12 Ideas on How to Store Your Luxury Wardrobe in Singapore
A fashion editor shares her tips for storing luxury brand bags, shoes and clothes in small spaces
Niki Bruce
23 December 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
Lovers of luxury fashion and accessories in Singapore are always bemoaning the fact that they just don’t have enough room for all their lovely things. Not many of us can afford to have a huge walk-in wardrobe built especially for our swish bags, shoes and clothes.
But don’t panic! There are ways to store your luxury leather good and glamorous gowns in small Singapore apartments… Here are some of my suggestions.
But don’t panic! There are ways to store your luxury leather good and glamorous gowns in small Singapore apartments… Here are some of my suggestions.
1. Think of the light
This fabulous walk-in dressing room is how we’d all like to store our luxury items, but unless you can give up an additional bedroom in your apartment, it’s not likely to happen. If you are one of those who has space to spare, think about how often you use your favourite items and make sure they can be easily accessed. It’s better not to have a window in the room – Singapore’s harsh sunlight can cause your clothes to fade – but do put in quality lighting that shows true colours, and of course a full-length mirror is a must.
10 Things to Consider When Designing a Wardrobe
This fabulous walk-in dressing room is how we’d all like to store our luxury items, but unless you can give up an additional bedroom in your apartment, it’s not likely to happen. If you are one of those who has space to spare, think about how often you use your favourite items and make sure they can be easily accessed. It’s better not to have a window in the room – Singapore’s harsh sunlight can cause your clothes to fade – but do put in quality lighting that shows true colours, and of course a full-length mirror is a must.
10 Things to Consider When Designing a Wardrobe
2. Protect and display
Should you hang your luxury brand handbags? Or should you store them sitting on a flat surface?
According my friend, a Fendi expert, you should store your bags the way they are displayed in-store – they must sit on a flat surface, stuffed with just enough acid-free paper to keep the bag’s shape. It’s important not to allow the bag to either sag, or bulge.
In this display storage space, the bags are being kept behind protective glass and the collection has been turned into a piece of wall art in the bedroom. I love the way the colours pop amidst the grey.
Should you hang your luxury brand handbags? Or should you store them sitting on a flat surface?
According my friend, a Fendi expert, you should store your bags the way they are displayed in-store – they must sit on a flat surface, stuffed with just enough acid-free paper to keep the bag’s shape. It’s important not to allow the bag to either sag, or bulge.
In this display storage space, the bags are being kept behind protective glass and the collection has been turned into a piece of wall art in the bedroom. I love the way the colours pop amidst the grey.
3. Open or enclosed?
Should you hide your luxury bags in a cupboard? Probably not. Luxury brands also recommend that you keep handbags in their dust bag and leave them where air can circulate. I always keep my bags on open shelves. If the bag is too tall to stand-up, I lie it down - always on the side that does not have any metal hardware; if you leave it lying on the wrong side the metal will imprint onto the leather.
Get it in the Bag: Storage Tips for Your Designer Bag Collection
Should you hide your luxury bags in a cupboard? Probably not. Luxury brands also recommend that you keep handbags in their dust bag and leave them where air can circulate. I always keep my bags on open shelves. If the bag is too tall to stand-up, I lie it down - always on the side that does not have any metal hardware; if you leave it lying on the wrong side the metal will imprint onto the leather.
Get it in the Bag: Storage Tips for Your Designer Bag Collection
4. Keep it inside the box
How can you store your luxury shoes in a small space? When it comes to storing luxury shoes in hot and humid Singapore, you only have two options – in the original box, or in the dust bag.
Shoe boxes are large and bulky, but experts say it’s best to use them because the shoes are stuffed with acid-free paper and ‘extension sticks’ or ankle supports that keep the shoes in the correct shape, plus the paper boxes allow leather shoes to ‘breathe’ in humid climates.
If you are really dedicated to your shoes, and have a chance to create a shoe cupboard, you can’t go past this ‘narrow’ rack that slips between your larger wardrobes. I’d still recommend you keep those dust bags on, however.
How can you store your luxury shoes in a small space? When it comes to storing luxury shoes in hot and humid Singapore, you only have two options – in the original box, or in the dust bag.
Shoe boxes are large and bulky, but experts say it’s best to use them because the shoes are stuffed with acid-free paper and ‘extension sticks’ or ankle supports that keep the shoes in the correct shape, plus the paper boxes allow leather shoes to ‘breathe’ in humid climates.
