Step-by-step: find your perfect clothes storage system

Choosing the right wardrobe for a small bedroom comes down to three things: the perfect fit, smart storage, and a clutter-free look. The goal is to maximize storage space without blocking the room's layout.

IKEA offers a wide range of wardrobe styles, sizes, and combinations. Want to find your perfect match? Just follow these 6 simple steps to narrow down your choices and effortlessly transform your small bedroom.

1. Measure Your Bedroom Space

Before choosing a wardrobe or storage series, check your available space. For small bedrooms, getting the right fit matters more than just capacity.

Measure H x W x D: Avoid wardrobes that are too deep or tall, which can block pathways and affect daily use.
Check room obstacles: Note beams, sloped ceilings, sockets, AC units, or pipes, as these affect whether a wardrobe can fit flush against the wall or reach the ceiling.

【Key Measurement Tips for Small Bedrooms】

Keep wardrobe depth between 45–60 cm to balance storage and walkway space.
Leave at least 60 cm of clearance in front of the wardrobe for comfortable use.
If space is tight next to the bed, choose sliding doors to save floor space.
If opting for hinged doors, make sure there is enough clearance for doors to open fully without blocking main walkways.

Recommended Sizes for Small Bedrooms

Item	Recommended	Description
Depth	45–60 cm	60 cm for hanging; 45 cm for folded clothes.
Height	Close to ceiling	Maximizes storage and prevents dust build-up.
Clearance	≥ 60 cm	Ensures smooth door opening and easy access.

Top tip: Use painter's tape on the wall and floor to outline your future wardrobe. This helps you visualize the size, test door clearance, and ensure comfortable movement around the bed.

2. Optimize Your Wardrobe Interior

Plan your layout based on the wardrobe's height and width to balance hanging areas, shelves, and drawers. In limited spaces, dividing your wardrobe into top, middle, and bottom zones maximizes every centimeter.

【Maximize Your Storage Space】

Use adjustable shelves for flexible layout changes.
Add drawers to keep small items organized in tight spaces.
Install double clothes rails to instantly double your hanging capacity.
Fold more, hang less to save valuable wardrobe space.

Zone	Recommended	Best For
Top	Shelves	Seasonal clothes, bedding
Middle	Clothes rails	Jackets, coats, shirts
Bottom	Drawers	Folded clothes, accessories

3. Sort and Organize Your Clothes

Categorize your clothes first to easily plan the best storage solutions and capacity.

Clothing Type	Storage Method	Recommended Size	Planning Tips
❶ Seasonal clothes & bedding	Top shelves Ceiling-height	Top section (Build up to the ceiling)	Utilize vertical space for rarely used items to prevent clutter.
❷ Suits, coats & long dresses	Hanging	Hanging height: ≥ 120 cm	Group long items together; avoid mixing with shorter clothes.
❸ Shirts & light jackets	Hanging	Hanging height: ~90 cm	Perfect for short clothes; use double rails to double capacity.
❹ T-shirts & knitwear	Folded + Drawers	Drawer depth: 15–20 cm	Maximizes storage space, ideal for small bedrooms.
❺ Trousers & heavy sweaters	Folded + Shelves	Shelf spacing: 25–35 cm	Adjustable shelves offer better flexibility.
❻ Underwear, socks & accessories	Drawers	Drawer depth: 10–15 cm	Keeps small items sorted and easy to find.
❼ Bags & hats	Shelves or Hooks/Hanging	Shelf spacing: 20–30 cm	Adjust spacing flexibly to fit different shapes and sizes.

Note: These recommendations serve as a general guide. Feel free to customize the layout based on your personal wardrobe needs.

4. Choose the Right Wardrobe Doors

Depending on your bedroom size, you can choose a closed wardrobe with hinged or sliding doors, then finish the look with knobs and handles for a neat, organized style. Alternatively, go for an open wardrobe to display your favorite clothes for easy access. Still not sure which door style to choose? Start by thinking about your preferred colors, finishes, and materials—and whether an open, closed, or combination design suits your lifestyle best.

