A two-in-one storage solution
Mirrors and wardrobes are a match made in heaven and have been paired together even as far back as the 1800s.
Wonderfully practical for your morning routine and exceedingly stylish too, it comes as no surprise that they’re still a popular choice all these years later.
Modern mirror wardrobes offer a dazzling array of styles to make your bedroom setup perfect and can even be customised to a much greater degree.
So, how do you choose the right style for your space, and - more importantly - is a mirrored wardrobe right for you?
Read on to find out…
Why choose a mirrored wardrobe?
To start with, let’s look at the benefits a mirror wardrobe can offer and why it might be a more effective choice for your space versus a standard design.
Convenient for getting ready
If you’re thinking of getting a mirrored wardrobe, chances are that it’s because you want it to streamline your morning routine.
And this is usually their main selling point.
Common sense dictates that you take at least one quick look in the mirror before you leave the house, and with a mirror already in front of you, you’re far less likely to make a potentially embarrassing sartorial faux pas!
Saves space in smaller interiors
Don’t have room for a freestanding mirror? Or stuck for wall space? A mirrored wardrobe could come in handy. With the mirrors already built into the door fronts, they won’t take up any extra room in your interior, freeing up your space for other storage or decor. This can make a world of difference if you need to step back to get a full view of your outfit as well.
Reflects light into the room
More mirrors are never a bad thing for dingy rooms that struggle to get much sunlight. A mirror wardrobe catches as much light as possible and will reflect it back into the room to make it feel fresher, brighter and more inviting.
Makes rooms feel bigger
A fantastic pro tip for making dressing rooms and small bedrooms feel more spacious, mirrored wardrobes will create the illusion of depth by reflecting the whole room, making it feel twice as large.
Stylish good looks
And, of course, if you needed any more reason to want a mirrored wardrobe, there’s the simple fact that they look super elegant. They bring a touch of glamour, polish, sophistication, and that’s all on top of their handy practicality. If you want to add some subtle lustre to your space, you can’t go wrong with a fitted mirror wardrobe.
Aren’t mirrored wardrobes outdated though?
If mirror wardrobe doors make you think of dated bedroom suites and the finishes of yesteryear, you’ll find modern styles are a far cry from their predecessors.
Manufacturing has come a long, long way since then and now there’s plenty to suit every taste, whether you like sumptuous traditional styles or crisp contemporary visuals.
You can even personalise these fitted wardrobes to a greater degree, adding as much or as little mirroring as you like.
And we’ll be looking at these customisation options in greater detail below…
Which mirrored wardrobe doors are best for me?
Because you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice when it comes to mirror wardrobes, it’s definitely a good idea to take your time and browse the designs available to see what matches your home and your own individual style. Here are some of the key points to consider:
Hinged vs sliding mirror wardrobe doors
Mirrors can be built into both sliding and hinged fitted wardrobes so both options are already on the table when it comes to selecting a style that suits you best.
However, it’s worth taking into account whether your space has room for doors that open outwards, or if you might be better off with the space-saving design of sliding.
Single or multi-panel designs
Again, it doesn’t matter if you choose hinged or sliding, you have the option for single or multi-panel mirror designs in either camp. And they’re both wonderfully versatile, giving you free rein to play around with your design and see what looks good.
- Single panel mirror wardrobes
You might find a single panel, or slab-fronted mirror door, the more appealing option if you’re going to be using it as part of your get-ready routine. It will offer an unbroken, head-to-toe view of your entire outfit so you can stand back and make sure that not even a wisp of hair is out of place!
When creating your fitted wardrobe with your designer, you’ve got complete freedom to decide how many doors have a mirror finish. It’s entirely up to you how you want the end result to look. Whether you want all of them mirrored for maximum reflection, or if you just want one for a bit of added convenience, you can tailor it exactly how you like.
- Which ranges offer a single panel design?
For hinged wardrobes, our Manhattan range has an especially crisp design, with a ‘borderless’ look that makes your mirrors the focal point. With its clean and linear style, it can take your mirrors right up to the ceiling, and looks even more stunning with integrated downlights.
Our sliding wardrobe range is no less elegant, offering dramatic visuals that can pair up with a number of contrasting finishes. A fantastic option for dressing rooms and bedrooms alike.
- Multi panel mirror wardrobes
A multi-panel mirror wardrobe might not give you the complete, head-to-toe reflection of its single panel alternative, but it will nonetheless still provide enough reflective surface to help you get ready.
This option might appeal to you more purely from an aesthetic standpoint. Multiple panels can create a suggestion of pattern and have greater visual impact when designing a space. With these kinds of wardrobes, you also have greater flexibility in where your mirrors are placed.
So, for example, you might want mirrors only on the upper half of your wardrobe panels so that you can use it to check your hair or makeup. Or, if you want a sliding wardrobe, you could create a striking 5-panel split where only the mid-section is mirrored.
It’s also worth mentioning that on panelled wardrobes such as our Hampton and Sherbourne ranges, the clean-cut bevel of the mirrors can also look wonderfully luxurious by catching the light at a different angle, accentuating their shimmer.
- Which ranges offer a multi panel design?
In our hinged wardrobes range, look to our panelled ranges such as Shaker, Sherbourne, Hampton and Ascot to create this type of mirrored design.
For sliding wardrobes, there’s tremendous scope to create unique statement visuals, with a choice of double, triple, quad or penta panel layouts. You can also mix and match mirror panels alongside matt and glass finishes to produce stunning, high-end designs with showstopping appeal.
Mirror colour options
Sliding mirror wardrobes have the added benefit of offering coloured glass options if you want something a little different for your design. With the option of Plain, Grey or Bronze finishes, it allows you to tailor the look of your sliding doors to blend beautifully into your chosen colour scheme, enhancing warmer tones or dark and moody bedrooms.
What if I want a mirror but not mirror wardrobes?
If you prefer the look of a standard wardrobe but still want all the convenience a built-in mirror has to offer, that’s not a problem.
When designing your fitted wardrobes, you can easily add a foldout mirror to your storage that offers the same usability but can also be hidden away when not in use.
This can be a really effective middle-ground option if you don’t want mirrors to change the aesthetic you have in mind.
How do you keep mirrored wardrobes clean?
Naturally when you’re investing in elegant storage like mirrored wardrobes, you’re going to want to keep them looking their best! Thankfully, it’s easy to remove any unwanted finger marks from their surface.
All you need is a spray bottle, some diluted white vinegar - usually four parts water to one part vinegar will do the trick - and a microfibre cloth. Or, if you don’t have white vinegar to hand, you can use just a few drops of liquid dish soap instead. Spray some of the diluted cleaning solution onto the cloth and then wipe down the glass to keep it streak and stain free.
If you’re using a commercial glass cleaning product, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s usage guidelines for best results.
However, be aware that stronger chemicals may react with your wardrobe’s surrounding finishes, frames and woodwork. If you get any chemicals on these parts, it’s best practice to wipe it off the surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.
Discover the mirrored wardrobe of your dreams
Ready to transform your own bedroom with mirrored wardrobes? Book a Free Design Visit with Sharps.
With our expertise, we’ll help you design a completely bespoke set of storage that brings out the natural charm and character of your space. Explore a huge variety of style options, all tailored around your home and your personality.
