Fitted wardrobes vs. freestanding: Which is best for your bedroom?

The wardrobe is one of the most dominant pieces of furniture in any bedroom. It can set the tone for an entire space but can compromise the rest of the décor if it's the wrong style or colour. With thoughtful design and bespoke additions, your choice of wardrobe determines so much more than just storage.

If you'd like to make the most of your space, add a sense of calm to your bedroom and enjoy long-term value, the right wardrobes could be the missing piece for your interior. The most important choice often falls between either a bedroom with fitted wardrobes or freestanding furniture.

The 'good-for-now' option

For many families, the freestanding wardrobe is a quick fix. These units offer immediate storage and undeniable convenience. They are:

·         Fast – If you're moving house, renting in a new place or looking for an urgent solution, a freestanding model could be with you in a matter of hours.

·         Affordable – Simple designs often come with a lower upfront cost, which makes them more accessible for those on a tighter budget at first.

·         Portable – A major advantage if you're likely to move house in the future or might move furniture between rooms.

But this solution comes with inherent compromise. It's fast, convenient and cheap too, but a freestanding wardrobe is rarely the best possible choice for settled homeowners. If you're seeking a seamless, permanent solution to elevate your space, it may be worth designing a bedroom with fitted wardrobes.

The freestanding compromise

Wasted space is the number one problem with freestanding wardrobes. 

A freestanding unit takes up valuable floorspace, but it rarely makes the most of the room's vertical volume. There's nearly always a significant gap left between the top of the unit and the ceiling, and sometimes between the unit sides and the walls. This creates 'dead space' that collects dust and sometimes draws attention to clutter.

Unfortunately, the interior can also be a compromise. Standard options typically offer only a basic layout with a single hanging rail and a high-up shelf. This forces you to adapt your lifestyle to the constraints of the wardrobe. If you have lots of knitwear or collect shoes, you'll struggle with a single-function layout.

The permanent solution

The fitted wardrobe is the best possible solution for anyone seeking a perfect, permanent storage option. Designed to run wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling, a fitted wardrobe from Hammonds will turn every millimetre of potential space into practical storage.

There will be no gaps above, below or to the sides, and instead, the wardrobe almost becomes an architectural wall. This clean integration brings a sense of calm that most homeowners crave, and the wardrobe becomes part of the room's fabric.

With Hammonds, you'll be the architect. Our expert designers will measure your space, show you some samples, and then bring your fitted wardrobe design ideas to life.

Can you install a fitted wardrobe in alcove rooms?

Yes. Whether you'd like to create a stylish dressing room or a beautiful wardrobe in your guest suite, our designers can tailor fitted wardrobes for sloping ceilings and awkward spaces.

Along with crafting bespoke panels cut to the specifications of your home, the interior layout can be fully customised too. This means that no matter the constraints of the room, you can design the perfect space inside your dream wardrobe with:

·         Integrated soft-close drawers for delicate fabrics

·         Pull-out racks for ties, scarves, handbags or belts

·         Separate, divided compartments for shoes

·         Variable hanging heights for suits, dresses, or folded trousers

This level of customisation means that fitted wardrobes suit your lifestyle, not just the generic preferences of a furniture designer. Even in alcoves, fitted wardrobes translate individual dimensions into perfectly integrated designs.

Price vs. value

The choice between freestanding and fitted ultimately boils down to how you see your purchase. Are you looking for something that brings long-term value?

The lower initial price tag of a freestanding wardrobe can be attractive, but it sometimes masks the ongoing inconvenience of inadequate storage.

A bespoke, fitted wardrobe is a personal and practical investment. It's a permanent home improvement that slots into the structure of your home and makes the difference between buying a disposable piece of furniture and installing true quality.

And because fitted storage is highly desirable to prospective buyers, it adds genuine, long-term value to your property. In some cases, this key selling feature can even offset the initial cost of fitted wardrobes when a family sells their home.

Transform your home with Hammonds

If you're ready to improve your daily routine and add a clean, pristine feature to your bedroom, Hammonds can help. Book a free design visit to discover the possibilities that fitted wardrobes could bring to your space, even if you have alcoves or high ceilings. Our beautiful, premium materials and functional designs can transform your home.