Storage Idea's ... Wardrobe Interiors and other cabinets
Wardrobes first!
The height of most fitted wardrobes is between 2200/2300mm, although specialist fitted bedroom suppliers will manufacture to order.
Long Hanging ... This is the standard wardrobe interior, used almost exclusively by free standing furniture manufacturers ... as you can hang any item of clothing in it.
However, to maximise your storage this type of wardrobe should be used solely for hanging Dresses, Coats, and other items of clothing that require a "drop" of over 1000mm.
You are likely to be surprised by the relatively small amount of long hanging you actually require ... on average one double robe is more than enough for any couple ... check again the length of hanging you need for long clothes.
Shoe Racks ... Try to position shoe racks in the bottom of long hanging wardrobes. (The top shelf position is usually set at 1700mm from the base, and long clothes will not hang down this far.)
Generally you can use the depth of the wardrobe to stagger the position of the rails and provide storage for up to 12 pairs of shoes in each double wardrobe.
Double Hanging ... Hanging two sets of short clothes (trousers, skirts, shirts, bloused etc.) one above the other allows you to hang twice the amount of clothes in a wardrobe. However, don't be tempted to place additional shelves into either "drop" zone ... as this will impair the "comfortable"hanging space.
As a rule of thumb you will find that you will need roughly four times the amount of short hanging, as long ... and this type of wardrobe is perfect for achieving this ... use them wherever you can!
Shelving ... Shelves can either be the full width of the wardrobe, or part width "pigeon holes". Try to utilise at least one set of "pigeon hole" shelves, as these are the perfect way of storing jumpers and sweatshirts - avoid using drawers for storing bulky items like jumpers.
More of men's clothes tend to be folded, so position shelving accordingly.
Large "full width" shelving is particularly useful for storing hats, photo albums, family paperwork etc. - and as these are items that are not normally needed that often, put the shelves in the top of the wardrobe.
Combination Wardrobes ... (also known as Gentleman's Wardrobes or Linen Press) should be used sparingly. The lower drawers restrict the length of clothes that may be hung above them ... we believe that wardrobes should be purchased primarily for hanging clothes not as drawer space.
However they can be an attractive way of breaking up a standard run of three or more wardrobes - particularly if the centre section is positioned forward of the other section (known as a "break front").
Although usually supplied with one shelf and hanging rail, the top section of the wardrobe can be fully shelved to accommodate spare linen.
Now on to Lowline units!
There are three basic height's of "lowline" bedroom furniture as follows:
1. Bedside Cabinets ... up to 580mm
2. Dressing Table ... up to 740mm
3. Tallboys ... up to 1140mm
(the height of bridging cupboard doors are generally 5-600mm)
Bedside Cabinet ... not normally used for their storage capacity (although can be vital in cramped situations)
The work surface is used mainly for placing alarm clocks, spectacles, bedside lamps, morning cuppa etc. within easy reach of the bed.
The preferred option is for a cabinet with internal shelves rather than drawers, that will soon become cluttered with junk mail.
Optimum width = 400mm (300mm better than nothing, but over 400mm is likely to be wasting valuable wardrobe space)
Bedside Chest ... use in lieu of bedside cabinet if it is impossible to position a reasonable number of drawers elsewhere in the room ... and use them for storing your underwear.
Bedside Chest & Tea Tray ... As above but with handy pullout tray to position your early morning cuppa on. The sort of thing that sounds good when you buy them, but are rarely used ... so why pay the extra?
Bridging Cupboards ... Great for storing bulky items that are only required occasionally ... can be positioned above the bed, or over a run of lowline between wardrobes.
Most companies supply a range of sizes - but always try to achieve the largest "uninterrupted" interior to the bridge possible, and avoid small single units wherever you can.
Lowline Cabinet ... higher version of bedside cabinet with internal shelves.
Perfect for incorporating into a dressing table situation to store hairdryers, tall tins of hair spray, jewellery boxes ... and other bulky items you don't want rattling around in drawers.
Lowline Cabinet & Drawer ... As per lowline cabinet but with shorter door with drawer above.
Can complicate the look of a run of lowline ... as the heights of the drawers may not line up!
Lowline Corner Cabinet ...A cabinet with internal shelving that allows you to plan a run of "lowline" around a corner.
Basically a double carcase with one door that is supplied either left or right hand opening.
A corner post will be supplied to allow adjacent cabinets to be planned around a corner
Lowline Chest ... useful for storing underwear, and if you must jumpers. Some suppliers manufacture chests that have either 3 or 4 drawers to the same height ... always pick the deepest drawers where you can.
Optimum widths = 400mm for underwear & 800mm for jumpers
Try to avoid planning more than one each - as you will lose possible wardrobe space
Lowline Laundry Basket ... Looks like a lowline cabinet, but contains a wire basket for you to place dirty laundry in, instead of internal shelves ... some styles hinge down - others pull out.
We have yet to find any make that provides a decent amount of storage ... and don't recommend that you waste your money buying them.
(The hinged lift top corner types that use a void corner are even more useless).
Vanity Drawer ...Positioned to create a knee hole dressing table and are often supplied with inset jewellery tray.
Optimum width = 800mm which makes pushing a stool in and out easy ... although 600mm is acceptable.
Tip! - if you do not really use a dressing table - don't bother introducing a knee hole space as you will lose valuable drawer space
Tallboy Chest ...same size options as the tallboy cabinet, but made up entirely from drawers.
Probably the more popular of the two items and is a great way of getting all of your drawers in one area.
NOTE! ... this unit should always be fitted back to a wall as it can be easily toppled over when the top drawers are opened fully.
Tallboy Cabinet ...Normally designed to have three drawers below cupboard space above.
Is generally suggested as a perfect place to position a TV & Video at the end of a bed - however don't bother putting the TV inside the cupboard, as it will be far to low to view comfortably ... put it on top instead.
Normally supplied in two widths (500 & 800mm)
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