Fitted wardrobes cost between £1,500 and £15,000+ in 2026, depending on size, materials, door style, and level of customisation. A basic MDF fitted wardrobe starts at around £1,500–£2,500. A mid-range design with quality fittings and soft-close mechanisms typically costs £3,000–£6,000. Fully bespoke wardrobes in solid hardwood with custom interiors range from £7,000 to £15,000 or more. In London, expect to pay 15–25% above the national average due to higher labour costs and logistics.
In This Guide
- Fitted Wardrobes Cost at a Glance
- What Affects the Cost of Fitted Wardrobes?
- Fitted Wardrobes Cost by Type
- London Fitted Wardrobe Prices: What to Expect
- Bespoke Fitted Wardrobes vs Off-the-Shelf
- Sliding vs Hinged Doors: Cost Comparison
- Fitted Wardrobe Materials and Their Costs
- How to Save Money Without Compromising Quality
- Do Fitted Wardrobes Add Value to Your Home?
- How Noba & Stod Creates Your Perfect Fitted Wardrobe
- Frequently Asked Questions
Fitted Wardrobes Cost at a Glance (2026 UK Prices)
The table below summarises typical fitted wardrobe costs across four tiers. All prices are for a single wardrobe unit approximately 2.4m wide by 2.4m tall — the standard size for a double bedroom alcove in a UK home.
| Tier | Price Range | Materials | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | £1,500 – £2,500 | MDF or melamine | Basic carcass, hinged doors, simple shelves and a hanging rail. Standard finishes. Template-based design. |
| Mid-Range | £3,000 – £6,000 | Quality MDF, birch plywood | Soft-close hinges and drawers, LED lighting, mix of shelving, drawers, and hanging sections. Choice of painted or veneered finishes. |
| Premium | £6,000 – £10,000 | Hardwood, premium plywood | Bespoke design to your exact specifications. Pull-out shoe racks, jewellery drawers, integrated lighting, premium hardware from Blum or Hettich. |
| Luxury Bespoke | £10,000 – £15,000+ | Solid oak, walnut, or exotic timber | Fully handcrafted in a London workshop. Hand-painted or lacquered finishes. Integrated dressing table, full-length mirrors, hidden safe compartments. Designer-grade hardware. |
What Affects the Cost of Fitted Wardrobes?
Six primary factors determine how much your fitted wardrobes will cost. Understanding these helps you make trade-offs that match your budget and priorities.
1. Size and Layout
Size is the single largest cost driver. A single alcove wardrobe (1.2m wide) costs roughly half the price of a wall-to-wall installation (3.6m). Floor-to-ceiling designs that maximise every centimetre of height add 10–20% compared to standard-height units, but the extra storage they provide makes them the most popular choice among our London clients.
2. Materials
Material choice can easily double the total cost. MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is the most affordable option at £30–£60 per m², while birch plywood — increasingly favoured in contemporary London interiors — runs £80–£140 per m². Solid hardwoods such as oak or walnut cost £150–£300 per m² but deliver a level of grain, warmth, and longevity that no engineered board can replicate. According to the Timber Trade Federation, demand for sustainably sourced hardwood in UK furniture has grown 18% since 2023.
3. Door Style
Doors account for 25–35% of the total fitted wardrobe cost. Hinged doors are the most economical option. Sliding doors add £300–£800 to the price due to the track mechanism, but save floor space in smaller bedrooms. Handleless push-to-open designs, popular in modern London flats, sit at the premium end.
4. Interior Fittings
A basic interior with shelves and a hanging rail keeps costs down, but most homeowners invest in additional fittings that transform how they use the space. Common upgrades and their approximate costs:
- Soft-close drawers — £80–£150 per drawer (Blum or Hettich mechanisms)
- Pull-out shoe rack — £120–£250 per unit
- Integrated LED lighting — £150–£400 per wardrobe
- Pull-out trouser rack — £100–£200
- Jewellery tray insert — £80–£180
- Full-length mirror — £100–£300 (internal door-mounted)
5. Finish and Colour
A basic white melamine wrap is included in most budget quotes. Hand-painted finishes using brands such as Farrow & Ball or Little Greene add £500–£1,500 to the project, depending on the number of coats and colour complexity. Spray-lacquered finishes, which deliver a flawless factory-smooth result, typically cost £800–£2,000 more than brush-painted alternatives.
