Would this put you off renting a flat?

[accidentalll]

I'm thinking of creating an "open" wardrobe in the bedroom that can be hidden behind a curtain, a bit like on the pics below (both taken from the IKEA website).

I wouldn't be doing it on the cheap: the wardrobe fittings would be proper ones that are professionally screwed in to the wall (IKEA boaxel range, like on the pics), i.e., not just some random clothes rail. I'd also buy some really nice floor-to-ceiling curtains and get them professionally hung.

Although I might save a bit of money vs. buying a full IKEA wardrobe, that's not actually my main concern; the goal is to make it look nice and breezy and like it organically "works" with the rest of the room - not just a big chunky wardrobe's just been planted against the wall.

It's a 1-bed flat (my first property) that I'm still currently still living in, but I've been planning to rent out when I move in with DH over the next few months.

I never actually got round to buying a wardrobe for myself - I'm somewhat embarrassingly still using clothes rails six years later. I've wasted countless hours looking at wardrobes but can't seem to find one that is both to my taste and big enough. And while it's a fairly sized room, it's north-facing, and I want to minimise the amount of chunky, blocky furniture (I already have a substantial bed, nightstands, dresser, bookshelf, and desk).

Another issue is that the floor has a significant slant/sag, so any heavy furniture, even a short dresser, ends up standing at an angle and just looks "wrong"... it doesn't help that the skirting boards are relatively high and thick.

I know I'd probably have a regular wardrobe screwed in anyway, but given all of the above - and the fact that I'm at the top of an old building with no lift - I just don't have the appetite to experiment with it.

If I were doing it just for myself I'd do it in a heartbeat, but before I commit to it, I thought I'd best get a feel for whether this would be a complete turn-off...

I like it, wouldn’t put me off

I like it too. Looks very hip and great storage.

I like it. But would they need to wash the curtains occasionally? That could be a pain.

I'd love it so long as it matched any window dressing. Great idea.

I wouldn't like it due to spiders but it wouldn't necessarily put me off renting a place.

The curtains look a bit frumpy to me tbh, and leaving them open could make the room look permanently messy.

I don’t get why you’re that bothered now though; if you’re renting it out in a few months time anyway, why not just get a cheap Ikea job and whack it in the room?!

Thanks for all the feedback! glad to hear I’m not the only one who likes it. Agree it’d need to go well with the window curtains and other decor.

@Hoodlumboodlum I hadn’t considered spiders… thankfully I don’t seem to get many in the flat so hopefully not an issue!?

@AmyDuPlantier it’s still my place and I still want it to look nice, even if I’m not living there… plus, I don’t want to be the kind of landlord who just whacks in a cheap IKEA job! I’m not saying it has to be a high-spec designer flat or anything but I think some thoughtfulness goes a long way…

@murasaki have to admit I hadn’t considered the washing angle… good point

You may like it but renters may have more traditional tastes and prefer a proper wardrobe. It may limit your market

I don't like it, and yes, it would put me off.

@Griseleda this is pretty much what DH (who has very traditional tastes) said… I’m in a part of London where I’m not necessarily too concerned about things needing to look traditional, but you’re right that it would limit the market.

I don't like it. I think it will look cheap, even if you use quality wardrobes and curtains. I've had this set up in hotels/airbnbs a few times and it always looks messy, unless the curtains have been drawn carefully. I can't be bothered to draw them carefully multiple times a day.

Edited to add: it wouldn't necessarily put me off renting the flat. Location and price and much more important than decor choices.

I don't like it and it would put me off. I think even with quality fittings it will look cheap, messy and kind of student-y? The stuff in the pictures has been curated for the space and that won't be the case for a renter trying to fit their own belongings in.

I feel the same. I wouldn't rent it.

Thanks for all the feedback! I do worry about several of the things mentioned (looking messy, studenty, not right unless it’s a curated space) which is why I’m hesitating… interesting point about the hotels/airbnbs, I have to admit I’ve never actually used a space with this setup.

Are there any in-between options I’m not aware of!?

I’d build floor to ceiling storage - you can use the same ikea internal fittings - but with doors across the front. Then paint the same colour as the wall. Same amount of storage but cleaner finish. I don’t like the look of all that fabric on two walls - too fussy!

Aren't flats rented without furniture so the tenants can choose their own?

I rented a flat with an open wardrobe like this, many moons ago. I hated it; the clothes got dusty.

Can you put doors on it?

i'd rather have doors

Have a look at blinds / shutters
fitted professionally they could look really good

@LifeBeginsToday I feel like at least in London, a lot of flats come furnished!? Not sure what % it is, but I only ever looked at/lived in furnished flats before I got my own place, it didn’t make sense for me to buy furniture as a renter (either cost-wise or logistically)

@ByTwinklyDreamer Apparently there are doors from IKEA that can be attached to the floor/ceiling without needing a whole wardrobe, but I’m not sure those particular ones would go too well with the rest of the flat aesthetically… I’ll look into whether there’s another option though…

I think it looks messy. The IKEA pictures don’t look particularly good and they have been styled with tonal colours and matchy matchy storage boxes. I imagine when it’s full of the average person’s clothes and scruffy trainers it will look a right old tip.

@ChrisMartinsKisskam thank you! Actually just found some styles that could work, at first glance looks like a good halfway house between a big wardrobe and a curtain… I’ll report back if/when I have something concrete!