I am renovating an old Victorian flat, and have 2 alcoves in my bedroom where I’ll be putting built in wardrobes. They’re seriously high (285cm) so should I still get wardrobes to the ceiling, or leave a space? (See photo of how it looked before)
I’d go all the way to the ceiling but with separate doors for the top parts. Lots of useful space for things you don’t need very often, and it has the potential to look very elegant with some beautiful doors and handles. If you don’t go all the way up you’ll create a dust shelf on top.
The Victorians often used to build cupboards in alcoves and go right to the ceiling. But lower ones also work. Personally I think you make the decision based on the decoration in the room…. So if you are putting back a period style coving or picture rail then keep an open space above the wardrobes to enjoy those features.
It’s also worth pointing out that if standard height and width wardrobes can be bought far more cost effectively than building up to the ceiling then the £hundreds/thousand saved should make you feel better about getting a ladder out once a year to clean the top.
Full height all the way. Personally don’t like to see random items on top of wardrobes and unless you have copious amounts of storage elsewhere in the flat, I think you’ll regret not taking the opportunity to maximise storage here. I agree separate doors at the top for infrequently used items. I would also get the cupboards bespoke, though this doesn’t mean they have to be expensive. You could use a carpenter to create a simple structure and then spray paint if it’s MDF. It’s important to ensure you get the right sized shelving and rails inside. In our old house we used two clothes rails in one part of the alcove and a single for the odd long garments adjoining.
Thank you guys! I had originally planned on doing an IKEA hack with their PAx wardrobes built in to save cost, but they don’t go high enough. So will get a quote for ceiling mdf wardrobes and see how that looks! I agree that leaving space could actually feel a bit dark and hollow for the room, or messy if you can see objects up there
The alcoves are tall and thin and so going right up to the ceiling accentuates this. Going quite a bit lower and adding baskets on the top is an alternative. I have had bespoke wardrobes built in four times and repeated this as it appeals to the aesrthetic I like. Think it's personal preference.
How exciting. I hope the renovation is going well. Looks like a lovely place.
Definitely to the top - making use of all that height.
You could add a ladder on one side which can move to where needed. This is an example we recently completed on a track - you don't have to have a track though, just a ledge between the bottom storage and top for it to sit against.
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hedgehog99
HU-990326336Original Author
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