The Complete Guide to Buying a Double Wardrobe Online

Buying a double wardrobe online comes down to three things done properly: measuring the space and the route to it, reading the specification rather than the photographs, and planning the interior before you order. Get those right and buying online is straightforward. Skip any one of them and you will discover the problem after the boxes arrive.

A double wardrobe is the most common size in British homes, typically between 900mm and 1200mm wide, and it suits a standard double bedroom well. Below is everything worth checking before you commit.

Step one: measure the space

Take four measurements and write them down.

Wall width. Measure at floor level, at around 1m, and near the ceiling. Older properties settle and walls are rarely parallel. Use the narrowest figure. Then subtract at least 20mm as working tolerance, because a wardrobe that fits exactly is a wardrobe you cannot get into position.

Ceiling height. Measure at both ends of the wall. Then check the assembled height of the wardrobe against the diagonal clearance you will need to tilt the carcass upright during assembly. In rooms with ceilings under 2.4m this is the most common cause of a wardrobe that cannot be built in the room it was bought for. Some designs are assembled standing up, which avoids the problem entirely, so check the instructions.

Clearance in front. Hinged doors need roughly their own width to open fully. On a double wardrobe that is around 450mm to 600mm per door. Stand in the space and imagine reaching in with a coat over your arm.

Skirting and obstructions. Most wardrobes sit in front of the skirting board, which pushes them into the room by 15mm to 25mm. Check for radiators, sockets, light switches and the swing of the bedroom door.

Step two: measure the route

This is the step people skip. Flat pack delivery solves most access issues, but the cartons for a double wardrobe are long and heavy, and the door panels in particular do not bend.

Measure the narrowest point of the route: the front door, the hallway, the turn at the bottom and top of the stairs, and the bedroom doorway. Compare that against the packed carton dimensions in the product specification, not the assembled dimensions.

Check the number of cartons too. A double wardrobe usually arrives in two or three, and knowing that in advance avoids concern when one van delivers what looks like an incomplete order.

Step three: read the specification properly

Photographs tell you what a wardrobe looks like. The specification tells you how long it will last. Look for the following.

• External and internal dimensions. Both. Internal depth determines whether hangers sit square, and you need around 550mm clear for that. A wardrobe with 600mm external depth is usually fine. One at 500mm will force angled hanging.
• Board thickness. 16mm to 18mm is the standard for reliable construction. Thinner boards flex and fixings work loose.
• Back panel. A thicker back that slots into a groove keeps the carcass square. A thin hardboard back stapled on is the weak point in most budget wardrobes.
• Hanging rail. Metal, ideally oval section. Check whether a centre support is included on wider units.
• Hinges. Concealed and adjustable is what you want, with soft close as a worthwhile upgrade.
• Wall fixing. Confirm an anti tip strap or bracket is supplied. Every tall wardrobe should be fixed to the wall.
• Weight. A heavier unit generally means thicker board. It is a crude indicator but a useful one.

Step four: choose the right configuration

Double wardrobes are not all the same inside, and the internal layout affects daily use far more than the finish does.

Full hanging. A single rail across the full width with a shelf above. Simple, spacious, and suited to people who hang most of their clothing including long coats and dresses.

Hanging plus shelving. One bay of hanging, one bay of shelves. More flexible, though it halves the hanging width, so measure how much rail you actually use before choosing this.

Hanging plus drawers. Convenient if the room has no space for a separate chest. Less efficient in volume terms than an external chest, so if you do have floor space, a standalone modern chest of drawers UK sale gives you more storage overall.

Double hanging. Two stacked rails, roughly doubling capacity for shirts, jackets and folded trousers. Excellent if you own few long items.

Also consider whether you want a mirrored door. On a double wardrobe, one mirrored door and one plain is often the best balance: you get the light return and a full length mirror without a wall of reflection facing the bed.

It is worth looking across the whole modern 2 door wardrobes UK sale range to compare layouts, since the same external size can house very different interiors.

Step five: judge the finish from a screen

Colour on a screen is unreliable. A few habits reduce the risk.

Look for photographs taken in different lighting conditions, and give more weight to images showing the wardrobe in a room than to studio shots on white, which flatten colour.

Read the finish description carefully. Matt, satin and gloss behave very differently with light. Woodgrain effect and real veneer are not the same thing, and both are legitimate, but they age differently.

If the room already has timber furniture, note that matching wood tones exactly across ranges is very difficult. Choosing a deliberately different but complementary tone usually looks better than a near miss.

Step six: plan the assembly

Allow two people and a clear afternoon. Unpack everything and check the part count against the instructions before you start, which is much easier than discovering a missing dowel halfway through.

Work on a soft surface such as the flattened cardboard so you do not scratch the panels. Use the adjustable feet and a spirit level to bring the unit true before fitting the doors, since door alignment depends entirely on a level carcass.

Fix the wardrobe to the wall before loading it. Locate studs in plasterboard rather than relying on plugs alone.

Step seven: know what happens if it is wrong

Check the delivery details and the returns position before ordering, and inspect the cartons on arrival for damage. Photograph anything that looks compromised before opening.

We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days, which is enough time to check components thoroughly. Inspect before assembling, because a partially built wardrobe is considerably harder to deal with than a boxed one.

Our full bedroom range, including matching bedside and drawer pieces, is available across the modern bedroom furniture UK collection, and you can browse everything at Furniture in Fashion. If a double proves too small once you have measured, the wider modern wardrobes UK sale selection covers larger and sliding formats.

Frequently asked questions

How wide is a standard double wardrobe?

Usually between 900mm and 1200mm, with a depth of around 580mm to 600mm and a height between 1800mm and 2000mm. Always check the specific product dimensions, as ranges vary.

How much hanging space do two people need?

A single double wardrobe is tight for two unless one person owns very little. As a rough guide, allow around 600mm of rail per person for everyday clothing, more if you own several coats or suits.

What depth does a wardrobe need to be?

Around 550mm of clear internal depth so a coat hanger sits square across the rail. Anything shallower forces clothes to hang at an angle, which crushes shoulders and reduces usable capacity.

Should I choose flat pack or assembled?

Flat pack is almost always the practical choice for upstairs rooms, narrow hallways and turning staircases. Assembled delivery is only worth considering when the access route is generous and straight.

Do I really need to fix the wardrobe to the wall?

Yes. Tall furniture can tip, particularly when drawers are open or if children climb. Anti tip fixings take a few minutes and are supplied with most units.