Walk-in wardrobe planning guide

By the Baroco team, Mount Waverley · Updated October 2026

01Minimum space and clearances

A practical walk-in wardrobe starts with enough room to move. For a single-sided layout, allow a clear internal space of at least 1800mm by 1800mm. If you want hanging on both sides, the room width should be at least 2400mm. These are minimums; add more if you also want an island, a seat or a fold-down ironing board.

The walkway between storage faces should be at least 900mm, and that is measured between the front edges of hanging clothes and drawers, not the cabinet backs. Standard hanging clothes need 550-600mm of depth from the wall. Folded shelves and shoe shelves work well at 300-400mm deep. If you plan drawers that open into the walkway, check the drawer depth plus your body width so you can still move past an open drawer.

• Single-sided run: minimum 1800mm x 1800mm internal
• Double-sided run: minimum 2400mm width
• Clear walkway: 900mm or more
• Hanging depth: 550-600mm
• Shelf depth: 300-400mm for folded clothes

02Layout options that work in Melbourne homes

The most common layouts are single-sided, double-sided, L-shaped, and island. A single-sided run suits a narrow alcove or the end of a bedroom. Double-sided works when you can dedicate a room at least 2400mm wide. An L-shaped layout uses two adjacent walls and can fit awkward corners, while an island layout needs a room at least 2400mm by 2400mm, preferably 2700mm, to keep circulation comfortable around all sides.

Door choice affects layout more than people expect. Sliding or cavity doors save floor space compared with hinged doors. If you are working within an existing room, keep the door swing outside the walkway if possible. Before removing walls to create a larger wardrobe, have a builder or structural engineer check whether the wall is loadbearing. Moving a loadbearing wall is not a simple DIY job and requires proper temporary support.

• Single-sided: narrow rooms or alcoves
• Double-sided: walls at least 2400mm apart
• L-shaped: works with two adjacent walls
• Island: only for rooms 2400mm x 2400mm or larger

03Hanging heights and rod placement

For double hanging, fit two rods one above the other. Set the top rod at about 1900-2000mm from the floor and the lower rod at 900-1000mm. This gives enough clearance for shirts, blouses, folded trousers and light jackets. Allow at least 900mm clear hanging height between the lower rod and the floor so garments do not drag. Measure your longest short garment before fixing rod heights.

For long dresses, coats and robes, use a full-height section with 1500-1600mm clear hanging height. The rod should sit at about 1800-1900mm from the floor, depending on the longest item. Keep the rod 300-350mm out from the back wall so hangers do not crush against the wall. If you place a shelf above, leave 400-500mm clearance above the rod for easy access to folded items.

• Double hanging: top rod 1900-2000mm, lower rod 900-1000mm
• Full-length hanging: 1500-1600mm clear height
• Rod set 300-350mm from back wall
• Shelf above rod: allow 400-500mm clearance

04Drawers, shelves and shoe storage

Drawers are better than open shelves for small items, socks and underwear. Allow an internal drawer depth of 500-600mm and internal height of 100-200mm for flat and folded items, or 150-250mm for bulky knitwear. Soft-close runners are worth the extra cost because they prevent slamming and protect the carcass. Keep drawer width under 900mm to avoid racking and jamming.

For folded clothes, use shelves no wider than 900mm between supports to stop sagging; 18mm melamine or solid timber works well. Adjustable shelf pins give you flexibility as your storage needs change. For shoes, plan a mix of flat shelves and angled racks at the bottom of the wardrobe. Allow 150-200mm vertical clearance for flats and sneakers, and 200-250mm for boots. Pull-out shoe racks make it easier to reach the back row, and keep shoes slightly away from the floor to avoid dust and scuffs.

• Drawer internal depth: 500-600mm
• Drawer internal height: 100-200mm (250mm for knits)
• Shelf span: under 900mm between supports
• Shoe clearance: 150-200mm flats, 200-250mm boots

05Lighting and ventilation

Lighting makes a walk-in wardrobe usable. Run LED strip lights along the underside of shelves above hanging rods, or fit a slim linear light in the ceiling. Choose a warm to neutral colour temperature between 3000K and 4000K. Avoid halogen globes close to clothes because they generate heat. If you have a mirror or a dressing area, place task lighting on both sides at face height to reduce shadows. A sensor switch is convenient when your hands are full.

Ventilation prevents musty smells and mould, which matter in Melbourne's damp winters. Leave a 10-15mm gap under the door or use a louvred door so air can move. Do not push clothes hard against external walls, especially uninsulated brick walls, because condensation can form on the back of the wardrobe. If the wardrobe has no natural airflow and it is against an external wall, a small exhaust fan ducted to outside can help, but wiring must be done by a licensed electrician and any wall penetration must be sealed and flashed by a qualified tradesperson.

Before you commit, it helps to see drawer hardware, hanging systems and lighting samples in person. Baroco Interior Innovations at 21/105-111 Ricketts Road, Mount Waverley has a showroom with storage accessories and can talk through your layout. Call 0426 520 859 before visiting to check the showroom is open.

• Use LED lighting at 3000-4000K
• Leave a 10-15mm gap under the door
• Keep clothes off cold external walls
• Use a licensed electrician for any exhaust fan wiring