Make every centimetre count with a custom wardrobe drawer unit designed for Australian homes. Whether you’re planning a full renovation or upgrading an existing built-in, Joyce Kitchens designs and installs wardrobe inner drawers, chests of drawers inside wardrobes, and complete storage systems that match your home’s style and daily routine.
Why a Wardrobe Drawer Unit Belongs in Every Built‑In
Drawers put everyday items at eye level, reduce clutter and maximise floor-to-ceiling storage in standard 600 mm-deep Australian wardrobes. Compared with fixed shelves, built in wardrobe drawers increase usable space and make it easier to separate socks, activewear, jewellery and technology. Our designs use soft-close runners, durable finishes and ergonomic heights that suit WA homes from coastal suburbs to the hills.
Benefits at a glance
- Up to 30% more accessible storage than shelves alone.
- Soft-close hardware (e.g., Blum or Hettich) for long life and quiet operation.
- Modular options: inner drawers behind doors, a wardrobe with chest of drawers look, or open drawer towers for walk-ins.
- Custom widths to fit awkward nooks in renovations and period homes.
- Coordinated finishes with your kitchen, laundry or bathroom vanities for a whole‑home look.
Inner drawers vs a chest of drawers inside the wardrobe
Both options can be custom-built and installed inside a built-in:
- Wardrobe inner drawers (behind doors): Streamlined appearance, ideal for mirrored or panelled doors. Great for dust control.
- Chest of drawers inside wardrobe: Open access without opening doors first; works well in wider walk-ins. Offers feature handles and display tops.
Typical Australian sizes we work with:
- Standard built-in depth: 580–620 mm; drawer depths 430–500 mm.
- Common drawer widths: 400, 600, 750, 900 mm (custom available to the millimetre).
- Ceiling heights: 2400–2700 mm with adaptable tower heights and kickboards.
Our Perth Design-to-Install Process
- Consultation and measure — We assess hanging, shelving and drawer needs, door clearances, skirtings, power points and flooring. We also check for uneven walls common in renovations.
- 3D design and specification — Select finishes, profiles (flat, V‑groove, Shaker), handles (or finger-pull), and hardware. We coordinate with your kitchen renovation, bathroom or laundry upgrade for a cohesive palette.
- Manufacture in WA — Precision-cut cabinetry and drawer boxes designed for Australian conditions and appliances/sizing conventions.
- Installation — Our experienced cabinetmakers fit, scribe and level units, and dispose of packaging. We can work under HIA contract terms and align with Master Builders WA best practice.
- Aftercare — Adjustment and maintenance guidance, with optional LED lighting and accessories.
We design to relevant Australian Standards for cabinetry (e.g., AS/NZS 4386 for domestic built-in assemblies) and follow WA Building and Energy guidance where applicable.
Materials and Finishes for Wardrobe Inner Drawers
Choose a finish that suits your lifestyle, budget and the local climate. Perth’s coastal air and summer heat favour durable, UV‑stable materials with robust edging.
- Melamine/Laminate — Tough, economical, low maintenance. Great for kids’ robes and rentals.
- 2‑pac polyurethane — Seamless, premium look; ideal for Hamptons and Shaker styles that echo your kitchen renovations Perth palette.
- Timber veneer — Natural texture with matching edge detail; a warm upgrade for master suites.
- Solid timber accents — Feature rails or tops for a boutique, furniture-like finish.
- Drawer hardware — Full-extension, soft-close runners; concealed undermounts for a clean look.
Finish comparison
| Finish | Appearance | Durability | Maintenance | Typical Price | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine/Laminate | Matte/textured decors | High scratch resistance | Wipe clean; very easy | $ | 2–4 weeks |
| 2‑pac Polyurethane | Matte–gloss, seamless | High; can chip if impacted | Gentle cleaning only | $$$ | 4–6+ weeks |
| Timber Veneer | Real timber grain | Moderate–high | Occasional polish | $$–$$$ | 4–6 weeks |
Layouts and Styles
Our wardrobe drawer units can mirror the look of your kitchen, scullery or laundry renovation for a consistent home style.
