Thinking about a sliding door armoire or upgrading tired bedroom cupboard doors? Joyce Kitchens designs and builds custom sliding wardrobes across Perth and regional WA — crafted for Australian homes, coastal conditions and everyday practicality. Below you’ll find expert guidance on choosing the right doors, interiors, materials, layouts, budgets and the Perth-specific details that make the difference.
Why choose a sliding door armoire
A sliding door armoire (a freestanding or built-in wardrobe with sliding panels) is a smart solution when floor space is tight, or when you want a streamlined, contemporary look. Sliding wardrobes keep clearances tidy in small rooms, hallways and study-nooks, and pair well with modern interior design across kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovations.
- Space-saving: No swing clearance required — ideal for small sliding door wardrobe situations.
- Clean lines: Contemporary sliding wardrobe doors suit minimalist, Scandi, coastal and modern Australian homes.
- Flexible: Options include mirror, glass, melamine, 2-pack, veneer, and aluminium-framed panels.
- Quiet: Quality soft-close tracks reduce noise — perfect for bedrooms and nurseries.
Core design insights for Australian homes
Optimal sizes and proportions
- Common door heights: 2,100–2,700 mm to align with typical WA ceilings (2.4 m–2.7 m).
- Track width: Allow ~95–110 mm for double tracks; triple tracks for 3 door wardrobe sliding doors require more depth.
- Door overlap: 30–50 mm overlap between doors helps light-proofing and privacy.
- Internal depth: 600–650 mm for hanging garments; 450–500 mm works for linen or kids’ rooms.
Tracks and movement
- Top-hung vs bottom-rolling: Top-hung looks cleaner; bottom-rolling often carries more weight and can be more forgiving in older WA homes with slight ceiling deflection.
- Soft-close upgrade: Adds a premium feel and safety; especially useful for bedroom cupboard doors used daily.
- Seaside homes: Choose corrosion-resistant anodised or powder-coated aluminium tracks near the coast.
Interior planning
- Hanging: Split short and long hanging. Add pull-out trouser racks for wardrobe ergonomics.
- Shelving: 300–400 mm deep shelves for folded clothes; adjustable shelf pins give flexibility.
- Drawers: Soft-close drawers keep things tidy; add felt-lined organisers for jewellery.
- Lighting: Low-heat LED strip lighting with sensors for visibility and low energy use.
Our renovation and installation process
- Consult & measure: A Joyce designer visits your home in Perth or surrounds to assess space, talk style, and confirm measurements.
- Design & 3D visuals: We propose elevations for sliding wardrobes, walk in robe doors, interiors, colours and handles to pair with your kitchen or laundry cabinetry.
- Selections: Choose finishes (melamine, laminate, thermolaminate, 2-pack polyurethane), door frames, mirror or glass, and hardware such as soft-close runners.
- Manufacture in WA: Your custom cabinetry WA is built locally for quality control and quick lead times.
- Install & handover: Our installers fit tracks, align doors, test soft-close and clean up — ready to use.
Materials, finishes and hardware
Popular door panel options
- Mirror: Brightens rooms and doubles as a full-length mirror; safety-backed glass.
- Coloured glass: Frosted or smoked for a luxe, modern wardrobe sliding doors look.
- Melamine/laminate: Cost-effective, durable, easy-clean — huge colour range from whites to woodgrains.
- Veneer or timber-look: Warm character; consider Tasmanian oak tones or walnut veneers.
- 2-pack polyurethane: Seamless, paint-like finish; suits contemporary or Shaker-inspired grooves.
Frames, tracks and handles
- Aluminium frames: Lightweight, rigid and coastal-friendly. Choose matt black, white or anodised finishes.
- Tracks: Quality systems from specialist suppliers with soft-close cassettes reduce rattle and extend lifespan.
- Handles: Go handleless with finger-pull rails or add sleek integrated pulls for a minimalist look.
Internal cabinetry finishes
- Carcass boards: Moisture-resistant melamine in neutral tones is standard for inbuilt wardrobe sliding doors.
- Drawers & runners: Premium soft-close hardware enhances daily use and longevity.
- Accessories: Valet rods, belt/tie racks, shoe shelves, and slide-out mirrors streamline routines.
Coordinating your bedroom storage with adjacent spaces creates a whole-home design language. We frequently match sliding wardrobe wardrobes finishes to a shaker kitchen, an engineered stone benchtop alternative in the laundry, or bathroom renovations Perth projects for a cohesive result.
Layouts, styles and door options
Freestanding vs built-in
- Freestanding armoire: Flexible and great for rentals; can be designed to look built-in with shadowline detailing.
- Built-in wardrobes sliding doors: Maximises every millimetre; ideal for alcoves or wall-to-wall runs.
Door configurations
- Two-panel sliding: Clean and cost-effective for most bedrooms.
- 3 door wardrobe sliding doors: Lets you access two-thirds of the opening at once; suits wide spans.
- Corner returns: Combine with hinged panels if you need full access in tight corners.
Style notes
- Modern minimal: Matt glass or super-matt melamine, thin frames, finger-pull rails.
