How to Organise and Store Your Clothes in a Luxury Wardrobe

You’ve done up your bedroom, chosen a fabulous bed, found stylish bedside tables and eye-catching lighting, and have even created a cosy reading nook for those lazy Sunday afternoons when you just want a moment to yourself.

In fact, everything’s looking pretty much perfect… except for the clutter! Because the one thing you’re not absolutely sure about is how to organise and store your clothes in a luxury wardrobe. No problem at all! We’re here to help.

As experts in tailor-made cabinetry, we know exactly what’s needed to conceptualise, build, fit and kit out your wardrobe in order to mitigate the mess. And from jewellery drawers to revolving shoe racks, believe us, the solutions are endless.

So buckle up and let’s get down to business…

Tips for planning and designing your luxury wardrobe for optimal storage

If you live in a haphazard household where you’re constantly picking up after children and pets and still have to ensure that your belongings are in ship shape, the benefits of a luxury wardrobe are close to miraculous. We’ve even written an article on why you should have one.

But amongst all of these pros, one of the main advantages is that they’re customisable. And that means, whether you have a penchant for Chanel dresses, a fondness for fancy ties or invest in lots of bling, they can all be beautifully taken care of in their very own compartments.

How should you plan and design your wardrobe to accommodate everything and get the most out of your space? Here’s our advice: Assess your stuff!

Before you even begin, take a look at what you have and decide what you do and don’t want. This will give you a better idea of whether you need more hanging space or should focus on allocating the majority of the interior to a designer shoe rack instead.

Remember, if you’re sharing a custom wardrobe, you can’t hog it all to yourself, so figure out how you’re going to split it up equally. And yes, his collection of footie shirts and her feather boa does still count! Once that’s settled, it’s time to focus on your overall layout.

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How to use drawers and dividers in a luxury wardrobe

Drawers are one of the most efficient ways of keeping clothing, allowing you to make use of every inch of space. From belts and ties to anything you can fold including T-shirts, shorts, undies and your gym garb, they’re one of the key components to wardrobe design. Make sure you have enough of them!

If you want to take your drawer space a step further, add inserts or dividers. They’re the ideal way to store smaller items like watches and jewellery and will put an end to the annoyance of socks rolling around all over the place.

If you’re on a budget, rest easy, because inserts come in a range of materials from inexpensive plastic to natural wood with opulent velvet linings.

The advantage of hanging rails in a luxury wardrobe

Hanging space is key and can be configured as a single rail for full-length dresses and jumpsuits or as a double-railed compartment in which you can hang your pressed shirts and suits at the top and your trousers and much-coveted golf pants at the bottom. If it’s a unisex wardrobe you’re aiming for, you’ll definitely need both.

To save even more room, look into the option of installing a trouser rack. Not only do they store your pants neatly and efficiently, but many of them can be pulled out for easy access so that you don’t have to rummage through your entire wardrobe just to find your favourite pair of cargos.

 

Planning your open shelving in a luxury wardrobe

Open shelving is ideal for anything from shorts and bulky jumpers to more decorative items like books, baskets, handbags and hats.

If your wardrobe is glass-fronted, it’s important to keep them as tidy as possible, so think about adding some plastic dividers that will ensure that each pile stays separate and neat.

Finding room for accessories in your luxury wardrobe

Good storage is all about efficiency, so make every nook and cranny work as hard for you as possible.

Smart door hooks will take care of sunglasses, scarves and belts, while wire baskets hung below your shelf space are ideal for paperwork and files.

How to store shoes and ties in a luxury wardrobe

With so many new luxury wardrobe innovations available, shoes can be kept in a myriad of ways from revolving carousels and pigeonholes to smart pull-out drawers with heel supports. So if they’re your pride and joy and you simply have to have them on display, chat with us and we’ll run you through your options.