Compare Wardrobe Door Types

Wardrobe Type	Appearance	Pros & Cons (Comparison)	Space & Walkway Needs	Recommended For
Sliding Door Wardrobes	KLEPPSTAD sliding door wardrobe	Pros: Doors don't take up floor space when opened. Cons: Cannot open both sides at the same time.	Best for: Small bedrooms, tight pathways, or when placed close to the bed. Walkway tip: Only requires standing room (approx. 45-60 cm).	Budget-conscious spenders with limited space Minimalist or modern rooms
Open Wardrobes (No Doors)	JONAXEL open wardrobe comb	Pros: Overview at a glance, quick access, and creates an airy, spacious feel. Cons: Prone to dust; looks cluttered if not organized regularly.	Best for: Walk-in closets or well-ventilated, bright spaces. Walkway tip: Leave 60-70 cm of clearance to turn and move comfortably.	People storing everyday coats/worn clothes Efficient dressers Homes with a dedicated walk-in closet
Hinged Door Wardrobes	MUSKEN 2-door wardrobe	Pros: Fully opens for full access; best dust protection; interior doors can hold mirrors or organizers. Cons: Requires ample swing space to open doors.	Best for: Large bedrooms with plenty of layout flexibility. Walkway tip: Requires door-width clearance plus standing room (at least 90 cm).	People with lots of seasonal clothes & bedding Those who prioritize dust protection

Other Space-Saving Wardrobe Options

Wardrobe Type	Appearance	Pros & Cons (Comparison)	Space & Walkway Needs	Recommended For
Single / Narrow Wardrobes	GURSKEN single wardrobe	Pros: Slim profile, minimal floor footprint, and easy to move when shifting homes. Cons: Limited capacity; not enough for large clothing collections.	Best for: Small bedrooms, narrow hallways, or tight gaps next to the bed. Walkway tip: Leave approx. 75–90 cm for door clearance and standing room.	Minimalists Renters & students Secondary or guest wardrobes
Low / Small Wardrobes	SMÅSTAD system	Pros: Lower height allows the top surface to double as a display table or storage shelf. Cons: Cannot hang long coats or dresses.	Best for: Sloped roofs, attics, or awkward wall spaces under windows. Walkway tip: Highly flexible and easy to customize to your layout.	Children's rooms People with more folded clothes Those avoiding heavy, tall furniture
Modular System Wardrobes	LASTARE system	Pros: Easily add drawers, shelves, or wire baskets; can be reconfigured if you move. Cons: Choosing parts and assembly can be slightly complex.	Best for: Diverse storage needs, various clothing types, or irregular walls. Walkway tip: Leave clearance based on your choice of doors (sliding or hinged).	Those who love customized organization Growing families with changing needs
Corner Wardrobes	PAX Wardrobe system	Pros: Maximize unused corners between two walls, creating deep storage. Cons: Inner corners can be dark and harder to access.	Best for: L-shaped room layouts, odd corners, or dead spaces. Walkway tip: Needs double swing clearance for doors opening from both sides.	Creating a full walk-in closet Those looking to utilize every inch of space
Underbed Storage	MALM油壓床	Pros: Combines large furniture (the bed) with storage, saving space for a full wardrobe. Cons: Requires bending down; less ideal for high-frequency everyday clothes.	Best for: Utilizing space under the bed when there’s no wall space for a wardrobe. Walkway tip: Leave enough space at the bedside to fully extend drawers (approx. 60–70 cm).	Studio apartments & small flats Storing seasonal bedding and heavy clothes
Underbed Storage	FÅGELFJÄLLET bed frame with 2 storage
Ceiling-Height / Floor-to-Ceiling	ELVARLI open storage system	Pros: 100% utilizes vertical space up to the ceiling; posts often mean no wall drilling. Cons: Hard to reach top shelves without a step stool.	Best for: Building upwards, high ceilings, or rooms with limited horizontal wall width. Walkway tip: Often open-styled; only requires 50–60 cm of front clearance.	Max vertical space seekers, seasonal storage, or renters avoiding wall drilling.

