| Second only to your bed, your wardrobe is the most | | | | designed to your specifications. |
| important piece of furniture in your bedroom. Not | | | | Organising your wardrobe |
| only must it provide adequate and suitable storage | | | | Once you've found your perfect wardrobe, it's time |
| space for your clothes and accessories, but it should | | | | to get organised. Sort through your clothes and get |
| also complement and enhance the style of your | | | | rid of anything that's old and tatty, doesn't fit you |
| room. The type of wardrobe you choose will depend | | | | any more or you haven't worn in the past year. If |
| on your budget, the space you have available and | | | | you find it hard to part with old clothes, ask a |
| the number of clothes you plan to hang in it, but | | | | trusted friend to give you an objective opinion on |
| here are a few suggestions: | | | | what you should keep and what needs to go. If an |
| Exciting wardrobe options | | | | item of clothing needs mending or a button sewing |
| Fitted or built in wardrobes are suitable for rooms of | | | | on, do it there and then - don't leave it in a pile, |
| all sizes. The advantage of a built in wardrobe is that | | | | because you'll never get round to it again. |
| it will often give you more storage space than a | | | | Now you know exactly what's buried at the bottom |
| freestanding wardrobe, which is particularly useful if | | | | of your closet, you'll probably find you have more to |
| you're sharing the space with your partner. In | | | | wear than you thought. You'll also avoid the mistake |
| addition, you can choose exactly the combination of | | | | of buying yet another black T-shirt when you already |
| rails and drawers you want. | | | | have five at home. Make decluttering your wardrobe |
| A freestanding wardrobe has the huge advantage | | | | a regular part of your life - a useful rule is every time |
| that you can take it with you when you move | | | | you buy something new, get rid of something you no |
| house. You can also easily change the position of | | | | longer wear. |
| your wardrobe or replace it if you give your | | | | Remember you don't need to keep all your clothes in |
| bedroom a design makeover. An alcove in the walls | | | | your wardrobe at once. In the middle of winter, your |
| makes an ideal home for a wardrobe, but check the | | | | shorts and skimpy vest tops are wasting valuable |
| measurements first to make sure you make the | | | | space. Fold up out-of-season clothing into storage |
| most of the space available, without buying one too | | | | boxes or bags and put it in the attic or under the |
| large to fit. | | | | bed. Only keep the clothes you'll wear for the next |
| If you're on a budget, the cheapest solution is to buy | | | | few months in your wardrobe. |
| a flat pack wardrobe and assemble it yourself. | | | | Organise your clothes into garment categories, so |
| However, the quality of flat pack furniture can be | | | | that all your shirts, jackets and trousers are hung |
| variable. The hinges and drawers may not be as | | | | together. Within each category, you can sort them |
| durable as those on a factory-assembled wardrobe. | | | | by colour. Hang long dresses and coats at one end of |
| Another budget option is to look in second-hand | | | | the rail. |
| furniture shops for something of better quality. | | | | A random assortment of wire and plastic coat |
| If a freestanding wardrobe has a fixed rail, check the | | | | hangers not only looks messy, but isn't the best way |
| height is right for hanging your long dresses and | | | | to keep your clothes in good shape. Invest in a set |
| coats. A wardrobe that includes drawers may mean | | | | of good quality wooden hangers in the same colour |
| that you don't need a chest of drawers as well, | | | | and style. Make sure that some of the hangers have |
| saving space in your bedroom. | | | | clips for trousers and skirts, and buy a few padded |
| For the ultimate in stylishness, a walk in wardrobe is | | | | ones to protect delicate clothing. |
| the perfect choice. If you don't have space for a | | | | Finally, don't spoil your tidy new closet by dumping a |
| walk in wardrobe in your bedroom, you might be able | | | | pile of old shoes and bags at the bottom. Get rid of |
| to convert a box room or small spare room. If you | | | | unwanted accessories, and be as ruthless as you |
| like unusual or period furniture, hunt around for an | | | | were with your clothes. Then give all your shoes a |
| antique wardrobe or armoire. Armoires usually have | | | | good polish and store any that are out of season in |
| shelving or drawers, which makes them ideal for | | | | boxes under your bed. Lastly, fabric 'hanging shelves' |
| storing jumpers and T-shirts. Or, if your budget | | | | that attach onto your wardrobe rail with Velcro are |
| allows it, you could get a wardrobe especially | | | | ideal for keeping bags in. |