Designing a wardrobe that feels practical, stylish and easy to use often comes down to how well the space is planned. In many Australian homes, especially for those exploring built in wardrobes Sydney, homeowners want a layout that maximises space without feeling heavy or cluttered. Blending open shelving with closed cabinetry has become a popular and effective approach because it lets you display favourite pieces while keeping everyday items neatly stored. At Silva Wardrobe, we often recommend this combination because it suits a wide range of room sizes and lifestyle needs. This article breaks down how blended storage works and the different ways you can tailor it to suit your home.
A blended wardrobe layout brings together the best parts of open shelving and closed cabinetry, giving homeowners a flexible system that suits both everyday use and long-term organisation. Before diving into the specific design elements, it helps to understand why this combination has become so popular in modern Australian homes. The approach works well in bedrooms of all sizes because it balances visual openness with the practicality of concealed storage.
When clients come to us asking how they can make their wardrobe feel organised without feeling boxed in, blended storage is usually the answer. It offers the structure needed for everyday routines while still giving the room a sense of openness.
Some of the benefits include:
Many modern Australian bedrooms are compact, especially in apartments and new builds. Blending open and closed storage helps you create a spacious look without losing functionality.
Blended wardrobe layouts work particularly well in homes where space needs to be maximised without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics. Whether a room is compact or generously sized, combining open and closed elements helps the wardrobe feel more integrated and personalised. Before looking at specific examples, it’s worth noting that this style can adapt to almost any interior.
A hybrid layout is suitable for a wide range of spaces. For example:
Blended storage works particularly well with interior styles that are popular across Australia, such as coastal, minimalist and timber-focused designs. These looks lean towards lighter spaces, natural materials and calm, uncluttered environments.
A blended wardrobe only works well when each section feels intentional and balanced. This means planning how open shelving, closed compartments and transitional zones sit together so the design feels unified. Before exploring each type of storage, it helps to understand the overall design principles that keep everything cohesive.
Open shelving works beautifully for items you reach for often or pieces you like having on display. It encourages tidiness because everything is visible and easy to access.
Common ways homeowners use open shelving include:
Keeping baskets or boxes in a consistent colour or texture helps maintain a clean and cohesive look even when the shelves are open.
Closed cabinetry introduces structure and calm to a wardrobe, especially when you want to keep visual noise to a minimum. Before diving into what works well inside these compartments, it’s helpful to recognise that closed storage forms the backbone of an organised layout.
Closed storage works best for:
Besides keeping things tidy, closed storage reduces dust, protects delicate materials and creates a polished, built-in feel that suits many Australian bedrooms.
Transitional zones play an important role in tying the wardrobe together. These small sections help the eye move comfortably between open and closed elements, preventing any part of the wardrobe from feeling too heavy or too bare. Before looking at specific features, it is helpful to understand why these transitional areas matter.
A few ideas include:
These in-between areas create breathing space in the design and help the entire wardrobe look intentional rather than divided into separate pieces.
Customising a blended wardrobe layout is all about making the design suit your lifestyle and the room it sits in. Before exploring practical questions and measurements, it’s worth recognising that every household uses their wardrobe differently. A tailored approach ensures the final layout feels effortless day-to-day.
The best blended wardrobes are those shaped around the way you live. Before locking in your design, think about what you reach for most often and how you prefer to organise your clothing.
Questions worth considering:
Smaller rooms often benefit from more open shelving because it lightens the visual weight. Larger rooms can balance more closed cabinetry, giving the space a tailored and high-end feel. Ceiling height also plays a role. Taller spaces can incorporate extra vertical storage without overwhelming the room.
The materials and finishes you choose will determine how polished and unified your wardrobe feels. Before looking at popular finish options, it’s useful to understand that consistency is key when blending open and closed storage. Matching tones and textures ensures the wardrobe looks intentional rather than pieced together.
Finishes that suit many Australian homes include:
Pairing lighter colours with natural textures is a simple way to achieve harmony. For example, warm timber combined with matte white cabinetry often feels welcoming and contemporary.
Lighting and hardware are often overlooked but make a noticeable difference in how a blended wardrobe looks and functions. Before reviewing specific ideas, it helps to acknowledge that good lighting enhances visibility while quality hardware adds the finishing touch that ties the whole design together.
Lighting ideas:
Hardware suggestions:
Good lighting improves visibility and adds a boutique feel to the wardrobe. It highlights your favourite pieces and turns the space into a feature rather than just a storage area.
Blended storage offers a practical, flexible and visually balanced solution for anyone wanting a wardrobe that supports their daily routine without overwhelming the room. By using a thoughtful mix of open shelves, closed cabinetry and transitional zones, you can create a layout that feels cohesive, organised and easy to maintain. If you are looking into built in wardrobes Sydney and want a design that blends both display and storage, Silva Wardrobe can help you bring together the right combination of elements for a comfortable and functional result.
Here at Silva Wardrobes, we believe that you shouldn't have to compromise on quality when you’re on a budget. We offer a wide range of built in wardrobe designs in varying materials and finishes, so you can get the perfect built in or walk in wardrobe for your home no matter what the budget you're working with.
Proudly Australian owned and made. All our work is carried out locally in Sydney with only the highest level of craftsmanship and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Contact us for a free measure and quote in the Sydney metropolitan area. We send out a qualified tradesman, not just a salesman.
We then create all the components to your perfect built in wardrobe to exact specifications using only the highest quality materials
A wardrobe technician will then deliver and install your wardrobe ensuring you are 100% happy with the job before they leave.
