Wardrobe, no MDF, HELP please

[houseRefurb]

Have moved to a property with no wardrobes; just been using the moving boxes over the last month.Rental property and so fitted wardrobes is not an option.Don't want second hand; so, antique etc, not an option.

I have spent 3 weeks now doing online shopping for solid wood wardrobes, with no MDF, that won't cost a fortune. Found a few pine wardrobe sellers in Ebay who claim its all made in UK. However, not too sure about how good these are.

I need 3 wardrobes. 2 of these will be 2m and the other 1.5 m wide. How much should I expect to pay for these?

I often hear here on MN to look for a "local cabinet maker", "local carpenter". Any tips on how to find these local people, when you move to a new area?

TIA

Not easy to get entirely solid wood. You could try Habitat, The Futon Company and Cotswold Company. If it is a rental property how long do you intend to stay, 2m wardrobes are not easy to move from house to house. I would probably use chests of drawers and hanging rails. For information we have had two lots of storage built by local cabinet makers, both people we already knew and trusted, both a mix of solid oak and veneer, both multiple thousands.

IKEA! We’ve just bought and built several pieces and they are made of good solid stuff, not at all the flimsy MDF of old

Is it a particular look of bare wood that you are after? Or a perception of sturdiness? I agree with pp above - the ikea wardrobes are excellent, we had pax in a rented place and were able to disassemble later when we moved and repurpose them to fit new rooms, sturdy as ever. Have you been to an Ikea or similar to look at any in real life?

For local tips, ask and search on your local Facebook groups. We found a great one that way for fitted wardrobes in loft room. They’re not solid wood, but they are exceptionally sturdy and exactly what we wanted.

We have also in the past looked at local “pine and oak furniture” type places, and they often have a lot more options when you go in store and talk with them.

Thank you for the input, everyone.

@eatreadsleeprepeat, Cotswold etc still have MDF ; that's how they get the smooth painted finish. Oakfurniturelabd use wood and veneers. That's useful to know, regarding multiple thousands. My budget is more like multiple hundreds! :-) Were they oak/ash/walnut? Pine is probably the cheapest option.

Futon company do have a neat folding wardrobe, I might get a couple of those as a temporarily option.

@VanCleefArpels Which range was it? I have just had a look on their website.

@Talipesmum I will look up local places for "pine and oak".

Look on etsy.

Various ranges from Ikea, all pretty much made if the same stuff

https://www.pine-oak.co.uk/shop/range/alton-oak/alton-oak-full-hanging-wardrobe/

No idea of the quality. We've got several furniture places with sales on at the moment. About 5 years ago we got a big solid wooden wardrobe in the sales for about £399 reduced from £1500. We had to pay someone to move it and it only just fitted up the stairs.

Buy second hand, possibly pine on ebay and paint and upcycle. That's what I like doing as I also hate mdf.

What's wrong with second hand? It will be better value as you will get higher quality wardrobes for cheaper than new.

My pine wardrobe is from Ikea. I got it 2nd hand.

Wardrobes | Argos Some of the open wardrobes might be suitable.

Have a look at Taurus beds - they do solid wood furniture to match their beds. Might be more than you want to pay but definitely worth a look.

Second hand is the best way to get high quality and cheap. We just got teak wardrobe made by Heals for very little money in an antiques sale.

Had one made and delivered from a company on ebay. They were brilliant, came built and was solid wood. If you want i can let you know the company, they were miles cheaper and it is a lovely big wardrobe.

Ikea is mainly MDF, certainly the pax wardrobe system is. Or are you looking for standalone wardrobes? If you're looking for something fitted making it yourself might be the best bet.