If you are really dedicated to your shoes, and have a chance to create a shoe cupboard, you can’t go past this ‘narrow’ rack that slips between your larger wardrobes. I’d still recommend you keep those dust bags on, however.
5. The best way to store luxury shoes
With Singapore’s hot humid climate, we are naturally worried about mould growing on our expensive leather items. When it comes to shoes, the problem is compounded by the fact that we wear them out in the rain.
If you’ve been out and about and your shoes are damp, always wipe off the water and leave the shoes out overnight, stuffed with acid-free paper to dry them out. The next day, give them a wipe with a good leather protectant (which you can get from most cobblers and some shoe shops) before you put them away.
I always store my shoes, in their original boxes, on open shelving. When I end up with too many pairs, I remove the shoes from the boxes, keep the paper stuffing and store them in their original dust bags. This allows you to have more pairs per shelf.
You can also find special matching boxes and use those for storage, however I have always found that it’s just too much trouble to make the labels. Plus, if I’ve got a pair of Chanel shoes, I want people to see the Chanel box!
With Singapore’s hot humid climate, we are naturally worried about mould growing on our expensive leather items. When it comes to shoes, the problem is compounded by the fact that we wear them out in the rain.
If you’ve been out and about and your shoes are damp, always wipe off the water and leave the shoes out overnight, stuffed with acid-free paper to dry them out. The next day, give them a wipe with a good leather protectant (which you can get from most cobblers and some shoe shops) before you put them away.
I always store my shoes, in their original boxes, on open shelving. When I end up with too many pairs, I remove the shoes from the boxes, keep the paper stuffing and store them in their original dust bags. This allows you to have more pairs per shelf.
You can also find special matching boxes and use those for storage, however I have always found that it’s just too much trouble to make the labels. Plus, if I’ve got a pair of Chanel shoes, I want people to see the Chanel box!
6. What looks nice might be bad for your shoes!
Obviously, it’s nice to have a few of your most extravagant shoes out on display but this can often be bad for them; they could become sun-damaged and dust could affect the colour or texture.
Tips for Storing Your Leather Shoes in Humid Weather
Obviously, it’s nice to have a few of your most extravagant shoes out on display but this can often be bad for them; they could become sun-damaged and dust could affect the colour or texture.
Tips for Storing Your Leather Shoes in Humid Weather
7. Know how to maximise your wardrobe space according to your clothes
We all want a beautiful walk-in wardrobe, but this might not be possible – unless you have a lovely spare bedroom you can renovate. There are, however, ways to create more spaces in your wardrobe if you think a little outside the box, and know more about what your clothes really need.
For coats – especially leather and wool coats – it is better if they are laid flat in a drawer with sheets of acid-free paper between the folds. This is how archivists store delicate vintage clothes in museums. Leather jackets and coats will stretch in the shoulders if they are hung for too long; as will heavier wool coats.
This example of a built-in wardrobe has a lot more flat drawers than you might expect; but there’s also plenty of hanging space.
8 Ways to Maximise a Small Wardrobe
We all want a beautiful walk-in wardrobe, but this might not be possible – unless you have a lovely spare bedroom you can renovate. There are, however, ways to create more spaces in your wardrobe if you think a little outside the box, and know more about what your clothes really need.
For coats – especially leather and wool coats – it is better if they are laid flat in a drawer with sheets of acid-free paper between the folds. This is how archivists store delicate vintage clothes in museums. Leather jackets and coats will stretch in the shoulders if they are hung for too long; as will heavier wool coats.
This example of a built-in wardrobe has a lot more flat drawers than you might expect; but there’s also plenty of hanging space.
8 Ways to Maximise a Small Wardrobe
8. You can find space for built-in storage everywhere
Built-in storage in smaller areas is really handy for storing your luxury brand clothes that should be laid flat. I love the idea of this wardrobe with storage in the steps; they are easy to access and also act as a foundation for a small vanity area.
The Numbers You Need to Squeeze in a Walk-In Wardrobe
Built-in storage in smaller areas is really handy for storing your luxury brand clothes that should be laid flat. I love the idea of this wardrobe with storage in the steps; they are easy to access and also act as a foundation for a small vanity area.
The Numbers You Need to Squeeze in a Walk-In Wardrobe
9. Don’t forget to measure your clothes before you build your wardrobe
You should measure the length of your blazers and shirts so that you can double up the wardrobe hanging space – you can fit in twice as many items and only have a small area for full-length items like dresses.