Popular layouts
- Hinged-door built-in with inner drawers — Streamlined, family-friendly, works in rooms with engineered stone benchtop dressing tables or study nooks.
- Walk-in robe tower — 4–6 drawer stack with overhead open shelves; pair with hanging rails and shoe pull-outs.
- Sliding-door robe with drawers — Inner drawers placed to clear door overlaps; ideal for compact Perth apartments.
- Wardrobe with chest of drawers — Feature handles, display top for accessories, and integrated LED strip lighting.
Style notes for Australian homes
- Hamptons/Shaker — 2‑pac Shaker fronts, satin nickel pulls; aligns with Shaker kitchen joinery.
- Contemporary — Flat fronts, finger-pull or push-to-open, matte black accents to match bathroom vanities.
- Coastal WA — Textured melamines and light oaks; humidity-resistant finishes near sea air.
Costs and Timelines in Perth
Pricing varies with size, finish and hardware. Indicative supply and install ranges (incl. GST):
- Inset wardrobe drawer unit (4 drawers, 600–900 mm wide): $1,100–$2,200 in melamine; $1,800–$3,200 in 2‑pac.
- Walk-in robe drawer tower (6 drawers, 800–1000 mm wide): $1,900–$3,800 melamine; $3,200–$5,500 premium finishes.
- Complete built-in upgrade with drawers, hanging and doors: $3,500–$10,000+ depending on width and doors (hinged vs sliding).
Typical lead times are 3–6 weeks from final sign-off. We coordinate with other trades during kitchen, laundry or bathroom works to minimise downtime.
WA Case Examples
Nedlands family home
To match a new Shaker kitchen, we installed a 900 mm-wide wardrobe drawer unit with 2‑pac fronts and soft-close inner drawers behind V‑groove doors. Result: seamless style across kitchen, laundry and master robe.
Scarborough apartment
A compact sliding-door built-in gained a 600 mm tower of drawers for built ins plus double hanging. Textured melamine kept costs down while improving daily access and resale appeal.
Practical Planning Checklist
- Measure internal width, depth (front to back) and clear door openings.
- List items to store: folded clothes, jewellery, tech, hosiery, shoes.
- Decide on inner drawers vs chest of drawers inside the wardrobe.
- Choose finishes to complement kitchen/bathroom cabinetry.
- Select handle style or go handleless finger-pull.
- Confirm soft-close hardware and full-extension runners.
- Consider lighting, mirrors and power for hairdryers or charging.
- Set a budget range and desired completion date.
FAQ
What size drawers fit a standard Australian built-in wardrobe?
Most built-ins are 580–620 mm deep. We typically design wardrobe inner drawers 430–500 mm deep and 400–900 mm wide, custom-sized to clear hinges, door tracks and skirtings.
Are inner drawers better than shelves in a wardrobe?
For small items and daily wear, yes. Inner drawers provide full-extension access and reduce stacking. We still recommend a mix: drawers for folded items and shelves for bulky jumpers or luggage.
What materials work best for wardrobe drawer units in WA?
Durable melamine/laminate for value and toughness; 2‑pac polyurethane for premium Shaker or Hamptons styles; timber veneer for warmth. All are edged and finished to handle Perth’s heat and coastal air.
How much does a custom wardrobe drawer unit cost in Perth?
A 4‑drawer insert typically ranges from $1,100–$2,200 in melamine and $1,800–$3,200 in 2‑pac, installed. Larger walk-in drawer towers start around $1,900 installed.
Can you add drawers to an existing built-in wardrobe?
Yes. We can retrofit a wardrobe drawer unit or a wardrobe with chest of drawers into most built-ins, adjusting for door tracks, power points and uneven walls common in renovations.
