How to Find the Best Cheap Wardrobes UKA wardrobe is fundamentally just a cupboard for clothes. We use them to stash our outfits safely and out of harm's way, protected from dust and moths, and ready to wear whenever we need them. Because of that, it's really important to find a wardrobe that stores all of your clothes neatly.
However, when you actually start searching for the right type and make of wardrobe, you'll realise that there's more choice than ever before. This buyer's guide will help you find exactly the right wardrobe for your clothing collection, saving money at the same time.
As long as people have worn clothes, they have needed places to store them. But for thousands of years, this meant folding up and storing clothes in chests, rather than having somewhere to hang them. That had to wait until the medieval era when royal families and aristocrats started to accumulate vast clothing collections – requiring cavernous wardrobes to accommodate them.
What we would think of as wardrobes probably emerged in the 17th century, as middle-class traders and farmers started to copy the fashions of the rich. They began to demand oak wardrobes of medium size, kick-starting an industry that continues to this day.
At first, the rule of thumb was to use the “eight small men” method – which as the name suggests involved building cabinets that could house eight small men. These days, the techniques used by wardrobe makers have become a little more precise, and if you need the space there's scope to order wardrobes with room for plenty more than eight little guys.
In fact, there's plenty of choice in the wardrobe market, so let's have a look at what's on offer and help you find exactly what you need.
Firstly, let's establish what distinguishes a well-made wardrobe from an inferior product. This is important to know, as even cheaper wardrobes are a significant outlay. And badly made ones can fall apart before too long, becoming useless as storage spaces for your prized apparel collection.
First, have a look at the materials used in the cabinet's construction. The best wardrobes are made from hardwoods like oak, walnut or maple, as opposed to composite wood products like MDF (although MDF might be used for the interior shelves or panelling without ruining the design).
Good wardrobes also tend to be made using sturdy joints, rather than glue and nails alone. Cheaper models will be much more flimsy, with the various components more loosely connected. For instance, look inside and you should see a corner block, at the corners of the base, which provides extra stability.
High-quality wardrobes are also well laid-out. This isn't always easy to tell from online ads, so try to get to a showroom to see for yourself before buying. There should be a large hanging space, with a shelf below for footwear and other accessories, and probably a few shelves to one (or both) sides for accessories, t-shirts and other clothes that don't really need to hang.
Look at the way the wood is finished as well. There should be a completely smooth finish, with an even tone, and all surfaces should ideally be finished too. If not, there's a chance that the wardrobe will swell over time.
So, we've got some pointers about how to assess wardrobes when you find them, but what about the actual options available? There are a number of popular wardrobe styles, and only one of them will totally suit your needs, so here they are:
Two door wardrobes – The classic wardrobe style, two-doors have (unsurprisingly) a pair of doors that open outwards and tend to come as standalone cabinets. They can be a little cumbersome to move around and install in the first place and tend to come with a standard layout that doesn't vary much: a hanging rail, a few shelves and a rack or draws for things like shoes. Some come with mirrors on the inside of the door, which could be an essential feature. There's a wide range of materials involved, so pay attention to the type of wood. As we noted earlier, hardwoods tend to last longer and look better, so try to pick them if at all possible.
Three or four door wardrobes – Again, these ones are fairly self-explanatory. Offering more space than the typical two-door wardrobe, three or four door versions add extra hanging rails and shelves. Often there will be a couple of hanging sections, making this kind of wardrobe the perfect option for a couple with their own collections, but they are a good choice for anyone with a lot of clothes to store.
Sliding door wardrobes – A popular space-saving option, sliding door wardrobes don't require you to open a large door out into your room, so they can be suited to more compact spaces. They come in all different shapes and sizes but generally offer plenty of hanging space.
Walk-in wardrobes – The largest type of wardrobe are essentially extra rooms added onto your bedroom or somewhere else. They are an excellent addition to loft conversions and suit anyone with an extensive collection of shoes, boots, coats, shirts and other items that they need to store in spacious surroundings.
Fitted wardrobes – Fitted wardrobes can be sliding door or open-hinged, and contrast with freestanding models. These wardrobes are fitted into the room itself, usually stretching from the floor to the ceiling, and often running around the edges of the room. In theory, these wardrobes provide the most efficient way to store clothes and can be combined with drawers and other cupboards to store your linens, towels and other soft furnishings when you don't require them.
