[purpleblackqueen]

I have someone coming out on Thursday to measure and quote for bulit-in robes for mine and Hayley's rooms. She has asked that I have an idea of what I want.

I have no idea. apart from hanging (obviously) and a shelf up the top for blankets etc.

So hit me with some ideas. If possible can I see some pics of your wardrobe designs.

[WhimsicalDragonf...]

We just had new built-ins installed and seems like we got the proportions right for our needs. (Phew! This doesn't usually happen for me, I usually have some kind of regret about something I didn't realise/didn't think about.)

I found it helpful to measure how much space is required for shirts/skirts/jackets, and then for dresses. We also made ours 'oversize' which meant they are 260cm high to make the most of the space we have. This means we have to stand on a step ladder to access the top shelf but that's okay as we just store winter quilts etc up there. Also because the dresses hang a bit higher there is a lot of space underneath so I have clear tubs of shoes stacked below (shoes I don't wear much). These used to be stored under the bed, so it is so much better now.

The built-in in the baby's room also functions as a linen cupboard due to our limited space elsewhere, so we have lots of adjustable shelves, but also a hanging rack at the top, so as the child grows up they have more hanging space, and hopefully by then we'll have done some more renos and have another linen cupboard elsewhere!

I think the main thing is really think about what you are going to store there, measure the space you need for each type of thing, allow for as much flexibility as possible (adjustable shelves and removable hanging racks), and get a couple of quotes so you have different ideas for how to do things.

The company we ended up going with asked to look in our existing built-ins to see what our storage needs were. I found this helpful. I got the feeling that the two other companies were just doing cookie-cutter wardrobes and didn't really care what our storage needs were.

We also found that we could save money by not having the wardrobe sprayed with polyurethane and instead we've having the painters paint them when they come back for phase two of the painting. This suited us as we live in an old semi and the new glossy wardrobes don't really match the style of our house, and we will have saved over $1000.

[purpleblackqueen]

We just had new built-ins installed and seems like we got the proportions right for our needs. (Phew! This doesn't usually happen for me, I usually have some kind of regret about something I didn't realise/didn't think about.)

I found it helpful to measure how much space is required for shirts/skirts/jackets, and then for dresses. We also made ours 'oversize' which meant they are 260cm high to make the most of the space we have. This means we have to stand on a step ladder to access the top shelf but that's okay as we just store winter quilts etc up there. Also because the dresses hang a bit higher there is a lot of space underneath so I have clear tubs of shoes stacked below (shoes I don't wear much). These used to be stored under the bed, so it is so much better now.

The built-in in the baby's room also functions as a linen cupboard due to our limited space elsewhere, so we have lots of adjustable shelves, but also a hanging rack at the top, so as the child grows up they have more hanging space, and hopefully by then we'll have done some more renos and have another linen cupboard elsewhere!

I think the main thing is really think about what you are going to store there, measure the space you need for each type of thing, allow for as much flexibility as possible (adjustable shelves and removable hanging racks), and get a couple of quotes so you have different ideas for how to do things.

The company we ended up going with asked to look in our existing built-ins to see what our storage needs were. I found this helpful. I got the feeling that the two other companies were just doing cookie-cutter wardrobes and didn't really care what our storage needs were.

We also found that we could save money by not having the wardrobe sprayed with polyurethane and instead we've having the painters paint them when they come back for phase two of the painting. This suited us as we live in an old semi and the new glossy wardrobes don't really match the style of our house, and we will have saved over $1000.

We dont have current built ins to go by- infact I dont have a wardrobe for me at all, I have a hanging rack which doesn't fit everything on it. Hayley has a wardrobe so I have an idea for her for right now, but want to make sure it will do for 5+ years

[countrymel]

PBQ.. have a look on the IKEA site - and Howards storage world. They both have 'wardrobe building' software that you can play around with. That will give you an idea of sizes and configurations you might like.

[cantstayaway]

For a kid's wardrobe, "double" hanging space is fantastic, as their clothes don't take up much room. By that I mean, one normal rod at the top of the wardrobe, under the shelf on the top, and a second hanging rod about half way down. Fit so much more in!

My DD has an amazing wardrobe, it was here when we moved in. It is all sectioned off. She has the "double" hangers I mentioned above, taking up about half the wardrobe. The other half is divided into two. The first quarter contains adjustable shelving for shoes and a third rod for hanging clothes. The second quarter contains adjustable shelving and drawers. I probably prefer drawers in a wardrobe to shelving as you can fit more in!

[The Old Bag]

Get more space than you think you'll need!

Wire baskets on runners are a great alternative to drawers, as you can see what's in them.

I don't know about your DDs neatness but my own kids can never be bothered putting stuff on hangers properly and it all ends up on the floor with their shoes, so I find baskets, drawers and shelves more useful than hanging space for their clothes.

My other tip would be to get the robes built all the way to the ceiling so you get heaps more storage for off season things, plus you never have to dust the top!

[baddmammajamma]

I've taken some pictures of ours & will post once I can boot the kids off the computer!

[purpleblackqueen]

Get more space than you think you'll need!

Wire baskets on runners are a great alternative to drawers, as you can see what's in them.

I don't know about your DDs neatness but my own kids can never be bothered putting stuff on hangers properly and it all ends up on the floor with their shoes, so I find baskets, drawers and shelves more useful than hanging space for their clothes.

My other tip would be to get the robes built all the way to the ceiling so you get heaps more storage for off season things, plus you never have to dust the top!

Love the idea of storage to the ceiling, although I have 10ft ceilings. BTW- my DD is as messy as they come, I was talking about the wardrobe with my mum and she said that "Hayley doesn't hang her stuff anyway"

[LifesGood]

PBQ.. have a look on the IKEA site - and Howards storage world. They both have 'wardrobe building' software that you can play around with. That will give you an idea of sizes and configurations you might like.

Also Bunnings and there are wardrobe specialist sites that have wardrobe design software apps.

[dogged]

I have also been getting quotes for built-ins recently.

PBQ, when planning, just be aware that the more drawers that you have, the higher the cost. At least that's been the case with 3 companies to whom I've spoken.