5. Key Layout & Walkway Tips

Coordinate your layout: Ensure open doors and drawers don't block pathways or bump into the bed.
Save floor space: Avoid extra-deep wardrobes in tight spaces. Choose sliding doors, folding doors, or compact 90° hinges to keep walkways clear.
Keep main pathways clear: Leave at least 60 cm of clearance along frequent routes (like from the bed to the door) for smooth movement.
Bed placement: Keep a 50–60 cm walkway on one side of a double bed. For very small bedrooms, placing the bed against the wall works best.
Choose low furniture: Opt for low cabinets or chests of drawers (90–120 cm tall) to create an airy feel and keep lines of sight open.
Check drawer clearance: Double-check that drawers can pull out fully without knocking into desks or the bed frame.

6. Clever Tricks to Make Your Space Feel Bigger

By choosing the right colors, materials, and design details, you can soften the visual impact of a large wardrobe, making your bedroom feel much more spacious and airy.

Go for light colors and wood tones:
White, beige, and light wood veneers reflect light softly, making a bulky wardrobe blend into tight spaces. If you have darker walls, pairing them with a light wardrobe creates a stylish, high-contrast look that expands the room's sense of depth.
Match your wardrobe to the wall color:
Choosing a wardrobe color close to your walls creates a seamless, "built-in" look. This reduces the bulky feel of large furniture and keeps the room looking neat and uniform.
Use mirrored doors for a spacious feel and extra function:
Mirrored doors instantly bounce light around, creating the illusion of double the space. Plus, they double as a full-length dressing mirror, saving you precious floor space.
Opt for handleless doors or open designs:
A handleless design—like push-to-open doors—creates a clean, flat surface that minimizes the wardrobe's presence. For an even lighter look, try an open or semi-open layout to eliminate heavy doors altogether.
Raise it up with an airy, elevated base:
Leaving a 15–20 cm gap at the bottom makes the wardrobe feel lighter and less imposing. It also leaves handy floor space for slippers or a robot vacuum, balancing beauty with utility.

Simple solitaire wardrobes

A solitaire wardrobe is ideal when you simply want a self-contained, single piece of storage furniture. You can choose between models with sliding, hinged or no doors at all in different sizes and looks. Many IKEA solitaire wardrobes are part of a furniture series, so you can easily find a matching bed frame or bedside table.

Wardrobe systems with doors

A wardrobe with doors adds sleek calm to a room while keeping dust away. For a look that blends in, choose colours, finishes and details that complement the rest of your décor. Sliding doors use space efficiently; hinged ones need space to open but offer all-at-once access.

PAX wardrobes with doors

Truly customisable, inside and out. Lots of doors and frames to choose from, as well as plenty of interior organisers like pull-out trays and glass-front drawers. Works well for the bedroom or hallway. Can tackle awkward corners, and features built-in plinths. Main dimensions: 50, 75 or 100 cm wide; 201 or 236 cm tall; 35 or 58 cm deep. Door type will affect total size.

LASTARE system with doors

Functional, flexible and easy to assemble/disassemble. Has doors and drawer fronts in many colours and expressions, always with white frames. Works with sloped or high ceilings. Has leg options, plus matching bed frames and TV benches. Main dimensions: 60 or 80 cm wide; 40, 60, 120 or 180 cm tall; 40 or 55 cm deep. Door type will affect total size.

Open wardrobe systems

When you have a wardrobe without doors, you’re never likely to forget what outfits are ready to wear. An open system lets you organise and maximise a reach-in or walk-in space. Plus, if you want, you can make a display feature of your clothes and accessories.

