A walk-in fit for a wardrobe designer

17 May 2026

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After designing high-end wardrobes for clients across the country, Wardrobe Warehouse’s Richard Healy took on a project closer to home: renovating his own walk-in — with plenty of input from wife Lynn.

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Wardrobe Warehouse

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Amber Suckling

"We chose to upsize to 600mm-deep and 800mm-wide soft-close drawers, which increased the depth of the hanging space by 200mm. Because the width of hanging clothes is about 600mm, they fit perfectly. Even though the overall wardrobe depth extended by 200mm on both sides, there is still room for two people to be in there at the same time."

Transforming this walk-in wardrobe was a unique project for Wardrobe Warehouse Director Richard Healy, due to the fact that the wardrobe was his own. Shared with his wife Lynn Healy, the original wardrobe was a basic combination of too much hanging space and not enough drawers, thrown together without much thought for functionality or experience.

“The idea was to upgrade and elevate the wardrobe because, while it may have been fine for the previous owners, it wasn’t working for us,” Richard explains. “We needed more drawer space, and we wanted to turn the wardrobe into a feature that felt enjoyable to use. Lynn shared some design inspiration she had collected on Pinterest, and we went back and forth on the layout, colours, measurements, and lighting, settling on drawers at the bottom with hanging space above.”

The original wardrobe lacked adequate drawer space, with too many hanging sections and open shelves.

"The old wardrobe felt like just another room; sometimes a drawer front would come off, or there were things that needed repair."

Everyone has different requirements when it comes to wardrobe space. Some people want more room to hang clothes, while others like to keep things tucked away in drawers. For the Healys, wider and deeper drawers were important, as was extending the depth of the hanging space; too shallow, and the clothes stick out further than the wardrobe walls, creating visual clutter.

“We wanted to achieve balance between the drawers, shelves, and hanging space so that the wardrobe would suit our lifestyle, and it would be easy to keep things tidy. We chose to upsize to 600mm-deep and 800mm-wide soft-close drawers, which increased the depth of the hanging space by 200mm. Because the width of hanging clothes is about 600mm, they fit perfectly. Even though the overall wardrobe depth extended by 200mm on both sides, there is still room for two people to be in there at the same time.”

The walk-in had an angled wall in one back corner, so Richard needed to figure out the best way to approach the end section, accommodating the angled wall without sacrificing storage space.

Drawers were constructed prior to installation, while the panels and shelves were delivered CNC-cut and drilled, making them easier to fit on-site.

Designing a wardrobe to fit an existing space is almost like doing a puzzle. Every element needs to be organised and measured to maximise the available space without limiting functionality. The walk-in had an angled wall in one back corner, so Richard needed to figure out the best way to approach the end section, accommodating the angled wall without sacrificing storage space. Adding floor-length shelving on the angled side with a small void behind, and a full-height hanging space opposite, allowed for drawers at the back that could be opened without interfering with the drawers on either side.

To achieve the desired luxury look, the Healys chose melamine with a French Oak finish. The colour matched other shelving in the home, and added an inviting warmth to the space.

“We went through a selection of colour samples, and landed on French Oak, which tied it in with our desk and TV cabinet. We also added backing boards to create an enclosed timber look, rather than the white wall showing through, which really enhances the high-end feel.”

Other special touches include an LED strip with a sensor that runs around the base of the wardrobe, gently illuminating the space when you walk in; shoe drawers with a low front allowing for a subtle display; a decent surface beneath the hanging sections to keep freshly folded washing out of the way, or easily organise belongings when packing for a holiday — a handy discovery found after using the wardrobe.

To achieve the desired luxury look, the Healys chose melamine with a French Oak finish. The colour matched other shelving in the home, and added an inviting warmth to the space.

A typical install of this size can take up to a day and a half, but with Richard assisting the installer, the build only took a day. Drawers were constructed prior to installation, while the panels and shelves were delivered CNC-cut and drilled, making them easier to fit on-site.

“As long as all the measurements are correct, the walls are straight, and there are no hidden surprises that require additional steps like pulling up the floor, installations tend to run smoothly. Fortunately, everything went to plan.”

Before and after: The Healy's walk-in wardrobe renovation

The Healy's new wardrobe is exactly what they needed.

“The old wardrobe felt like just another room; sometimes a drawer front would come off, or there were things that needed repair. Now, you feel good every time you walk in there. We’ve been able to tidy a lot of stuff away in drawers and display our nice clothes, using the concealed adjustable shelving at the back for larger items or kids' Christmas presents. It’s such an improvement to the space, and a real value add for any future buyers, too.”

Learn more about Wardrobe Warehouse.