If you're looking for extra bedroom storage that is stylish yet practical, an armoire is the perfect solution for you. From shelving to hanging space, armoires have plenty of storage space to help keep your things tidy. If you’ve ever wondered, “What is an armoire?”, read on to learn more about armoires and find the perfect armoire style for your wardrobe storage needs.

What Is an Armoire?

An armoire is a large freestanding cabinet with swinging doors that conceal what’s inside. Most have shelves, drawers, and/or a hanging rod inside to store and organize clothes. Similar to a large cupboard, this decorative piece of furniture is often used to store your wardrobe items such as clothing, accessories, or even a television. A standard armoire is similar in width and depth to a dresser but usually taller. You’ll find many armoires around the size of 60ʺ wide, 60ʺ high, and 17ʺ deep.

Tip!

Check out our guide, Armoire vs. Wardrobe: What Are the Differences? To further evaluate your furniture storage options.

Armoires Styles

With a better understanding of what an armoire is, let's discuss your style options. Armoires come in versatile design styles to fulfill a number of storage functions within your home. Check out your options below to determine which style best suits your home and storage needs.

Wardrobe Armoire: A wardrobe armoire is the most popular armoire style and is used to organize and store clothing. It typically has a hanging rod, shelves, and drawers for you to keep clothes and accessories tucked away.

Non-Hanging Armoire: While most armoires have a hanging rod, you can opt for a non-hanging armoire that does not include one. This is the perfect option for someone who already has a large closet with hanging space or wants to use their armoire to organize accessories.

TV Armoire: Armoire storage doesn't have to be used for clothing and accessories, they can be used for media storage as well. Opt for a TV armoire to keep your television and movies tucked away in a cabinet when not in use. It gives you all the benefits of a TV stand while offering more storage space as well as a way to keep the TV hidden.

Tip!

Looking for an easy way to store jewelry? Opt for a jewelry armoire. It is freestanding, small, and offers ample storage for your jewelry collection. Many jewelry armoires have a number of drawers to store necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Armoire Door Types

Armoires can have one of two door-opening styles that influence their aesthetic appearance as well as their opening orientation. Determine which opening design is best for your space, below.

Hinged: If you are looking for a classic armoire with doors that swing out, opt for an armoire with hinged doors. The doors have hinges on the side that allow the doors to be opened and closed.

Sliding: If you are looking to save space, an armoire with sliding doors is the perfect choice! The sliding doors allow you to slide the door on a track instead of opening out into the room. You can leave the door open without worrying you will hit a corner and slide the door on a track without worrying about little fingers getting caught in a hinge.

Storage Type

Armoires can have a variety of different storage layouts/designs to accommodate your organization needs. Here are the different types of armoire storage systems to consider.

Shelf Storage: If you want more shelf storage in your bedroom but would prefer to keep your items out of sight, opt for an armoire with shelves.The shelves in these armoires are located in the main compartment. The shelving keeps larger clothing items (like sweaters or tees) organized while offering easy access.

Drawer Storage: Armoires with drawers will help you store small clothing items (like socks) and other accessories easily. Drawers allow you to keep items organized while also keeping them out of sight. Most of these armoires have one to three drawers located beneath the main compartment.

Media Storage: If you find yourself needing an armoire in a media room or in your bedroom for a TV, opt for an armoire with media storage. The main storage compartment is large and open, often with no other storage components, making it easy to place a TV inside. It includes small storage compartments that will help you store movies, cords, and remotes easily.

Armoire Features

Now that you know what an armoire is and the variety of styles/storage options available to you, it's time for the fun part: choosing your must-have features. Here are some functional and stylish features you can look for.

Assembled: Skip spending hours on the floor putting together your armoire by opting for an already-assembled armoire. Whether you want to organize your clothes or enjoy time with family, you won’t have to worry about sacrificing quality time to assemble your armoire.

Mirror Included: Make the most of your space by opting for an armoire with a mirror included. It allows you to save floor space while creating a dedicated area in your bedroom to get ready. The mirrors are often placed on the outside of the door.

Distressed Finish: If you love a rustic or farmhouse feel, opt for an armoire with a distressed finish. A distressed finish gives your armoire an aged look, adding texture and charm to your armoire.

Solid Wood: If you are looking for a sturdy armoire that will last for years to come, opt for an armoire made from solid wood. While it may require a few people to move, it will certainly last.

Adjustable Shelves: Customize the inside of your armoire by opting for adjustable shelves. Adjustable shelves let you change where the shelves sit inside of the armoire, creating more (or less) space in between each shelf. Adjustable shelves are great if you have taller items to store in your armoire.

Soft-Close Drawers: If you have little ones at home, opt for an armoire with soft-close drawers. When you close the drawer, the soft-close mechanism will take over when the drawer is almost shut. The drawers will close smoothly and silently, giving you peace of mind knowing drawers won’t be slammed on little fingers.

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