Should Walk-In Wardrobes Have Doors? Expert Suggestions

Written by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Aziz, Interior Architect at FCI London
Edited by: Zoona Sikander, Head of Content

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

TLDR: The choice between walk in wardrobes with or without doors reflects personal lifestyle preferences and design priorities. Doorless options create openness, improve accessibility, and showcase collections like high-end boutiques, while doors provide dust protection, privacy, and sophisticated concealment. Consider your space constraints, maintenance preferences, and aesthetic vision when making this rather important decision for your luxury wardrobe design.

Table of Contents

• What are the pros and cons of walk in wardrobes with doors?
• How to choose the right doors for your walk in wardrobe
• Tips for maintaining your doorless walk in wardrobe
• Shop custom walk in wardrobes at FCI London
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Visit Our Showroom
• Conclusion
• Customer Reviews

The most revealing question in luxury interior design isn't about marble versus travertine, or whether your sofa should face the fireplace. It's this: should your walk in wardrobe have doors? This deceptively simple decision exposes everything about how you live, what you value, and whether you view your dressing room as theatre or sanctuary.

For discerning homeowners across London's finest postcodes, the door debate cuts straight to the heart of contemporary living. Do you embrace the gallery-like transparency that turns getting dressed into performance art, or do you prefer the controlled reveal of opening beautifully crafted doors to unveil your carefully curated collection? Interior designers working with luxury residential clients know this choice shapes entire bedroom suites, reflecting their clients' deepest preferences about privacy, display, and daily ritual.

The answer, refreshingly, isn't found in building regulations or design doctrine. Instead, it lies in understanding your own relationship with space, possessions, and the subtle choreography of morning routines. Whether you're planning your first bespoke walk in wardrobe or reimagining an existing space, this guide reveals the considerations that separate merely expensive storage from truly exceptional design.

What are the Pros and Cons of Walk in Wardrobes with Doors?

If you're rather fond of tradition and appreciate the concept of having doors on your walk in, I certainly won't attempt to dissuade you. However, there are numerous compelling reasons why an open concept might work brilliantly, particularly if you maintain a rather busy lifestyle.

The Pros

Naturally, the limitations of one option highlight the advantages of the other, so to properly weigh both sides, let's examine the advantages of a wardrobe without doors:

Optimal visibility: For many of us, the primary purpose of a walk in wardrobe is to openly display our belongings, enabling effortless outfit selection and organisation. If you're a devotee of haute couture, showcasing your collection (especially to impressed friends) is rather a significant advantage.

Space-saving: By eliminating doors, particularly the hinged variety, you gift yourself additional floor space, a tremendous benefit if you're working with a more modest-sized room.

One less thing to fix: The absence of doors also eliminates the spatial requirements for door swing, allowing for more efficient use of available square footage - particularly valuable in London's premium properties where every inch commands attention.

Promotes openness: Having no doors makes your space appear less contained, which fosters a sense of openness, creates flow, and lends an illusion of grandeur to even the most compact spaces.

Reduces spending: The fewer fixtures required, the lower the cost, so if you're working with a somewhat restrictive budget, going doorless is a rather sensible option.

Increases airflow: Air circulation is key if you wish to prevent your clothing and shoes from falling victim to dampness and mould, making open-plan designs an ideal choice.

Aesthetic impact: While this is highly subjective, many people find that open wardrobes are more visually appealing, lending your home a trendy, contemporary look that's quite in vogue.

The Cons

While all of these benefits are rather splendid, there are some equally compelling arguments for including doors for walk in wardrobe designs. Here they are:

Dust prevention: Enclosed wardrobes contain the inevitable dust, humidity, and light fluctuations that can affect delicate fabrics. Your cashmere collection, silk scarves, and leather goods benefit from the more controlled environment that doors provide, extending their lifespan and maintaining their appearance. Follow our discussion around whether clothes get dusty in a walk in wardrobe to learn more.

Extra security: Doors will enable you to lock away your valuables and keep them safe, so if security is a concern in your household, I would suggest you consider this route.

Privacy and clutter concealment: If you're somewhat uncomfortable with having your possessions on display at all times or find it challenging to maintain perfect organisation, being able to conceal your clothing behind elegant walk-in wardrobe doors is absolutely first prize.

Design cohesion: When doors are included in a walk in wardrobe design, they present opportunities for architectural distinction that can enhance your bedroom's overall design narrative. The door style, material, and hardware become integral components of your room's aesthetic rather than mere functional necessities.

Temperature regulation: Keeping your wardrobe closed will help control its internal temperature, which plays an essential role in safeguarding delicate fabrics and materials from any form of environmental damage.

Time efficiency: Maintaining your clothing collection in perfect order is rather time-consuming and can be inconvenient if you lead a busy life. This lends the appeal of hiding everything behind closed doors extra validity for many of my clients.

Key Takeaway: Doorless wardrobes offer boutique-style visibility and spatial efficiency, whilst doors provide dust protection and sophisticated concealment. Your choice should reflect how you actually live rather than following design trends.

