The luxury home feature that can add up to £10k to the value of your home
A walk-in wardrobe can bring a sense of organisation and order to your home by reducing the stress that morning rituals can bring. If you invest in designing your closet and installing a walk-in wardrobe, you will be able to choose your favourite attire with ease.
Walk-in wardrobes offer more space for other storage solutions. Namely, you can set aside a space intended for ironing and folding clothes, along with some other storage space for whatever you may need and can think of.
That space can either be for dressing or putting makeup on, and you can include some lighting for a better ambient. Improving the appeal of your home can also definitely add value to it if you are thinking about renting, selling, or refinancing your home.
Does a walk-in wardrobe add value to a house?
Walk-in wardrobes come in all sizes and shapes, with an option to customize them to meet all your needs. Some are very affordable, whereas some can be a bit pricey. However, regardless of their cost, they appeal to buyers, especially those who have plenty of suits, shoes, clothes, and dresses.
Including a walk-in wardrobe in your home will not only improve the look of your master bedroom – it can also add value to your house. A type of buyer who finds them attractive may be willing to pay a lot more for a house put on sale if a walk-in wardrobe is already installed.
Therefore, investing in this type of wardrobe will guarantee an increase in your house’s price, and it definitely won’t do any harm to your sales pitch. If nothing else, when buyers come to see your property, it will boost its appearance and allow you to show off and stand out from competitors.
Eight beautiful finishes
- Alcoves, tight corners, and sloping ceilings – these types of “awkward” corners in your master bedroom can sometimes be an issue when it comes to installing a walk-in wardrobe. A beautiful finishing touch here is to make the most of every inch, adjusting to all the corners;
- Let storage spark joy – think about sliding racks and clear-fronted drawers to keep the clutter in the wardrobe to a minimum. Sometimes, you can even install walk-in wardrobes under the stairs if the master bedroom doesn’t allow it;
- Preserve and protect – if you opt for open shelves, your clothes will need some looking after. Think about storing jumpers in plastic bags during the summer to keep them safe from moths, and place your shoes in clear, labeled boxes;
- Be neat at all times – walk-in wardrobes keep your clothes on display. It’s important not to leave them on the floor as the floor space has to remain uncluttered, and clothes should always be tidy, ironed, and nicely folded to make the wardrobe look bigger;
- It’s all about order – if you are not a morning person, or it takes you a lot of time to decide what to wear that day, it might be a good idea to arranging your clothes in outfit order (bottoms and tops; accessories and shoes);
- Lighting plays a significant role – good lighting can maximize the space you have and will bring your wardrobe to life while also helping you get a better idea of what’s what;
- Hanging rails – installing hooks and hanging rails will also maximize the space you have. You can hang baggy hoodies in the winter there or place training shoes after a workout on the hanging rail;
- Recycling instead of hoarding – if there is a set of items in your wardrobe you haven’t looked at in years, take them to a shelter or recycle them; you won’t need them.
Decide on doors
Some people prefer open-access walk-in wardrobes. There are no rules as to whether it’s better to keep it open or install doors. It’s entirely up to the buyer’s preference. When it comes to doors, they come in whatever style and size you desire.
One type of walk-in-wardrobe door that comes with a benefit and maximizes the space used is a mirrored door. There won’t be any need for an additional mirror, and you can view your daily combinations next to the closed doors of your walk-in wardrobe.
Create a walk-in wardrobe without blowing your budget
You don’t need a significant budget to install a walk-in wardrobe. What you do need, however, is space. Therefore, the space you have at your disposal will determine how much money you have to spend. Let’s look at how big a standard wardrobe is and how big those for a small room are.
How much space do I need?
Standard walk-in wardrobes to fit clothes and accessories for two people should have a surface of at least seven by ten feet. The area should be a hundred sq. ft preferably. Such surface width should be enough for all storage units on the three available walls, with an area for sitting in the middle.
Smaller walk-in wardrobes can be around 25 sq. ft., but they require better space organization. For example, more hangers, drawers, and shelves are installed on walls in such cases. Bear in mind that a walk-in wardrobe is like a whole new room for stashing clothes and other belongings.
Walk-in wardrobe system
A conveniently installed walk-in wardrobe system will feature (other than the main spaces for storing clothes, shoes, and accessories) drawers, hanging rails, open shelving for a better appearance and ease of use, and narrow shelving.
Some will, but don’t have to feature a sliding door or a mirrored door. Hanging rails make the most of your space, especially in walk-in wardrobes installed in smaller rooms. Open shelving needs neat folding and ironing as they are constantly on display but enables an easier approach.
