Robes Collective’s Expert Tips for Getting It Right the First Time
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Avoid the Regret — Design Smart From Day One
Designing a custom wardrobe is exciting — but it’s also filled with decisions that can impact your daily life for years to come. At Robes Collective, we’ve seen what works… and what doesn’t.
This blog isn’t about scaring you — it’s about protecting your investment and helping you design a wardrobe that’s stylish, functional, and tailored to how you live.
Whether you’re renovating a period home in Williamstown or fitting out a new build in Altona North, here are 7 common mistakes to avoid — and how Robes Collective helps you get it right.
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1. Not Decluttering Before Design
Big mistake: Designing around clutter instead of around what you actually use.
Before we take measurements, we recommend clients do a wardrobe detox — assess what you wear, what you store, and what you could let go of. This ensures we design for your real lifestyle, not your “maybe one day” pile.
Pro Tip: Take inventory of your shoes, jackets, bags and accessories — then we’ll customise zones to fit them perfectly.
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2. Not Thinking About Shoe Storage
Shoes are bulky, oddly shaped, and often overlooked in the design process.
“We’ll just throw them at the bottom” isn’t a plan.
We recommend:
• Pull-out shoe drawers
• Angled display shelving
• Hidden vertical racks for small spaces
Robes Collective builds footwear storage into your design — so you’ll never step over stray sneakers again.
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3. Poor Hanging Space Planning
You don’t just need “a rail” — you need the right kind of rail:
• Single hanging for long dresses/coats
• Double hanging for shirts & pants
• Adjustable rails for future flexibility
Most people underestimate how much hanging they need — or overdo it, and sacrifice drawer space. We balance both.
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4. Forgetting About Lighting
This one’s huge. A dark wardrobe is not only frustrating — it’s a missed design opportunity.
We include LED lighting, sensor lights, or backlit panels in most Robes Collective designs — because you shouldn’t need a torch to find your black shirt in the morning.
Bonus: great lighting makes your wardrobe feel premium every time you open it.
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5. Wasting Vertical Space
If your wardrobe stops short of the ceiling, you’re giving away precious storage real estate.
We build floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that includes:
• Overhead compartments for seasonal items or suitcases
• Top-shelf storage for items you access less often
This is especially important in Melbourne’s compact bedrooms and apartments.
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6. Using Fixed Shelves Instead of Adjustable Systems
Your needs will change — but your cabinetry shouldn’t become obsolete.
That’s why we use adjustable shelving systems that allow you to:
• Reconfigure layout as your wardrobe evolves
• Make room for tall boots, long coats or accessories
• Future-proof kids’ wardrobes as they grow
Flexibility is the ultimate luxury.
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7. Choosing Style Over Everyday Function
Yes — your wardrobe should look amazing. But it also needs to work hard, day in, day out.
At Robes Collective, we never sacrifice usability for looks. You can have:
• Beautiful doors and quiet soft-close hinges
• Luxury finishes and scuff-resistant surfaces
• Minimalist designs with loads of hidden storage
Function and finish should work hand in hand — and that’s exactly how we design.
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Let Robes Collective Help You Get It Right From the Start
We’ve seen the Pinterest fails, the regretful flat-pack buyers, the wardrobes that “almost worked.”
Let’s not do that.
Let’s build a custom wardrobe that:
• Fits your home
• Supports your routine
• Looks incredible — and works beautifully
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