6. Location Within London
Installation costs vary across London. Central and West London (Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge) commands the highest rates due to parking restrictions, congestion charges, and the complexity of working in listed or period buildings. According to MyBuilder 2025 data, average carpenter day rates by area are:
| London Area | Carpenter Day Rate | Premium vs National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Central London (SW1, W1, EC) | £350 – £450 | +60–90% |
| West London (Chelsea, Chiswick) | £300 – £400 | +40–70% |
| North London (Hampstead, Belsize Park) | £280 – £380 | +30–60% |
| South/East London (Greenwich, Dulwich) | £250 – £350 | +20–45% |
Fitted Wardrobes Cost by Type
The design type you choose significantly impacts the final price. Here is what each style typically costs in 2026.
| Wardrobe Type | Price Range (UK) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Alcove wardrobe | £1,800 – £5,000 | Victorian/Edwardian homes with chimney breast alcoves |
| Wall-to-wall wardrobe | £3,000 – £10,000 | Modern bedrooms, maximising full wall storage |
| Walk-in wardrobe / dressing room | £5,000 – £15,000+ | Larger bedrooms, luxury homes, master suites |
| Sliding door wardrobe | £2,500 – £7,000 | Small bedrooms where door clearance is limited |
| Fitted wardrobe under eaves / loft | £2,000 – £6,000 | Loft conversions with angled ceilings |
| Fitted bedroom suite (wardrobes + bedside + headboard) | £8,000 – £20,000+ | Complete bedroom transformation |
London Fitted Wardrobe Prices: What to Expect
London’s fitted wardrobe market sits at the premium end of UK pricing. Several factors unique to the capital push costs above the national average.
Labour costs are higher. A skilled carpenter in London charges £250–£450 per day, compared to £180–£280 in most other UK regions. According to the Federation of Master Builders, London has the highest construction labour costs in the UK, approximately 35% above the national average.
Access and logistics add cost. Parking permits (£25–£50/day in most boroughs), congestion zone charges (£15/day), and the difficulty of carrying materials into upper-floor flats without lifts all increase the final bill. For properties above the third floor without a lift, expect a £200–£500 access surcharge.
Period property premium. Many London homes have uneven walls, non-standard alcove dimensions, and heritage features that require more careful craftsmanship. A bespoke approach — rather than off-the-shelf modules — is often the only option for achieving a seamless fit in a Georgian or Victorian property.
Based on our experience at Noba & Stod, here are realistic 2026 prices for common London fitted wardrobe projects:
| Project | London Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Pair of alcove wardrobes (Victorian bedroom) | £4,500 – £9,000 |
| Single wall-to-wall wardrobe (3m wide) | £4,000 – £12,000 |
| Walk-in wardrobe / dressing room fit-out | £8,000 – £20,000+ |
| Loft conversion wardrobe (under eaves) | £3,000 – £7,000 |
| Full master bedroom suite | £12,000 – £25,000+ |
Bespoke Fitted Wardrobes vs Off-the-Shelf: Is It Worth the Investment?
This is the question we hear most from London homeowners. The short answer: it depends on your property, your priorities, and how long you plan to stay.
| Feature | Off-the-Shelf (IKEA PAX, etc.) | High-Street Fitted (Sharps, Hammonds) | Bespoke (Noba & Stod) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (2.4m wardrobe) | £400 – £1,200 | £2,500 – £5,000 | £5,000 – £12,000+ |
| Fit precision | Gaps of 5–15cm are common | Filler panels used for irregular spaces | Millimetre-perfect fit, no gaps |
| Materials | Particle board, thin foil finish | MDF or melamine-faced chipboard | Birch plywood, solid hardwood, premium veneers |
| Design flexibility | Limited to standard modules | Some customisation within template | Unlimited — any shape, size, material, finish |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years | 10–15 years | 25–50+ years |
| Installation | DIY or flatpack assembly | Company installer (1–2 days) | Master joiner on-site (2–5 days) |
| Resale value | Neutral | Modest positive | Significant positive (2–5% property uplift) |
| Best for | Rental properties, short-term | Standard rooms, moderate budgets | Period homes, luxury properties, long-term |
Sliding vs Hinged Wardrobe Doors: Cost Comparison
Door choice is both a practical and aesthetic decision. Here is how the two main options compare on cost and functionality.
