As a feature of the home that we interact with every day, the importance of wardrobe storage should not be underestimated. We spoke to Natalie Clement at Archipro to reveal the secrets to stress-free wardrobe storage.

The relationship between organisation and mood has been thoroughly researched over the years. One study, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2016, found those whose homes are cluttered and disorganised experienced higher levels of stress compared to those who had well organised and tidy living spaces.

Since 1987, Boston Wardrobes has been guided by a belief in ‘better living through organisation’. “We know what a positive change a good storage solution can make to your home,” shares Angela Amerigo.

“It may sound silly, but a well-designed wardrobe can make your life better. Things are easier to find, your clothes are better cared for, mornings are easier. We make it easier for people to keep their homes tidy by having fit-for-purpose storage, custom designed to their needs, which in turn will hopefully make the rest of their home life better, more manageable, and less stressful.”

Fundamentally, thoughtfully designed wardrobe storage can enhance your everyday living experience. While quality wardrobe storage is evidently beneficial, it can be challenging to get right without expert guidance.
“Just like you would want an experienced designer handling a new kitchen or bathroom project, equally you will get best results when you have a wardrobe designer deal with wardrobe spaces,” shares Angela.

“The biggest issue we see people facing when it comes to wardrobes is space and access,” adds Angela. “People with existing wardrobes with hinged doors, the old poky sort, with a whole lot of inaccessible space in the side returns and on top want a lot to fit into what is often not that big a space. Shoes are also a big one — everyone wants a better way to store their shoes.”

Boston Wardrobes’ four-step process offers a stress-free solution to solve these problems. The comprehensive remedy starts with a visit to their showroom followed by a design and quote. With this agreed, the third step is a home visit, after which professional installation is taken care of.

Located at 57 Boston Road in Auckland, Boston Wardrobes’ vast 250 sqm showroom, the largest in Auckland, allows you to visualise your new storage solution. “I think people are surprised at what can be done. Often when people visualise a wardrobe, they think of some boring white shelves and rails. But that’s not what you see when you come into the showroom,” explains Angela.

“We’ve designed the displays to inspire your imagination and get you thinking about your own perfect wardrobe. We want you to love your wardrobe every time you use it. It should be designed for your specific needs, taking into account your sneaker obsession, your designer jeans collection, or your abundance of accessories.”

The showroom has continuously evolved over Boston Wardrobe’s 35 years in the industry to showcase the latest products and trends. Inside, you’ll find multiple life-sized walk-ins, reach-ins, and standalone wardrobes, as well as home storage solutions for laundry and living rooms. Every wardrobe and wardrobe range on offer is available to view in all its configurations, along with accessories, colour options, and a selection of handle hardware to finish your project.

“Seeing and feeling all of the different options gives you a much better idea of what to expect. You wouldn’t buy a new kitchen without first visiting a showroom! Wardrobes might be smaller, but they can be just as complex, and just as life-saving,” Angela explains. “Every single one of our customers comments on how valuable the showroom visit is to their overall experience.”

At the showroom, you’ll view the extensive selection and discuss your requirements with a design consultant. “At this stage it is helpful to bring in any building plans if you have them or alternatively a hand drawn sketch of the space you are working on with measurements, maybe even a few photos, so we can get to work straight away.” Angela shares.

The thorough consultation ensures your needs are met within your budget, usually lasting around 30-45 minutes for a single wardrobe. The design consultant takes into account your storage needs, the available space, lighting, as well as matching colours and textures to the rest of the house, to sketch a bespoke wardrobe storage system tailored to your unique requirements.

“The consultant will be with you one-on-one right through the whole process, from consultation, to design, measurement on site, right up until the install date. So you will be talking to someone who knows the full picture every time.”

A new, popular solution is Viva, designed for homes that don’t have in-built wardrobe space. The premium unit is complete with back panels and doors, and can be installed by the Boston Wardrobes’ team with minimal preparatory work.

The cost varies depending on your design choices, but in the showroom, it’s easier to make a decision by interacting with the physical products.

The consultation can be done over the phone, but Angela recommends a visit to the showroom at some point during the process as it allows you to see every product first-hand and refine your needs. “Some people prefer to talk on the phone or have us come out to their home first, but trust me, save yourself the time and come into the showroom, it is absolutely worth the effort.” Angela adds.
Once your dream design has been prepared, a 50% deposit ensures it becomes a reality.