Depth Guide
Our How Deep Guide
Measuring for your new wardrobe is simple, requires only a tape measure and takes just a few minutes. When it comes to wardrobe depth, you don’t need to tell us how deep you plan to make your wardrobe, however there are a number of things we recommend you consider before ordering.
How deep should you sliding wardrobe be very much depends on the function of your sliding wardrobe and the internal requirements you have. Essentially, it is up to you! As a general rule, most sliding wardrobes a depth of approximately 58cm-60cm. This is the overall depth and allows for standard internal fittings such as shelving, hanging rails and drawers as required.
There are several factors you may need to consider when understanding what depth you require for your sliding wardrobe, depending on the purpose of the wardrobe itself, what types of internals you have or plan to have and how deep these are and whether you are building a wall-to-wall wardrobe, or require end panels.
What is the minimum depth for sliding wardrobe doors only?
Did you know that sliding wardrobes can actually offer a perfect modern alternative to a standard hinged door to cover a walk through opening? They can also be a great way to hide an alcove or unsightly wall. If you are looking to install doors only, with no internal requirements, then ordering sliding doors can be a perfect solution for you.
Sliding wardrobe doors are panelled doors which run using top and bottom track, which enables their smooth side to side sliding movement. The minimum depth for sliding wardrobe doors without any casing is 8.5cm, which allows enough space for doors themselves and the track.
Most customers require casing to add additional protection for the doors, the walls and to level, plumb and square up the opening. Where casing is included, you will require a minimum depth of 9cm.
Minimum depth for sliding doors with narrow shelving internals
In some instances, if you are using the sliding doors to cover a wall or alcove, you might wish to consider adding some shallow shelving behind the doors, to provide additional storage in addition to covering the area required, should space allow.
Increasing the depth up to 18cm will provide enough space to add horizontal casing boards which can act as narrow shelves.
Need deeper shelving options or looking to use your own internals?
Often our customers wish to utilise their own internals, such as drawers or shelving which they already own, within their new sliding wardrobes and this is of course possible. The depth you will require will depend on the depth of the internals you are looking to include.
You will need to allow for the depth of the internals / shelving + 9cm for the doors, track and casing. 18cm-41cm of space will allow you to include up to 32cm of alternative shallower shelving boards that we offer.
Minimum depth for MSW standard internals
All of our set internals have a depth of 45cm. This means that if you are ordering our standard internals, you will require a minimum depth of 54cm (45cm for the internals + 9cm for the track, doors and casing). If you require our soft close drawer options, you will need to increase the overall depth to at least 58cm.
54cm-58cm is slightly smaller than the average sliding wardrobe depth, so you may wish to consider increasing the depth slightly to allow for more space for standard sized hangers. 54cm will work, but may be a little snug, whereas 58cm-60cm gives more space and is closer to a typical sliding wardrobe depth.
Maximum depth of wardrobes with end panels
If you are fitting a wardrobe which only goes part way along a wall, you will need an end panel to complete your wardrobe.
For our standard end panels, the maximum depth is 64cm.
For our larger end panels, the maximum depth is 90cm.
Should you require a shallower depth than either of our standard or deeper end panels, then these can be trimmed down during installation to achieve the perfect overall depth for your requirements, so long as the depth is sufficient to accommodate your internals and casing as above. This means that in reality, the majority of sliding wardrobes with at least 1 end panel will have an overall depth of between 54cm and 64cm.
90cm end panels are normally only required when deeper internals are used or where there is a sloping ceiling as shown below and so they are not normally required for typical sliding wardrobe installations. If deeper end panels are used, shelving or internals can be added behind the doors up to a depth of 71cm. If you have a sloping ceiling, please contact us before ordering.
If you are looking for an overall depth of more than 90cm, perhaps to allow for more space for your own internals or to get a walk-in wardrobe feel, then you will need to order a wardrobe which is fitted wall to wall, where there are no maximum restrictions to depth, as we explore below.
Have a larger space to fill with a wall to wall wardrobe, then the options are almost limitless!
Thought sliding doors were just for sliding wardrobes? They can actually be used to create larger wardrobe spaces, such as walk-in wardrobes, dressing rooms and can even act as room partitions.
If your wardrobes or sliding doors are being fitted wall-to-wall, then there really is no limit to the overall depth and how big your wardrobes are is completely up to you, based on the space you have and the desired effect you are trying to create.
If you need any support please Contact Us anytime and if you would like this guide in a PDF form to print please use the download below,