| Factor | Hinged Doors | Sliding Doors |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £200 – £600 per pair | £500 – £1,400 per pair |
| Space needed | 60–70cm of clearance in front | No clearance needed |
| Full access to interior | Yes — both sides open fully | Only half the wardrobe accessible at a time |
| Mechanism longevity | Very reliable (simple hinge) | Good — but tracks need occasional cleaning |
| Design options | Shaker, flat panel, beaded, mirrored | Glass, mirror, wood panel, lacquered |
| Best for | Rooms with space in front of wardrobe | Small bedrooms, tight spaces |
Our recommendation: If your bedroom allows at least 70cm of clearance in front of the wardrobe, hinged doors offer better access and lower cost. In compact London bedrooms where every centimetre matters, sliding doors are the practical choice despite the higher price.
Fitted Wardrobe Materials and Their Costs
The material you choose for the wardrobe carcass (the internal structure) and doors (the visible exterior) has the biggest impact on both appearance and longevity.
| Material | Cost per m² | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) | £30 – £60 | 10–15 years | Painted finishes, budget-friendly projects |
| Melamine-faced chipboard | £25 – £50 | 8–12 years | High-street fitted ranges, utility spaces |
| Birch plywood | £80 – £140 | 25–40 years | Contemporary interiors, exposed-edge designs |
| Oak veneer on plywood | £100 – £180 | 30–50 years | Traditional and transitional styles |
| Solid oak | £150 – £250 | 50+ years | Heritage homes, luxury bedrooms |
| Solid walnut | £200 – £350 | 50+ years | High-end contemporary, statement pieces |
How to Save Money on Fitted Wardrobes Without Compromising Quality
Even with a generous budget, smart decisions can stretch your investment further. Here are seven strategies our London clients use most often.
- Prioritise the carcass material, simplify the doors. A birch plywood interior with flat-slab MDF doors painted in a quality colour saves 20–30% compared to a fully hardwood build, while maintaining excellent durability where it counts — inside the wardrobe where daily wear happens.
- Choose hinged doors over sliding. Hinged doors cost £300–£800 less per wardrobe than sliding mechanisms, and they give you full access to the interior.
- Invest in fewer, smarter fittings. Rather than filling every compartment with premium accessories, focus on the fittings you will actually use daily. A well-placed set of soft-close drawers (£400–£600 for a set of four) adds more daily value than a full suite of specialty inserts you rarely touch.
- Go floor-to-ceiling. It may seem counterintuitive, but floor-to-ceiling wardrobes often cost only 10–15% more than standard-height units while providing 30–40% more storage volume. Cost per cubic metre of storage drops significantly.
- Order multiple wardrobes together. If you need fitted wardrobes in more than one room, commissioning them as a single project typically saves 10–15% compared to ordering separately, as the joiner can optimise material cutting and reduce site visits.
- Consider a painted finish over lacquer. Hand-painted finishes (£500–£1,000 premium) deliver a beautiful result at roughly half the cost of spray-lacquered finishes (£800–£2,000 premium).
- Time your project wisely. January through March is traditionally quieter for London joiners. Booking during this period may yield better availability and occasionally slightly lower quotes.
Do Fitted Wardrobes Add Value to Your Home?
Fitted wardrobes are one of the most reliable home improvements for increasing property value, particularly in London where storage is a top buyer priority.
According to Savills estate agents, quality fitted storage can add 2–5% to a property’s selling price. For a £600,000 London flat, that translates to £12,000–£30,000 in added value — a return that comfortably exceeds the cost of even a premium bespoke wardrobe installation.
Research from Rightmove’s 2025 Home Improvement Survey found that “ample storage” ranks as the third most important feature for UK home buyers, behind only “good natural light” and “modern kitchen.” In London specifically, 67% of buyers surveyed said built-in wardrobes would positively influence their offer price.
