Kids' wardrobe or chest of drawers: which does your child need?
Children's clothes are small but there are lots of them. Choosing between a wardrobe, a chest of drawers or both depends on your child's age, what you hang versus fold and how much floor space you have.
What do you actually store?
Before choosing furniture, take a quick look at your child's clothes:
- Mostly folded (vests, T-shirts, leggings, pyjamas, jumpers): a chest of drawers stores these most efficiently.
- Some hanging (school uniform, dresses, coats, party clothes): a kids' wardrobe keeps them crease-free.
- Bulky extras (spare bedding, outgrown clothes, seasonal items): high wardrobe shelves or under-bed storage.
By age
| Age | Typical need |
|---|---|
| Baby and toddler | Mostly folded clothes; a chest of drawers or a changing unit with drawers covers most needs |
| Primary school | Uniform and a few hanging items join the folded clothes; a small wardrobe plus drawers works well |
| Teenagers | More hanging space and bigger clothes; a full-height wardrobe and a chest of drawers |
Chests of drawers: pros and cons
- Hold a lot of folded clothing in a small footprint.
- A low chest doubles as a surface for a lamp, books or a changing mat.
- Children can reach their own clothes, which helps them get dressed independently.
- You need clear floor space in front so drawers open fully.
Our kids' chests of drawers come from Vox, Flair Furniture and Noomi.
Wardrobes: pros and cons
- Hanging space for uniform and special clothes.
- Shelves or drawers inside can cover folded items too, so a wardrobe with drawers can be the only storage in a small room.
- Lower hanging rails in kids' wardrobes are easier for children to reach.
- Hinged doors need space to swing open.
Our kids' wardrobes come from Vox, Flair Furniture, Tutti Bambini and Mathy By Bols.
Small room? Try these
- A wardrobe with drawers inside instead of two separate pieces.
- A storage bed: drawers under the bed can replace a chest. Compare kids' storage beds.
- A high sleeper with a wardrobe underneath.
- Over-door hooks for dressing gowns and school bags.
Matching and growing
Buying a wardrobe and chest from the same range gives a co-ordinated room. Many ranges also include beds, desks and bookcases. Neutral finishes like white and natural wood last longest as tastes change: see our edits of white kids' wardrobes and natural wood kids' chests of drawers.
Always fix to the wall
In a child's room, secure wardrobes and chests of drawers to the wall with the fixings supplied. Our guide to stopping furniture tipping over shows how.
A quick decision guide
- Small room, young child: a chest of drawers, plus hooks for coats and bags.
- School age, average room: a small wardrobe and a chest of drawers from the same range.
- Teenager: a full-height wardrobe with drawers inside, or a high sleeper with a wardrobe underneath.
- Shared room: one wardrobe with a shelf each, plus separate drawers so each child has their own space.
Shop kids' wardrobes
Frequently asked questions
Does a child need a wardrobe?
Not always. Babies and toddlers can manage with a chest of drawers. Once school uniform and hanging clothes arrive, a small wardrobe or one with a low rail becomes useful.
Is a wardrobe with drawers a good idea for a small room?
Yes. Combining hanging space and drawers in one piece saves the floor space of a separate chest of drawers.
What height should a kids' wardrobe rail be?
A lower rail lets children hang up their own clothes. Check the internal layout on the product page; some wardrobes have adjustable rails.