Plan a wardrobe that actually fits your clothing, your routine and your space. As a Perth-based wardrobe builder and custom cabinetry specialist, Joyce Kitchens helps homeowners design walk-ins and reach-ins that are beautiful, durable and easy to live with. Use this guide as your wardrobe layout planner to get proportions, materials, styles and costs right—first time.
Why plan your wardrobe layout?
A well-designed wardrobe is about more than hanging space. It should streamline mornings, keep garments in shape and integrate with your rooms like custom furniture. With a clear plan—supported by a professional wardrobe planner or online wardrobe design consult—you’ll avoid doors clashing, cramped shelves and wasted corners.
Joyce Kitchens designs and builds custom cabinetry WA-wide: wardrobes, shaker kitchens, bathroom vanities Perth, and laundry renovation storage. That cross-room experience means your new robe can match your kitchen’s engineered stone benchtop, your scullery’s organisation or your butler’s pantry finishes—creating a consistent, high-end look throughout your home.
Core planning insights and dimensions
Use these WA-tested rules of thumb when sketching your wardrobe in plan before we convert it into a 3D wardrobe design tool model.
Essential dimensions (Australia)
- Internal depth: 600 mm for hanging; 450–500 mm works for shelves, shoes and folded items.
- Hanging: 900–1000 mm drop for shirts; 1300–1500 mm drop for dresses and coats. Allow 40–50 mm between hanger and door.
- Shelves: 350–450 mm deep; 250–300 mm vertical spacing for folded clothes; 180–220 mm for shoes.
- Drawers: 400–500 mm deep; 150–250 mm high. Soft-close runners (e.g., Blum) feel premium and last.
- Clearances: 900 mm walkway in a walk-in robe is comfortable; 1000–1100 mm feels luxe.
- Door swing: allow full arc plus 100 mm; sliding doors need 100 mm track allowance.
Accessory planning
- Pull-down hangers: great for tall ceilings and accessibility.
- Valet rails and tie/belt racks: maximise narrow reveals.
- LED strip lighting: add under-shelf lights at 2700–3000K for warm ambience.
- Shoe drawers vs angled shelves: drawers keep dust off; shelves maximise visibility.
- Mirrored sliding doors: visually expand small rooms; hinged mirrors suit classical rooms.
Real-world WA examples
Case 1 — Cottesloe coastal home: A narrow walk-in got 600 mm hanging one side and 400 mm shelves the other, leaving a 1000 mm walkway. LED trims and soft-close drawers made it feel boutique.
Case 2 — Mt Lawley heritage: We matched a shaker kitchen profile on hinged wardrobe doors, finished in satin 2-pack. A central dresser captures natural light with a stone-topped makeup station.
Our renovation + build process
- Measure + brief: We map your space, inventory your clothing and agree on styles and budget.
- Design in 3D: Your wardrobe planner models options using our professional wardrobe design tool with accurate sizes, clearances and finishes.
- Specification + quote: We finalise hardware (Blum/Häfele), finishes (Polytec/Laminex), lighting and doors.
- Craft + install: Perth-built cabinetry, installed by experienced fitters who understand WA homes.
- Aftercare: Practical guidance on cleaning, adjustment and future add-ons.
We follow good-practice cabinetry principles aligned with Australian expectations and, where applicable, relevant AS/NZS cabinetry standards. We also recommend working with HIA or Master Builders members for renovations touching walls/floors. See HIA and Master Builders WA for homeowner advice.
Materials and finishes
Your choice of finishes affects look, durability and budget. For wardrobes, internals are typically melamine, with doors in melamine, vinyl wrap, 2-pack or timber veneer. Walk-in dressers can borrow from kitchen finishes—think an engineered stone benchtop on a central island for jewellery or folding.
Comparison: Common wardrobe door and panel finishes
| Finish | Look + Styles | Durability | Maintenance | Typical Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine / Laminated board | Huge colour/texture range; matte or woodgrain | High scratch resistance | Easy wipe-down | $ (budget-friendly) | Internals; modern slab doors; rentals |
| 2-pack polyurethane | Premium smooth paint; can do Shaker profiles | Excellent; repairable | Gentle care recommended | $$–$$$ | Shaker/Hamptons; colour-matched schemes |
| Timber veneer | Natural grain warmth, timeless | Good with proper sealing | Periodic care | $$$ | Premium walk-ins; feature walls |
WA notes
- Heat and sun: West-facing bedrooms get hot—choose fade-resistant finishes and consider UV films on windows.
