Wardrobe depth affects:
Commonly used terms:
Depth for Different Door Types
- As a rule, for Hinged wardrobes 500 mm (50 cm) is often cited as the very shallow end of usable interior depth for hinged wardrobes. This can still function, but it’s tight for hanging longer garments like coats or dresses.
- For Sliding wardrobes, the standard internal carcass depth is around 450 mm, but once you add the sliding door track and doors, you typically need minimum 540–580 mm overall depth to ensure smooth operation and proper hanging space.
- Many Fitted wardrobe specialists recommend no less than 600 mm overall depth for full functionality, especially if you want to accommodate long clothing without them touching the back panel or doors.
- For bulky coats, long dresses, structured jackets, you might prefer 650–700 mm+ to ensure garments hang freely.
- Very deep wardrobes (beyond 700 mm) risk being impractical—items in the back become hard to reach, and the wardrobe may dominate the room.
- If designing a walk-in or wardrobe-room style, depths of 800 mm, 900 mm or more can work, but those are more special cases.
In small rooms, hallways or alcoves, you might consider a narrow depth wardrobe. Some pointers:
- IKEA’s Hallway wardrobes include options around 420–510 mm depth to fit narrower entrances.
- In forums, users reference internal depths around 550 mm for coat storage in halls.
- With very shallow depths, you may need alternative hanging strategies (e.g. facing forward rails, no deep backs) or restrict to folded clothes instead of full-length hanging.
- A narrow wardrobe can work, but expect compromises in what you can hang and how deep your internals (drawers, shelves) can be.
There isn’t one strict standard, but most UK manufacturers and fitters follow similar guidelines based on practicality and customer needs. Below are some commonly cited wardrobe depth ranges:
- Sussex Wardrobes – 600 mm to 700 mm overall depth (around 600 mm internal)
- My Sliding Wardrobe – 580–600 mm, ideal for sliding door systems
- Spaceslide – 550–650 mm for standard wardrobes
- MJ Kloss Carpentry & Joinery – Around 600 mm (60 cm) as a practical average
- Sunlight Kitchens & Bedrooms – Typically 600 mm internal depth
- Sliding Door Wardrobe – 600–620 mm “sweet spot” for most designs
- Fitted Bedroom Wardrobes – 500–600 mm cited as the standard range
Overall, 600 mm (60 cm) is a reliable standard wardrobe depth in the UK, providing enough space for hanging clothes comfortably without wasting room. For sliding door wardrobes, many manufacturers recommend 580–600 mm to balance interior storage with door mechanisms.
How to Choose the Right Wardrobe Depth for Your Project
| 1. Check your hanging requirements | Long garments = require extra depth. If mostly shirts/short coats, 550–600 mm may suffice. |
| 2. Consider your door type | Sliding doors need extra leeway. If sliding is your design, aim for 580–600 mm+ overall. |
| 3. Take interior fittings into account | Add the depth of shelves, drawers, rails. E.g. a 450 mm internal shelf + 70–100 mm for the door and back = ~550–600 mm. |
| 4. Measure room space & walkways | Ensure the wardrobe depth doesn’t intrude into usable room space or block circulation. |
| 5. Decide your maximum reach or front-to-back | Don’t make it so deep that items at the back become inaccessible. |
| 6. Custom vs off-the-shelf | If using stock carcasses, you may be limited to certain depths. For built-in or bespoke wardrobes, you have more flexibility. |
