Wardrobes in small apartments: luxury or necessity

Continuing our discussion on effective wardrobe organization in small spaces, we decided to hear expert opinions straight from the source. Three designers shared their thoughts on this solution and how to bring it to life.

Pros and cons of wardrobes in small apartments

Wardrobe as a separate room

Designer Anna Mozharo likes to set the wardrobe apart as its own zone. Even a small space can expand with shelves reaching up to the ceiling.

In her opinion, a single-sided wardrobe with open storage should have minimum dimensions of 1300 mm, and for a double-sided one — 1500 mm.

An ideal option, according to Anna, is a room of 2x2 meters. A wardrobe in the bedroom is also perfectly possible — you just need to cut a corner and install a door on the slanted wall.

Additionally, you can fit a hidden door that matches paint or wallpaper — it will not only mask the entrance but also won’t draw attention.

Wardrobe as a must-have for small apartments

Veronika Kovalyova believes that a wardrobe is the perfect place in a studio apartment, even with limited space and only 2–3 square meters of free area. You can also place an ironing board, washing machine, dryer, and a laundry basket there (provided ventilation is ensured). The most important thing is to let plenty of air in so it doesn’t smell stuffy.

Designer recommends planning the classification and placement of clothes in advance, so you can determine exact spots on shelves, in drawers, and compartments. Their sizes may correspond to laundry baskets or IKEA dividers.

Wardrobe as an efficient space that simplifies life

Designer Marsel Kadyrov also supports the idea of dedicating a separate room to the wardrobe. You can store everything on shelves, hangers, and in drawers — and all items will be visible.

Moreover, a separate wardrobe allows you to change clothes in place and store bulky items that don’t fit elsewhere. However, Marsel advises not to compromise on essential living space when designing for extremely limited square footage.

Photo cover: design by Alexei Sokolov