Stop! No Right Turn! The Art of Cornering in Your Walk-In
Wardrobe tricks of the trade that stop you getting backed into a corner
When you’re planning your dream walk-in wardrobe, there’s no escaping the dreaded corner, no matter how much space you have to play with. Corner storage perplexes most people who can’t fathom how a currently empty wardrobe corner will function once it has clothes in it. People fall into the trap of thinking they can use the corner space twice: once when you try and pack the right and/or left walls with storage; and then again when you try and line storage along the centre wall at the back. The fact is you can’t have it both ways. Think of a square parking space and two rectangular buses that are the same length as the parking space. If you line one bus along the width of the back wall of the parking space, the next bus trying to park along the right-hand side of the parking space will stick out at the back and won’t fit.
There are a number of ways to avoid getting ‘parked in’ in the corner, from evasive action to embracing the corner as a feature. Whatever your preference, take the bull by the horns and decide right up front how you will deal with your corner and then let the design flow from there.
There are a number of ways to avoid getting ‘parked in’ in the corner, from evasive action to embracing the corner as a feature. Whatever your preference, take the bull by the horns and decide right up front how you will deal with your corner and then let the design flow from there.
Give way to the right
Accept that each wall will concede space to the other. Here, the left wall gives way by receding back with shallow shelves (approximately 380mm deep) and stops 600mm short of its full potential. The returning wall on the right gains the full depth available and butts up to the recessed shelving. This creates an unavoidable internal void 380mm x 600mm – a worthwhile sacrifice in order to create such a pleasant, calm dressing room of generous proportions.
Accept that each wall will concede space to the other. Here, the left wall gives way by receding back with shallow shelves (approximately 380mm deep) and stops 600mm short of its full potential. The returning wall on the right gains the full depth available and butts up to the recessed shelving. This creates an unavoidable internal void 380mm x 600mm – a worthwhile sacrifice in order to create such a pleasant, calm dressing room of generous proportions.
Merge with shelving
Make the back wall all shelving, if possible. Shelving is significantly shallower than hanging storage, which requires more width. Because it requires more width, hanging storage along the back wall will eat into the depth of the room and make it feel smaller. Instead, choose shallower shelving that won’t eat into the room, or into the storage lining of the left and right walls. You can fill the shelving with shoes and bags all the way to the edges, without twisting your arm trying to get all the way into the corner.
More: 9 Genius Clothes Storage Hacks
Make the back wall all shelving, if possible. Shelving is significantly shallower than hanging storage, which requires more width. Because it requires more width, hanging storage along the back wall will eat into the depth of the room and make it feel smaller. Instead, choose shallower shelving that won’t eat into the room, or into the storage lining of the left and right walls. You can fill the shelving with shoes and bags all the way to the edges, without twisting your arm trying to get all the way into the corner.
More: 9 Genius Clothes Storage Hacks
Give way to the left and right
Most Australian walk-in wardrobes are U-shape. If all walls are equal (i.e. they don’t include windows or other obstructions), it is usually most practical to take the loss from each end of the back centre wall as in this photo. This will give full access into both corners.
TIP: If the U-shape is narrow, only use the middle wall for a mirror or accessories, so that you form a galley style walk-in rather than compromise all of the walls with a tight corner.
Most Australian walk-in wardrobes are U-shape. If all walls are equal (i.e. they don’t include windows or other obstructions), it is usually most practical to take the loss from each end of the back centre wall as in this photo. This will give full access into both corners.
TIP: If the U-shape is narrow, only use the middle wall for a mirror or accessories, so that you form a galley style walk-in rather than compromise all of the walls with a tight corner.
Tight spots
If the shelving and hanging space featured in this photo on the left-hand wall had been allowed to run all the way into the back corner, it would have been a nightmare to try and reach all the way into the back to find your clothes. Instead, this hanging space has been called short, and narrow box shelving has been added to the back centre wall as the perfect spot for shoes.
If the shelving and hanging space featured in this photo on the left-hand wall had been allowed to run all the way into the back corner, it would have been a nightmare to try and reach all the way into the back to find your clothes. Instead, this hanging space has been called short, and narrow box shelving has been added to the back centre wall as the perfect spot for shoes.
Dead-end corners
Clients very often think that corner shelving such as this are the answer to how to use a corner. This is my least recommended option. It seems alright on paper and looks okay with nothing on them, but when you try to store clothes or shoes on them, they are always messy and awkward.
In your mind there is no void, no vacant space, but have you ever tried to line shoes around a corner? It just becomes a mess and I have had so many clients who are infuriated with it!
Clients very often think that corner shelving such as this are the answer to how to use a corner. This is my least recommended option. It seems alright on paper and looks okay with nothing on them, but when you try to store clothes or shoes on them, they are always messy and awkward.
In your mind there is no void, no vacant space, but have you ever tried to line shoes around a corner? It just becomes a mess and I have had so many clients who are infuriated with it!
