If you’ve ever fantasised about a walk-in wardrobe — or perhaps just a wardrobe that actually fits all your clothes, shoes, and other miscellaneous items — you know exactly how frustrating poorly designed storage can be.
“The main issue people have with their storage is that it isn’t designed for their lifestyle. They might have moved into a new home and discovered their wardrobe isn’t practical, or their family grows and suddenly they need more space,” says Richard Healy of Wardrobe Warehouse.
Designing bespoke wardrobe and storage solutions for homes and businesses around Auckland, Wardrobe Warehouse is dedicated to solving common storage problems one thoughtfully placed shelf at a time. Originally founded in 1997, Wardrobe Warehouse is run by brothers Richard and Simon Healy, who have combined their individual strengths to deliver custom, high-end wardrobes to suit every space.
“We want to make the most of our client’s space, rather than just installing off-the-shelf products that aren't always suitable, which is why all of our wardrobes and storage systems are custom-made to suit each person’s individual needs,” Richard explains. “We always emphasise the importance of our sales reps viewing the customer's space, discussing the issues they have, and working together to find the best solution so we can make their space work properly.”
"The main issue people have with their storage is that it isn’t designed for their lifestyle. They might have moved into a new home and discovered their wardrobe isn’t practical, or their family grows and suddenly they need more space."
"We want to make the most of our client’s space, rather than just installing off-the-shelf products that aren't always suitable, which is why all of our wardrobes and storage systems are custom-made to suit each person’s individual needs."
Prescribing the perfect storage solution for every room requires expert analysis. Before the project begins, a sales rep will visit the property to understand the customer’s existing storage issues, lifestyle, and room layout. Once the consultation is complete, the designers will provide drawings to help the customer visualise how the finished wardrobe will look in their space.
“People come to us recognising that they have a storage problem, but they often find it difficult to know what needs to be changed. Walking them through the design drawings helps them imagine what daily life will look like with the new storage, and it’s easy for us to make a drawer wider or a shelf higher if the design needs to be tweaked.”
As every room has its own layout and function, it follows that every wardrobe and storage system must be similarly unique.
“Kids' rooms can be a challenge for clients,” Richard explains. “People struggle to find the best set-up that accommodates all the random stuff that kids like to shove into their wardrobes, and space to fit new clothes and shoes that get bigger as their children grow.”
To solve this problem, it’s important to design a wardrobe that can adapt and change over time.
“We like to suggest adjustable shelving that can be moved to increase hanging height when clothes get bigger, or built-in desks so kids can do their homework and have a place to store their books or figurines.”
"Our goal as a company is to understand our clients’ storage issues and design a solution that works for day-to-day use. Every job is custom, but always considerate of the client’s budget. We want to help our customers achieve that high-end result without the luxury price tag."
Wardrobes in the primary bedroom are typically designed for two adults, and require careful consideration to ensure all shelves, drawers, and hanging spaces are accessible around other furniture in the room.
“We’ve visited houses where the clients can't use their drawers because the sliding wardrobe doors overlap, so it’s really important that we think about the positioning of each module in the wardrobe to make sure it’s practical. This could be placing drawers closest to the bedroom door, so they're easier to access for day-to-day use, or measuring the shelves to guarantee they can fit two pairs of shoes. It’s all the little things that people don’t think about until they have to use the wardrobe.”
Some of Wardrobe Warehouse’s clients like to think outside the box, requesting luxury additions like built-in laundry chutes, hidden jewellery drawers, pull-out mirrors, and LED lights. Transforming these functional spaces into stand-out design features is one of the perks of the job.
“It all comes down to your personal desires for your space, and the problems that you need to solve. Our goal as a company is to understand our clients’ storage issues and design a solution that works for day-to-day use. Every job is custom, but always considerate of the client’s budget. We want to help our customers achieve that high-end result without the luxury price tag.”
