Transform your wardrobe into a functional, beautiful dressing room designed for Australian living. From walk-in robes to built‑ins, this guide covers Perth‑ready layouts, materials, lighting, costs and the renovation process—so you can create a clothes room that works as hard as your kitchen.
Core Insights: What makes a great clothes room design?
Whether you’re upgrading a built‑in robe or planning a full walk‑in dressing room, the principles are the same: smart storage, durable materials and lighting that shows true colour. Many Perth homeowners also coordinate their wardrobe cabinetry with their shaker kitchen, bathroom vanity or laundry renovation to achieve whole‑of‑home cohesion.
Must‑have features for Australian homes
- Full‑height custom cabinetry to 2.4–2.7 m ceilings common in WA (28c–31c), maximising vertical storage.
- Mix of hanging (short/long), drawers with soft‑close runners, adjustable shelving and dedicated shoe towers.
- Good lighting: dimmable LED downlights plus sensor‑activated LED strip lighting inside cabinetry for true‑to‑colour dressing.
- Ventilation strategies for coastal humidity (Fremantle to Hillarys): breathable sections or integrated ventilation grilles.
- Task zone for a makeup vanity or ironing centre; many choose a compact island with an engineered stone benchtop.
Ergonomic rules of thumb
- Minimum hanging depth: 600 mm for adult clothing and quality coat hangers.
- Comfortable walkway: 900–1000 mm; target 1100–1200 mm if adding an island.
- Drawer width: 600–900 mm; runner systems from Blum/Häfele keep loads smooth and quiet.
Australian case‑style examples
Case 1 – City Beach, WA: A family upgrading during kitchen renovations Perth carried their Hamptons shaker profile into the WIR. White 2‑pack doors, soft‑close drawers, and a Caesarstone vanity top delivered a calm, coastal feel.
Case 2 – East Fremantle, WA: Compact house, no room for a WIR. We converted a 3.2 m wall to a built‑in robe with mirrored sliding doors, shoe pull‑outs and LED strip lighting. The melamine interior matched the laundry cabinetry for a cohesive look.
Your Perth renovation process
Joyce Kitchens designs and installs custom wardrobes and dressing rooms across Perth and WA. Here’s how a typical project runs:
- Discovery & measuring: We discuss your clothing mix, accessory storage and style goals; confirm room sizes, ceiling height and power positions.
- Concept design: Layout options (galley, L‑shape, U‑shape, island), elevations and a materials palette to match your home’s kitchen/bath/laundry.
- Selections: Melamine, timber veneer or 2‑pack doors; handles vs handleless cabinetry; lighting; mirrors; seating or vanity.
- Manufacture: Precision‑made cabinetry to suit WA conditions and appliance sizing (e.g., integrated ironing centres, steam stations).
- Installation: By qualified trades. Any electrical is completed by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules).
- Aftercare: Care guides for finishes like 2‑pack and engineered stone; adjustment of Blum hinges and drawer runners if needed.
For regulatory guidance during larger renovations (e.g., moving walls), see the WA Building and Energy, the HIA, or Master Builders WA.
Materials & finishes (with benchtop comparison)
Popular wardrobe door and carcase choices
- Melamine (Laminex/Polytec): Cost‑effective, durable, huge colour range; great for carcases and simple doors.
- 2‑pack polyurethane: Premium, seamless painted look; ideal for Hamptons shaker or modern flat profiles.
- Timber veneer: Natural warmth and variation; pair with matte black hardware for a contemporary feel.
- Mirror or glass doors: Space‑making and functional, particularly for built‑in robes in smaller rooms.
Dressing‑room vanity benchtops: engineered stone vs laminate
Many Perth dressing rooms include a makeup or accessories vanity. Here’s how the two most common benchtop options compare.
| Feature | Engineered Stone (e.g., Caesarstone, Smartstone) | Laminate (e.g., Laminex, Polytec) |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Premium, stone‑like patterns; pairs well with engineered stone benchtop in the kitchen | Huge colour/pattern range including realistic stones/timbres |
| Heat & stain resistance | Excellent for makeup spills; use a trivet for hot hair tools | Good; avoid direct heat from hair irons and harsh solvents |
| Maintenance | Low; non‑porous, easy to wipe | Very low; avoid cutting directly on surface |
| Cost (indicative) | $$–$$$ | $–$$ (budget‑friendly) |
| Lead time | Template and stone fabrication add time | Generally faster to install |
Hardware & lighting that elevate use
- Hardware: Blum soft‑close hinges and runners; Häfele pull‑out shoe racks, tie racks, valet rods.
