Modular wardrobes on a budget - any recommendations?

lilitu93

We need to get a new wardrobe, as our cheap pine one from Argos fell apart. We don't have a lot of money to spend, plus we don't want wood, since our pet cockatiels live in our bedroom. Not only do they like to chew, but it's best to have something easy to clean when they're out and about. So we'd prefer MDF, as it's easy to wipe clean.

I'm considering a modular wardobe, since they seem to have the most storage space for the least amount of money. I know at least 3 places sell them, but I don't know anything about the quality:

Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/categories/departments/bedroom/10997/

Argos: http://www.argos.co.uk then search for modular wardrobe

Space2: http://www.space2.com/modularbedroom/bedroom.asp

I've heard mixed things about Ikea, and we plan to go check them out in person. I've had great luck with their desks (the ones you pick the top and the legs/drawers separately), but I've heard their wardrobes aren't that great. Also, I'm wary of Argos due to our terrible pine wardrobe from them. I don't know anything about Space2.

Any recommendations for a good quality but not too expensive modular wardrobe? Thanks in advance.

chivers1977

We had an IKEA PAX with frosted glass doors and it was the most sturdy thing ever. We left it in the old flat. Combination of too tall but definitely too heavy!!

homeaway

i second Ikea as long as you dont take things down and put them up again numerous times they are great. Pax is great dont have them myself but several friends do.

Traveller1981

I have 3 x 1m wide pax wardrobes joined together. They are fantastic quality and very sturdy. Nothing comes close for the price. Avoid Argos wardrobes - they are terrible.

The ikea ones are all customisable as well, i.e. you choose the wood colour, all the innards, the door types, mirrors on doors etc. I have my my dvd player and 32" lcd inside the middle compartment of my wardrobe so its hidden away from view with the doors closed.
They even include the fittings to join them together so its looks like one big wardrobe if that is what you are after.

Very easy to put up as well. Very glad I went for them.

Doozergirl

It's already been said but the Ikea ones are great as long as you don't keep pulling them down and taking them up.

As the Queen of Moving House I can categorically state that no Ikea item that has to be taken down and rebuilt will last longer than two house moves! But they'll be perfect the first time, for a long time!

Mine are great (only one house move so far!) I've got loads of pull out baskets and drawers in a single and a hanging rail and trouser rail in a double. The shoe rack on the bottom is perhaps a bit rubbish.

sooz

Doozergirl wrote: »

It's already been said but the Ikea ones are great as long as you don't keep pulling them down and taking them up.

As the Queen of Moving House I can categorically state that no Ikea item that has to be taken down and rebuilt will last longer than two house moves! But they'll be perfect the first time, for a long time!

Mine are great (only one house move so far!) I've got loads of pull out baskets and drawers in a single and a hanging rail and trouser rail in a double. The shoe rack on the bottom is perhaps a bit rubbish.

Quite agree! Don't move Ikea stuff, it doesn't like it.

However, the PAX wardrobes are great. If you have the ceiling height, get the extra tall ones, & screw them to the wall.
If you do plan to move, don't take the wardrobe frames with you. This is probably the cheapest part, & quite often available still boxed up in the bargain corner. Take all the interior customised parts, & replace with a simple rail & a basic shelf or two, if you are leaving the wardrobes (do put this on your F&F list that the interior bits are going though )

argos wardrobes seem to be made more of weetabix than mdf. And the drawers are little more than the weetabix cardboard box. Avoid.

brightonman123

how about getting some plastic (stand alone) shelving units, and make up a fabric cover for the front/sides?

i have one that slotted together (like a oversized desk tray, 4 levels high..) -

it may have come from poundstretcher, but cant be sure.

ic

Another for Ikea wardrobes - I've two doubles + single + corner unit. Huge amount of space, and cost me a bargainous £500. As suggested above, if I ever move I'll only be taking the doors and fancy bits, the units themselves will stay put!

Blade26

Ikea PAX again for me, like the other poster we left ours in our flat when we moved but they were great - I miss all the hanging space :rolleyes:

Blade26

lilitu93

brightonman123 wrote: »

how about getting some plastic (stand alone) shelving units, and make up a fabric cover for the front/sides?

i have one that slotted together (like a oversized desk tray, 4 levels high..) -

it may have come from poundstretcher, but cant be sure.

Thanks for the suggestion, but that won't keep enough dust out. And cockatiels produce a lot of dust. Not to mention that they're very very nosy, and we need to keep them out of the stuff we're storing. But it's a good idea on a budget for those who don't have feathered friends.

lilitu93

sooz wrote: »

Quite agree! Don't move Ikea stuff, it doesn't like it.

However, the PAX wardrobes are great. If you have the ceiling height, get the extra tall ones, & screw them to the wall.
If you do plan to move, don't take the wardrobe frames with you. This is probably the cheapest part, & quite often available still boxed up in the bargain corner. Take all the interior customised parts, & replace with a simple rail & a basic shelf or two, if you are leaving the wardrobes (do put this on your F&F list that the interior bits are going though )

argos wardrobes seem to be made more of weetabix than mdf. And the drawers are little more than the weetabix cardboard box. Avoid.

Thanks for the feedback from everyone who's recommended PAX. We aren't planning to move any time soon, but when we do, we'll definitely consider the suggestion of bringing the fittings and not the frames.

And I agree on the Argos wardrobes. Ours was meant to be solid pine, but it crumbled instantly - it got broken when we were trying to assemble it, though it was still (just) usable until it completely fell apart. One of our cockatiels took a bite out of it, and it just crumbled. He wasn't particularly impressed either (not chewable enough) and never chewed it again.