What are the Best Material Finishes for Wardrobes?

Take a look at 6 trending finishes that can add lots of style to wardrobe designs

Pooja Khanna Tyagi 18 October 2017

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner,... More

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Why think of a wardrobe as just for storage? Its design, colours and external finishes add a great deal to the overall decor of the bedroom. There are many options out there for finishes, with each finish bringing its own distinct appearance and texture. Here is a guide to the most popular surface finishes that should make choosing a little easier.

Hemant Patil Photography

1. Veneer
Veneers are widely used as an external finish because they have the ability to impart a look that’s both traditional and modern. 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.

Tip: For the skeleton or framework of the almirah design, materials like BWP (boiling-water proof) plywood, HDF (high-density fibre) and MDF (medium-density fibre) boards can be used. My suggestion is to go for BWP plywood because it is strong, durable, moisture-resistant and less prone to warping in comparison to other materials.

Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

2. Laminate
Laminates are most commonly used in wardrobe designs for bedrooms as they have great qualities such as high durability, water-resistance, cost-effectiveness and low-maintenance, besides being easy to clean. There are many options to choose from, in terms of designs, colours and finishes, which include high-gloss, textured and matte finishes. The main drawbacks of a laminate are that it is brittle, prone to chipping and cannot be repaired once damaged.

Rodrigues Bodycoat Architects

Glossy laminate
In this example, the enhanced radiance of glossy white laminate gives a sense of elegant luxury to the room. Additionally, it adds brightness because of its ability to reflect some light.

Note that glossy laminates are susceptible to scratches and need regular cleaning because they show stains and fingerprints easily.

Wood veneer vs laminate

FORMA Design

3. Mirror
How about fixing mirrors onto the wardrobe doors? The mirror finish is an attractive way to visually increase the size of the room and add to the illusion of space.

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.

Contemporary Bedroom Contemporary Bedroom

4. Glass
Bring in a sense of lightness with glass sections in the wardrobe door panels instead of going for the conventional solid door panels.The straight lines and glossy finish of glass give a sleek and modern look. One can choose from frosted, tinted, plain and lacquered glass. It is easy to clean, low on maintenance and can be easily installed.

Take a look at a few dreamy sliding doors

Rupert Cordle Town & Country

Plain glass
See how In this wooden wardrobe design, the plain glass panels enable a full view of the closet’s interior without even opening it.

Sonali shah

5. Leather
Make a bold statement with 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.

In this example, the Swarovski crystals embedded in the leather panels impart a high-end luxurious look to the area.

Dirk Denison Architects

6. Metal
Locally also known as lohe ki almari, the metal wardrobe remains an old favourite of ours, doesn’t it? In its modern avatar, metal is a great way to give a bold industrial look to your room. Just as in this example, where brushed metal is used on the sliding wardrobe door panels while the shelves and the study table are fabricated from conventional plywood.

Read more:
Wardrobe Guide: Hinged vs. Sliding Doors
12 Sliding Wardrobes that Make Room for More

Tell us:
Which finish would you prefer for your wardrobe design? Tell us why in the Comments section below.