Open Wardrobe Organisation Ideas

Open wardrobes are extremely on trend and a perfect solution for those who are looking to maximise storage space. Having recently had my new Sharps bedroom wardrobe fitted, I want to share my favourite open wardrobe organisation ideas to give you some inspiration on how you can style it and make it a huge feature in any sized room.

*This post is sponsored by Sharps.

Find the perfect fitted wardrobe for you…

Firstly, I want to talk about the the exceptional service that Sharps offer. For those following my renovation journey across my platforms you will know that I am pretty hands on myself and never shy away from picking up the tools. That being said, I knew that when it came to having our wardrobe fitted it needed to be left to the professionals! Sharps Offer a measure and installation service and I knew the second the surveyor arrived that we were in very good hands.

You can book a free design visit from Sharps here.

We have ornate coving that wraps around the entire ceiling in our bedroom and I was nervous that this would compromise the size of the wardrobe. Boy was I wrong! Our Sharps surveyor thoroughly measured the space and worked up a design that was better than I had ever imagined.

The Installation

When it came to the installation, Steve our installer was extremely professional and attentive with the build & craftsmanship. I still can’t quite believe how perfectly immaculate his cuts were around the coving! When we spoke he explained that he had been working in the company for over 20 years and it was a passion of his which was very apparent in the quality of work that he produced. He even became good pals with our dog Digby, and brought him treats on the last day of the installation.

I was also extremely impressed with how tidy he was from start to finish. On day one, Steve arrived and immediately protected our wooden floorboards with padded floor protectors so not to cause any damage. At the end of each day he kindly tidied and hoovered the room, putting it back into a state so that we could still sleep in the room each night. By the end of the installation, if it wasn’t for the beautiful new open wardrobe you wouldn’t have known he was even there. The room was left exactly as it was when he first arrived.

Why choose an open wardrobe?

It’s no secret that open wardrobes are becoming a far more popular choice. They are very on-trend and are a great way to show off your own unique style and personality. Open wardrobes offer the ability to display your clothing and make everything more easily accessible… The perfect solution for those who often have a morning rush and need everything to be visible on display. The key feature is that an open wardrobe keeps the room feeling large and doesn’t encroach on the size of the room, making it the best option for those with small rooms.

Here’s a before and after transformation video of my wardrobe.

There are plenty of ways you can keep your open wardrobe aesthetically organised and tidy. Which is what I want to delve deeper into for this post… A lot of people may be put off by opting for an open wardrobe in fear it will look untidy and cluttered, but that is absolutely NOT the case. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. So, let me share my open wardrobe organisation ideas with you to give you some inspiration!

Clothing rails & drawers

Consider how much hanging space you need. For me, I needed space for shorter tops & jackets that I didn’t want to crease as well as a longer hanging section for dresses. Tom wanted a space for shirts, as well as jackets and trousers so we included separate hanging sections so that it looks aesthetically organised and styled. I also hung my clothing in a rainbow formation which is something I do with a lot of things in my home! This way it looks pretty on the eye and it also helps me easily find things as I know where it will be hung.

I used the large drawers for clothing items that can be folded or rolled without worrying (or caring!) if it gets creased. Here’s a few examples of clothing items that are best suited for drawers which I have stored away neatly myself:

Jumpers
Cardigans
Jeans & trousers
Underwear
T shirts & Cami tops
Swimwear
Sportswear
Pyjamas

Sharps also supply smaller drawers with built in drawer dividers and it’s safe to say these are my FAVOURITE part of the wardrobe design. I’ve used them to neatly store all of my jewellery and makeup which is storage heaven for me as I’ve never had the luxury to arrange all of my cosmetics & accessories away like this before. Now I can see everything laid out neatly and I swoon every time I open the drawers. I’m sure you can see why!

Tom has used his drawers dividers to store away accessories likes belts, gloves & aftershave. If I’m being totally honest though, his has become a bit of a ‘man drawer’ and doesn’t look half as pretty as mine… What is it with men and their need for a man drawer?! If you know, you know!

Boxes & baskets

The key to having a open wardrobe looking organised and tidy is by displaying various boxes and baskets on the shelves and in the cubby holes. This way everything can still be stashed away however you wish, but it remains looking neat. Remember… Out of sight, out of mind!

After our wardrobe was installed, I measured the shelves & cubby holes and went on a mission to find a selection of storage boxes and baskets that fit perfectly and showed off my individual style. I used a mix of plain white & putty pink boxes to compliment the wardrobe and keep it looking fresh, as well as seagrass & colourful baskets for a bit of texture.

Boxes and baskets are a great way of storing smaller clothing accessories. To give you some inspiration, here’s a few examples of what I have stored in them:

Scarves
Hats
Bags
Headbands
Festival outfits / accessories
Broaches/pins
Umbrellas

I really enjoyed spending time styling the boxes and baskets on the shelves until I found an arrangement that I loved. Remember not to overcrowd the shelves and try to keep a little space between each box/basket so that it doesn’t look cluttered!

Personalise!

And finally, the best part! It’s time to show off a bit of YOU! Use the open wardrobe as a way to display your most favourite accessories and add some final touches to complete your wardrobe decor. I’ve dedicated a cubby hole for my favourite handbag as well and a funky candle for an extra pop of colour. I also used another section to display my perfumes on a cute scalloped tray. These are just a few examples of how you can use the sections for storage but still keep it looking tidy and organised.

Show off your favourite shoes too. I have some shoes that I feel are too pretty to hide away in a drawer or cupboard so this is a great way to put them on display…

Acrylic boxes and drawers are another great storage idea as you can see exactly what you are trying to find. I used this drawer unit which fit perfectly into a cubby hole to store my reading glasses and sunglasses… Oh and some hair scrunchies too!

Don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit and include some items that wouldn’t normally be found in a wardrobe. An open wardrobe creates a feature in the room so the concept can be slightly embellished. I used the candle as shown above, as well as a couple of books and a plant. This really helped bring the wardrobe to life and finished the look.