Built-in wardrobes in a period Property ?

[3BSHKATS]

We live in a terrace, so I feel that I need heavy furniture against that wall because it’s an HMO. At the moment the neighbours are absolutely lovely, but that could change in a heartbeat.
It’s also whilst not my forever home, it’s a home that I plan to always keep in the family, so that one of my children can use it at any given time as required, so I don’t mind spending money.

But I keep looking at all these Instagram is built-in IKEA wardrobes and I can’t help but think they look a bit shit ?

Am I entirely wrong? And the rest of the world is right ?

I think modern, Ikea-like BIW's have their place, but not in a Victorian property. If you're going to do it, the style needs to be sympathetic to the age and dimensions of the buildings. I would always make sure they reach the ceiling in a Victorian property, too. Some examples I would consider:

https://www.artcarpentry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_2485_D-1-768x576.jpg

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bb1ec84d088e090303cdda/1648834229619-Q4D6FE7AOX3EY0GRGBFI/IMG_7689.jpg

https://www.jvcarpentry.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Alcove-wardrobes-ideas-1.jpg

Slightly flashier, but at least not boring white:

https://www.facebook.com/HammondsUK/photos/6829618823719408

Sorry, you said period, I assumed Victorian, perhaps incorrectly. If your home has relatively high ceilings and is old, these styles should still suit it.

My friend used these people and hers look great

https://diyalcovecabinets.co.uk/

Following as well. We have very high ceiling in our Victorian conversion and even the IKEA PAX wardrobes, although lovely, would not look right. Interested to see any good bespoke wardrobe companies (London) that are good quality, design and price (if possible ) :)

I'm struggling with exactly the same - we've moved to a Victorian terrace recently (and also have an HMO on the non-hallway side - so adjoining rooms and there is a studio flat with the kitchen right next to our bedroom!).

We've had built in shelves put into the living room alcoves and they look great (we have very high ceilings, even for a Victorian house but they have gone up to the picture rail which works with the proportions). But, I have been amazed by how much smaller the room feels with the shelves rather than the open alcoves, so I'm concerned about losing some of that sense of space by having built in wardrobes in the alcoves in the main bedroom. Plus, I worry about damp developing (not a damp house, but I've always living in Victorian properties, and am aware of the potential for there to be an issue).

I would find a local carpenter or good hanyman (no need for cabinet maker) and have them made. Inbuilt wardrobes are easy and cheap to build. Carcassing, some sheets of hardwood ply for shelves and ply plus smooth mdf sheet on top for the doors are fine, it will look like real wood once painted. You can then pin on mouldings, skirting and cornice made cheaply from pine to blend in with any existing period details or start to reinstate them. Some pretty traditional handles for a couple of pounds. So basically IKEA costs, if not cheaper, but much more sympathetic.

A word of warning if your property is so old that the floors are a bit uneven - fitted furniture will quickly go out of true, the doors will drop and the drawers will stop closing properly. Don’t ask me how I know…