, having a built-in storage solution is a quick checkmark on their list of needs and helps give them peace of mind that their storage worries are accounted for. From an aesthetic perspective, a fitted wardrobe often helps tie a room together. So, while the storage solution itself is a benefit, so too is the perceived value of the room.
Installation and Costs: What to Expect
The Fitted Wardrobe Installation Process
A professionally fitted wardrobe is a custom-built solution that maximises space and complements your home’s aesthetic. While the exact installation timeline depends on the complexity of the design, here’s what you can typically expect:
Consultation & Design Planning (1–2 weeks) – The process begins with a consultation, during which your needs, style preferences, and storage requirements are discussed. We will then take precise measurements and provide design mock-ups.
Material Selection & Manufacturing (2–6 weeks) – Once the design is finalised, materials are sourced, and your custom wardrobe is manufactured. Bespoke wardrobes may take longer due to specialised finishes or unique design features.
Installation (1–3 days) – On the scheduled installation day, your old storage (if applicable) is removed, and the new wardrobe is fitted. We then ensure every component is aligned correctly, doors and drawers operate smoothly, and all finishes are seamless.
How to Budget for a Fitted Wardrobe in Essex
The cost of a fitted wardrobe varies depending on size, materials, customisation, and additional features. Here’s a breakdown of key cost factors:
Size & Layout – Larger wardrobes or walk-in designs will naturally require more materials and labour, increasing costs.
Materials & Finishes – Standard MDF and laminate finishes are more affordable, while solid wood, mirrored doors, and premium veneers will push costs higher.
Storage Features – Additional drawers, integrated lighting, soft-close hinges, and pull-out accessories add to the overall price but significantly enhance functionality.
Installation Complexity – Bespoke wardrobes fitted into awkward spaces (e.g., sloped ceilings or alcoves) require more intricate craftsmanship, which can increase labour costs.
What’s the Average Cost of a Fitted Wardrobe?
In Essex, professionally fitted wardrobes typically range between:
Basic designs: £1,500 – £3,000
Mid-range wardrobes: £3,000 – £6,000
Luxury bespoke installations: £6,000+
Getting the Best Value for Your Investment
A fitted wardrobe is a long-term investment that adds value to your home and improves daily organisation. To ensure you get the best value:
- Work with a reputable provider who offers bespoke designs tailored to your space, like Ward-Smith Interiors
- Choose high-quality materials that will stand the test of time.
- Plan for your future needs, ensuring your storage will remain functional as your lifestyle changes.
Moving Forward With Your New Fitted Wardrobe
Investing in a fitted wardrobe offers a stylish, space-efficient solution that adds value and functionality to often unused spaces. Designed around your exact requirements, they can create a streamlined, organised environment that not only boosts property appeal but transforms the room they’re in.
For Essex homeowners, a fitted wardrobe helps make the most of the available space, adapting to the unique room layouts often found in the area and offering a tailored look that matches your home’s unique aesthetic.
Whether you want to declutter, take advantage of the additional functionality, or streamline your home storage, bespoke fitted wardrobes from Ward-Smith Interiors can help.
Contact our team for a free consultation to discuss your needs and design.
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