5 Common Mistakes in Wardrobe Measurements and How to Avoid Them

So you have renovated the interior of your bedroom, picked out a swish duvet, and adorned a lavish bed with an epic chest of drawers—which all together give your room a wonderful glow. What’s next, you’re probably thinking. Custom wardrobes have repeatedly proven to be both functionally sound and aesthetically pleasing, levelling up your rooms to top-tier status. However, no matter how perfect your custom wardrobe is, if the measurements are not accurate, there is sure to be a ton of pandemonium.

When wardrobe measurements are off, there can be a poor fit, even with slightly off and obscure dimensions. Costly unused materials and the accumulation of redesigns can also stack up. Whether you are tackling your first DIY project in your rental or a homeowner starting a revamp, understanding potential pitfalls in wardrobe measurements is crucial. Also, learning how to avoid these pitfalls can be a great asset to your project overall. After all, there’s no way you want to add extra stress, spend excess money, or waste any more of your valuable time on bad designs that just don’t work.

1. Inaccurately measuring the space.

It sounds obvious, but a common mistake when kitting out a custom wardrobe is mismatched measurements of the actual space. Remember, these measurements are critical for accuracy and your wardrobe fitting in the space, cosy and firmly. People may go slightly off the beaten

path by misreading the tape, misreading the unit, or even, at times, rounding the numbers. It cannot be stressed enough that more than a few centimetres of difference can make or break the integrity of a wardrobe’s measurements. This can be the difference between fitting in nicely and being slightly off and sticking out awkwardly.

How to avoid it:

Invest in a good-quality measuring tape. This is straightforward but tried and true, and it will directly influence the quality of measurements. Ensure that after tracking and taking each form of measurement, you double-check. It’s worth noting that the diameter of, for example, your wall or floor might not be 100% even, so don’t assume the measurement; instead, take each area measurement accordingly, and don’t forget to double-check.

2. Not considering the ceiling height, sizes can vary

It’s not always common knowledge, but ceilings don’t always end up level, especially in older spaces. So, it’s crucial to get the wardrobe measurements on point. Some people judge that a ceiling is flat and simply take one height measurement. Unfortunately, when this is carried out, gaps between the wall and wardrobe and pieces of furniture simply cannot fit snugly or, at times, even at all.

How to avoid it:

Measure the ceiling from multiple points to ensure your wardrobe fits. Measure the east, west, centre sides, and the right of the installation area. Base your design on the shortest measured height unless you adjust materials to fit the incline. Fitting the slope should be key.

3. Not catering to irregular wall designs

Note first before you measure what type of walls you are dealing with. For example, a bowed wall can result in many issues, like unattractive gaps and alignment problems. Watch well; sometimes, walls can seem straight but might, in reality, be outward or inward-leaning. This can be an issue in older homes.

How to avoid it:

Always invest in a laser-level device to ensure your wall is straight. If the wall where you want your wardrobe to go has a curve, note this down and let this inform your design decision-making. When things like custom wardrobes are considered, you can integrate and mask these imperfections of walls, but it’s so much more helpful if these issues are known from the get-go. Ensure your wardrobe measurement matches up.

4. Drawer and door clearance matters

Although it can often be an afterthought, drawer and door clearance should be considered, along with the other tips. You want to open both the door and drawer completely, with no error or budge. You mainly need to watch out for this if you have chosen to have your wardrobe near a door, bed, or window. It’s also a potential problem if the room in question is smaller.

How to avoid it:

Get out your measuring tape and trace the path of the drawer and door and how it slides.

Ensure there is also enough clearance between other pieces of furniture and walls.

5. Inside the drawers are just as important

So, you have carefully considered the exterior parameters but have almost forgotten to plan the interior measurements. This is a common mistake and often overlooked—consider your lifestyle and how much space you think you will need. It’s worth knowing that just because a wardrobe fits on the outside doesn’t mean your drawers will be efficient. Get all of your wardrobe measurements in alignment, inside and out.

How to avoid it:

Get all your clothing together—the items that won’t be hung up. Gather them all on your bed and then fold them up to understand how thick they will be when collated together. Then, plan your items that will be hung up – how will all those heavier snow jackets fit, and so on? Let this process inform how much space you plan and design for the interior.

Boston Wardrobes

If you follow these simple tips, you will be on your way to planning, designing, and installing a desirable wardrobe that suits your needs. Amongst these key tips, measuring stands true and should be considered absolutely crucial when mapping out the vision of your bedroom. Even if you’ve measured once, measure twice to be sure and thoroughly assess each area, height, slope area, length, etc. The most important thing to remember when designing your wardrobe is to plan efficiently to match your home’s design.

To ensure the best results, Boston Wardrobes can step in during the process and help plan, design, and install your favourite wardrobe design. With an impressive 35-year background in wardrobe creation, they combine their exceptional knowledge of wardrobes with their practical skills of bringing your vision to life. Committed to excellence, quality, and craftsmanship, Boston Wardrobes offers a wide range of stylish wardrobe options to suit any space. Look at some of their walk in wardrobe options and arrange a call today!