ELVARLI system

Lightweight, yet durable storage that lets you create a stylish room divider or walk-in closet using ceiling posts or side units. Tailor it with sleek interior options like solid drawers and shelves (there’s bamboo, too). Main dimensions: 40 or 80 cm wide; 222-350 cm tall (post); 216 cm tall (side unit); 36 or 51 cm deep.

JONAXEL system

Affordable, flexible, sturdy floor-standing storage that’s easy to add to bedrooms, reach-in closets or hallways. Suitable for indoor wet rooms. Some frames/units can be stacked or have castors added. Main dimensions: 25 or 50 cm wide; 70 cm tall (one frame is 104 cm); 51 cm deep.

BOAXEL system

Versatile, durable and affordable wall-mounted storage that can adapt to sloped or high ceilings. Suitable for indoor wet rooms (bathroom, laundry room) and has wire shelves and drying racks. Main dimensions: 60 or 80 cm wide; 100 or 200 cm tall; 40 cm deep. Mounting rails are 62, 82 or 182 cm wide.

PAX wardrobes without doors

Features frames in different finishes, built-in plinths and corner solutions. Has numerous clever interior organisers - pull-out trays, trouser hangers, glass shelves, glass-front drawers - so you can create an organised dream wardrobe. Main dimensions: 50, 75 or 100 cm wide; 201 or 236 cm tall; 35 or 58 cm deep.

Small Bedroom Wardrobe Size Guide

Series	Type	Width (cm)	Height (cm)	Depth (cm)	Why It Fits Small Spaces
PAX	With doors / Open styled	50 / 75 / 100	201 / 236	35 / 58	Ultra-shallow 35 cm depth option is perfect for narrow walkways.
PLATSA	Modular / Open styled	60 / 80	40 / 60 / 120 / 180	40 / 55	Highly flexible to stack, build, or adjust; ideal for sloped ceilings.
LASTARE	Modular system	40 / 60 / 80	100 / 200 / 236	32 / 42 / 62	Stackable design maximizes wall height to boost storage capacity.
BOAXEL	Wall-mounted comb	60 / 80	100 / 200	40	Takes up zero floor space for an incredibly light, airy look.
JONAXEL	Freestanding open	25 / 50	70	51	Ultra-narrow profile; perfect for hallway or secondary storage.
JOSTEIN	Multi-use comb	40 / 60 / 80	90 / 180	40	Versatile storage built for both small indoor and outdoor spaces.
ELVARLI	Floor-to-ceiling	40 / 80	216–350	36 / 51	Visually light and tall—ideal for compact rooms with high ceilings.

Small Bedroom Wardrobes: FAQ

Q1: What kind of wardrobe works best for a small bedroom?

A: Wardrobes with sliding doors, narrow frames, or floor-to-ceiling designs are perfect for smaller rooms, as they maximize storage without blocking your walkways.

Q2: Do I absolutely need sliding doors for a small bedroom?

A: Not necessarily, but if the space in front of your wardrobe is tight, sliding doors are usually much easier to use than hinged doors.

Q3: What is the most important thing to check when buying a wardrobe for a small room?

A: Always check the wardrobe depth, the space required to fully open the doors, and whether there is enough clearance left between the wardrobe and your bed.

Q4: Is it possible to fit a high-capacity wardrobe in a small room?

A: Yes! A floor-to-ceiling or modular system works best. We recommend avoiding bulky, overly wide freestanding units that can overwhelm the space.

Q5: How do I choose a wardrobe that won't make my small bedroom feel cramped?

A: Look for clean designs, moderate depths, and lighter colors. Most importantly, make sure to leave enough open floor space around it to move freely.

Q6: What is the recommended wardrobe depth for small bedrooms?

A: A depth of 45–60 cm is usually plenty for standard hanging needs—avoid extra-deep designs in tight spaces. Also, try to leave at least 60 cm of clearance in front of the wardrobe for comfortable daily use.

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