- Stone in wardrobes: If adding a dressing island, select robust, low-maintenance engineered stone. Coordinate with your kitchen’s benchtop for cohesion.
- Hardware: Soft-close hinges and runners from Blum/Häfele perform reliably in Perth’s climate swings.
Popular wardrobe layouts and styles
Layouts
- Reach-in robe: 600 mm deep with sliding or hinged doors; best for secondary bedrooms.
- Walk-in robe (WIR): U- or L-shape with double hanging, drawers, a mirror wall and optional dresser.
- Dressing room: Island drawers with an engineered stone benchtop, glass-top jewellery trays and perimeter hanging.
- Alcove robe: Built into niche walls; custom heights for period homes with tall ceilings.
Styles
- Shaker/Hamptons: 2-pack profiled doors, classic handles; pairs beautifully with a shaker kitchen.
- Contemporary slab: Super-matte melamine, push-to-open or slim pull handles.
- Warm timber: Veneer doors with integrated pulls; LED accents for boutique feel.
- Mirrored minimal: Sliding mirror panels to bounce light and increase perceived space.
The practical checklist
- List garments: long-hang vs short-hang, folded items, shoes, bags, accessories.
- Measure room: width, depth, ceiling height, skirting/cornices, power points.
- Choose door type: sliding for tight rooms; hinged for full access and classic looks.
- Allocate zones: everyday front-and-centre; seasonal up high or to the side.
- Lighting: plan power for LEDs and a dressing mirror.
- Future-proof: allow adjustable shelves and a spare double-hang bay.
- Coordinate finishes with your kitchen, laundry and vanities for a cohesive home.
Costs and budgeting in Perth
Ballpark figures to help plan. Every home differs; final pricing depends on size, materials and hardware.
- Reach-in wardrobe (sliding or hinged): from approx. $1,800–$4,500+ GST.
- Walk-in robe (custom): from approx. $5,500–$12,000+ GST; dressing islands add $2,000–$6,000.
- Doors: Melamine sliding from ~$1,000 per opening; 2-pack hinged from ~$200–$350 per door; mirrored panels add cost.
- Accessories: Pull-outs, lighting and glass drawers can add $500–$2,000+ depending on scope.
- Installation: Included in most Joyce Kitchens quotes within metro Perth; regional travel POA.
If you’re renovating multiple spaces (e.g., kitchen renovations Perth, bathroom renovations and wardrobes), bundling can be cost-effective and ensures matching finishes across rooms.
FAQ
How do I plan the perfect wardrobe layout?
Start by listing what you own, then allocate space: double-hang for shirts and jackets, long-hang for dresses, drawers for intimates, shelves for knits and a dedicated shoe zone. Aim for 600 mm internal depth for hanging, 350–450 mm for shelves, and at least a 900 mm walkway in a WIR. Choose sliding doors in tight rooms and hinged doors where you want full access.
What is the ideal wardrobe depth in Australia?
For hanging clothes, 600 mm internal depth is ideal to prevent sleeves and hangers from hitting doors. For shelves and shoes, 450–500 mm is comfortable. If space is tight, a 550 mm hanging depth can work with slim hangers, but 600 mm is the safer standard.
Sliding vs hinged wardrobe doors—which is better?
Sliding doors save space and suit narrow rooms; mirrored sliders also brighten and enlarge the look of a bedroom. Hinged doors provide full access to each bay, suit Shaker or heritage styles and make internal drawers easier to use. If you have room for door swing, hinged offers the most flexibility.
How much does a custom wardrobe cost in Perth?
As a guide, reach-in robes typically range from $1,800–$4,500+ and custom walk-ins from $5,500–$12,000+, depending on size, finishes (melamine vs 2-pack vs veneer), lighting and accessories. Dressing islands and mirrored doors increase the investment.
Can I add a stone-topped dresser to my walk-in robe?
Yes. Many Perth clients add a compact dresser or island with an engineered stone benchtop for durability and easy cleaning. It pairs beautifully with soft-close drawers and glass jewellery trays to create a boutique feel.
Plan your wardrobe with Joyce Kitchens
Whether you need a streamlined reach-in or a luxury walk-in dressing room, our Perth designers will turn your ideas into a practical, beautiful solution. We’ll translate your wardrobe layout planner sketch into a detailed online wardrobe design with finishes to match your kitchen, vanity or laundry.
Ready to get started? Contact Joyce Kitchens for a consultation and 3D design proposal.