Wardrobes Vs Armoires: What's The Difference, And What's The Right Storage Option For You?

Let's be real, unless you get really lucky or have room to spare, closets are often just not big enough. Sure, you could work on building a bigger one, but if you rent or you don't want to demo part of your home, a wardrobe or an armoire is an easy solution. However, when you are searching, sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between the two and if one will work better than the other for your home.

While there is a fair amount of overlap between the two, they do have some differences that may make them stand apart. Wardrobes are historically made specifically with clothes in mind. Though their design and size changed over the years, a wardrobe is meant as a storage space for clothes, often acting as an enhancement or substitute for a closet. This means that mostly, the interior contains a bar to hang items. Usually the inside is otherwise empty, though sometimes there are a few shelves or cabinets, especially if you DIY a chic minimalist wardrobe yourself and decide to add them.

Generally, armoires are a little bigger than wardrobes. Both are genius clothing storage solutions for bedrooms without closets, but armoires serve more functions. Instead of just having an area to hang up clothes, they tend to have other features, as well, including shelves and cabinets. There is a lot of variability in armoire designs because they aren't only used for clothes. They can double as shelves to hold personal belongings. So while some may have hanging spaces, others may just be big shelves and cabinets. Additionally, armoires are typically more intricate in their designs and shapes, especially those from several decades ago, leading them to be more expensive than a wardrobe.

As for which one works better for you, that depends on what you need. Thanks to wardrobes being simplistic and appearing cleaner and more modern in their design, they are great for people with limited space and who only need a little room for their clothes. The simplicity makes them easy to blend in with a bedroom's decor and, though they are separate, they can feel like a part of the room. If you're just looking for something to help you fit more of your clothes without as much of a struggle, then this is a great and relatively cheap option. 

However, if you want something that stands out and adds a bit of personality to your home, then an armoire might be a better option. They can easily be used to hold clothes, but they are adaptable. So, if you are planning to renovate your closet down the line, an armoire can be a temporary option until that happens. Then, when you are done with it, you can find ways to repurpose an old armoire around the house. 

Of course, since there is some overlap, you can also find something that's in the middle of these two options. Maybe you want a simplistic one but with a lot of shelves. Or, you could choose a piece a little more detailed and ornate that has just enough space for clothes. Either variation can easily be found.