The ergonomics of the wardrobe cabinet is a parameter that must be taken into account by those who keep clothes just about anywhere. Sorting and throwing away old things alone do not always help – it is much more important to think about the competent organization of filling the cabinet.
It is especially important to do this if you decide to purchase custom Australian made furniture in order to foresee all the nuances and the possibility of proper storage of things. Later in this article, we will tell you about the key rules of ergonomics of the cabinet, which will help you choose a good filling for a room.
Key principles of competent ergonomics of a wardrobe
1. Rely on yourself, not the measurer
Naturally, the employees of the furniture factory will explain to you what this or that design is and will tell you if this manufacturer has it. However, do not hope that the measurer will help you make the right choice, since no one knows better than you how many shelves or bars in the closet will be enough for your apartment. So, you have to make a decision yourself.
2. Analyze the volume of your wardrobe
On interior blogs, experts often recommend auditing their stuff. After you make a detailed list of everything that you have, it will become clear what kind of storage system is needed in the house.
If you do not like the idea of having to recount things in all cabinets and then folding them back, or you simply do not have time for this, count things at least approximately. Add another 20% to the amount received. Having bought a new cabinet, you will not regret that you have taken such a supply.
Then you should decide on the purpose of the storage system. Conventionally, we can distinguish such options:
- A wardrobe for both spouses (not used for outerwear)
- Separate wardrobe for husband or wife
- Wardrobe for children
- Wardrobe for storing outerwear
3. Decide what is important to you in the storage system and what it will be inside
Of course, you can choose a cabinet with a standard “filling” in the form of several shelves and one bar. But do not forget that modern wardrobes can consist of different modules designed to store certain categories of things. They have shoe racks, pull-out baskets, trouser racks, and other useful sections such as backlit transparent drawers.
However, systems with such options are much more expensive than traditional options. If it’s important for you to save money, consider how you can replace such a wardrobe. In any case, you will always find an acceptable option.
4. Decide on the depth of the cabinet
The depth of the storage system is measured on the shoulders for clothes. The standard size of this cabinet ergonomics parameter is 55 cm. If you are going to store light things in the cabinet, then 50 cm is enough. And if you put coats and fur coats in it, the depth should be 10 cm more than the standard. If a cabinet of this size cannot be made, it is recommended to hang clothes in the end part, that is, deploy it at a right angle. In this case, things will not wrinkle around the edges, and the depth of the wardrobe can be reduced.
The sliding wardrobe, on the contrary, needs to be increased by 10 cm in depth to leave room for the installation of doors.
5. Width of wardrobe modules
There are no standards for this parameter. However, you need to understand that if this, for example, is a zone for a coat hanger, then its size cannot be 40 x 40 cm. Only a shoebox can be put in such a compartment. With a standard cabinet depth, any module length is acceptable, since it all depends on the number of things. If the depth is less than 55 cm and there is an end bar, then there is only enough space for 8–9 hangers. Estimating the width of the compartment, focus on the number of rods and be sure to leave 5 cm in the gap.
End rods are not so convenient and contain few things. If the width of the section is at least 50 cm, then you can put in it a longitudinal bar. In a cabinet with small width modules, it will be inconvenient to place voluminous outer clothing. This option is only suitable for storing light things.
6. Height of wardrobe sections
What kind of things is the storage system designed for and how do you want to place them? By answering these questions, you can determine the optimal cabinet height for you. For example, if you plan to hang long dresses on your shoulders, keep in mind that the hem should not slip along the bottom of the wardrobe; otherwise, they will be wrinkled all the time.
We recommend making the number of doors by the number of vertical sections inside the storage system. This is an extremely convenient option since behind each door, and there is a compartment for a certain category of things.
The height of the mezzanine causes a lot of debate. On the one hand, it’s very inconvenient to use a stepladder or chair every time to get to the upper shelf. But still, a cabinet with a ceiling height is the best option. Of course, getting something from the mezzanine is very problematic, but there, as a rule, they put things that they rarely use. For example, in the upper part of the cabinet, you can store items that take up a lot of space: different boxes, travel bags and suitcases, pillows and blankets. It’s better to remove these things from prying eyes in the closed part of the storage system than to keep them in sight, laying out around the house. The optimum width of the mezzanine is 40 cm.
7. First, decide on the long part of the cabinet
Naturally, a bar designed for long things should not be more than two meters high. If its height is greater, then a pantograph should be provided.
First, you need to plan a high compartment for clothes, which will be located on the shoulders. Allocate the remaining space under shelves, drawers, and drawers.
Analyze how much your entire wardrobe occupies. About 30–40 cm will go-to dresses in the amount of 5–10 pieces. The same number of men’s suits will occupy almost 1 meter of cabinet space. Make at least two compartments with bars: one for short (80-100 cm), the other for long (130-165 cm) things.
Leave a small distance above the rods – at least 5-6 cm. In some cases, it is advisable to place two rods under each other: the upper one for blouses, and the lower one for skirts. The second boom can be replaced with extendable modules. This will allow the use of space more ergonomically.
8. Decide what the shelves in the cabinet will be like.
The most convenient option for everyday use is the drawers in the middle of the cabinet. But do not forget about the shelves. They can accommodate bulky items such as blankets and pillows, as well as sports equipment for the winter. We recommend that you allocate the entire width of the compartment for long shelves that is 80–120 cm. If you plan to store something heavy, the shelves should be no longer than 80 cm. Otherwise, use a vertical partition as support; otherwise, the surface may sag. A distance of at least 40 cm should be left between the shelves. Increase it to 85 cm if you intend to place suitcases or boxes with shoes.
Conclusion
A wardrobe cabinet is an important part of any household. With this ergonomic guide, you can use your wardrobe cabinet much more effectively.
