Sliding door wardrobes are one of the most searched wardrobe styles in the UK right now. They look sleek, they save space, and they come in a huge range of finishes and sizes. But are they actually worth it for your bedroom? And what do you need to know before you spend your money on one?
In this guide, we give you an honest, straightforward answer. We cover the genuine advantages of sliding door wardrobes, the things worth being aware of, the costs involved, and how to decide whether a sliding door wardrobe is the right choice for your home.
What Is a Sliding Door Wardrobe?
A sliding door wardrobe is a wardrobe where the doors move horizontally along a track system rather than swinging outwards on hinges. The doors glide from side to side, which means you access the contents by sliding one door across to reveal the section behind it.
The Genuine Advantages of a Sliding Door Wardrobe
They save valuable floor space
This is the most significant practical advantage. A hinged wardrobe requires at least 60cm of clear floor space in front of it for the doors to open fully. A sliding door wardrobe requires none. In a bedroom where the bed sits on the opposite wall to the wardrobe, this space saving can make the room feel noticeably less cramped.
They look clean and contemporary
The large, unbroken door panels give the wardrobe a strong visual presence without feeling heavy. Browse our sliding door wardrobes collection to see the full range of styles available.
Mirrored doors are a brilliant option
A mirrored sliding wardrobe gives you a floor-to-ceiling mirror across the full width of the unit, serving as storage, a full-length mirror, and a light-reflecting surface all in one. Our full mirror sliding door wardrobes and sliding door wardrobes with mirror panels are among our most popular options for exactly this reason.
They come in a huge range of sizes
At Home of Wardrobes, you can browse by width to find the exact size you need:
• Sliding wardrobes 130 to 200cm wide — for compact bedrooms
• Sliding wardrobes 201 to 250cm wide — for standard double bedrooms
• Sliding wardrobes 251 to 300cm wide — for larger rooms
• Sliding wardrobes 301 to 350cm wide — for generous master bedrooms
• Sliding wardrobes above 350cm wide — for a truly statement piece
Premium interior options are widely available
Our sliding wardrobes with premium interiors from Rauch and Wiemann include long hanging, double hanging, adjustable shelving, internal drawers, and pull-out accessories.
They are available in every popular finish
Browse by finish to find your perfect match:
• White sliding door wardrobes
• Grey sliding door wardrobes
• Oak effect sliding door wardrobes
• Champagne sliding door wardrobes
• Graphite sliding door wardrobes
Things Worth Being Aware Of
You can only access one section at a time
With a sliding wardrobe, the doors overlap, which means you can only access roughly half of the interior at any one moment. For most people this is a non-issue in daily use, but it is worth factoring in if you regularly need to access both ends simultaneously.
The track mechanism needs occasional cleaning
The sliding door track collects dust over time and a dirty track can cause doors to run less smoothly. A quick clean every few months is usually all that is needed. Our Rauch and Wiemann wardrobes use high-quality track systems designed to run smoothly for years. Rauch Orange, Orange+, and Black ranges come with a 10-year guarantee, and Wiemann wardrobes carry a 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
They require a certain wall width
A sliding wardrobe works best on a wall wide enough to accommodate at least two door panels. If your available wall width is between 130cm and 200cm, take a look at our compact sliding wardrobe range — there are excellent options even for narrower walls.
How Much Does a Sliding Door Wardrobe Cost?
At Home of Wardrobes, we stock sliding door wardrobes across all price points. The cost depends on width, finish, interior specification, and brand. A well-made sliding wardrobe from Rauch or Wiemann should last well over a decade, which means the cost per year of use is considerably lower than it might initially appear.
We offer 0% interest free finance through Novuna — 6 months on orders of £280 and above, or 12 months on orders of £835 and above, with no arrangement fees and repayments starting one month after delivery.
Is a Sliding Door Wardrobe Worth It? Our Honest View
For the vast majority of UK bedrooms, yes. The space saving alone justifies the choice in most standard and smaller bedrooms. The clean aesthetic suits a wide range of interior styles. The range of finishes, sizes, and interior options means you can get exactly the wardrobe you need.
The only scenarios where a hinged wardrobe might serve you better are if you have a large bedroom with plenty of space in front of the wardrobe or prefer the traditional furniture aesthetic. For a more detailed comparison, take a look at our blog on hinged vs sliding door wardrobes and our guide on what to consider when buying a sliding door wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are sliding door wardrobes suitable for small bedrooms?
Yes, sliding door wardrobes are one of the best choices for smaller bedrooms. Our sliding wardrobes 130 to 200cm wide are specifically suited to smaller spaces.
2. Do sliding door wardrobes last as long as hinged wardrobes?
A high-quality sliding door wardrobe from a reputable brand will last just as long as a good hinged wardrobe. Rauch wardrobes on the Orange, Orange+, and Black ranges come with a 10-year guarantee, which gives you real long-term confidence.
3. Can I get a sliding door wardrobe with drawers inside?
Yes. Many of our sliding wardrobes are available with internal drawer configurations as part of the interior specification, reducing the need for a separate chest of drawers in the bedroom.
4. What is the most popular sliding door wardrobe finish in the UK?
White is consistently the most popular finish because it reflects light and suits any colour scheme. Grey is a close second in contemporary schemes. Mirrored sliding door wardrobes are also extremely popular because of the dual practical and visual benefits they offer.
5. How long does a sliding door wardrobe take to deliver and assemble?
Delivery times vary depending on the specific product and your location. Most wardrobes are delivered flat-packed and assembled in your home. If you would prefer not to tackle assembly yourself, we offer a professional assembly service so your wardrobe is ready to use with no effort on your part.