- Classic: Subtle profile lines or V-grooves on 2-pack panels for a “Shaker-inspired” wardrobe feel.
- Coastal WA: Light oaks, white frames, and mirror panels to bounce natural light.
For walk in wardrobe doors, consider smoked glass or fluted reeded glass to showcase your collection while softening views. For cupboard with sliding doors in hallways, robust melamine stands up to daily traffic.
Surface comparison: engineered stone vs laminate (for dressing tables or adjacent cabinetry)
If your sliding wardrobe includes a dressing bench or connects to a study or laundry nook, benchtop selection matters.
| Feature | Engineered Stone (legacy installs) | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status in AU | Being phased out/banned nationally due to silica risks. Check current WA rules before specifying. | No restrictions; widely used in residential cabinetry. |
| Heat & stain resistance | Good heat and stain resistance (always use a trivet). | Improved in modern laminates; use protectors for heat and sharp objects. |
| Cost | Higher; availability limited under new regulations. | Budget-friendly with vast colour/texture options. |
| Look | Stone-like, premium aesthetic. | Convincing stone and timber decors; great value. |
| Best use case | Existing homes with legacy tops only. | Dressing tables, study nooks, laundry cabinets, kids’ rooms. |
Note: Talk to your designer about safe alternatives like porcelain/sintered stone or high-pressure laminates if you want a stone look without the risks associated with engineered stone.
Costs and timelines in WA
- Small sliding door wardrobe (2-door, melamine interior): From $2,500–$3,800 supplied and installed.
- Mid-range built-in (mirror or glass doors, drawers, accessories): $4,000–$7,500 depending on width and internals.
- Premium 3-door, soft-close, LED lighting, 2-pack panels: $7,500–$12,000+.
- Walk in robe doors for existing WIR openings: $1,800–$4,500 depending on span and glazing.
Lead time: Typically 3–6 weeks for manufacture plus 1–2 days on site per wardrobe, subject to selections and seasonal demand in Perth.
Practical planning checklist
- Measure floor-to-ceiling height at multiple points; note any out-of-level floors or ceilings.
- Confirm door span and choose 2-door or 3-door depending on access needs.
- Decide on internals: hanging vs drawers vs shelves; list everything you store.
- Pick a finish that matches your home’s kitchen renovations Perth or laundry cabinetry.
- Choose soft-close for quieter bedrooms and family homes.
- Add LED strip lighting with sensors for night use.
- For coastal homes, specify corrosion-resistant frames and tracks.
- Consider future resale: neutral colours and mirror panels have broad appeal.
WA case-style examples
Case 1 – Subiaco apartment refresh
A compact bedroom needed storage without blocking the bed. We installed a small sliding door wardrobe with two mirror panels, soft-close tracks and a melamine interior with four drawers and double hanging. The room felt larger immediately, and the client loved the hotel feel.
Case 2 – Cottesloe coastal family home
This client wanted durable walk in robe doors with a light, modern look. We specified aluminium-framed sliding glass in white, corrosion-resistant tracks, and internal drawers with soft-close runners. LED strip lighting completed a calm, coastal space that tied in with their contemporary kitchen and laundry renovations.
Standards, safety and local notes
- Hardware and cabinetry generally follow principles in AS/NZS 4386 for domestic cabinetry modules (kitchen reference), adapted to wardrobe layouts.
- Installations comply with the NCC/BCA and relevant fixings for wall types in WA homes.
- Choose safety-backed mirrors and consider child-safety features for family homes.
- For information on building contracts and processes in WA, see HIA and Master Builders WA.
- Engineered stone has significant safety considerations; check current guidance before specifying.
External resources:
Bring your sliding door armoire to life
From contemporary sliding wardrobe doors to classic profiles and mirrored panels, Joyce Kitchens designs and builds wardrobes that work hard and look the part. We also deliver bathroom renovations Perth, laundry cabinets and custom joinery to match. Book a consultation and let’s plan your perfect storage.
FAQ
Are sliding door armoires good for small bedrooms?
Yes. Sliding doors don’t need swing clearance, so they free up floor space for beds and side tables. Mirror panels also make compact rooms feel larger and brighter.
What size should sliding wardrobe doors be in Australia?
Most doors range from 2,100 to 2,700 mm high, with depths around 600 mm for hanging. Your designer will confirm clearances and track allowances to suit your ceiling height and opening width.
What’s the best material for sliding wardrobe doors near the coast?
Choose corrosion-resistant aluminium frames with safety-backed mirror or glass, or high-quality melamine panels. Specify powder-coated or anodised finishes and stainless or treated fixings.
Can I add soft-close to sliding wardrobe doors?
In many cases, yes. We can retrofit compatible soft-close cassettes to quality track systems or include soft-close from the outset for a premium, quieter experience.
How much does a custom sliding door armoire cost in Perth?
As a guide, expect $2,500–$3,800 for a small 2-door setup, $4,000–$7,500 mid-range, and $7,500–$12,000+ for premium 3-door systems with lighting and high-end finishes.
