Built in wardrobes....

[ItMakesThePeasTasteFunny]

please share your thoughts ...... any pitfalls/advice you can share. I really want it to be very complete - drawers/shelves/rails/shoes etc. interested to hear what has worked/not worked for you.

The obvious down side is the lack of flexibility, so try to get ones that you have thought about the design very carefully and / or allow some flexibility with the internal arrangements (shelf positions, drawers and hanging space). Try to avoid dead space above the unit. I'm about to have some built and will have them right up to the ceiling. I know I won't be able to reach the top very easily, in fact I will need a step ladder, however at least I will have somewhere to store rarely used things rather than a dust trap.

Also, make sure all the fittings are secure and durable. We have wardrobes in 3 rooms, one has problems with the locks on the doors (who needs locks on wardrobes? ) so the doors won't stay shut, another where some of the hinges are dodgy, and another where the runners for one of the wire drawers are buggered.

Oh and obvious things like making sure that you can fit what you want into them, so if you have lots of long boots and you use boot trees you need sufficient height for the shoe shelves.

Work out what it is you need from your wardrobes. I have one which is for hanging long things (dresses and trousers) one which is for short things (tops / jackets etc). I also have drawers and a slim vanity until which pulls out and holds my jewellery and make up which is really handy, it has a mirrored front too which I use every day. It also has some shoe racks inside but because my feet are quite large and the vanity unit is only slim I can't put my shoes in it as they are too wide.

I've also got belt and necklace hanging in my wardrobe which is very handy.

For me space for accessories was key because I have lots. I also got some space divider things from Ikea to seperate things so for example I have one for nude underwear, black and white. Another for socks, swimwear etc.

Go double! He has his up high and my wardrobes are directly under his.

If you have room, have a shoe pulley-outy thing.