When it comes to buying wardrobes, we’re always left questioning – which is better? A built-in wardrobe or a ready-made wardrobe? Which will last longer? Be more convenient? Well, we’re here to answer those burning questions. Read on to find out everything you need to know before installing a Built-In vs a Ready Made wardrobe.

Built-In (Custom Made) Wardrobes: The Pros and Cons

Pro: You Can Build it to Your Specific Tastes

A built-in wardrobe will almost always perfectly fit the space that you’re in. You get to control the size, the material, and the design of the wardrobe. You can make sure it’s perfectly measured to fit the space that you have available for it, right down to the last angstrom.

You can ensure that it’s made from only the highest quality wood from this specific species of tree that’s only found in this specific part of this specific forest of a specific part of the world, and you can make sure that it has those exact door handles in that exact shade of beige that you can’t find anywhere else.

You can even get creative and make it more than just a wardrobe. Build in a vanity or a walk-in changing space. The possibilities are endless!

You can build the wardrobe of your dreams!

However…do keep in mind…

Con: Taste is Subjective

Just because you love the wardrobe – doesn’t mean everyone else is going to. The most important thing to remember about built-in wardrobes is in the name itself – it’s built-in. In other words – it’s pretty permanent. Once you’ve made your decision and you’ve had the wardrobe installed, it’s there forever – unless you’re willing to pay a pretty penny to get it removed.

So why is that a problem?

Because if you ever move out and need to sell your home, you’re going to have to find someone who appreciates your taste in wardrobe design, or they may look to go in another direction, and your property is going to be on the market for a while.

So unless you’re absolutely sure you’re going to spend at least the next 10 years in that home, and that your taste isn’t going to change over the years, you may want to think twice before springing for a built-in wardrobe that’s set to be a permanent fixture.

Pro: Proper Workmanship

If you’re going to get a custom-made wardrobe, you can almost be certain that the workmanship that goes into it is going to be of a much higher quality. Since your wardrobe design is unique and exclusive, you can be sure that you’re not going to get a cheap piece of furniture that was manufactured in a factory.

A professional carpenter or woodworker who is helping design and assemble your wardrobe for you is almost certain to give you a much better quality product than a factory worker earning minimum wage.

Actual footage of me trying to saw wood.

That being said…

Con: It Won’t Come Cheap

Hiring a professional to custom-make a wardrobe for you is not going to be a small investment. It’s actually going to be a pretty big one. On top of the cost of the professional labour and workmanship, you’re also going to have to cover the cost of materials and transportation…and who knows what else – not to mention the time it’s going to take to complete. So unless you’ve money to spare, a built-in wardrobe may end up burning a hole in your pocket, costing more money than it’s worth!

Pro: Exclusivity and Uniqueness

Your wardrobe design will be unique and exclusive to you, and you alone! You know, probably.

Con: Exclusivity and Uniqueness

 Your wardrobe design will be unique and exclusive to you, and you alone. That means there are no manufactured replacement parts. It means that if anything breaks or gets damaged, you’re going to have to go back to that exact carpenter who helped you build the thing in the first place, then specially order replacement pieces for your wardrobe, which is going to be even more money out of your pocket.

With all that in mind, let’s now take a look at:

Ready-Made Wardrobes: The Pros and Cons

Pro: It’s Gentler On Your Wallet

While a custom-made wardrobe is almost guaranteed to cost you a small fortune, ready-made wardrobes are easily available at many stores all around the country at much more affordable prices. Since you don’t necessarily need to pay for professional labour (unless you hire someone to assemble it for you), you’re only paying for the cost of the wardrobe, and occasionally the cost of the delivery to your home (depending on where you purchase from).

It’s a far more affordable option for those who need somewhere to keep their clothes but don’t have the budget to afford a built-in wardrobe.

Con: There’s Such a Thing as TOO Cheap

It’s often said that when something seems too good to be true, it’s because it is. 

As much as ready-made wardrobes are far more affordable, be wary of companies that seem to be offering you the world for the price of a peanut. Make sure you do careful research into companies before buying – especially as much of the retail world has moved online, you’re often not able to know for sure if the item you’re going to get is going to be of a good quality.

When shopping for a ready-made wardrobe, make sure you’re buying from a trusted seller, and if possible, make sure you get a look at the quality of the wardrobe you’re buying before paying for it.

Pro: Maintenance is Much Easier

If it’s being produced in mass quantities, that means it needs to be repaired in mass quantities. That means replacement parts are readily and easily available, and at a much lower cost than having to have them custom-made for you. Your furniture store will probably have multiple servicing agents who are able to help you fix whatever is broken, which means quicker solutions since you don’t have to wait for one specific person to be available to help out. You could even try fixing it yourself - though only attempt this if you're sure you know what you're doing!

Con: Limited Design Choices

Since ready-made wardrobes are intended for mass-production, you often won’t find wardrobes with a lot of intricate, complicated parts, because those take too long to make, and leave too much room for mistakes. Designs will often be simpler, and more toned down. You may find a design you really like that isn’t available in your favourite colour. Or you may find something in a gorgeous colour that’s not available in a design that you’re a fan of. More often than not, you may have to compromise in one way or another.

That being said…

Pro: Lots of Options

Most ready-made wardrobes are made to appeal to a large crowd, so you’re probably going to find something that you like and appreciate. Even if it’s not exactly what you’re looking for, you’re never going to be stuck without options.

Pro: Non-Permanent Fixture

Ready-made wardrobes are a great choice for those who are moving into their new apartment, or a rental space, or a shared living space that isn’t meant to be permanent. It’s a piece of furniture that you can take with you when you move or sell off when you no longer want it since it’s not built-in to your home. And with housing prices skyrocketing as starting salaries plummet, most people these days are living on a rental basis anyways.

Con: Values Plummet

Much like with the purchase of a new car, or a new phone, or a new computer, once it’s been owned, opened, and used, the value of the item often plummets. If you do decide you no longer want the wardrobe, you’re definitely going to be at a loss when you get rid of it. You’ll either have to re-sell it for much less money or get rid of it entirely. Either way, it’s money you won’t see again.

Unspecified: The Freedom to Be Indecisive

As much as it does come at a loss to you – some would argue that the freedom to change your mind and keep up with the latest design trends is worth the losses incurred. Others would say that the freedom to change your mind at any point leads to more financial irresponsibility. We’re not sure whether this point is a pro or a con – you decide.

And there you have it – everything you could possibly need to know about installing a Ready-Made vs a Built-In wardrobe! (Personally, I’m team Ready-Made, just because I don’t have the creativity to design my own wardrobe)

So which one are you going for?