Wardrobes in Awkward Spaces

Maximizing space and finding the right wardrobes for your home can be a challenging and expensive task. However, there are affordable options available, even if you're on a budget. Let me share with you my personal experience and some valuable tips on finding the perfect wardrobe solutions.

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In my own home, I faced the dilemma of dealing with pokey and awkward spaces for wardrobes. The under-eaves areas had unique shapes—one slanted sideways like a right-angled triangle, and the other sloped at the back. This meant that standard flat-packed options like those from Ikea required extensive modifications beyond my capabilities. Free-standing wardrobes were completely out of the question.

After receiving eye-watering quotes from custom installers that were far beyond my budget, I stumbled upon an amazing world of wall-mounted storage systems on Pinterest. These systems consist of a horizontal rail screwed into the wall, with vertical rails hung upon it. The beauty lies in the variety of accessories that can be inserted into these rails—shelves, drawers, baskets, clothes rails, shoe racks, and even jewelry organizers and tie storage. The rails come in various lengths, making them adjustable to fit any space. Isn't that genius?

I opted for the Elfa system, which I purchased from the Organised Store in Dundrum (Ireland). Ikea offers a similar system called Boaxel, and ClosetMaid is another option (although it requires international delivery as it's not available in Ireland). Elfa and Boaxel systems have online planners that allow you to experiment with different configurations to suit your space.

Wall-mounted storage systems offer incredible flexibility. In fact, I switch the configuration of mine from summer to winter to accommodate my changing needs—from hanging summery dresses to storing warm jumpers. These systems also work well for kitchen shelving, laundry organization, bookshelves, and more. Surprisingly sturdy, especially when screwed into wall studs, they are an excellent solution for renters. When you move, they can be dismantled and adapted to your new space, leaving only small holes in the wall that are easily filled in.

I then had wardrobe doors made to enclose the wall-mounted systems. This was much cheaper than getting a whole custom wardrobe installed! There are endless opportunities for customisation here, so you can save by getting the plainest doors and then adding your own paint, mirrors, handles, panelling, etc. Handles can make a huge difference - several companies specialise in creating beautiful handles for wardrobe doors - check out superfront.com, busterandpunch.com, and notonthehighstreet.com.

If you prefer a more traditional wardrobe interior, and you're handy with DIY, there are still affordable options for awkward spaces, provided you have the confidence and ability to put in some effort. Retailers such as Ikea and Jysk offer plenty of affordable options. Keep an eye on second-hand websites too for good deals. Once you have the wardrobes, you can find endless online tutorials on modifying flat-packed wardrobes to fit your specific space. A great resource to start with is ikeahackers.com, which offers a wealth of inspiration and information.