TO BOLDLY STOW
By Peta Tomlinson

IT MAY SEEM a stretch to suggest that a life-changing experience can happen in a wardrobe, but a growing number of believers are seeing the light. The light, that is, which was hitherto blocked by an unseemly jumble of squashed clothes and mismatched shoes.

In the realm of home renovation there's always room for improvement - even if that room is no more than a cupboard. Designer wardrobes are the latest thing to come out of New York , and Hong Kong is following suit - not only because it makes sense to keep clothes organised but also, according to the design gurus, for the profound effect it can have.

Interior designer and style coach Anouk Hatzakorzian Chrun, who tailors her business to wardrobe makeovers, says you can tell a lot about a person from the state of their wardrobe. A tidy, well-organised wardrobe not only projects a good image, it also creates a sense of being in charge, she says. "If a person can handle their own space, it shows they also have control over other areas of their lives."

Equally, people who hang onto things just for the sake of it send a message that they can't let go, or take the next step, Hatzakorzian Chrun says. Re-organising your wardrobe is empowering, and can help people "to deal with a lot of things in life", she says.

Wardrobe consultant Eve Roth Lindsay, of Savvy Style, colour me beautiful HK, says modern wardrobes can provide a sanctuary in the home. "Once a walk-in closet would only be for dressing, but you'll see a comfortable chair, telephone, a television, computer, a mini refrigerator for juices or that odd glass of wine, and even a cappuccino machine in today's closets," Lindsay says. "Another factor behind the new, bigger-is-better wardrobe is time. In today's world there's less time to get ready, so the ability to see your clothes easily is important. People are going for a wardrobe that's organised to help them."

Some prefer to have an all-white closet so they can see the colours of their clothes more clearly, Lindsay says. Some like to have a closet that resembles their favourite store, so they feel as if they're shopping every time they get dressed.

"It's very important to plan and personalise the wardrobe with drawers, trays and racks for belts or ties," Lindsay says. "Taller hanging areas are needed for evening gowns and wider widths are necessary for men's suits. Most important are sturdy wooden hangers for suits and jackets, wooden hangers with clips for skirts and trousers, padded hangers for lightweight and luxury fabrics, and smooth plastic hangers for shirts, blouses and dresses."

Wardrobes increasingly have that wow factor on the inside as well as the outside, as this design by Angela Hall demonstrates. Photos: Dickson Lee

Angela Hall, of Angela Hall Design, says space is at a premium in most Hong Kong homes, so planning is essential. Doing a basic inventory of your belongings is a good way to start. This will determine what's needed in terms of hanging or storage space, and, if possible, allow scope for future purchases.

Some people like their clothes on open shelves; others prefer drawers. And if, as in the case of one of Hall's clients, you have 30 ball gowns to hang, your needs will be different again.

In a city where owning hundreds of pairs of shoes isn't uncommon, creative storage is a must to prevent their taking over your closet. Keeping your shoes in boxes with a photo on the front is one option, but Hall prefers a narrow, pull-out rack system similar to a kitchen pantry. Stilettos can be stored in a narrow space by hooking the heels over stainless steel bars.

To maximise space in a small closet, use open shelves as opposed to drawers, Hall says. You'll be surprised by how much room can be saved by doing away with runners and tracks. Making the shelving adjustable allows you to add or deduct shelves as needed.

If you do use drawers, ensure they run on a fully extendable track so you can get to the things at the back. Instead of having all your drawers the same depth, leave some shallow to avoid having to dig around for your smalls.

Shallow bars on the inside of closet doors provide handy storage for ties, belts and scarves, Hall says. Hanging rods should be adjustable to eliminate wasted space. An automatic lighting system, which turns on when you open the door, is a popular option in designed wardrobes. Lighting should be soft and diffused, not harsh and bright.

Many people keep a safe in their wardrobe, but Hall says there's a trend towards secret drawers to hide jewellery and other valuables. More people are also putting a television or computer in there, so they can make the wardrobe part of the room. Dehumidifying the air in your closet is a must in Hong Kong . Some of Hall's clients also add a bar fridge to store expensive creams, perfumes and nail polishes. If you have space, a centre island is a great feature for any walk-in closet, both from a design perspective and for the extra storage it provides.

Of course, it's not all about what's inside. The wardrobes Hall designed for a client on Lantau feature suede and faux-lizard skin panels on the outside and handles of bronze and satin nickel that "spice up the look". "When space is limited, I'm often asked to design extra closets in the living areas and corridors, but they can be disguised as panels and also incorporate open display for books and accessories," she says. "If all this is planned well and backlit with soft hidden lights, it can add to the overall ambience of a space."

Well-designed wardrobes are serious business. "I've never had a client yet who hasn't asked to see plans and elevations for the inside of their closet," Hall says.