No Built-In Wardrobe? Here are 7 Solutions
Learn some clever fixes that prove built-in wardrobes aren't the only answer to clothing storage
Louise O'Bryan
30 March 2017
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
If you’re a renter or a homeowner and have inherited some built-in wardrobes, you are one of the fortunate ones. However, if your bedroom is without a dedicated robe, there’s no need to despair. With some clever organisation and planning, it is possible to create neat and manageable clothes storage without going down the costly bespoke route.
1. Make the most of an existing nook
If you’re without a built-in wardrobe but have an alcove, you’re in luck. Alcove walls create solid support for rails and shelves. When converting this space into a wardrobe, consider the set-up that will work best for all your storage needs, for example, all shelves or a mix of rails and shelves. It’s always a good idea to add baskets to whatever configuration you choose – that way you have handy storage for all your small items too.
If you’re without a built-in wardrobe but have an alcove, you’re in luck. Alcove walls create solid support for rails and shelves. When converting this space into a wardrobe, consider the set-up that will work best for all your storage needs, for example, all shelves or a mix of rails and shelves. It’s always a good idea to add baskets to whatever configuration you choose – that way you have handy storage for all your small items too.
If you are concerned that by having your clothes on show your bedroom is going to appear a little messy, try approaching your open wardrobe as a creative display. Embrace the eclectic feel and turn your clothes into an aesthetically pleasing feature by arranging items by colour.
2. … Or create your own nook
In a room that has no architectural features, you can still create a handy clothes nook by fitting a rail between a wall and a substantial, heavy piece of furniture, such as between a wall and display unit as seen here. Just ensure the piece of furniture is robust enough to support the rail’s pressure; if in doubt, try to fix the piece of furniture in place using brackets, or use a heavy item such as a bed or bookshelf as a buttress.
9 genius clothes storage hacks
In a room that has no architectural features, you can still create a handy clothes nook by fitting a rail between a wall and a substantial, heavy piece of furniture, such as between a wall and display unit as seen here. Just ensure the piece of furniture is robust enough to support the rail’s pressure; if in doubt, try to fix the piece of furniture in place using brackets, or use a heavy item such as a bed or bookshelf as a buttress.
9 genius clothes storage hacks
Similarly, you could fit a box shelf to create a spot for a hanging rail. This works well in a kid’s room, when the space required for their hanging clothes is minimal.
3. Adapt an old wardrobe
While freestanding wardrobes don’t make use of all the available space like built-ins, they do have some advantages. A secondhand wardrobe can be picked up and can be cheaply adapted with extra rails or shelves to fulfill all your storage needs. What’s more, freestanding wardrobes can come with you when you move out, making them a worthwhile investment.
While freestanding wardrobes don’t make use of all the available space like built-ins, they do have some advantages. A secondhand wardrobe can be picked up and can be cheaply adapted with extra rails or shelves to fulfill all your storage needs. What’s more, freestanding wardrobes can come with you when you move out, making them a worthwhile investment.
To solve that often frustrating top-and bottom-gap issue that freestanding wardrobes present, try adding baskets and storage boxes to the space between floor and wardrobe, or ceiling and wardrobe. They are a handy way to add texture and colour and can help tie in the elements of the room together, just like in this bedroom.
See more blue bedroom schemes
See more blue bedroom schemes
4. Curate some cubby shelves
These are a great idea when you only need space for folded items or want to mix up storage and display items. Cubby hole storage creates easy access to everyday essentials, and again, drawers or baskets can be added to keep smaller items together.
These are a great idea when you only need space for folded items or want to mix up storage and display items. Cubby hole storage creates easy access to everyday essentials, and again, drawers or baskets can be added to keep smaller items together.
5. Set up a hanging wardrobe
For minimal hassle and a minimalist look, put together your own hanging system. All you need is a sturdy rail (you could use a discarded piece of pipe or a found piece of wood) suspended horizontally between two ropes attached to the ceiling. Use a combination of clothes hangers and S hooks for handbags or tricky items.
Tip: This solution is best saved for your favourite clothes, as you don’t want to overload the structure. Keep less good-looking or more rarely used clothes in storage below.
For minimal hassle and a minimalist look, put together your own hanging system. All you need is a sturdy rail (you could use a discarded piece of pipe or a found piece of wood) suspended horizontally between two ropes attached to the ceiling. Use a combination of clothes hangers and S hooks for handbags or tricky items.
Tip: This solution is best saved for your favourite clothes, as you don’t want to overload the structure. Keep less good-looking or more rarely used clothes in storage below.
Don’t forget to look around – and up – to see if there are any existing structures you can hang clothes from: Think exposed piping or structural beams. If you don’t have an existing feature, however, it can be easy enough to add one in, as seen here.
6. Look beneath your bed
There may be valuable empty space under your bed that can be turned into clothes storage. Pull-out drawers fitted onto castors are a good weekend DIY project, but for a simpler solution, you could buy a basic drawer on wheels to roll underneath.This approach works best for storing non-essentials such as seasonal clothes and travel items.
9 super-cool beds
There may be valuable empty space under your bed that can be turned into clothes storage. Pull-out drawers fitted onto castors are a good weekend DIY project, but for a simpler solution, you could buy a basic drawer on wheels to roll underneath.This approach works best for storing non-essentials such as seasonal clothes and travel items.
9 super-cool beds
7. Hook up your hats and handbags
Hats and handbags are often lost at the back of wardrobes or shelves, so displaying them on hooks along your wall is a practical solution, not to mention fun and creative. Look out for big, strong hooks that can accommodate a few bags at a time, or go in for a coat rack as seen here.
Tip: For simple, more utilitarian hooks, Bunnings and IKEA both have a good selection. However, if you’d prefer something a little more decorative, try stores such as Zakkia, which sell a great range of hooks and knobs for affordable prices. For even more unique pieces, try Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading.
Hats and handbags are often lost at the back of wardrobes or shelves, so displaying them on hooks along your wall is a practical solution, not to mention fun and creative. Look out for big, strong hooks that can accommodate a few bags at a time, or go in for a coat rack as seen here.
Tip: For simple, more utilitarian hooks, Bunnings and IKEA both have a good selection. However, if you’d prefer something a little more decorative, try stores such as Zakkia, which sell a great range of hooks and knobs for affordable prices. For even more unique pieces, try Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading.
Finally, one of the biggest advantages of having your clothes on display in an open wardrobe is that it forces you to be honest about what you do and don’t wear. Seize the opportunity to take unwanted or unwearable items to charity bins and narrow down your wardrobe to pieces you truly want to wear.
Read more:
Alternatives to Wardrobes and Cupboards
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
Tell us:
How have you worked the non-built-in look? Share your savvy solutions in the Comments below
Read more:
Alternatives to Wardrobes and Cupboards
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
Tell us:
How have you worked the non-built-in look? Share your savvy solutions in the Comments below
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Just as drawer-based storage has become the 'go-to' solution for a space-efficient and hard working kitchen, drawers are becoming a winning option for wardrobe storage.
At Fit, we have more than a decade's experience developing pull out systems under our Tanova brand. We've translated our expertise at pull out kitchen bins and pull out laundry hampers into the Tanova ventilated drawer system; strong, durable powder coated steel drawers available in 2 widths and 3 heights. You probably know that wardrobes are generally a little shallower from front to back than kitchen drawers, so our Tanova ventilated drawers come in 2 depths as well!
They're available in classic white or (here's the fun bit!), you can order them any custom colour from the Dulux range.
Check out the Tanova ventilated drawer look here:
And click here to see our Tanova ventilated drawers Houzz project or here to see them on our website.