The alternative title to this blog post was “That’s Armoir-e” to the tune of the Dean Martin song “That’s Amore.” What can I say, I just love them?
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Why You Should Get an Armoire
For years, built-ins have been the “gold standard” that people are looking for in a home. Yes, you can add so much value to your house by putting in built-ins because it stays with the house. However, a stand-alone armoire is so charming and functional that I love using them in my home. Just like in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, there’s something kind of magical about these moveable closets.
I often hear people wish that they had extra storage in their home. “There’s no closet, there are no built-ins…” But I’ll let you in on a secret: Storage is a retail product. It’s so much work (and sometimes a lot more expense) to build something in. Bypass all of that and buy storage by getting an armoire or wardrobe!
How to Use an Armoire
In our home, we use armoires and wardrobes for several different uses. We bought one from Wayfair that was less than $300 to add storage to the playroom for games. We just stained it to make it more the style we wanted.
I scouted out a more pricey antique one that holds court over the laundry room. It was a linen press in its former life, but it has added so much richness and character to the laundry room. We keep all of our sheets divided by shelves — king, queen, twin — with extra blankets in the drawers.
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In Faye’s room, we actually ripped out her closet in a very controversial move and added an armoire and a dresser. The change has been amazing. I think she has more storage than ever with both of those furniture pieces, and her room feels a lot more open.
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I’ve seen them used in family rooms for blankets. You can also use one in a dining room or open kitchen floor plan for dishes and table linens. They’re such a great standalone piece, almost like a sculpture.
What to Consider When Buying an Armoire
In all the ones that we’ve gotten, the one thing I always pay attention to is height. We have pretty tall 9-foot ceilings upstairs. A lot of times if a wardrobe says 72″, that will feel too short. You’ll find a lot of those, so make sure to check dimensions.
Also, think about what kind of storage you need. In Faye’s room, I was looking for a hanging rod in the wardrobe, while for the laundry room I was looking for more shelves. Just little things to consider.
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If you’re looking to increase your storage space, an armoire or wardrobe is the perfect choice. Here are some of my favorites right now!
