Sliding wardrobe doors are a versatile, space-saving option for our bedroom storage needs, where we can still get a stylish sliding wardrobe without taking too much space.
The key advantage of sliding wardrobe doors is its flexibility in positioning: you can easily fit the wardrobe in a wall-to-wall configuration, or you can also fit them between a wardrobe end panel and a wall in an awkward corner. You can virtually place the sliding wardrobe in any room—not just bedrooms—, so you can utilize a previously unused space as valuable storage.
Here, we will discuss several tips you need to know before purchasing a sliding door wardrobe. This will help you find the best possible options and make the most of your investments.
1.Figuring Out Your Needs
The best approach not only in choosing a sliding wardrobe but in choosing any furniture at all is to first figure out your own needs. Below are the two most important factors you can consider:
The available space
Where do you plan to install your sliding wardrobe doors? How big is the area? If you can, properly measure the room. This will ultimately help you to decide how many sliding doors you’ll need, and whether you will need a custom-made door or a ready-made one.
Style and preferences
Sliding wardrobe doors come in a variety of designs and finishes. You can choose from framed or unframed doors, all the different colours, different material choices (wood, glass, etc.). So, it can be overwhelming if you haven’t figured out what you actually want.
The best approach is to stick with the current feel of your house (specifically the room) and choose a style that can complement it (or contrast it beautifully).
2. Measure Your Wardrobe Correctly
The most important thing is to measure the space of the doors to figure out your exact needs. Take a vertical measurement from the liner—or the floor, depending— up to the very top of the available space. Similarly, measure the horizontal space from the edge of one side of the wall to the other edge.
Here are some key considerations here:
Measure at least twice to make sure, and write down the details of the measurements
The height from one end to the other side can differ due to many different factors (i.e. sagging ceiling). Measure at the middle and each end, and use the smallest of the measurements.
If you have an existing wardrobe track that is still good, it might work with the new doors
The top of your closet might have a fascia (accent piece, usually overhanging). In this case, measure behind the fascia where you will install the track.
The more detailed your measurement, the higher the chance you can get the right sliding wardrobe door that will suit your needs.
3.Important Considerations When Purchasing Sliding Doors
Based on these measurements, buy the right sliding door for the available space.
Typically, you will get a door set with corresponding aluminium tracks (but not always). You can cut these tracks later on to fit the available space. Also, the door’s rollers usually have a screw that you can adjust to change the lift of the roller.
Here are some considerations to have:
Make sure to include extra 2-3 cm space to the combined width of the doors. So, the combined width of the doors should equal the width of the available space plus 2 or 3 cm. So, each door should have 1 or 1.5 cm of overlap and you won’t end up with a gap between doors.
If you purchase separate tracks (not included with the doors), most tracks are designed for doors with standard thickness. If you use a thicker door, you might need specialised tracks. Pay extra attention to your door’s thickness.
4.Choosing Between All The Different Styles and Materials
One of the main benefits of getting sliding wardrobe doors is the fact that you can customise them in virtually any way you want. So, use this to your advantage and know that you don’t really need to stick with one style or another.
There are two main considerations you should have here: the style of your exisiting wardrobe (if you are going to use the doors on an existing wardrobe), and the overall style of your room.
In general, sliding wardrobe doors can be made of wood, metal, veneer, mirrors, and frosted glass materials, among others. Each will provide their distinct style, durability, and in some cases, functionality.
For example, glass or mirrored doors can create the illusion of a larger, more spacious room. This can be a solution if your bedroom has limited space.
Also, it’s possible to mix and match two materials or more to get the exact looks or styles you are looking for.
5.Considerations About Hardware Choices
In general, you should always choose doors with tracks that are installed on top of the shutter rather than the bottom of the shutter.
This type is often called top-line slider door, and is typically more expensive than bottom-line slider doors. However, since the door is suspended from the top, the doors are more durable since the entire doors’ weight are not placed on the bottom frame and wheels, which often cause bending.
Also, here are some important considerations when choosing the doors’ hardware:
It’s best to get doors with brush running along the full length of the wardrobe, it helps in protecting your clothes from dusts and other damages
Unless absolutely necessary, you might not want to use locks. They can damage the doors when they get stuck between two doors.
Place a small stopper at the end of the door, so it won’t recoil after touching the other side
6.Know That It’s a Long-Term Investment
Sliding wardrobe doors, commonly a part of a fitted wardrobe, is a good long-term investment with a great ROI. In most cases, if you keep the doors in good conditions, you’ll always be able to recoup the costs when you finally decide to sell the house.
This is especially true in areas like London, where home buyers generally put strong valuation to storage spaces. So, although it might be a relatively expensive initial cost, the silver lining is that it’s generally a good long-lasting investment.
End Words
Sliding wardrobe doors are excellent option especially when you have a limited space in your room but don’t want to sacrifice storage spaces. Wardrobe designs can vary in style, size, and material choices, and you can virtually customise the wardrobe and the sliding doors with absolute freedom to suit your needs—as long as you have the available budget—.