CLOSET & WARDROBE
TERMINOLOGY
DECODING WARDROBE TERMINOLOGY
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO
Designing and building a wardrobe is an exciting journey, brimming with opportunities for creativity and personal expression.
Imagine transforming your space into a stylish and functional haven with a wardrobe that not only maximises space but also elevates your rooms look & style.
Let's break down the wardrobe jargon and help you make informed decisions with confidence.
WARDROBE TYPES
WALK IN WARDROBE
A spacious wardrobe area, often a small room, where clothes and accessories can be stored and accessed easily. Ideal for those who want a boutique-like experience at home.
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Tip: Plan your layout to maximise storage and ensure easy access to all items.
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Try these links Designing Your Wardrobe Tips on Designing Your Wardrobe Small Wardrobe Ideas
REACH IN WARDROBE
A more compact wardrobe option, typically set into a wall, with doors that slide or open outward. It’s suitable for smaller spaces and still offers ample storage.
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Example: Standard wardrobes and closets in bedrooms often serve as reach-in wardrobes.
Customisable wardrobe kits that you can assemble yourself. They offer flexibility and cost savings but require some handy skills.
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Recommendation: Measure your space accurately before purchasing a DIY wardrobe kit.
For tips on measuring your wardrobe space and a wardrobe installation guide
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WARDROBE STORAGE SOLUTIONS
WARDROBE FOOTPRINT
The total area occupied by the wardrobe on the floor. It's crucial for planning your space effectively.
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Tip: Consider the footprint when deciding between walk-in and reach-in wardrobes. (see above)
WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
Must-have components like rails, shelves, and drawers that make a wardrobe functional and organised.
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Example: A rail for hanging clothes, shelves for folded items, and drawers for small accessories.
WARDROBE ORGANISER SYSTEMS
Systems designed to optimise storage within a wardrobe, often including adjustable shelves, drawers, and hangers. Here you can delve into extendable trouser hangers, jewellery drawers, baskets, drawers for scarves and ties.
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Recommendation: Look for modular systems that can adapt as your storage needs change.
WARDROBE HANGING SPACE
Areas designed for hanging clothes using rails, ideal for suits, dresses, and coats.
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Tip: Ensure you have enough hanging space by varying rail heights for different garment lengths.
WARDROBE SHELVING UNITS
Fixed or adjustable shelves within the wardrobe used for storing folded clothes, shoes, and other items.
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Example: Use shelves for jeans, t-shirts, and jumpers.
WARDROBE DRAWER INSERTS
Accessories that fit inside drawers to organise smaller items like jewellery or ties.
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Recommendation: Choose inserts with adjustable compartments for flexibility.
WARDROBE LAYOUT
The design and arrangement of shelves, hanging spaces, and drawers within a wardrobe to maximise efficiency.
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Tip: Sketch your layout before assembly to ensure everything fits.
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Try these links Tips on Designing Your Wardrobe 17 Design Tips Designing Your Wardrobe
WARDROBE HANGING SPACE
Areas designed for hanging clothes using rails, ideal for suits, dresses, and coats.
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Tip: Ensure you have enough hanging space by varying rail heights for different garment lengths.
WARDROBE SHELVING UNITS
Fixed or adjustable shelves within the wardrobe used for storing folded clothes, shoes, and other items.
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Example: Use shelves for jeans, t-shirts, and jumpers.
WARDROBE DRAWER INSERTS
Accessories that fit inside drawers to organise smaller items like jewellery or ties.
-
Recommendation: Choose inserts with adjustable compartments for flexibility.
WARDROBE LAYOUT
The design and arrangement of shelves, hanging spaces, and drawers within a wardrobe to maximise efficiency.
-
Tip: Sketch your layout before assembly to ensure everything fits.
-
Try these links Tips on Designing Your Wardrobe 17 Design Tips Designing Your Wardrobe
WARDROBE MATERIAL TERMINOLOGY
MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard)
A popular and affordable material used for making wardrobe panels and doors, known for its smooth finish and versatility. MDF can be left raw or painted to suit your wardrobe style
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Tip: Seal MDF edges before painting to achieve a smooth finish.
WARDROBE RAIL
A metal or wooden bar for hanging clothes within a wardrobe, essential for keeping garments wrinkle-free.
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Example: Double rails to maximise vertical space in a reach-in wardrobe.
FLUTED GLASS FOR SHOWER SCREENS
Fluted glass in shower screens provides an elegant texture that enhances privacy while allowing natural light to filter through. This type of glass is commonly used in modern bathroom designs, as it adds a touch of sophistication and style to the space.
find out more about Fluted Glass Shower Screens
SHOWER SCREEN GLASS THICKNESS
Thickness of the glass in your shower screen type varies, as a general rule
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Framed shower screens and panels utilise 6.38mm laminated safety glass,
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Semi-frameless glass is usually 5mm or 6mm toughened glass.
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Frameless shower screen glass boasts a thickness of 10mm of toughened glass.
LAMINATED GLASS IN SHOWER SCREENS
Laminated glass consists of two layers of glass with a plastic interlayer. This construction makes it shatter-resistant, adding an extra layer of safety. If it breaks, the glass sticks to the interlayer, preventing dangerous shards.
TOUGHENED GLASS IN SHOWER SCREENS
Toughened (or tempered) glass is heat-treated to increase its strength. When it breaks, it shatters into small, blunt pieces, reducing the risk of injury. It's a popular choice for shower screens due to its durability and safety.
SHOWER SCREEN HARDWARE
When we mention ‘hardware’ in the context of shower screens, we're talking about all the non-glass components.