The shelves should also be narrow, rather than too wide, to fit and separate clothes by seasonal use. We’ve mentioned the surface you need for a walk-in wardrobe above, but you must also consider the depth.
The minimum dimensions for a walk-in-wardrobe depth should be at least four feet deep. With this minimum, you can rest assured that you’ll have enough space to install shelves and hanging spaces on the back and side walls.
Walk-in wardrobes ideas for small rooms
If your room is small, and you can’t spare it whole for installing a walk-in wardrobe, you have to get creative with what you have at your disposal. It would be possible to steal some space from your main bedroom if that room is bigger than the one you initially wanted to place a walk-in wardrobe in.
The other option is to simply upgrade the wardrobe you already have and transform it into a walk-in wardrobe with what you have. Plan in such a way that you leave enough room for a double bed, and the rest can be easily adjusted.
Most traditional wardrobes leave no room for modification, which is why you need a layout that allows separation, allowing you to install it in even edgy corners of a small room.
Ways to create space
Creating space in a small room is best done by removing the old wardrobe you already had installed and turning it into a walk-in wardrobe instead. Another way to create space is by removing clutter from your bedroom.
You must have some stuff lying around that you no longer use and can live without. Yard sales are the best place to get rid of old furniture and make someone else use the most of it, instead of just throwing it away.
Plan your space
If the room is small, and you still want a walk-in wardrobe – you have to plan it well. The best way to do that is to install numerous inserts, drawers, and shelves and install hangers on walls that will make the most of literally every corner.
Which other home improvements add the most value in the UK?
According to a survey led by Barclays Mortgages, we’ve found what home improvements other than walk-in wardrobes can increase the value of a home in the UK. The winners are an en-suite bathroom, a designer kitchen, and a swimming pool as the third runner-up.
What improvements add the most value to a home?
The top six improvements adding the most value to a home are:
- Designer kitchen;
- Replacement of garage doors (upscale);
- Adding manufactured stone veneer to the exterior design;
- Addition of a wood deck;
- Remodeling the bathroom;
- Replacing regular windows with vinyl siding ones.
How Property Price Advice can help
Property Price Advice can help you find out what the current value of your house is. They offer an online property valuation tool that is easy to use and can help you add value to your home by reading numerous ideas for home improvement and tips on how to add value.
On their website, you can also find and view the whole property market in the UK, see the latest prices of the houses that were sold recently, and aid you in making improvements to your home a great experience.
FAQs
What adds more value to a house?
As we’ve mentioned in the first part of this text, a walk-in wardrobe can add more value to your house. You can upgrade the bathroom and the kitchen and add a swimming pool which will also add value to a home.
Additionally, increasing the square footage by building another floor or resorting to installing some smart-home technology can do the same trick.
How much do walk-in wardrobes cost?
There are numerous sizes and designs of walk-in wardrobes, so the price can vary. Most fall under the category of prices between £1,000 and £10,000.
What is meant by a walk-in wardrobe?
As the name suggests, a walk-in wardrobe is a small room for your wardrobe that you can walk into. They are mostly included and installed in a spacey master bedroom, under the stairway, or in smaller rooms.
What do I need in a walk-in wardrobe?
We will list some must-haves for a walk-in wardrobe below:
- Dressing table – you can stash perfumes, cosmetics, and grooming tools here instead of in the bathroom;
- Beverage compartment – a cup of tea or coffee in the morning while getting ready for work may spice up your day;
- A seating space – a small sofa or a chair will be very practical in a walk-in wardrobe;
- A board for ironing – shirts tend to need re-ironing when you put them on in the morning. As you are getting ready in your walk-in wardrobe, why not iron your shirts there?
- Valet rods – they are perfect for hanging stuff when you are packing for a trip or trying out the best combination for a lovely evening;
- Lighting – LED lighting behind or under the shelves will highlight all the accessories and clothes you own while also enabling ease of use;
- Shoe system – those who own a lot of shoes can dedicate an entire wall to them; others can place them on shelves and hanging rods;
- Shelves for handbags and hats – you’ll need a special shelf for those to avoid damaging them;
- A safe – for watches, jewelry, and other valuable items.
Should you have a door on a walk-in wardrobe?
There are no clear and definitive answers to this question. A walk-in wardrobe may or may not have a door, which solely depends on your personal preference. A slight advantage you can achieve by installing a mirror door may lead to a subtle insinuation that the answer should be “yes.”
A mirror on a door will save much space since you won’t need a mirror installed elsewhere.