How to plan a walk-in robe for everyday luxury at home

The walk-in robe has been cemented in our collective consciousness as the height of luxury, thanks to leading ladies like Carrie Bradshaw, but it’s the perfect bedroom addition for those who like a tidy, approachable space.

A walk-in robe is a great storage option for anyone. It keeps your bedroom tidy and your clothes in excellent condition. Storage means less crumpling, washing, ironing, steaming, and mending, resulting in longer-lasting clothing.

Spend some time upfront thinking about how you’ll use your walk-in robe. Image: GETTY

So, you’ve decided to invest in a walk-in robe. First, you’ll need to determine how much space you want or can dedicate to your walk-in robe. Walk-in robes are great for utilising awkward floor space, and with a little bit of imagination and moving around of furniture, you might find you have more space for one than you initially thought.

Typically, you’ll want your walk-in robe to measure about 1.5m in width, which will allow you to move around inside it comfortably. However, the final dimensions that will suit your needs will also be influenced by the functionality you want or need in the robe’s interior.

To determine the right layout for your walk-in robe, you’ll need to spend some time considering how you want to use it.

• Will it be a shared space for two or more adults to store their clothing?
• Will you dress inside the walk-in robe, or will you simply select your outfit and dress elsewhere?
• Will you store anything else in your walk-in robe, like winter duvets or other linens?

Finding the right dimensions and layout

Consider how you’d like to store your clothing. Go through your clothing and ask yourself:

• Do you prefer your t-shirts folded or hung up?
• Do you own lots of long dresses, suit pants, or maxi skirts? If so, you’ll need ample hanging space.
• Do you have an enviable shoe collection? Plan for lots of shoe storage.
• Do you want your clothing to be visible, or will you install doors? If you’re unsure, consider a glass door for the best of both worlds.

Remember that your wardrobe shouldn’t just feel luxurious, it should also be intuitive and simple to use. After all, the real luxury is spending less time in your wardrobe in the mornings and more time sipping your coffee.

This is where planning the features of your wardrobe comes in, and while we can’t all have Cher Horowitz-esque outfit planning assistants, we can have features that make daily dressing a breeze.

Consider storage options like:

• Open front bins for storing hats
• Velvet-lined pull-out drawers for watches and jewellery
• Pull-out racks for scarves or ties
• Hooks or shelving for handbags
• Upholstered ottomans or storage benches

And helpful extras like:

• Powerpoints for irons, steamers, or hair tools
• A fold-down ironing board
• A fold-down hook to hang items that require steaming
• Mirrors to check your outfit in
• Vanities

Ventilation and lighting that keep your clothes fresh

Picture this: you walk into your brand-new walk-in robe and pull out your favourite sweater only to discover mould. Yep, mould and mildew are an unfortunate reality when moisture builds up in the air around your clothes. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: ventilation.

There are a few ways you can ensure your wardrobe doesn’t become home to un-fun fungi:Add a ceiling fan to keep air moving.

• Install an exhaust fan.
• Plan your walk-in robe around a window and air out the space regularly.
• Ensure your clothing is fully dry before putting it away – no hiding a clothes horse full of freshly washed sweaters in your walk-in!
• Install slatted doors to allow air to flow in and out.
• Run a dehumidifier during wet or humid parts of the year.

Another key consideration for your walk-in robe is the lighting. Overhead lighting should be bright and even so you can easily identify items, and to ensure the lighting doesn’t alter the perceived colour of your clothes. It’s worth spending some time determining what kind of lighting you want in your walk-in robe before hiring a licensed electrician to install it—remember, you can’t DIY wired lighting or any electrical work.

LED lights are the most environmentally conscious and wallet-friendly choice, and strip lighting can provide added illumination to specific areas where overhead lighting may not reach, such as inside shelves or cabinets.

Add a touch of personal style to your walk-in robe. Image: GETTY

Now that the key decisions regarding the functionality of your walk-in robe have been made, it’s time to start the fun part: gathering style inspiration and planning. Social media is a great place to gather inspiration.

Your walk-in robe should mirror your personal style, and there are no hard and fast rules for how to style it. Stylish options for making your walk-in robe uniquely yours include:

• Wall decoration like decals, artwork, photos or wallpaper
• Decorative trims or skirting boards
• Fake plants and flowers (or real if your walk-in robe has a window, just be conscious of moisture levels)
• Cosy rugs
• Scent sachets or reed diffusers for a beautiful scent without the moisture or fire hazard

Bring in experienced trades for a quality finish. Image: AIDAN HARDWICK

There’s plenty of walk-in robe work you can do yourself, but if you’ve opted for more complicated additions, it’s best to leave the job to a trusted carpenter, cabinet maker, or joiner. They’ll ensure the job is done correctly, and you won’t end up with overlapping doors that don’t open fully, or drawers that are too shallow to be of any real use.

If you’re committed to DIY-ing the walk-in robe of your dreams, modular furniture is your new best friend. Larger marketplaces, like IKEA or Bunnings, sell shelving units, bins, drawers, and more that you can easily arrange to suit your needs.

Top tips for hiring a tradie

Hiring a trusted tradie can take a weight off your mind when you’re building your walk-in robe, but only if you can trust that your project is in good hands. Use these top tips to find a trusted, local tradie:

• Come prepared. Make a list of the storage options you need and any known dimensions before getting quotes. If you already have shelving units in mind, list these.
• Be clear on the scope of work. If you realise you need additional work done, ensure your tradie quotes for it before beginning.
• Agree on responsibilities. Who will clean up after the work is finished? Who will dispose of scrap material?
• Check licenses and qualifications. You won’t offend them by doing your due diligence.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re confused about any part of the project.

There’s a good chance some of your existing bedroom furniture will become redundant once your walk-in robe makes its debut. Before sending it to landfill, consider whether it can be reused as part of your walk-in robe, or whether you can find a home for it in another room.

Search social media for fun upcycling ideas and hacks, as well. If you have furniture that no longer suits your home, consider donating it to a second-hand store or passing it on through your local ‘buy nothing’ Facebook page.