There’s no point investing in a freestanding wardrobe if you’re not in the market to make a statement. Forget the glossy white Ikea cabinets of bygone student days, the home of an adult requires thoughtful and deliberate furnishings.
The freestanding wardrobe is a surprisingly versatile home accessory. An invaluable tool for crafting a vintage-inspired interior, you’ll be surprised by just how effective the placing of an elegant and expertly crafted armoire is when it comes to completing a space.
Not only do they serve to store and protect your clothes, but flat-topped wardrobes offer remarkable decorative real-estate for everything from your collection of vintage hats to vases filled to the brim with beautiful, dried blooms.
Your clothes represent your individuality and by proxy a large portion of your identity, choosing where to store those precious garments is no simple task. After all, the origins of the word ‘wardrobe’ come from the Old French ‘garderobe’ – with ‘garde’ meaning to keep or guard and ‘robe’ being a broad noun for garments.
What to consider before purchasing a freestanding wardrobe
Do you prefer to hang or fold clothes? Or both?
Consider whether you’d like your wardrobe to offer split storage styles, with one half featuring shelves and the other half a sizeable hanging rail. Women tend to own longer garments which require hanging space, while men are normally content with folding their jeans and T-shirts into drawers and shelves. Of course, no two individuals are the same – and some may simply prefer to hang all their garments.
Do you need space for longer garments?
Freestanding wardrobes with bottom drawers are all well and good, but those with a hefty collection of longer garments may prefer to utilise the full space – leaving the drawers to a different piece of furniture altogether.
Without further ado, we’ve curated a selection of the most stylish free-standing wardrobes available to purchase in the UK. Keep scrolling for stylish storage.
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Sandon Cabinet
This timeless deep acacia wood cabinet by Swoon stirs up a myriad of cultural references. From minimalist Scandinavian design, to classic Japanese shoji, to the timber panelling which was common throughout the Tudor period, this armoire is sure to add some beautiful depth to your space no matter your chosen aesthetic. We simply adore the large plinth-style base and the spacious, quartered interior.
Buy now £799.00, Swoon
Bayuban Cabinet – Natural
This gorgeous, sturdy wardrobe from Oka is handcrafted with bayur wood and delicately woven metal which remarkably resembles a rattan finish. Adaptable to your storage needs, the interior contains three adjustable and removable shelves as well as a hanging rail. The assorted fittings make it suitable for any room in the house, whether it be the formal dining room, mud room or master bedroom.
Buy now £2995.00, Oka
Vintage Uniflex Walnut A Range Mid Century Wardrobe
A rare find worth snapping up before it’s gone, this vintage Uniflex wardrobe is a breathtaking mid-century modern piece. Crafted from walnut wood, the cabinet has been lovingly restored and measures a sizeable 124.5 x 179 x 56cm. While only the right side contains a hanging rail and shelf, this vintage piece is being offered at such a competitive price that we’d recommend purchasing additional fittings and DIY-ing the rest.
Buy now £450.00, Etsy
Vintage Painted Pine Armoire/Wardrobe with Inlaid Chinoiserie Panels
A one-of-a-kind piece for a truly unique home, this painted pine wardrobe features four delicate and shimmering chinoiserie panels depicting birds and flowers. Offered in excellent vintage condition, it comes equipped with a working lock and key and an internal hanging rail. Fear not, for no tools are needed when it comes to assembling this masterpiece. Realised in a classic knock-down style, the parts simply slot together.
Buy now £1800.00, Etsy
Toulouse Wardrobe
Embody the spirit of the French countryside with this vintage-inspired wardrobe by Cox & Cox. Adorned with fabulous decorative details right down to the feet, it’s a storage solution fit for a true romantic. Crafted from solid mahogany, it includes a hanging rail and a spacious bottom drawer.
Buy now £2995.00, Cox & Cox
So’Home Nashik 2 Door Mirrored Wardrobe
Complete with two large mirrors for daily outfit checks, this brilliant wardrobe from So’Home is made from delicate yet Mindy wood. Lightly brushed to recreate a natural ageing effect, it looks as though it’s been plucked straight from a coastal paradise. The internal hanging rail and self are also crafted from Mindy wood for a flush design.
Buy now £1799.10, La Redoute
Melia Light Oak Wardrobe with Drawers
This lovely armoire is complete with intricate panelling which almost creates an optical illusion. It has been crafted from white cedar wood and the interior hanging space features a removable, matching rail. The wardrobe has a waxed finish to prevent the wood from suffering any nasty bumps or bruises.
Buy now £999.99, Fishe & Lilly
Ikea Besta
Offered in an array of styles, the Ikea Besta wardrobe is a versatile piece of furniture. We love how the doors blend seamlessly into the panelled design, making it almost impossible to tell where they open. The top two panels can be gently pushed open to reveal a set of two generous shelves, while the bottom panel offers a set of handy drawers. Both the shelves and hinges are adjustable depending on your storage requirements.
Buy now £410.00, Ikea
Bisley Fern Maxi
Locker units are a stylish addition to any contemporary space. Bisley’s brilliant Fern range is available in a vast selection of powder-coated finishes – from Bisley pink to lilac and olive green. A tethering kit is supplied with your purchase to prevent your new wardrobe from accidentally tipping and a five-year warranty is offered on this unique and modern piece of furniture.
Buy now £410.00, Bisley
Greta Solid teak Wardrobe
You had us at ready-assembled, Tikamoon. This minimalist, Scandi-style wardrobe is made from natural and sustainable teak. Boasting a generous storage capacity, it comprises two hanging rails, a series of drawers and two top shelves. While the internal fixtures aren’t adjustable, we think they’ve been designed in such a way that you won’t need to change them.
Buy now £1999.00, Tikamoon
