A complete guide to buying and designing wardrobes

• Hinge door wardrobes are a classic style where both doors are fixed on hinges at the side and swing open outward. The biggest advantage here is that you have access and visibility to the entire wardrobe. Another advantage is that you can fix accessories like a belt rack on the inside of the door which isn’t possible with sliding shutters. Hinged doors are also better suited for L-shaped or corner wardrobes.
• Finally, walk-in wardrobes, the most luxurious design, are those where you can walk into your wardrobe. These are usually placed between the bedroom and bathroom for maximum convenience. A walk-in can have closed or open storage as well as a combination of both.

• The height of the wardrobe should either match that of the door height or can go right up to the ceiling for extra storage. With floor to ceiling wardrobes, it is a good idea to divide the internal storage and shutters, with the top portion above the bedroom door height as a separate section.
• For walk-in wardrobes which have parallel cupboards on opposite walls and hinged shutters, make sure there is enough clearance for the shutters of both cupboards to open fully as well as clearance for movement. 

Popular wardrobe materials

There are two key factors to keep in mind while choosing materials:

• The shutter panels are much longer than those of kitchen cabinets. So, warping and bending is a very real possibility.
• Secondly, wardrobes aren’t usually located in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms so you don’t have to worry too much about water resistance. Having said that, high levels of humidity in the air can cause swelling.
  

Engineered wood, BWR or boiling water-resistant grade plywood, HDF or high-density fibreboard, MDF or medium density fibreboard and plywood are the most popular materials used to make wardrobes. Plywood is made using thin layers of solid wood that are glued together to form a single board. Plywood and BWR are water-resistant and work best for areas that see high moisture content. However, because these materials are on the heavier side, they should ideally be used on the internal structure and not the shutters to lessen the load on the channels or hinges. For the shutters, HDF is an ideal material to use. HDF is also great for the internal structure for areas that don’t see high moisture. MDF boards are made by combining wood fibres with wax and a resin binder and forming panels using high temperature and pressure. Mdf vs Plywood know which material is good for wardrobe.

• Paint: When painting engineered wood or laminates, opt for PU paints which are specifically made for these materials. 
• Lacquer: A coat of lacquer will impart a high-gloss aesthetic to the shutters. The Gloss Meister finish from Sleek comes in 14 shades.
• Mirrors: Mirrors add depth to a room and reflect light, making it appear bigger. Remember to factor in the added weight of the mirrors on the hinges or channels.
• Glass: Clear, tinted, lacquered or frosted glass is another option for wardrobe shutters. You can even consider materials like fabric or wallpaper sandwich between two glass sheets.
• Acrylics: An expensive option, acrylics give a luxe, reflective high-gloss finish and are very strong and long-lasting. Sleek offers 13 shades of scratch and UV-resistant, high gloss acrylics.

Add-on features and accessories

Other than the functional storage requirements, Sleek wardrobes also come with high useful add-on features. Consider options like sensor lighting as well as pull-out mechanisms like garment pull-outs, shoe pull-outs, and multi-purpose pull-out for jewellery and watches. Sleek wardrobes can also come fitted with iron racks, tie racks and pivoting mirrors.  
 

• Sliding wardrobe doors don’t require extra clearance like hinge doors, making them a better option for smaller rooms.
• With some clever planning, a wardrobe can also be used as a partition ‘wall’ which works best for small, open-plan spaces like studio apartments.

Final tips from the experts

• Warranty
  Some brands do not manufacture the wood so the company warranty offered only covers items like the hardware. Read the fine print carefully. Sleek warranties cover everything in the wardrobe from wood to hardware to accessorises, carpets, shutters and finishing elements. The brand offers 5 years warranty against manufacturing defects, though accidental damage isn’t covered.
• Factors that affect pricing
  The experts say it is misleading to provide a set price per square foot or even a general range as the final number for custom wardrobes depends on a wide variety of factors. A square foot rate refers to the rate for the wood. Apart from that elements like hinges, channels, accessories, finishes, locks, etc cost extra. They advise that you need to account for the cost of material, labour, finishes, accessories as well as any add-on features and mechanisms. 
• Laminate and S banding
  Two factors decide whether the base material will swell. One is the quality of the material and the second is its exposure. Good quality materials like BWR usually don’t swell during monsoons or in humid environments. To limit exposure, an added precaution would be to use good quality laminates (on the front and back) and S-banding (used on the sides and corners) on the internal structure as well. This protects the material form environmental factors like humidity and even termites. Further, even if the material somehow gets exposed to moisture, these materials will hold the plywood together, reducing the chances of swelling and warping. If you want, you can cover the laminate with a paint, lacquer or carpet finish for decorative purposes.