How to Choose the Right Doors for Your Walk in Wardrobe

If you've carefully considered the pros and cons and have decided that walk in wardrobe doors are indeed for you, the next consideration is which type to select. Here are some guidelines from our expert design team:

• Ensure you strike a harmonious balance between functionality and style; both elements are equally important.
• Take your spatial constraints into careful consideration. Begin by taking precise measurements - this will help you make a more informed decision about which door style will work best.
• Sliding doors are a brilliant choice for smaller spaces, while hinged doors require a fair amount of room for clearance but offer a more classic aesthetic that many find appealing.
• When selecting materials, consider the overall aesthetic you're aiming to achieve and choose something within that design language. Sleek panels in neutral colours are an excellent choice if you adore minimalism, wood finishes offer a more traditional feel, and glass or mirrored doors for walk in wardrobe designs are modern and elegantly sophisticated. View our gorgeous Palo Alto walk in by MisuraEmme for some rather inspiring design ideas.
• All reflective surfaces will help to create a sense of expanded space - particularly useful in more compact rooms.
• If you're after some privacy but need to optimise natural light, I would recommend using tinted glass for a sophisticated solution.
• Remember to include soft-close mechanisms on hinged doors to prevent slamming and protect both the doors and your peace of mind.
• Door hardware presents opportunities for considered detailing that reflects your aesthetic preferences. Whether you favour discrete push-to-open mechanisms that maintain clean lines or elaborate period-appropriate handles that serve as decorative focal points, the choice should align with your broader design vision.
• Be mindful of your colour palette and ensure that it complements the rest of your room for a cohesive look.
• Torn between having doors and an open-plan concept? Then perhaps balance the best of both worlds by installing walk in wardrobe doors on the entranceway and leaving the interior cabinetry exposed for a hybrid approach.

Key Takeaway: Balance functionality with aesthetics by considering your spatial constraints first, then selecting door styles and materials that enhance your bedroom's design narrative. Hardware, finishes, and mechanisms should align with your broader vision whilst serving practical requirements.

Tips for Maintaining Your Doorless Walk in Wardrobe

There's absolutely no need for doors if your wardrobe without doors is beautifully organised, clutter-free and well-maintained. These tips will help you achieve precisely that:

• Sort your possessions into logical categories to keep things neat. This approach will also enable you to find items at a glance - rather useful on busy mornings.
• Take stock of your garments, shoes and accessories regularly and part with items you no longer need or wear. This mitigates overcrowding and keeps things looking beautifully curated, much like a high-end boutique.
• Use baskets, bins, tie racks, and jewellery drawers to keep smaller items from becoming a visual disaster. Take a look at the Scenario walk-in by Jesse for some rather brilliant customisation ideas.
• Dust and vacuum your entire wardrobe regularly to prevent dirt from accumulating on your precious garments.
• Arrange your clothing by colour to produce an aesthetically pleasing display. This will facilitate the coordination of your outfits each morning, making getting dressed for the day more efficient and less stressful.
• Invest in uniform, durable hangers and ensure they're all the same colour for a cohesive, boutique-like appearance.
• Personalise your space with art, plants, ornaments, a gorgeous chandelier, cosy armchairs and anything else that adds to its aesthetic beauty and makes the space truly yours.

Key Takeaway: A doorless wardrobe requires disciplined curation and regular maintenance to maintain its boutique aesthetic. Strategic storage accessories, colour coordination, and consistent decluttering transform open storage from potential chaos into gallery-worthy display.

Custom Walk in Wardrobes at FCI London

Whether you opt for walk-in wardrobe doors or prefer a wardrobe without doors is ultimately a matter of personal preference and lifestyle requirements. My advice? Carefully weigh all the pros and cons we've discussed and trust your instincts.

For expert guidance on creating the perfect fitted wardrobe solution, get in touch with our specialist design team today. We've been conceptualising, crafting and installing custom cabinetry for over three decades and have all the expertise you need to create the wardrobe of your dreams.

Or, if you'd prefer to see some samples in person, do pop into our showroom for a glass of champagne and a guided tour - we're open seven days a week and would be delighted to help you explore the possibilities for your space.

Key Takeaway: Trust your instincts after weighing the practical considerations, as the right choice serves your lifestyle rather than design convention. Our specialist team brings three decades of bespoke cabinetry expertise to help you create a wardrobe that perfectly balances your requirements with your vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do walk-in wardrobes need doors?
No, walk in wardrobes do not require doors unless specified by personal preference or specific design goals. Doors offer benefits like dust protection and visual tidiness, while going doorless promotes openness and accessibility - both approaches are entirely valid for luxury wardrobe design.

What are the advantages of sliding versus hinged wardrobe doors?
Sliding doors are brilliant for compact spaces as they don't require clearance and maximise floor space efficiency. Hinged doors offer full cabinet access and classic elegance, but need adequate swing room - the choice depends on your spatial constraints and aesthetic preferences.

How do I maintain proper organisation in a doorless walk in wardrobe?
Regular decluttering, colour-coordinated arrangement, uniform hangers, and strategic storage accessories are essential. Weekly dusting and seasonal wardrobe reviews keep everything looking polished and boutique-ready for discerning homeowners.

Can I combine open and closed storage in one walk in wardrobe design?
Absolutely - hybrid designs offer the best of both worlds by featuring doors on the entrance while leaving interior sections open for display. This approach provides concealed storage for clutter while showcasing your finest pieces beautifully.

Visit Our Showroom

Address & Hours:
FCI London, Rays House, North Circular Road, London, NW10 7XP
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 11am - 5pm

Contact Details:
Phone: +442081531235
Email: [email protected]

What to Bring:

• Room dimensions and measurements
• Floor plans or room layout sketches
• Current room photos from multiple angles
• Budget range and timeline
• Style preferences and inspiration images
• Details of existing furniture you want to keep

Conclusion

The door debate ultimately reveals more about your lifestyle than your design preferences. Whether you choose the gallery-like transparency of an open wardrobe or the controlled elegance of beautifully crafted doors, the decision should serve how you actually live rather than adhering to design doctrine. Our team at FCI London has spent three decades helping discerning clients navigate precisely these choices, creating bespoke solutions that balance practical requirements with aesthetic vision.

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