updating fitted wardrobes

13 days ago

I’m looking for some ideas of what to do to update these fitted wardrobes please. I had thought of removing them and replacing but think that would be very expensive. However, it is frustrating at how much space they take up on the room and I really don’t like them. Any ideas? The mirror and drawers is directly by the door to the room so means you are in the way when using the mirror too.

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PRO

Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

11 days ago

Hi Sarah, to update your fitted wardrobes without fully replacing them, consider refinishing the doors with a fresh coat of paint in a modern colour or adding new hardware for a contemporary look. You might also explore the possibility of replacing just the doors with a more visually appealing design or material. To address the issue with the mirror placement, consider mounting a new mirror on a different wall or incorporating a slim, vertical mirror on the side of the wardrobe, which would be more accessible and avoid blocking the doorway. Hope this helps or gives you some ideas!

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Comments (14)

Isla Cherry
13 days ago
Do you need all the storage space? If they need to stay then painting or wallpapering them is a great budget option. You could change the handles too. If you don't need all the storage space you could look at removing some of them to make the room look bigger. You could start with the chest of drawers and the unit alongside. To replace them would be costly as they are substantial. Another possibility is replacing the doors with some material that you like and is less imposing. Maybe even removing the doors and having a linen curtain in front to soften the effect. There are so many options...
siobhanmcgee90
12 days ago
The wardrobes look well made and neat but do they provide the storage you need? If they do, consider painting the same colour as the walls. You could extend same colour to the woodwork and ceilings to make the room feel larger. Maybe not cream as you have now, as it may be a bit too much but something with a bit more colour.

Replacing existing storage is very expensive and so it is worth exploring how to improve what you have. If the wardrobes do not provide you with the storage you need, consider augmenting with additional storage solutions such as drawers and shoe shelves. I wonder if the narrow chest of drawers section is providing you with decent storage. I think it’s the entryway into the room so may be an unnecessary pinch point without providing good storage? If it is, would you consider removing some or all of that section?
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You could go for sliding doors in contemporary style. Gives more space in the room too. The top cupboard doors need to go! You could have them sliding or maybe make them into hatches? Not sure of the inside layout of the wardrobe. Could be a good place to store suitcases up there. I still don't know how to put thumbnail pics of my ideas on this forum!
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Just another idea for you, but one that some clever person did in my apartment in Rome. (Before I moved in, of course) They had Wall papered the doors and cupboards with thick vinyl wall paper and added the push close catches for the doors. So you just pushed the door and it popped open and pushed it closed to catch shut again. It looked stunning! Just another thought for you... :)
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Are the fitted wardrobes in the rented house? If so, don't do a thing without talking to your landlord first, he/she might do something about them for you, like put new doors on from Howdens, he might pay for the paint/painting or he might say he doesn't want to change them as they are serviceable and clean, whatever, the property isn't yours, so check first, otherwise you might not get your deposit back, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, tread carefully!
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If the doors work fine I would keep them and add maybe a mirror to the centre door if space allows for the other doors to slide past each other. The other two like said above add a small timber moulding similar to the dado rail to help tie everything in. Again this depends if the doors have room to slide past each other, They look quite close to each other in the pic.
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PRO
My Bespoke Room
12 days ago
Completely agree with these comments. It all depends on whether you need the storage space or not. Painting is a great idea and you can change the handles too for an updated look, however, if you decide that you don't need all this storage make sure you're certain before removing as it'll be a very costly endeavour.

Here's an example of a client we helped with their bedroom which had a massive amount of storage space:
Sonia
12 days ago
I don’t think they’re awful, but there is too much of it. Do you need that wardrobe behind the door? That will make the chest of drawers area less cluttered. Painting them is an option in a colour to blend with the walls making them less obvious.
Sarah R
Original Author
12 days ago
Thank you for all your comments. The space within the wardrobes isn’t ideal which we think is down to there being a chimney breast which reduces the depth. I feel like I could work with them though but the doors and handles are really outdated. I’m also happy to remove the drawers and additional wardrobe as you come in the room. If I did this, would you recommend having the door open into this new space as it currently opens against the bed.
Absolutely love those blue and the cream wardrobes. Is this achievable with paint or would they need to be sprayed?
tab darcy
12 days ago
Is it possible to move the bed position? If it was facing the window, would access 'flow' better?
siobhanmcgee90
12 days ago
If the wardrobe is over a fireplace, removing will provide a lovely feature for the room. tab Darcy asks a good question. Do you have a floor plan?
Sarah R
Original Author
12 days ago
This is the floor plan so not much to work with in terms of bed placement etc
Namrata Kulkarni
12 days ago
Try to take glossy lamanates on the elevation which will make them look good in Interiors. Plan out for latest colors for Interior which will make you feel positive. If the shelves r good try to put drawers,storage organisers, sensor lightslights when you open the doors of wardrobes. Mirrors if you prefer, try for new designs in handles which are in you budgets.
PRO
Piur & Co interior design
11 days ago
Hi Sarah,

I think you can easily paint them and even add a trim detail on the doors and new handles.

I would consider modifying the central wardrobe and having some custom drawers done, as you do need some drawers. And I think the central/ middle wardrobe would be ideal for that, from a visual and practical perspective.

Dine a quick visual for you.
PRO
Piur & Co interior design
11 days ago
last modified: 11 days ago
Sarah if you want to have a shaker-style door, here is a few DIY videos that I found that you might want to check out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dBZYjwnbCg,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xW7W-1IKJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl-WoWPy0U0

There are many more just have a search yourself.. Youtube is an amazing resource for almost any DIY project
Sarah R
Original Author
11 days ago
These are all such useful comments and resources. Thank you. The doors have a slight curve and moulding on the edges. The curve might make it difficult to update. They’re such good quality though it seems a shame to update with new doors rather than update what’s there. I love the drawers and thank you for the mock up!
PRO
Piur & Co interior design
10 days ago
last modified: 10 days ago
You can still give them a frame, but maybe go thinner one and not from the edge.

You will just have to be more careful to make sure they are all the same distance from the edge and level/ parallel, it's always easier if you can push them to the edge, but its not a must.

You can also look into purchasing mouldings from wickes or B&Q and use that to create frames., which would make the project easier.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Painting+Decorating/Mouldings/Decorative-Mouldings/c/1000592

or wall panel kits

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Painting+Decorating/Mouldings/Wall-Panels/Wall-Panel-Kits/c/1002022

Good luck,

Hope we get to see pictures of the finished project.

and don't forget about updating the hardware. ( handles)

updating fitted wardrobes

Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

Comments (14)

Isla Cherry

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