If you’re a metrosexual man, you’ll be happy to know that the same goes for tie racks. From behind-door rails to gorgeous made-to-measure shelving and everything in between, there are hundreds of ways to show off your collection in style.

 

What to do with floor space in a luxury wardrobe

Floor space is usually highly underestimated in wardrobe design but, if planned properly, can actually house a myriad of things that will make your life infinitely easier.

Shoe racks are an obvious choice and, if you opt for two or three ground-level rows, will sort out the usual messy pile without encroaching on your hanging rails.

Another idea is to install laundry bins. Pop in more than one, and you can colour-code your washing to make laundry day more efficient.

You could also purchase stackable sealed boxes with clear fronts so that you can see their contents at a glance. These can be used for a wide array of items including out-of-season garments, games and children’s toys. It’s a great way to keep them dust-free and ready for when you next need them.

Our professional designers recommend that you should be personally involved in your wardrobe layout. As a client, your ideas, style and needs count, so take the time to chat with your cabinet maker and ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for. Read our article on how to make a built-in wardrobe look better for some additional ideas.

The importance of good lighting in a luxury wardrobe

Having the right lighting in your luxury wardrobe is crucial and should be discussed at the planning stages. This will ensure that your joiner can install grooves inside your cupboard or run cables behind the backing so that they are both safe and out of sight.

Always take advantage of any natural lighting available and consider adding a skylight if you’re planning a walk-in wardrobe. Just remember that direct sunlight can do serious damage to some fabrics (especially those leather Louis Vuitton’s), so make sure you enlist the help of a professional when it comes to the perfect placement.

Also, be careful of what type of lighting you choose. Halogen options use gas to increase brightness, which produces a lot of heat. This makes them unsuitable for the interior of a wardrobe where sensitive items like perfumes are in close proximity.

Here are some luxury wardrobe lighting ideas that will spark your interest:

• LEDs are strong, energy-efficient, and generate relatively little heat. As they come in wireless formats and are super easy to install, you can position them anywhere. Motion sensor versions will turn on whenever you open your wardrobe doors and turn off as soon as you close them.
• Fluorescent lights are durable, cost-effective and run at the coolest temperature available, making them one of the most energy-efficient options.
• Ribbon lighting is a fantastic way to improve visibility in your drawers and hanging spaces and noticeably increases the overall brightness of your interiors.
• Put all your favourite things in the spotlight by installing puck lighting along the top edge of your cabinetry.
• Remote-controlled lights can be installed without any wiring and allow you to operate them at the touch of a button.

Before you make a final decision, take the size and space of your built-in wardrobe into consideration so that you have an idea of the number of lights and wattage needed. And remember, getting expert advice is always a good idea.

Why storing your clothing optimally is so important

If you’re a fan of Marie Kondo, you’ll know that there are two parts to storing things efficiently: Decluttering and good organisation. And both professional interior designers and masters of Feng Shui concur.

For those not already in the habit of turfing out their junk, this requires a new mindset where less is definitely a whole lot more. Hoarding leads to general unhappiness and a cluttered closet equals a chaotic mind. So, in essence, taking this giant leap will change your life.

Kondo believes that to create a balanced home, you should start with your clothing. If you’ve just installed a brand-new luxury wardrobe, we think that’s an excellent idea. Here are the guidelines:

Decluttering:

If you’re someone who shovels your belongings into deep, dark corners and can’t remember what you have, it’s time for a new approach:

• Pull the whole lot out, including the contents of your washing basket.
• Sort everything into categories - shoes, dresses, underwear etc.
• Figure out what you really need. This can be done by sectioning them into things you want to keep, donate, and throw out. Be brutal because let's face it, if you have 15 “little black numbers” and only go out once in a blue moon, it’s overkill.
• If you’re undecided, ask yourself: Do you love it? Do you wear it? Does it suit your image and style? If you’ve said “yes” to all three, put them in the keep pile. But if you haven’t worn something for years, it’s time to let it go.