Blazers should be hung in the wardrobe on padded coat-hangers, so should shirts and blouses, but do not hang your t-shirts! T-shirts can stretch on hangers, so it is better to fold them, or lie them flat.
This wardrobe has been carved out around a window which was then used to create more storage for non-hanger items.
You should measure the length of your blazers and shirts so that you can double up the wardrobe hanging space – you can fit in twice as many items and only have a small area for full-length items like dresses.
Blazers should be hung in the wardrobe on padded coat-hangers, so should shirts and blouses, but do not hang your t-shirts! T-shirts can stretch on hangers, so it is better to fold them, or lie them flat.
This wardrobe has been carved out around a window which was then used to create more storage for non-hanger items.
10. Keep track of your trousers and skirts too
You should also hang your expensive pants and skirts. Use specialised skirt-hangers (the ones with the clips) and hang from the waist. You can add small strips of suede under the clips to add even more protection for the waistbands.
If the fabric is very delicate, or heavily embroidered, store them lying flat in a drawer with acid-free paper.
In this built-in wardrobe, the pants have been tucked over special trouser-hangers, but you can also use normal padded hangers as long as they come with a bar at the bottom.
Professional Design Tips For Your Walk-In Wardrobe
You should also hang your expensive pants and skirts. Use specialised skirt-hangers (the ones with the clips) and hang from the waist. You can add small strips of suede under the clips to add even more protection for the waistbands.
If the fabric is very delicate, or heavily embroidered, store them lying flat in a drawer with acid-free paper.
In this built-in wardrobe, the pants have been tucked over special trouser-hangers, but you can also use normal padded hangers as long as they come with a bar at the bottom.
Professional Design Tips For Your Walk-In Wardrobe
11. Take advantage of corridors and halls for storing your luxury brand clothes
Many HDB flats don’t have a lot of storage space. Store-bought wardrobes are often too bulky for small rooms so it’s worth investing in some custom carpentry which lets you create the right space to fit your clothing.
If you have a lot of winter clothes, build in high over-head, or low floor-level drawers.
And if you have a slightly too-long lounge room, or too-wide corridor, get some built-in cupboards for your extra clothes, bags and shoes. The ‘extra’ wardrobe is great for storing more formal gowns, dresses and suits, as you’re not as likely to need them as often.
Organise Your Hallway With These 11 Smart Storage Solutions
Many HDB flats don’t have a lot of storage space. Store-bought wardrobes are often too bulky for small rooms so it’s worth investing in some custom carpentry which lets you create the right space to fit your clothing.
If you have a lot of winter clothes, build in high over-head, or low floor-level drawers.
And if you have a slightly too-long lounge room, or too-wide corridor, get some built-in cupboards for your extra clothes, bags and shoes. The ‘extra’ wardrobe is great for storing more formal gowns, dresses and suits, as you’re not as likely to need them as often.
Organise Your Hallway With These 11 Smart Storage Solutions
12. Be creative when it comes to storage ideas in small spaces… things can go anywhere
Be creative in your storage ideas. Use unusual nooks and crannies to create custom storage spaces for your luxury bags, shoes and clothes, like under the stairs, or in lower ceiling height areas.
For jewellery, think about adding a narrow display case on the wall with a series of hooks for your pieces – treat it as a piece of art. At least you’ll always know where everything is.
12 Storage Solutions for Clothes, Accessories and Stuff in Your Bedroom
TELL US
How are you storing your designer or luxury brand clothes and accessories? Share what your ideal wardrobe design is in the Comments below.
MORE
5 Handy Tips for Storing Winter Clothes in Singapore
Be creative in your storage ideas. Use unusual nooks and crannies to create custom storage spaces for your luxury bags, shoes and clothes, like under the stairs, or in lower ceiling height areas.
For jewellery, think about adding a narrow display case on the wall with a series of hooks for your pieces – treat it as a piece of art. At least you’ll always know where everything is.
12 Storage Solutions for Clothes, Accessories and Stuff in Your Bedroom
TELL US
How are you storing your designer or luxury brand clothes and accessories? Share what your ideal wardrobe design is in the Comments below.
MORE
5 Handy Tips for Storing Winter Clothes in Singapore
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Great ideas. Thank you for sharing.
You're very welcome, thanks :)