Planning a new built‑in or walk‑in robe? Here’s everything Australian homeowners need to know about standard wardrobe depth, practical wardrobe dimensions, layouts, materials and costs—plus how Joyce Kitchens designs seamless storage that ties in with your kitchen, bathroom and laundry joinery.
Standard wardrobe depth in Australia
The standard wardrobe depth Australia‑wide for built‑in robes is 600 mm internal clear depth. This comfortably fits adult hangers and winter coats without creasing.
- Internal clear depth: 600 mm is ideal (absolute minimum 550 mm for very tight spaces).
- Hinged door built‑ins: allow ~600 mm internal + door thickness (overall 620–640 mm).
- Sliding door built‑ins: allow a little more for the door tracks—overall 650–700 mm.
- Top shelf depth: 400–500 mm (deeper for bulky bedding).
How deep is a wardrobe? Clothes hanging dimensions that work
Getting the depth right is only half the story. Here are proven wardrobe measurements used by our Perth design team:
- Hanging rail position: centreline 300–320 mm from the back panel.
- Single (long) hang height: 1600–1800 mm (dresses, coats).
- Double hang heights: 2 x 900–1000 mm sections (shirts, pants folded over hangers).
- Jackets/blazers: 1200–1400 mm hang height.
- Drawers: 160–220 mm high (smalls), 250–300 mm (jumpers/jeans), 350+ mm (bulky items).
- Shoe shelves: 300–350 mm deep, 180–220 mm vertical spacing (angled shelves add comfort).
- Top shelf height: 2100–2200 mm from floor in 2400 mm rooms (good above‑doorline storage).
Walk‑in wardrobe dimensions and layouts
For comfortable movement and access, plan your walk‑in wardrobe size around these Australian norms:
- Aisle/clear walkway: minimum 900 mm; 1000–1200 mm is ideal for two people passing.
- Single‑sided run: 1500–1600 mm overall width (600 mm robe + 900–1000 mm aisle).
- Double‑sided run: 2300–2500 mm overall width (600 + 1000–1200 + 600).
- Island in walk‑in: allow 900–1000 mm around all sides; room width of 3000+ mm is typically required.
- Ceiling height: WA homes commonly 2400 mm; utilise full height with a 2100 mm top shelf and overhead cabinets to the ceiling/bulkhead for a dust‑free finish.
Typical walk in wardrobe size for master suites in WA new builds ranges from 2.2 × 2.4 m up to 3.0 × 3.0 m, with custom cabinetry to suit your mix of hanging, drawers and shoes.
Our WA renovation process
- In‑home consult and measure: We assess walls, floor levels, power points, existing skirting and cornice, plus door swing constraints.
- Design and 3D: You’ll see configurations for double hang, long hang, drawer stacks, and integrated mirrors—matching your kitchen, laundry and vanity finishes for a whole‑home feel.
- Selections: Choose door styles (shaker, flat, V‑groove), hardware (soft‑close drawers, Blum or Häfele systems), and lighting (sensor LED strips).
- Manufacture in WA: Custom cabinetry WA‑made for consistent quality and lead times.
- Installation: Our installers fit to AS/NZS cabinetry practices and WA site conditions, and coordinate with your builder where needed.
We work comfortably alongside your kitchen renovations Perth project, ensuring your robe, scullery, butler’s pantry and laundry renovation share a cohesive palette.
Helpful authorities for homeowners: Housing Industry Association (HIA) and Master Builders WA offer renovation guidance and consumer resources.
Materials and finishes (wardrobes + whole home)
Wardrobe carcasses and doors
- Carcass: HMR white melamine board (16–18 mm) for durability and easy cleaning; plywood for premium builds; back panels 16 mm for rigidity.
- Doors: Sliding aluminium frames with mirror or glass; hinged MDF in 2‑pack polyurethane; thermolaminate (e.g., Polytec) for cost‑effective profiles; Laminex finishes for colour consistency across rooms.
- Hardware: Soft‑close hinges and runners (Blum/Häfele), pull‑out shoe shelves, tie racks, valet rods, and integrated laundry hampers.
- Lighting: 12 V LED strip with door sensors; consider warm 3000 K for wardrobes to match bedroom ambience.
Surface choices across your home joinery
Many clients coordinate their robe doors with kitchen and vanity fronts (think shaker kitchen doors in a matte 2‑pack, or minimalist flat fronts). If you’re comparing benchtop finishes for dressing rooms, vanities or make‑up stations, here’s a quick overview:
Comparison: Engineered Stone vs Laminate
Important note for Australians: As of 2025, the supply and use of traditional high‑silica engineered stone benchtops is prohibited in most jurisdictions. Always check current WA regulations and consider alternatives such as porcelain/ultra‑compact surfaces, low‑silica products, natural stone or solid surface. See Safe Work Australia for updates.
| Feature | Engineered Stone (legacy info) | High‑Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look/Styles | Stone‑like patterns, consistent colour | Huge colour/pattern range (timber, marble looks) |
| Heat/Water Resistance | Heat sensitive; excellent water resistance | Good water resistance; avoid direct heat |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance; avoid harsh abrasives | Very low maintenance; easy clean |
| Cost | Higher | Budget‑friendly |
| Regulatory status in AU | Restricted/banned; check current WA rules | Widely available |
| Good for | Legacy installs; consider porcelain/solid surface instead | Dressing tables, laundries, rental‑friendly updates |
Door styles, internal layouts and accessories
Sliding vs hinged doors
- Sliding doors: Save space in small rooms; ideal for shallow rooms and rental‑friendly upgrades. Work best with overall wardrobe depth of 650–700 mm to accommodate tracks.
