It’s not often that we come across homes that have a full walk-in wardrobe in Britain. If we are afforded the luxury of having a home that includes a walk-in wardrobe, or if you have enough clothing, shoes and accessories that mean taking a spare bedroom and converting it into one is a good use of space, then there are some things you simply can’t compromise on including in the design. Renovating or refitting your walk-in wardrobe should be at the top of your list if it doesn’t meet all five of these most important things that are non-negotiable inclusions to any walk-in wardrobe.
Excellent Lighting
You’re going to be choosing your outfit and accessories in the walk-in, so you are going to want to see what they look like together and on you. Making sure that your designs and plans for refitting your walk-in include the addition of bright ambient lighting and well-chosen task lighting near the mirror is essential. For the biggest range and choice, electrical supply stores are your go-to to find the perfect light fittings for your walk-in wardrobe.
At Least One Full-Length Mirror
At least one full-length mirror needs to be included in your walk-in wardrobe. That’s pretty much all that needs to be said here. The mirror needs to be well-lit and big enough for you to see yourself from head to toe. Ideally, it should be installed against a wall so it stands straight up, and if you can avoid the need to use one on a frame, then do so – or make sure it’s standing straight up. Looking down at yourself in a mirror that is facing upwards, even slightly, is unflattering and makes everything look slightly less glamorous.
A Shoe Wall
Of course, the amount of space you dedicate to shoes depends very much on how many pairs of shoes you have. Don’t have them flung at the bottom of a cupboard though, but instead install shelving specifically for your shoes. It keeps them in good condition for longer. If you want to save some space, you can use pull-out shelving with double racks so you can store them two deep but do bear in mind that you’ll need to pull out this type of shelving every time you want to see all your shoes.
A Safe
A strong, sturdy safe mounted to a wall with large bolts is a must in any walk-in wardrobe. It’s a place where you can store your most valuable jewellery and watches and can double up as a place to store personal documents too. For convenience, a combination lock safe is the best option for a wardrobe, positioned neatly out of sight behind hanging clothing.
Seating
Even if it’s just a simple occasional chair or ottoman, you should have somewhere you can sit down in your walk-in wardrobe. It’s an exceptionally practical addition as it lets you put on shoes easily, especially if they need lacing, and pull up stockings more easily, avoiding laddering them.
A walk-in wardrobe is the last word in home luxury, but it isn’t particularly expensive to fit. All you need is the space for it.