- Lighting: 3000–4000K LEDs for accurate colour; motion sensors inside robe sections; consider low‑glare mirror lighting.
Layouts & styles that fit your home
Common wardrobe layouts
- Built‑in robe (BIR): 600–700 mm deep carcass with sliding or hinged doors—great for secondary bedrooms.
- Galley WIR: Two rows facing with a 900–1200 mm walkway; efficient and easy to light.
- L‑shape or U‑shape WIR: Maximises corners; add corner hanging or curved shelves to reduce dead zones.
- Island option: Works in spaces 2.6 m+ wide; perfect for jewellery, watches and folded items.
Style direction
- Hamptons/Shaker: Classic 2‑pack profiled doors, brushed nickel handles—tie in with a shaker kitchen.
- Contemporary: Matte melamine or timber veneer with fine shadowlines and handleless cabinetry.
- Minimalist luxury: Framed glass doors, smoked mirrors, LED rail lighting and velvet‑lined drawers.
Integration with the rest of the home
For a cohesive renovation, echo materials from your kitchen renovations Perth, scullery or butler’s pantry. Consistency in profiles, benchtops and hardware builds a premium, custom look across every room.
Costs, timelines & budgeting in WA
Indicative Perth pricing (AUD)
- Built‑in robe (3–4 m run): $2,500–$6,500 depending on doors, internals and lighting.
- Walk‑in robe (4–8 m²): $6,000–$15,000 for custom cabinetry, lighting and mirrors.
- Premium dressing room with island, veneer or 2‑pack, and stone: $15,000–$30,000+.
- Electrical (LED strips, sensors, GPOs): typically $400–$2,000 via licensed electrician.
Lead times vary with finish choices and current demand; most projects complete in 3–8 weeks from final sign‑off to installation.
Practical checklist: your design brief
- Measure room: length, width, ceiling height (note any bulkheads or sloped ceilings).
- List clothing mix: % short hang vs long hang; number of shoes, bags, hats, ties, belts.
- Decide on doors: hinged, sliding, glass or open shelves; mirror locations.
- Choose finish: melamine, 2‑pack, veneer; handle or handleless; benchtop type.
- Lighting plan: downlights, LED strips, mirror/vanity lighting; sensor preference.
- Power points: hair tools, steamer/ironing, device charging.
- Ventilation: grills or breathable sections, particularly for coastal homes.
- Budget range and target install date.
Note: Electrical work must be completed by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000. Structural changes (e.g., moving walls to extend a WIR) should be assessed by a registered builder and may require approvals under the NCC via your local council.
FAQ
What is the ideal size for a walk‑in robe in an Australian home?
A practical WIR starts at about 1.5 m wide with one wall of cabinetry, or 1.8–2.2 m wide for two walls facing. Allow 600 mm cabinet depth and a 900–1100 mm walkway; if adding an island, target 1100–1200 mm clearance around it.
How much does a custom dressing room cost in Perth?
As a guide, built‑ins range from $2,500–$6,500, walk‑ins $6,000–$15,000, and premium rooms with 2‑pack, veneer and stone $15,000–$30,000+. Lighting and electrical typically add $400–$2,000 depending on scope.
Which materials are best for wardrobe doors and internals?
Melamine (Laminex/Polytec) is durable and cost‑effective for internals. For doors, melamine is great value; 2‑pack polyurethane delivers a premium painted look (ideal for Hamptons), while timber veneer adds warmth. Mirrors/glass maximise light in smaller rooms.
Can I include a dressing‑room island in a smaller space?
Yes—if your room width is at least ~2.6 m. Keep islands 600–800 mm wide, with 900–1100 mm clearances each side. Consider shallow drawers on one side if space is tight.
Do I need council approval for a clothes room renovation?
Most wardrobe fit‑outs don’t require approval. If you remove or build walls, engage a registered builder to assess structural work and approvals. Any electrical must be done by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000.
Ready to design your clothes room?
From Perth wardrobes to full dressing rooms, Joyce Kitchens designs custom solutions that coordinate beautifully with your kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Book a design consult to explore finishes, layouts and lighting tailored to your home.