Storing:

Your storage strategy will be affected by the layout of your wardrobe and how you choose to arrange your clothing in each section. Give careful thought to functionality and ease of use. These pointers will help you:

• Store like items together: coats with coats, shoes with shoes and so on.
• By figuring out where to put each grouping, you’ll be able to ascertain just how much space you need.
• Keep your most frequently worn items close at hand so that you can dress quickly and efficiently every day. The rest should be stored at the back of your wardrobe or on the upper shelves. These will include seasonal items and outfits that you only wear occasionally.
• Halloween costumes, ballgowns and the like can be popped into vacuum bags or sealed storage containers to protect them from gathering dust.

 

Efficient techniques for hanging and folding clothes in a luxury wardrobe

It may seem over the top, but your hanging and folding techniques can dictate how well you optimise your storage space. So if you feel that you’re not making the grade, do something different.

Hanging suggestions:

Organise your hanging rails by both category and colour, going from light to dark. The type of hanger you use will make the world of difference to your clothing – here’s a list:

• Only use padded satin- or fabric-coated hangers for blouses to ensure that they don’t snag or get damaged.
• Find velvet-coated hangers for tops with thin straps – this will stop them from slipping off.
• Keep dress shirts and jackets on wooden wishbone hangers that follow the shape of the shoulder. Make sure you fasten the button second from the top to ensure that the integrity of the collar is maintained.
• Pick hangers with shoulder grips for dresses or jumpsuits. If you need to fold them, use tissue paper between the folds to stop them from crushing.
• Find curved hangers for heavy coats and zip or button them up to keep the shape of the shoulders intact.
• Use hangers with waist clips, preferably padded with rubber, for skirts and trousers. If you can’t find any, it’s acceptable to fold your pants along the crease line and suspend them over a wooden hanger taking care to distribute their weight evenly.

Folding suggestions:

Clothes that don’t wrinkle easily can be stored on your shelves or in drawers. When it comes to the latter, they can either be stacked one on top of the other or compacted and packed horizontally so that you can access them more easily. Here are some no-fail folding techniques to help you do this:

• Socks: While most people roll socks together into a ball, it’s actually bad for the integrity of the material. Instead, place one on top of the other, fold them in half and then in half again. A drawer organiser will keep them neatly in place.
• Underwear: Lay them flat, facing upwards. Fold the crotch towards the middle and then fold them in half.
• Bras: Pushing one cup into the other is a no-no and will lessen their lifespan. Instead, fasten the back, lay them flat with the cups facing you and tuck the straps underneath. They can then be stored one on top of the other or side by side.
• T-shirts: Place them face-down on a counter and pull the sleeves in towards each other, making a crease at the shoulder. Next, fold the shirt in half with the front facing upwards or, if you want to follow the KonMari system, into thirds.
• Jeans: Make sure that they are zipped up and buttoned. Place them on a counter and smooth out all the creases. Fold them lengthwise and tuck the crotch in to make one continuous line. Then fold them in half if you’re going to hang them or in thirds if you decide to store them on a shelf.
• Jerseys: Lay them down on a flat surface. Fold the sleeves in towards each other making a crease at the shoulders, and then in half.

Cleaning and maintaining your luxury wardrobe

The more often you clean and maintain your luxury wardrobe, the easier it will be to keep it in order.

Make sure that the exterior is kept dust and grime free on a weekly basis and tidy up your drawers, shelves and hanging spaces once a month.

To avoid accumulating clutter, take everything out at least twice a year and throw away things that you no longer need or use.

Let FCI London build you the wardrobe of your dreams

When it comes to luxury wardrobes, we’re experts! So whether you’re looking for an opulent walk-in, some beautifully fitted corner cabinetry or would like something built around an awkward recess, you’ve come to the right place.

Get in touch with our top designers today or pop into our spectacular showroom and let us walk you through your options.

You can also take a peek at some of our latest projects for some added inspiration.