Open the pages of any glossy magazine, or scour Pinterest, and you’ll soon come across a beautiful celebrity draped on a chair in her impressive walk-in wardrobe.
Usually stacked high with Louboutin heels, rows of designer dresses (colour-coded, of course) and custom drawers filled with jewellery, the celebrity dressing room is now the dream of every fashionista.
The stunning dressing rooms of the Kardashians, Oprah Winfrey, Fergie and Christina Aguilera all have the wow factor – Khloe Kardashian even has her own separate fitness wear wardrobe.
Walk-in wardrobes. Picture: Eurolife
Reproducing the fantasy dressing room in the average home is not always possible, but according to Marina Mirkina from Eurolife, there are a few important things to consider before you start.
1. Space
You may want a wardrobe to rival Oprah’s, but what if you only live in a small apartment or house?
“Be realistic and that will give you a clear idea of what you can and can’t do,” Mirkina says.
While it may be tempting to push into a bedroom’s space, Mirkina says it’s important to consider the resale value of the house and what future owners may want.
“Don’t encroach on the bedroom – overcompensating on (wardrobe) space is not always the best idea.”
2. Style
Think about the style of your whole house. If you live in a rustic Californian bungalow, a glittering dressing room may seem out of place.
“The style of the wardrobe should always complement the rest of your home,” Mirkina says.
Women’s shoes have different storage requirements. Picture: Eurolife
3. Men vs women
A custom-designed wardrobe for a man will definitely have different considerations than a woman’s.
“When you design a men’s wardrobe, they don’t require the same ‘lengthy’ space,” Mirkina says. “They don’t have long dresses, so you will be able to install double hanging space in the wardrobe for jackets, trousers and shirts.”
Women’s shoes require different storage requirements – boots, flat shoes and heels need different sorts of shelving, but men’s shoes are usually the same.
While men and women will both make use of specialist drawers, boxes and nooks, they will be used differently.
Men will need space for ties, cufflinks and watches, while women will need more space for jewellery and scarves.
4. Get inspired
Consider the style of your house before installing a wardrobe. Picture: Eurolife
“There’s a lot of inspiration on the internet,” Mirkina says.
“Shop around and find some solutions you may not have thought of before. You can even get inspiration from stores – we have people who want us to replicate the look of a Chanel or Louis Vuitton store.”
Originally published as 5 tips for planning the ultimate fantasy wardrobe by Carla Danaher. Author at realestate.com.au
