When designing a children’s room, storage and keeping clutter at bay should be the top priorities. When we started my daughter’s bedroom makeover, my goal was to create a fun and functional space. The room is quite narrow, so storage has always been an issue. I knew that a large wardrobe would help us to make the most of the wasted space, but the two windows on either side of the room made this challenging. This is why we opted for a built-in wardrobe with open shelving on the sides, making it more aesthetically pleasing and functional. The wardrobe would have to hold all the toys, clothes and clutter, but thanks to the open shelves, it will also be a nice focal point when lying in bed.
BEFORE
Just look at all the wasted space here. There’s nothing wrong with these freestanding units, except that they don’t store much and aren’t robust enough for daily use by children. They have been relocated to our guest room, where they will be far more suitable. There is so much empty space between the wardrobes and the ceiling that my only regret is not installing our fitted wardrobe sooner.
AFTER: BUILT-IN FITTED WARDROBE WITH OPEN SHELVING
And voilà! What a difference, right? The new wardrobe from the stylish and minimalist Estoril range looks much sleeker and has far more storage space, as it goes all the way up to the ceiling. Despite its large size, it doesn’t feel overpowering and I love how the white colour blends in with the walls.
OPEN SHELVING
Open shelving combined with wardrobes works particularly well in awkward spaces. They are visually appealing and prevent wardrobes from looking too boxy. They are also a great choice if you have a window that stops you from installing a wardrobe right up to the wall. I love the open shelves and think they are the wardrobe’s best feature. The wardrobe is functional and decorative. All that shelf space has already come in very handy.
COLOUR
I would have loved to go for a funky colour here, but it made more sense to keep it neutral and opt for off-white. The porcelain matt colour is a beautiful shade of off-white with a hint of grey. I love the contemporary matt finish that won’t date or show fingerprints. The integrated handles are ideal for a kids’ room and give it a sleek, minimalist look.
DRAWERS
We made sure to include drawers so that clothes and toys could be organised. Although this is a children’s wardrobe, you should bear in mind that it will need to grow with the child. This means choosing removable shelving so that the storage design can change as their needs change. I also like to keep boxes and baskets inside to help keep everything in its place.
INSTALLATION
We used a local company called Beckenham Interiors, who did an excellent job from start to finish. The installation took two days and we also had to pay a carpet fitter to cut and refit the grippers. The owner, Lee, came first to discuss our options and designs. Once the drawings had been sent, I confirmed everything and we were good to go. I would highly recommend them if you’re in the area. They were the most competitively priced, too!
There’s no doubt that our new built-in wardrobe has transformed my daughter’s room. It used to feel chaotic and cluttered, and it was really hard to keep tidy. My daughter loves keeping everything organised now. I just wish I had done this earlier instead of bothering with freestanding storage. That was the easy option at the time, but not the most functional one. A custom wardrobe will obviously cost more, but there are so many companies offering installations these days that it’s not as expensive as you might think. Plus, having the freedom to design the perfect storage solution for your room is priceless. It’s worth every penny, if you ask me!
