Not every wardrobe needs to last twenty years. Sometimes you just need somewhere to hang clothes for Christmas, a term at uni or the six weeks it takes to move house.
That's what temporary wardrobes are for. They go up fast, come down even faster and won't leave holes in the wall. The trick is matching the type to your situation, because the best pick for a student isn't the best pick for a renter. So instead of a long list of features, this guide starts with where you are.
If you only read one line
For a few weeks or months, get a fabric wardrobe. For a rented room you'll be in for a year or more, get a telescopic wardrobe system. For one weekend of guests, a clothes rail will do.
H2: Five situations, five answers
1. "We've got family staying for Christmas"
- Pick: a fabric wardrobe with plenty of shelves.
- Why: it goes up in the spare room in under half an hour and folds away in January. The HOMCOM portable wardrobe at 125 x 43 x 162.5cm has 8 shelves and 2 hanging rails, enough for two guests' clothes.
- Watch out for: zips. Ask guests to open and close them gently, as they're the first part to wear.
2. "I'm moving into student halls or a house share"
- Pick: a folding fabric wardrobe.
- Why: it packs flat and fits in the car with everything else, then comes home again in June. The vidaXL folding wardrobe measures 110 x 45 x 175cm.
- Watch out for: room size. Student rooms are often small, and many already have some storage, so measure the free wall before you order.
3. "I'm renting and I can't drill"
- Pick: a telescopic wardrobe system.
- Why: our vidaXL aluminium systems hold in place by tension, with no drilling, and the rails adjust from 58cm to 100cm wide. When you move, they come with you and resize for the next room.
- Watch out for: wall type. Tension systems need solid walls, not plasterboard on its own. And it's worth checking your tenancy agreement for anything you're not allowed to fix to walls; GOV.UK's How to rent guide covers what tenants should check.
4. "We're moving house or redecorating"
- Pick: a fabric wardrobe with a full zip cover.
- Why: the cover keeps most dust off your clothes while rooms are being emptied, painted or plastered.
- Watch out for: damp. The fabric isn't airtight or waterproof, so keep it out of rooms that are drying out or prone to condensation.
5. "I've got an alcove or a loft with a sloping ceiling"
- Pick: a telescopic system.
- Why: it fits the space you have rather than the other way round, and some systems come with rails at different heights plus shelves.
- Watch out for: measuring at the right height. Measure the width where the rail will sit, not at floor level, as alcoves are rarely square.
Myth versus reality
Myth: temporary wardrobes only last a few weeks. Reality: with careful use, a fabric wardrobe can last a couple of years. The fabric holds up well; zips and frame joints are what wear first.
Myth: you need a toolbox. Reality: fabric wardrobes slot together with no tools, and most people have one up in 15 to 30 minutes. Telescopic systems take 30 to 60 minutes, and a spirit level helps.
Myth: they can't take winter coats. Reality: a fabric wardrobe will take a few heavy coats if you spread the weight along the rail. For a full rail of coats and suits, aluminium telescopic rails are the sturdier option.
Myth: tension rails wreck your walls. Reality: they don't drill into anything. The end caps press against the wall and spread the pressure, which is why the wall needs to be solid.
The set-up race
|
|
Fabric wardrobe |
Telescopic system |
|---|---|---|
|
Time to put up |
15 to 30 minutes |
30 to 60 minutes |
|
Tools |
None |
None needed, spirit level helps |
|
Fixing to walls |
No |
No, tension only |
|
Packs away |
Folds flat |
Dismantles and resizes |
|
Dust protection |
Zip cover |
Open, none |
|
Best for |
Guests, students, moving |
Renters, alcoves, lofts |
How big should a temporary wardrobe be?
Measure three things: the width of free wall, the height up to any sloping ceiling or window sill, and the depth into the room. Hangers need around 40 to 45cm of depth, which is why most fabric wardrobes are 40 to 45cm deep.
For reference, our fabric wardrobes range from 110 x 45 x 175cm for a single rail up to the HOMCOM 166 x 42.5 x 169.5cm model with 12 shelves and 2 rails. If you want more depth on build quality and what separates a good fabric wardrobe from a flimsy one, our guide to buying a fabric wardrobe that doesn't end up in a heap goes into detail.
The one-minute version
Short stay, guests or students: fabric. A year or more in a rented room, or an awkward alcove: telescopic. A weekend: a clothes rail. Measure the wall, check the depth for hangers, and spread heavy coats along the rail.