- Hinged doors: Full access to the opening; great for shaker or V‑groove looks; need door swing clearance but can be shallower overall.
Internal layouts that maximise storage
- Reach‑in (built‑in): Classic 2–3 doors across 1800–3000 mm width. Standard built in wardrobe depth sits at 600 mm internal with long hang to one side, double hang to the other.
- Walk‑in robe: U‑shape for maximum capacity; L‑shape for compact rooms; island drawers in larger spaces.
- Specialty inserts: Velvet‑lined jewellery trays, belt and tie racks, pull‑down hanging rails (handy in 2700 mm ceilings), and glass‑top display drawers.
- Mirrors: Integrated mirror doors or full‑height mirrors behind a hinged panel to increase apparent space and light.
- Lighting: Motion‑sensor LED strips at the front of shelves reduce shadows on clothing.
Love cohesive design? We can match a shaker kitchen look in your robe doors, or echo a stone splashback tone with wardrobe handles and trims for a calm, unified home.
Costs in Perth and across WA
Every project is custom, but these price guides help budgeting. Pricing includes supply and installation of cabinetry; site conditions and selections will vary.
- Built‑in (hinged) 2–3 door, 1.8–2.4 m: $2,200–$4,500
- Built‑in (sliding/mirror) 2.1–2.7 m: $2,500–$5,500
- Walk‑in fit‑out 3.0 × 2.0 m: $6,000–$14,000
- Fit‑out only (no doors): $1,200–$3,500
- Upgrades: LED lighting $350–$1,200; premium soft‑close hardware $300–$800; glass fronts and accessories as quoted.
We operate to Australian cabinetry best practices (refer to relevant AS/NZS cabinetry standards and local codes). For general standards information, visit Standards Australia.
Two quick WA case examples
Subiaco apartment reach‑in
Brief: A compact second bedroom needed a standard wardrobe size upgrade. We specified a 2400 mm wide, 650 mm overall depth sliding robe with mirrored doors, double hang each side and a central drawer stack. Result: more storage without door swing conflicts.
Applecross master walk‑in
Brief: Match a new shaker kitchen and laundry renovation Perth palette. We designed a U‑shape walk in wardrobe size of 2800 × 2400 mm, 600 mm cabinetry depth, 1000 mm aisle, 2‑pack shaker doors and sensor LEDs. Long‑hang corner plus shoe tower with angled shelves.
Practical planning checklist
- Measure ceiling height, skirting thickness and any nib walls.
- Confirm standard wardrobe depth: aim for 600 mm internal; 650–700 mm overall for sliding.
- Choose door type: sliding for shallow rooms; hinged for full access and shaker styles.
- Plan hanging ratios: long hang vs double hang based on your garments.
- Include at least one 400–500 mm deep top shelf for bedding/luggage.
- Add drawers for smalls; 250–300 mm high drawers for knits/jeans.
- Specify lighting (sensor LED) and a full‑height mirror.
- Allow 900–1200 mm aisle in walk‑ins; avoid islands in rooms under 3000 mm wide.
- Match finishes to kitchen/bathroom for a cohesive home (e.g., Laminex/Polytec, handle profiles).
- Book an in‑home measure and 3D with Joyce Kitchens for detailed wardrobe dimensions standard to your space.
FAQ
What is the standard wardrobe depth in Australia?
The standard wardrobe depth in Australia is 600 mm internal clear depth. For sliding doors, allow a little extra for tracks so the overall built‑in depth is typically 650–700 mm.
How deep is a wardrobe if space is tight?
If you must go shallower, 550 mm internal is an absolute minimum for adult hangers. Use slim hangers and avoid bulky coats, or consider a mix of shelving and drawers instead of full‑width hanging.
What are ideal walk in wardrobe dimensions?
Allow a 900–1200 mm aisle, 600 mm cabinetry depth each side, and overall widths of 2300–2500 mm for double‑sided layouts. Single‑sided runs need about 1500–1600 mm overall width.
What is the standard height of a wardrobe?
In WA homes with 2400 mm ceilings, a common setup is a 2100 mm top shelf with overhead cabinets or bulkhead to the ceiling. Long‑hang is typically 1600–1800 mm high, double‑hang at 2 × 900–1000 mm.
How much does a built in wardrobe cost in Perth?
As a guide, built‑ins range from $2,200–$5,500 depending on size and doors, while walk‑in fit‑outs start around $6,000 and can reach $14,000+ with premium finishes and lighting.