This includes:
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Screws
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Handles
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Hinges
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Brackets
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U Channels
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Clamps
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Tracks and rollers (for sliding doors)
The elements that make up your shower screen are key to its functionality and can dramatically influence your bathroom's overall aesthetic.
The exciting part? Much of your shower screen's hardware can be customised to perfectly match your home's design, allowing you to select colours and finishes that truly complement your space.
SHOWER SCREEN HINGES AND HANDLES
Hinges
Hinges are pivotal in determining how your shower door opens and closes.
Common types include:
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Pivot Hinges: Allow the door to pivot from a single point at the top and bottom.
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Continuous Hinges (also known as piano hinges): Run the entire length of the door, providing extra support and stability.
Handles
Handles come in various shapes and colours, from simple bars to circular knobs
They not only serve a functional purpose but also add to the overall aesthetic of your shower screen.
WHAT IS A SHOWER WASTE?
A 'shower waste' is that handy spot where all the used water from your shower magically disappears, keeping your shower tray empty and ready for next time. It typically features a removable grid, making cleaning and maintenance a breeze. Plus, shower wastes come in a variety of designs, shapes, and finishes to match your bathroom's style.
AFFIXING YOUR SHOWER SCREEN TO THE WALL
SHOWER SCREEN RETURN PANEL
A return panel is an additional glass panel that attaches at a right angle to the main shower screen. It helps to contain water within the shower area, reducing the risk of splashes and spills. Return panels are especially useful in larger shower enclosures and come in various sizes and styles.
SHOWER SCREEN CEILING ARM
A 'Ceiling Arm' refers to a shower fixture mounted directly to the ceiling instead of the wall. This feature allows for adjustable height, enabling you to tailor the shower's position to your preference. Available in a variety of designs, shapes, and finishes, ceiling arms offer both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
SHOWER SCREEN SUPPORT BAR
This reinforcement bar is designed to offer additional support to your shower screen, enhancing its stability. Shower support bars are typically available to complement the design and colour scheme of your shower frame or set, ensuring aesthetic cohesion.
AKA as a Support Brace.
WHAT DOES 'HINGED TO INLINE' MEAN?
The term 'hinged to inline panel' refers to a shower door that is connected to a smaller, adjacent inline panel.
It can also be called an infill.
This configuration, along with the shower door's dimensions, contributes to the overall size of that side of the shower enclosure. The connection between the shower door and the inline panel is achieved using hinges. In some instances, an inline panel might be positioned on the opposite side of the shower door, meaning the door is not hinged to it but rather closes against it. To determine your shower's dimensions, you can select a shower door, inline panel, and return panel in various sizes to create the desired shape and size for your shower.
Storage Solutions
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Wardrobe footprint:
The total area occupied by the wardrobe on the floor. It's crucial for planning your space effectively.
-
Tip: Consider the footprint when deciding between walk-in and reach-in wardrobes.
-
Wardrobe essentials:
Must-have components like rails, shelves, and drawers that make a wardrobe functional and organised.
-
Example: A rail for hanging clothes, shelves for folded items, and drawers for small accessories.
-
Wardrobe organiser systems:
Systems designed to optimise storage within a wardrobe, often including adjustable shelves, drawers, and hangers.
-
Recommendation: Look for modular systems that can adapt as your storage needs change.
-
Hanging space:
Areas designed for hanging clothes using rails, ideal for suits, dresses, and coats.
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Tip: Ensure you have enough hanging space by varying rail heights for different garment lengths.
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Shelving units:
Fixed or adjustable shelves within the wardrobe used for storing folded clothes, shoes, and other items.
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Example: Use shelves for jeans, t-shirts, and jumpers.
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Drawer inserts:
Accessories that fit inside drawers to organise smaller items like jewellery or ties.
-
Recommendation: Choose inserts with adjustable compartments for flexibility.
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Wardrobe layout:
The design and arrangement of shelves, hanging spaces, and drawers within a wardrobe to maximise efficiency.
-
Tip: Sketch your layout before assembly to ensure everything fits.
Material Terminology
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MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard):
A popular and affordable material used for making wardrobe panels and doors, known for its smooth finish and versatility.
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Tip: Seal MDF edges before painting to achieve a smooth finish.
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Rail:
A metal or wooden bar for hanging clothes within a wardrobe, essential for keeping garments wrinkle-free.
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Example: Double rails to maximise vertical space in a reach-in wardrobe.
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Edge Profile:
The shape of the edge of a wardrobe door or shelf, which can be flat, rounded, or decorative.
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Tip: Choose an edge profile that complements your room’s style.
Door Types
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Wardrobe sliding door options:
Various styles of sliding doors, including framed, frameless, and mirrored, offering a sleek and modern look.
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Example: Mirror sliding doors can make small rooms feel larger.
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Wardrobe hardware:
Components like handles, hinges, and tracks that are integral to the functioning and style of the wardrobe.
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Recommendation: Opt for hardware that matches other elements in the room for a cohesive look.
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Closet lighting:
Solutions for illuminating the inside of a wardrobe, enhancing visibility and aesthetics.
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Tip: Consider LED strip lights for energy-efficient, shadow-free lighting.
Wardrobes Flatpack
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Flatpack wardrobes:
Wardrobes that come in a kit form for easy transportation and assembly at home. They are often more affordable and customisable.
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Recommendation: Ensure all parts are present before starting assembly.
We hope this guide has demystified some of the terminology you’ll encounter while shopping for a shower screen. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently choose the best options for your bathroom renovation project.
Ready to find your perfect shower screen? Explore our range, and if you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to book a call with one of our experts. Happy renovating!