Power steering
No doubt about it, this looks fantastic. From a storage point of view, it doesn’t store any more than any of the other solutions offered above – there is quite a lot of space lost in clearances required behind it, beside it and within the revolving unit itself.
This is great for someone who wants the WOW effect, but if you’re looking for storage that lasts, it’s not your best bet.
No doubt about it, this looks fantastic. From a storage point of view, it doesn’t store any more than any of the other solutions offered above – there is quite a lot of space lost in clearances required behind it, beside it and within the revolving unit itself.
This is great for someone who wants the WOW effect, but if you’re looking for storage that lasts, it’s not your best bet.
Turning circle
These rotating cabinets look appealing, and are conceptually good, but again, you are in danger of losing quite a lot of space to clearance behind and beside them. As you can see, they encroach into the room quite a lot, taking up plenty of dressing up space. So while the corner is maximised, it’s at the expense of floorspace.
Some clients really love gadgets, and if you’re that way inclined, this would be appealing.
TIP: When it comes to longevity, I recommend as few gadgets and moving parts as possible, where there is a solid alternative. Keeping it simple with good design is preferable. Less is more. Equipment that has moving parts may break eventually, and don’t even promise to store more than a simple wardrobe. Best stick to a simple storage unit that will stand the test of time.
These rotating cabinets look appealing, and are conceptually good, but again, you are in danger of losing quite a lot of space to clearance behind and beside them. As you can see, they encroach into the room quite a lot, taking up plenty of dressing up space. So while the corner is maximised, it’s at the expense of floorspace.
Some clients really love gadgets, and if you’re that way inclined, this would be appealing.
TIP: When it comes to longevity, I recommend as few gadgets and moving parts as possible, where there is a solid alternative. Keeping it simple with good design is preferable. Less is more. Equipment that has moving parts may break eventually, and don’t even promise to store more than a simple wardrobe. Best stick to a simple storage unit that will stand the test of time.
Premium parking
If there’s one place a corner is an asset, it’s a work space. Corners provide more surface area within reach than a long bench, which means this is the perfect spot for your dressing table.
If there’s one place a corner is an asset, it’s a work space. Corners provide more surface area within reach than a long bench, which means this is the perfect spot for your dressing table.
Avoid ongoing traffic
Unless you have a very large dressing room, avoid installing doors in walk-in wardrobes. The swing of doors will obstruct the walkway. Corner doors that back onto each other create very difficult access to the corner interior and bang into each other when open. Sliding doors are equally frustrating because they block access to half of the space and make the room feel claustrophobic.
Unless you have a very large dressing room, avoid installing doors in walk-in wardrobes. The swing of doors will obstruct the walkway. Corner doors that back onto each other create very difficult access to the corner interior and bang into each other when open. Sliding doors are equally frustrating because they block access to half of the space and make the room feel claustrophobic.
Use your mirrors
Prevent colliding doors by placing the doors only on the back centre wall as seen here. This mirrored door is a great idea. It creates the illusion of more space, has room for you to step back and see your whole outfit, and won’t leave you feeling like your stepping into a wall of mirrors.
Prevent colliding doors by placing the doors only on the back centre wall as seen here. This mirrored door is a great idea. It creates the illusion of more space, has room for you to step back and see your whole outfit, and won’t leave you feeling like your stepping into a wall of mirrors.
And if you’re really struggling with how to make the most of your corner space in a walk-in, why don’t you just rebel against it? Here, the owners haven’t built storage into it at all but instead have embraced the corner by building a pillar. This pretty corner cabinetry then frees up space either side for window seats. It’s a great option if you can afford the space or have features that prevent you from building cabinetry along the wall (i.e. windows).
SHOW US YOUR WALK-IN
Have you got a design dilemma? Or perhaps a great storage solution you’d like to share? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE STORAGE TRICKS
Smart Storage Solutions for Your Jewellery Stash
14 Savvy Tricks to Boost Your Bedroom Storage
Storage Dilemma: Where Do I Stash the Linens?
Stylish Storage: Design a Wardrobe That Will Serve You for a Lifetime
SHOW US YOUR WALK-IN
Have you got a design dilemma? Or perhaps a great storage solution you’d like to share? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE STORAGE TRICKS
Smart Storage Solutions for Your Jewellery Stash
14 Savvy Tricks to Boost Your Bedroom Storage
Storage Dilemma: Where Do I Stash the Linens?
Stylish Storage: Design a Wardrobe That Will Serve You for a Lifetime
Consider whether it’s possible to avoid corner conflict altogether, by choosing not to run storage cabinetry into each other at right angles. Choose one wall to capitalise and fill it with storage from left to right. Keep the other wall free.
This is my first preference. Always.
This approach eliminates the need for any compromise. If it’s possible to accommodate all of your clothes, shoes, luggage, etc., in one wall of storage while leaving the corners free (as in this dressing room), do it. A blank wall instead of corner cabinetry is a great place for a full length mirror, an ottoman, artwork or photos. The room will feel more spacious and luxurious.
More: 24 Dream Wardrobe Ideas for Fashion Lovers