Clothes rail – A very simple wardrobe version is the clothes rail. Especially for people who don't want to spend a lot of money or like the unconventional style and their clothes within a reach, this is the right choice. On the downside, these wardrobes don't protect your beloved fashion items from dust and other environmental conditions.
When it comes to purchasing your wardrobe, there are plenty of things to bear in mind. Most importantly, think about who is going to be using the wardrobe, and what they are going to store in it. If you aren't the kind of person who accumulates outfits all the time, a compact freestanding two-door model will do just fine. But if you plan to keep adding dresses to your hanging rail, you'll need to buy something with more capacity that you can “grow into”.
Price is also a crucial consideration. Take into account all of the things you need and set yourself a budget. Don't buy the most lavish wardrobe around when high-quality cheaper options are on offer and don't cut corners either. When you are budgeting, it's vital to balance things like durability, appearance and capacity against cost.
Ergonomics also matter, a lot. There's no sense buying a massive four door wardrobe if it dominates your tiny bedroom. Think smart. If you do need extra storage space, pick a sliding door model or add an exterior hanging rail alongside your wardrobe. That way, you can leave space to move around and have ready access to the clothes you need.
When buying a wardrobe, it's important to know who you can trust. Few things are as frustrating as lugging a wardrobe up two flights of stairs or slaving over an assembly kit, only for the wardrobe to collapse after a couple of weeks. Here are a few places that won't let you down:
IKEA – The UK's largest furniture retailer, IKEA is a Swedish giant which still manages to have a down to earth, human touch. Their kits are famously easy to transport and not hard to assemble, and they offer some excellent products. Their Pax range is a design classic, with doors and frames that can be customised to fit your indoor space, and they also offer plenty of freestanding models, with slender and sturdy options to pick from.
John Lewis – If you are heading to a UK retailer to purchase a wardrobe, John Lewis should be high on your list. Not only do they offer classy oak products like the Elstra or the Felix, but they regularly offer cheap wardrobes in the John Lewis sale, and you can find all of their discounts at HotUKDeals.
Argos – A flick through the Argos will reveal another excellent collection of everyday wardrobes. In the Argos wardrobes sale, you will often find bargain prices for the company's Normandy range, which comes in stylish two, three and four door varieties.
If you want to get the most out of (or into) your wardrobe, you'll need to think about adding the right accessories as well, and there are some great options to be found at HotUKDeals:
Organisers – Generally made out of fabric (but also available in wooden versions), organisers are like little wardrobes that can hang from the side of the cabinet or be stored inside. They provide an extra bit of space to stash your gloves, scarves or hats, as well as easily accessible compartments for essentials like sunglasses.
Hangers – Everyone needs enough hangers to store their coats, jackets and dresses. Have a range of different types in the bottom of your wardrobe, ready to hang your new purchases.
Replacement rails – Wardrobe rails can snap or fall apart, but most manufacturers will be happy to supply a replacement if you are within your warranty period. However, it might be a good idea to get hold of an extra rail in any case. If your wardrobe becomes too full, you can hang it elsewhere in your room, adding a little extra capacity.
Shoe racks – If your wardrobe hasn't come with a built in shelf for footwear, you can purchase specialist shoe racks that slip into the bottom section.
Tie and belt racks – These handy racks generally hang from the wardrobe rail, allowing you to easily select the right tie or belt for the day ahead.
If you are planning a major wardrobe purchase, you're in luck. There are almost always plenty of furniture discounts around, including great prices on all types of wardrobe. The trick is finding one that meets your requirements.
First off, work out what kind of wardrobe you need. Take some measurements, establish a budget and decide what kind of capacity you need. Then head down to a furniture showroom and try some of the models you see. But don't make a purchase there and then. Instead, note down to model name and type, and log onto HotUKDeals.
When you enter your make and model details, we'll supply a list of all current wardrobe deals, including offers from reliable retailers like John Lewis, Argos, B&Q and IKEA. That way, you can be sure of getting exactly what you need, for the lowest prices around.
Shop at the right time to make even bigger savings. For example, Argos runs periodic sales that see massive price drops. You can find out when they are by bookmarking their HotUKDeals listings. And most retailers drop their prices around Black Friday as Christmas approaches, while the January Sales period is another popular time to shop for furnishings.
Shop intelligently and be patient, and you'll snap up the right wardrobe at a superb price.
It's tough to get by without a place to store your clothes and footwear, which is why wardrobes are a household essential. Whether you are buying your first wardrobe as a couple or trading up to a bigger model, you'll find the best discounts around by shopping for your furniture at the HotUKDeals wardrobe listings.