The key is quality. Budget flatpack wardrobes are unlikely to impress buyers. Well-designed, well-built fitted wardrobes with quality materials and hardware — the kind that feel substantial and integrated into the architecture of the room — signal a property that has been cared for and thoughtfully improved.
How Noba & Stod Creates Your Perfect Fitted Wardrobe
At Noba & Stod, we design and build bespoke fitted wardrobes in our London workshop for homes across the capital. Our process is designed to take the stress out of what can otherwise be an overwhelming number of decisions.
Our Process
- Consultation and survey (free). We visit your home, take precise measurements (including laser surveys for period properties with uneven walls), discuss your storage needs, and understand your design preferences.
- Design and 3D visualisation. We create detailed drawings and 3D renders so you can see exactly how your wardrobes will look and function before any work begins.
- Material selection. Choose from our curated range of timbers, finishes, and hardware at our London showroom. We source sustainably certified timber and work with premium hardware manufacturers including Blum, Hettich, and Hafele.
- Crafting in our workshop. Every component is precision-cut and assembled in our workshop. No flatpack, no filler panels, no compromises.
- Installation. Our master joiners install your wardrobes on-site, ensuring a millimetre-perfect fit. We protect your home throughout and leave the space spotless.
Our fitted wardrobes start from £5,000 for a single bespoke unit and typically range from £8,000 to £15,000 for a pair of alcove wardrobes in London. Every project includes a detailed fixed-price quote with no hidden costs.
Ready to Discuss Your Fitted Wardrobe Project?
Book a free consultation with our design team. We will visit your home, take measurements, and provide a detailed quote — with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do fitted wardrobes cost in the UK in 2026?
Fitted wardrobes in the UK cost between £1,500 and £15,000 or more in 2026. A basic MDF fitted wardrobe with hinged doors typically starts at £1,500–£2,500, a mid-range design with soft-close drawers and better materials runs £3,000–£6,000, and a fully bespoke wardrobe in solid hardwood with custom interiors costs £7,000–£15,000+. London prices are generally 15–25% higher than the national average.
Are fitted wardrobes worth the investment?
Yes, fitted wardrobes are generally a worthwhile investment. According to Savills estate agents, well-designed fitted storage can add 2–5% to a property’s value. They also maximise usable space — a fitted wardrobe in a standard UK alcove provides up to 40% more storage than a freestanding alternative of the same footprint. Bespoke options tailored to the exact dimensions of your room eliminate wasted space entirely.
How long does it take to install fitted wardrobes?
Installation of fitted wardrobes typically takes 1–3 days for a single wardrobe and 3–5 days for a full bedroom suite. Bespoke wardrobes require a longer lead time: 4–8 weeks for design and manufacturing, followed by 2–5 days for on-site installation. High-street brands like Sharps or Hammonds usually offer 4–6 week delivery with 1–2 day installation.
What is the difference between fitted and bespoke wardrobes?
Fitted wardrobes are built to fill a specific space (like an alcove) but typically use modular, pre-manufactured components in standard sizes. Bespoke wardrobes are designed and crafted entirely from scratch for your room — every panel, shelf, and drawer is made to your exact measurements and specifications. Bespoke wardrobes cost 50–100% more than standard fitted options but offer unlimited design flexibility, superior materials, and a precise fit that eliminates all gaps.
Can you fit wardrobes into an alcove or awkward space?
Yes, fitted wardrobes are ideal for alcoves, sloped ceilings, chimney breasts, and other awkward spaces. Alcove wardrobes are one of the most popular fitted wardrobe projects in London period homes. A bespoke joiner can design wardrobes that follow the exact contours of your space, including angled ceilings in loft conversions and irregular walls in Victorian and Georgian properties.
Do fitted wardrobes add value to your home?
Yes. According to data from UK estate agents, well-designed fitted storage is consistently cited as a feature that increases property value. Savills reports that quality fitted wardrobes can add 2–5% to a home’s selling price. In the London property market, where space is at a premium, fitted wardrobes are viewed as a practical improvement that appeals to almost every buyer.
